The 2025 Texas ShareLunker season is off to an incredible start, and the big bass just keep getting bigger! The latest entry into the record books comes from Willie Pipkin, who landed a 14.05-pound largemouth on Lady Bird Lake in Austin on February 5. Not only does this catch qualify as a Legacy Class ShareLunker, but it’s also a pending lake record, set to surpass the previous mark of 13.5 pounds, caught by Grant Langmore in 2015.
A Historic Catch on Lady Bird Lake
Pipkin’s fish, officially designated as ShareLunker 672, is the third Legacy Class entry of the 2025 season. It follows Dylan Sorrells’ 13.64-pound ShareLunker 671 from Richland-Chambers Reservoir on January 26, and Brady Stanford’s 13.13-pound ShareLunker 670, the first of the season, caught at O.H. Ivie on January 2.
Pipkin, a regular at Lady Bird Lake, was fishing from the bank when he hooked his record-breaking bass. The day before, he had caught two 6-pounders and spotted several large fish, prompting him to return for another shot.
“I came across this one spot and saw a giant shadow in the middle of the creek,” Pipkin recalled. “It was sitting on a rock, moving back and forth. I cast a few times, and suddenly, I saw a big white mouth open. I checked my line, it felt heavy, so I set the hook just in case—and the fish came flying out of the water. I knew it was big, but I had no idea just how big until I got it to the bank.”
For Pipkin, this catch was more than just a record-breaker—it was the fulfillment of a 15-year goal.
“It’s been my dream to catch a Legacy Class ShareLunker. My previous best was a 10-pounder from Lake Austin years ago, but I had never reached that 13-pound mark. I love the ShareLunker program, especially how TPWD releases the offspring back into the lakes. It’s an amazing program, and I always wanted to be part of it. This is truly a fish of a lifetime.”
Texas ShareLunker Program: How It Works
The Toyota ShareLunker Program, run in collaboration with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), allows anglers to contribute to bass conservation and breeding efforts. The Legacy Class is the highest tier, reserved for anglers who donate a 13-pound or larger bass during the spawning months from January to March.
Anglers who enter the program receive:
✅ A Legacy Class Catch Kit with exclusive gear
✅ A 13lb+ Legacy decal for their boat or vehicle
✅ VIP access to the Annual Toyota ShareLunker Awards event
✅ A high-quality replica mount of their catch from Lake Fork Taxidermy
✅ ShareLunker-branded apparel from AFTCO
✅ A Bass University swag pack & annual subscription
✅ Entry into two prize drawings, each awarding a $5,000 Bass Pro Shops shopping spree
Additionally, anglers can submit DNA scale samples for genetic research and receive a Lew’s baitcast reel as a reward.
How to Enter the ShareLunker Program
Anglers who reel in a 13+ pound largemouth from January 1 – March 31 can loan their fish to TPWD for selective breeding and report their catch through:
📞 The ShareLunker 24/7 hotline: (903) 681-0550
📲 The Toyota ShareLunker mobile app (Available on Apple App Store & Google Play)
🌐 TexasShareLunker.com
To qualify, the bass must be weighed on a certified scale (official weigh stations listed on the program website).
While the Legacy Class is the most prestigious, the ShareLunker program runs year-round, with three additional participation levels for anglers catching bass over 8 pounds or 24 inches in Texas public waters. All entries earn prize packs and additional drawing opportunities.
Big Bass, Bigger Future
With three Legacy Class ShareLunkers already recorded in 2025, Texas continues to cement itself as a premier big-bass destination. Pipkin’s incredible 14.05-pound catch proves that Lady Bird Lake holds record-breaking potential—and who knows how much bigger the fish will get this season?
Want to take your shot at a ShareLunker? Grab your gear, hit the water, and start casting—your fish of a lifetime could be just one bite away!
Posted: February 11, 2025