POWERGRAMS

ENVIRONMENTAL The One That Didn't … World-record bass caught near Gorgas O The official receipt for Bramlett's big fish. n Feb. 28, James Bramlett was having breakfast with his wife of 46 years, Janice, when she suggested he take the day to go fishing. With her encouragement, he packed his tackle box and headed out from Dora. Bramlett went to one of his favorite spots, near Alabama Power's Gorgas Steam Plant on the Black Warrior River, where he saw a massive fish roll on the water. He cast out, felt the hook pull and after a 30-minute struggle, Bramlett reeled in a nearly 70-pound striped bass. "The fish took a lot of pressure off us right before my wife went in for major surgery, because we were so excited," he said. "When I caught the fish and put it in the boat, I knew I had a state record, but I didn't know it would be a world record." A certified scale at a nearby scrap yard showed the fish weighed 70 pounds, but Bramlett wanted a more accurate measurement. He took his trophy catch to the Centreville Post Office, where it weighed 69 pounds, 9.8 ounces. On March 20, Bramlett received confirmation the fish was an official state record, and he was encouraged to seek the world record. Bramlett sent photographs and documents to the International Game Fish Association (IGFA), including information about the rod and reel, and a sample of the line he used to catch the fish. Bramlett's bass was certified as the world record landlocked striped bass on May 13. The previous record of 67 pounds, 8 ounces had been in place for more than 20 years. The catch broke the Alabama state record for striped bass by nearly 15 pounds and the IGFA record for 50-pound test line. "People tell me I'm famous and I tell them I just caught a famous fish," he said. Bramlett has been fishing his entire life. He said the world record belongs to all of the fishermen in Alabama, but he claims the state record as his own. "When I was a kid, I dreamed about this," Bramlett said. "I dreamed about having a state record. Well, it took me 65 years and thousands of fish to do it, but I did." By Allison Swagler PAGE 6 Bramlett shows off his record-setting striped bass on the day he reeled it in. Bramlett's big fish has been preserved for posterity. Photos special to Powergrams by Joe Songer of The Birmingham News / al.com

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