DORA, Alabama- James R. Bramlett, 65, landed a 70 pound striped bass from the Black Warrior River near the Gorgas Steam Plant Thursday February 28, 2013.

The fish was weighed on certified scales and officials and a fisheries biologist with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources were at Bramlett's home today to make it official. The fish is 45.5 inches long and has a 37.75 inch girth.

It tops the previous state record by 15 pounds that has stood since 1959. That fish was caught on the Tallapoosa River.



The catch may become the new IGFA world record for a landlocked stripe bass. That record currently stands at 67 pounds, 8 ounces. That record has stood since May, 1992.

[Related: See more of Alabama's record catches and kills]



Bramlett's wife Janice urged him to go fishing Thursday. She will be in the hospital next Tuesday for a procedure and will need him to take care of her when she gets home.



He went to one of his favorite spots on the Black Warrior River near the Gorgas Steam Plant. He said the fish rolled on top of the water so he threw his bait in that direction. After a battle that lasted more than 20 minutes, he landed the record striped bass and immediately called his wife.



Bramlett used a Mustad 6.0 hook, Ambassador 7000 reel, a catfish Ugly Stik rod with Berkley Big Game 30 pound test line to catch the fish of a lifetime.



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