Lawrence Lee, a prominent fishing guide from Toler, Texas, has etched his name into the annals of trophy bass fishing history, accomplishing an extraordinary feat that few anglers ever dream of. He successfully caught and contributed an astonishing three largemouth bass, each weighing more than 13 pounds, to the esteemed ShareLunker Program in a single season. This unprecedented achievement not only highlights Lee's exceptional skill but also marks a significant milestone for the program and the sport of bass fishing in Texas.
On a memorable Tuesday, Lee made headlines by reeling in two colossal 13-pound largemouths in one day, both of which he promptly donated to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's ShareLunker Program. This astounding catch came just weeks after he had already contributed another bass exceeding 13 pounds. All these magnificent specimens were caught from his home waters, the J.B. Thomas Reservoir, underscoring his deep understanding and mastery of the local fishing environment.
Natalie Goldstrohm, the coordinator for the TPWD ShareLunker program, expressed her astonishment at Lee's success, noting that this is the first time in the program's four-decade history that an individual angler has caught two Legacy class bass (13 pounds or heavier) on the same day. Furthermore, Lee's accomplishment of landing three such fish in a single season is also a first, setting a new benchmark for trophy bass angling in the state. His initial Legacy bass of the season was caught on March 8 during a guided trip, weighing in at an impressive 13.12 pounds.
Lee's strategy for these remarkable catches involved the use of forward-facing sonar technology, which proved instrumental in locating large fish in deeper waters. On the day he caught two record-breaking bass, after securing his first 13.1-pounder in the morning using a KGB Swimbaits glide bait, he returned to the lake in the afternoon. Despite facing initial challenges in getting fish to bite, his persistence paid off. He eventually spotted another heavyweight bass at 18 feet deep, which he successfully lured with a 5.5-inch DC Swimbait rigged on a half-ounce jighead. The battle to land this fish was intense, marked by a critical moment when the hook nearly dislodged, but Lee's quick reflexes and calm under pressure ensured the catch.
Following the official weighing of his second bass of the day at 13.57 pounds, Lee once again contacted Goldstrohm, who was reportedly "stunned" by the news. Although the fish was tagged and samples were taken, it was returned to Lee due to the hatchery's full capacity, allowing him to release it back into the lake. This season has been exceptionally fruitful for the ShareLunker program, with 17 bass over 13 pounds submitted, four of which came from J.B. Thomas Reservoir. The program, which concludes on March 31, continues to encourage anglers to submit their trophy catches, offering prizes and recognition, including fiberglass replicas of their fish, regardless of whether the fish are collected for breeding.
Lawrence Lee's extraordinary fishing season serves as a testament to his dedication, skill, and innovative approach to bass fishing, further enriching Texas's rich angling heritage and inspiring fellow fishermen across the region.