The biggest bass I have ever kept in a tank was a 12" lm. Now I have 6" lm and sm. The biggest one I have ever kept to eat was 18", and after that I dont keep any bass that big, only once in awhile I'll keep one just over the 15" size limit. They arent my favorite fish to eat, but cooked the riht way, they can get you over a craving for fish!