Kyler Leslie holds up the 7.71-pound, 25-inch-long largemouth bass that ties a Massachusetts state record in the catch-and-release division. Photo by Mike Leslie Obsession can take root at any age.

Willie Pipkin made the catch in February, and Texas Parks and Wildlife brought the enormous fish to a hatchery where it will be bred.

Trey McKinney, of Carbondale, Ill., nearly made history while competing in the world’s most-celebrated fishing tournament for ...