In the northeast, the following definitions apply to the biggest members of the micropterus salmoides and odocoileus virginianus families, respectively.
When bass reach a size of about 4 pounds, they normally undergo a change in personality – they begin to lose the habits of smaller bass and take on the characteristics of adults.*
Adult: 4-5 lbs, 80-100 inches
4 lbs, 10 ounces8 point buck
Big Bass are masters of their world, and by being masters they can choose to do whatever they like.”
Heap: 5-6 lbs, 100-119 inches
5 lbs, 8 ounce115 inch deadhead
Do you remember what a challenge it was to catch your first 6 pounder? There is so much change in catching a 6 pounder compared to a 3 pounder it is almost amazing. The body of a 6-pounder is totally different: the jaw plates have more body and size, the tail gets fatter, the shoulders are wider, and the whole look of the fish is different. *
Trophy: 6-7 lbs, 120-134 inches
Roger “Bullhead” Baker with a 6 lbs 9 ounce trophy!
When a bass reaches a point where they are a trophy, they are really rare and extremely solitary. *
Monstrosity: 7-8 lbs, 135-160 inches
7 lbs 12 ounces
“You can do anything or make anything happen if you have the desire and the committment. All you have to do is want it bad enough. And the feeling you get when you hold one of these giant bass in your hands is worth the sacrifice. It’s like reaching a mountain peak and standing where you never thought possible.”
Coloss: 8 lbs and up, 160 inches+ Boone and Crockett
8 lbs 1 ounce
*Excerpts from Bill Murphy, In Pursuit of Giant Bass.
