Indeed, while weights have gone up thanks to stocking and breeding, the "big hawg" remains elusive in the white-lie world of fishermen. Still, the race to break the longest-held record in sports is getting heady as America's 28 million freshwater fishermen edge closer to the "million-dollar fish." Some states are spending huge sums on genetics and habitat management. Fishermen camp out at California boat ramps, where one woman caught an unofficial 22-1/2-pounder last summer. This year, Texas has logged 13 bass over 13 pounds - a size class just below the 20-pound and above.