Story by Robert Wroblewski
It’s crazy to think about, but after living in Florida for over 34 of my 40 years, I had never caught a double-digit bass. You would think growing up fishing legendary lakes like Okeechobee, Trafford, and Istokpoga—places where countless anglers have landed 10-plus pounders—I would have knocked that milestone off the list a long time ago. Especially during the spawn, when those big females are full of eggs and at their heaviest, the opportunity was always there. But somehow, despite all the time and effort, it just never happened.
Over the years, I had my chances. On Lake Okeechobee, my personal best was a 9.79-pounder, caught on December 6, 2019, flipping pennywort mats at the East Wall with a Bruiser Baits Intruder (Black n Blue). I’ll never forget that fight. It was the kind of bass that makes your heart race … but just shy of that magical 10-pound mark.
On Lake Trafford, I had one of my most memorable days ever, bringing in a five-fish limit that weighed nearly 35 pounds. I even had two bass over nine pounds that day, all caught throwing a Zoom Speed Worm (Junebug). Back in the late ’90s and early 2000s, Trafford was known for producing monsters, and I was lucky enough to experience those good days.
Over at Lake Istokpoga, my best fish was close to 8 pounds, caught on a Hildebrandt spinnerbait when the lake was absolutely choked with hydrilla. Those were the days when every cast felt like it could be the one, but still, no double-digit fish. No matter how close I got, that elusive milestone always stayed just out of reach.
Fast forward to 2025. Life took me to Tennessee, and on January 2nd, I decided to get out and fish Lake Tellico. I spent most of that day using forward-facing sonar, scoping fish, and throwing a minnow-style bait. I was having a great day numbers-wise, but after about seven hours of grinding, I was feeling worn out. I decided to switch it up and hit some docks, one of my favorite ways to fish when I want to slow things down.
I headed over to a stretch where I have a go-to dock. I’ve fished it many times before, and something told me to give it a few extra casts that day. I picked up a jig and started fan-casting in front of the dock, really picking it apart.
Then it happened.
I felt that telltale “tick” and watched my line start swimming off. Instinct kicked in, and I set the hook hard. Immediately, I knew it was a solid fish.
When she first showed herself, I figured maybe 5 or 6 pounds. A good fish, for sure, but nothing that would prepare me for what was about to happen.
When I got her in the boat and really saw her, my heart about jumped out of my chest. She was way bigger than I thought. Unfortunately, my GoPro wasn’t recording the catch itself, but I did manage to get some footage as I weighed and released her. She was 10.04 pounds.
Finally—after all those years—my first double-digit bass!
I couldn’t believe it. I had to laugh. Living most of my life in Florida, fishing some of the best bass lakes in the world, and I caught my first 10-pounder in Tennessee … on a lake that rarely produces them. It almost didn’t seem real. I was so pumped, so full of adrenaline, I just sat there for a while replaying it over and over in my head.
I kept that jig too. Never used it again. It’s now a keepsake, a reminder of that unbelievable day.
Even now, I still relive that moment. The cast, the bite, the hookset, the feeling when she hit the net … all of it. It was a special day, and one I’ll never forget.
And that’s the story of how I caught my personal best bass!
Robert Wroblewski – Angler Profile
