ATHENS, Texas (KETK) – Richland-Chambers Reservoir near Athens is back in fishing news after a 13.64-pound Toyota ShareLunker Legacy Class bass was caught there last Sunday, Feb. 26.
Dylan Sorrells of Dallas reeled in ShareLunker 671 while visiting the lake in preparation for an upcoming Texas High School Bass Association tournament.
“I wanted to check a few things so I went to this main lake flat and was looking for brush piles or anything that could be around it,” said Sorrells. “I was trolling around on scope and just saw the fish sitting out there. There were some other big fish that should have been bass, but I saw this one and just threw at it. Initially, I didn’t think it was a bass but maybe a catfish. It stripped a bunch of drag, but when it came to the surface, I was like oh my, this is not a catfish, this is a giant bass.”
It’s Richland-Chambers Reservoir’s fifth ever Legacy Class bass and the first one caught there since all the way back in 2008.
“It’s incredible to see Richland-Chambers back in the Legacy Class spotlight after more than 15 years,” said Natalie Goldstrohm, Toyota ShareLunker program coordinator. “Sorrells’ remarkable catch not only showcases the reservoir’s lunker bass potential but also highlights the impact of dedicated fisheries management and the commitment of anglers who contribute to the program.”
Sorrells first realized the fish would be over 12 pounds after his friend helped him net the fish into the boat.
“When I put the fish on the scales and realized it was a ShareLunker, I called the program to let them know about the catch,” said Sorrells. “They were great, they let me know they were going to get the truck ready and within a couple of hours they were there. They did a great job and were super helpful as well.”
Through the ShareLunker program, anglers can loan their 13-plus-pound fish to a breeding program that will breed them to create even bigger bass. Anglers who enter win a catch kit with merch, a 13-pound Legacy Class decal, a replica mount of their fish and entry into drawings for a $5,000 Bass Pro Shops shopping spree.
“When I learned it was the first Legacy Class fish caught from Richland-Chambers since 2008, that’s what I thought was super cool,” said Sorrells. “I not only caught a ShareLunker, but I caught one out of a lake that hasn’t had a fish like that in a long time and that not many people would expect.”
To learn more, visit the Toyota ShareLunker program online.
