ATHENS, Texas — Lake Fork produced its third Toyota ShareLunker of the season Sunday night.
Randall E. Claybourne of Tulsa, Okla., was fishing by himself in 15 feet of water in the east arm of the lake when the 13.86-pound bass took his jig-and-craw lure at 11:20 p.m.
The fish was 25 inches long and 21 inches in girth. It was held for pickup at Lake Fork Marina, an official Toyota ShareLunker Weigh and Holding Station.
The first entry of the season was a 13.29-pounder caught by Stephen Proctor of Pryor, Okla., on Nov. 21, 2013. The second was a 13.6-pound behemoth caught by Blake Eppinette of Downsville, La., Dec. 27, 2013. Both of those were caught on Lake Fork, as well.
The only other entry so far this season that didn’t come from Lake Fork was a 13.76-pounder caught by Jason Hanson of Athens, Texas, on Lake Athens.
Anyone who legally catches a 13-pound or bigger largemouth bass from Texas waters, public or private, between Oct. 1 and April 30 may submit the fish to the Toyota ShareLunker program. Fish will be picked up by TPWD personnel within 12 hours.
To learn more about the Toyota ShareLunker program and how to enter, visit the website.
Anglers who enter fish into the Toyota ShareLunker program receive a free replica of their fish, a certificate and ShareLunker clothing and are recognized at a banquet at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens. The person who catches the season’s largest entry will be named Angler of the Year. If the Angler of the Year is a Texas resident, that person also receives a lifetime fishing license.