ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) — Georgia anglers have a chance to be recognized for completing the 2026 Bass Slam. To complete the challenge, anglers must catch at least five of Georgia’s 10 different black bass species. The bass must be caught before the end of 2026.

In 2025, only 68 anglers completed the challenge.

Past participants say they enjoy the extra challenge.

“This is not a difficult task,” 2025 Bass Slam Grand Champion William Strasburg said. “It just takes a little research and different things. You can do it from bank fishing or big boats or like I do out of kayaks or inflatables. It’s a fun little challenge when you’re getting out fishing anyways.”

Strasburg moved to Georgia after retiring from the military so he could fish 365 days a year.

He said the challenge “forces me to actually look at the range of some of these fish. Some of the fish have a very small range in Georgia. For instance, the Talapoosa Bass over in West Georgia. There are only 14 miles of the Talapoosa River that’s in Georgia.”

Like Strasburg, all successful participants will win a personalized certificate, two passes to the Go Fish Educational Center, and special decals. Participants will also be recognized on the Georgia Bass Slam website. All successful participants will be entered into a chance to win the annual grand prize.

Eligible fish must:

• Be caught in Georgia waters, where you have permission to fish
• Be of legal length, size, and weight, or at least 8 inches long if no limits are set
• Have a photo taken of them with the angler and an image of the fish’s length
• Submission details must include the angler’s DNR number, the county where the fish was caught, and the body of water where the fish was caught

In Georgia, eligible fish include:

• Largemouth
• Smallmouth
• Shoal
• Suwannee
• Spotted
• Rredeye
• Chattahoochee
• Tallapoosa
• Altamaha
• Bartram’s bass

For a full list of rules and the submission website click here.

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