Fishing or Extreme Sport? Texas Woman Battles Bureaucracy and Bass

Texas's very own Lea Anne Powell is suddenly on the angling throne of bass fishing.

After years of small catches, she's landed a bass so massive, it could give a whale an inferiority complex. We're talking about a colossal 12-pound, 3-ounce largemouth bass.

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But this isn't just a woman-meets-monster-fish story.

Fishing or Extreme Sport? Texas Woman Battles Bureaucracy and Bass

It's also about the herculean task of convincing the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) that her catch was no fluke.

Can you believe the audacity?

It took a solid quarter of a year for the IGFA to acknowledge the record, during which Powell, unable to contain her excitement, kept pestering them like an over-enthusiastic stalker. Was she just keen or obsessive? You be the judge.

Also, let's give credit to Livescope, an underwater sonogram tool that seems straight out of a Batman comic. It played a pivotal role in locating the behemoth underwater.

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Lastly, hats off to Powell for encouraging the next generation of female anglers.

If you can brave adversity, stay enthusiastic, and keep your line in the water, you could follow in her footsteps.

So, pick up your fishing gear and remember Powell's sage advice, "You won't land a fish without a line in the water." Profound indeed.