A Tennessee fisherman has done what many thought was impossible—he crushed a state fishing record that had held firm since 2015. Darren Nunley, a local angler from Whitwell, pulled in a true monster from Nickajack Reservoir in late February, and the catch has officially made waves across the fishing world.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency announced that Nunley’s bass weighed in at 15 pounds, 7 1/2 ounces and measured 27 7/8 inches long. That makes it the largest largemouth bass ever recorded in the state’s history. The previous record, set nearly a decade earlier, was simply no match for this beast.
According to the TWRA, Nunley hooked the fish around 8 a.m. using a jackhammer chatterbait lure paired with 17-pound fluorocarbon line. After the catch, he brought the fish to a certified scale in Whitwell. The agency then ran genetic testing, which was finalized on May 9, before officially confirming the record.
“On Feb. 28, Darren Nunley of Whitwell landed a massive largemouth bass from Nickajack Reservoir weighing 15 pounds, 7 1/2 ounces and measuring 27 7/8 inches long — officially setting a new Tennessee state record. The fish tops the previous record largemouth caught in 2015 and marks another incredible chapter in Tennessee fishing history,” the department said in a statement.
The fishing community has been buzzing with excitement since the news broke. Social media lit up with reactions, from simple exclamations like “WOW!!!” to playful jabs. One commenter wrote, “You know that ol boy knows how to catch a fish,” while another joked, “Never seen anyone look that sad holding a Bass 😂.”
This monumental catch is yet another reminder that records are meant to be broken. For those who follow the sport, it’s a testament to the skill and patience required to land a fish of this caliber. Nunley’s name will now sit atop the Tennessee largemouth bass record books, inspiring future anglers to chase their own giants.
For more on record-breaking moments in sports, check out the story of marathon champion Yebrgual Melese. And if you’re a fan of big catches, keep an eye on the latest buzz in college football for a change of pace.
Nunley’s achievement is a perfect example of why we love sports—the thrill of the unexpected, the joy of a new record, and the shared excitement of a community coming together to celebrate greatness.
