The 71-year-old angler was initially fishing for bluegill and yellow perch using a light spinning rod with an eight-pound test line and half a nightcrawler as bait when he landed the massive striped bass. The fish’s girth measured 27.36 inches, and it was verified and certified as the new state record by the Ohio Division of Wildlife and the Outdoor Writers of Ohio State Record Fish Committee. The previous record was held by Mark Chuifo, who caught a 37.10-pound striped bass at West Branch Reservoir in 1993.
Bruggeman’s catch not only highlights the surprise and excitement of freshwater fishing in Ohio but also shines a spotlight on Kiser Lake as a premier destination for trophy fish. The fisherman plans to have the bass mounted by a taxidermist, commemorating this remarkable achievement in Ohio’s angling history.
This exceptional event is a reminder that sometimes, the biggest catches happen when anglers least expect them, even while pursuing smaller fish species with light tackle.