Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Sabine River Swamp Monster Bass

Terry Brack stood on the shores of the turbine channel beneath the Toledo Bend Reservoir dam, engaged in his customary pursuit of targeting hybrid striped bass. However, this rainy February day presented an unusual scenario as Brack found himself alone amid the typically bustling waters of the Sabine River. The rushing torrents downstream from turbines running wide open usually signaled prime conditions for a frenzy of hybrid striper activity.

Despite the initial promise of action, three hours passed with minimal excitement, prompting Brack to contemplate his final cast. Yet, just as hope waned, fate intervened with an astonishing encounter—a giant largemouth bass. The potential record-breaker for the Sabine River engulfed Brack’s LIVETARGET Erratic Shiner spoon.

Crafted with unparalleled precision to emulate the natural allure of the Sabine’s native forage, the LIVETARGET Erratic Shiner stands as a testament to modern angling ingenuity. Its innovative design seamlessly blends traditional spoon craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology, boasting a lifelike Inner-Core and an Exo-Skin exterior that produces an erratic wide-wobble, faithfully replicating the movements of injured prey. Available in 4 sizes and 10 colors, this cast-and-retrieve style spoon proved irresistible to the elusive largemouth lurking in the depths.

Brack recounted casting his lure into approximately 25 feet of water, strategically working it through an eddy where hybrids typically congregate. While previous outings had yielded sizable bass bycatch, nothing could prepare him for the fish he would soon encounter. Unfortunately, the battle ended with the behemoth bass coming belly up, drifting ashore lifeless. Brack took the fish home and weighed it on his personal Ozark Trail portable dial scale.

Despite the absence of official recognition, Brack’s bass undeniably eclipses the current Sabine River largemouth bass record of 6.81 pounds, set in 2018. The largest bass from Toledo Bend Reservoir weighed 15.67 pounds and was caught in 2023. Speculation runs rampant among anglers, with many surmising that this legendary fish may have originated from the Toledo Bend Reservoir, flushing over the spillway and gorging on a constant supply of baitfish for years until she was finally caught.

Undeterred by the lack of accolades, Brack finds solace in the sheer exhilaration of the catch. The 15-pound largemouth, measuring 26.5 inches in length, will be immortalized by taxidermist Aaron Schultz in Conroe. For Brack, the true reward transcends records; it lies in the profound connection forged with the untamed waters he has traversed for so many years—a testament to the Sabine River and the unparalleled allure of the LIVETARGET Erratic Shiner.