Two Missouri anglers have recently become record-holders following catches on separate lakes in the region.
The Missouri Conservation Department said on Friday that it had verified a 54-pound giant bigmouth buffalo, shot April 17 with a bow and arrow on Pomme de Terre Lake. It was shot in Button Cove by John Overstreet of Fayette, and qualifies as a new “alternative method” record. Overstreet said it took three arrows to get the fish into his boat.
The previous alternative-method state-record bigmouth buffalo was 53 pounds, snagged in 1996 on the Lake of the Ozarks.
Missouri recognizes state-record fish in two categories: pole-and-line and alternative methods.
On Tuesday, MDC announced it had verified another state-record catch, this one of the pole-and-line variety.
Lawrence Dillman of Rockaway Beach is credited with besting the record for giant striped bass when he hauled in a 65-pound, 2-ounce fish. The catch occurred on May 21 at Bull Shoals Lake in Taney County. Dillman said he fought the giant for over 45 minutes until getting it into shallow water. He used a 20-pound test line and a chub minnow to catch the behemoth.
The previous record of 60-pounds, 9-ounces was set in 2011 on the same lake.
The record catches for both Overstreet and Dillman are getting mounted at Bass Pro in Springfield.
In March, Andy Belobraydic, III caught the largest fish in Missouri history on Table Rock Lake near Branson, a 140, 9-ounce paddlefish.
For more information on state-record fish, visit the MDC website.
