Drake Hunter Holmes of Sherman shattered the junior angler Lake Texoma record for striped bass Sunday with a 5.03-pound, 23.5-inch-long fish.
Holmes caught the fish while fishing with his dad, Kennith Holmes. If approved as the official record, the fish will beat the old record of 2.68 pounds caught by Mitchell Kisel of Denison. He caught the striper while they were slabbing on the Table Top area just outside the Little Mineral Arm of Lake Texoma.
Kennith Holmes said Drake has caught bigger stripers, but they did not realize what the record was until they went to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Departmentwebsite to check.
If you think you have a new fish record, contact the Lake Texoma Fisheries Station at (903) 786-2389 or check TPWD’s website. The categories for public waters include fly-fishing, rod and reel, bowfishing and unrestricted (other legal methods). The junior level (for anglers under age 17) has the same categories.
“We will see that you get an Angler Recognition Award application, if needed,” said John Moczygemba, TPWD fisheries biologist. “Bring the fish to our office and we will weigh it for you, or many grocery stores will weigh your fish on their certified scales. Some bait shops have certified scales also. The scales must have been certified within the past year. The fish must be weighed within three days of the catch. However, weigh the fish as soon as possible to prevent any weight loss due to regurgitation or dehydration.”
Locations of certified scales can be found at https://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/fish/programs/fishrecords/scales.phtml.
“Take several pictures so the fish can be identified,” Moczygemba advised. “There should be one picture with the angler holding the fish and one with the fish on a ruler. Don’t be shy, if you catch a big fish; check it out to see if it is a record.”
