Biggest Bass In Pa (Possible Hoax?)

[zdunham]

I recently checked out the biggest bass in PA for 2012. It seems the same guy, Joseph Zajko, caught 3 of 5 biggest largemouth, 2 of the 5 biggest smallmouth, 1 of the flathead catfish, and 2 of the 5 biggest pickerel. All of these catches are listed in a month long period, with most of them coming in a two week period.

 

It says that he caught a largemouth over 8lbs, a smallmouth over 7 lbs, and a pickerel over 5 lbs, all on the same day at Francis E Walter Reservoir.

 

I find this all incredibly difficult to believe given that 7+ lb smallmouth are extremely rare, 8+ lb largemouth are extremely rare, and a 10 lb largemouth is EXTREMELY rare in PA. The 10 pounder was supposedly caught at Beltzville State Park, which I have always maintained can hold a 10 pounder. There are freakish fish in that lake. I have caught a 5 lb smallmouth there and a buddy of mine has caught a few largies over 6 there. We've seen big cats, walleyes, and stripers come out of there too. If this guy was only on this list for a 10 pounder largie out of Beltzville I would believe it. The rest of the list makes me think this whole thing is fishy though (no pun in intended).

 

I did a quick google search of him and found a TimesLeader.com article from 10 days ago, which has since been removed. I emailed the webmaster to find out why. His Facebook page also shows him holding various large tuna / salmon / trout.

 

Anyone know anything about this?

[SPEEDBEAD.]

I saw a pic of that fish (I believe) on another forum.

 

Give me a minute. Not even close to the claimed weight.

[A-Jay]

Wow - JZ is the Man !

 

This guy is one hot stick.

 

I would really like to see the photos that were included with his applications.

 

They must be very impressive.

 

btw - regarding the angler who witnessed these amazing angling accomplishments and signed the state application forms - does that name appear in these records as well ?

 

A-Jay

 

[zdunham]

Wow - JZ is the Man !

 

This guy is one hot stick.

 

I would really like to see the photos that were included with his applications.

 

They must be very impressive.

 

btw - regarding the angler who witnessed these amazing angling accomplishments and signed the state application forms - does that name appear in these records as well ?

 

A-Jay

 

BS.jpg

 

 

I sense sarcasm, lol.

 

I found the guy on Facebook. I considered adding him or messaging him asking for pictures, but I don't want to be a stalker.

[deaknh03]

Wow - JZ is the Man !

 

This guy is one hot stick.

 

I would really like to see the photos that were included with his applications.

 

They must be very impressive.

 

btw - regarding the angler who witnessed these amazing angling accomplishments and signed the state application forms - does that name appear in these records as well ?

 

A-Jay

 

BS.jpg

 

That's a great picture!

[Dyna7329]

Beltzville is my home lake. I agree it holds some nice fish, but it's also one of the toughest lakes I've ever fished. The best I've ever managed was a 5lb pre-spawn female chock-full of eggs.

I'd like to think that there are honest people out there in the fishing community, especially in my own back yard, but I don't believe this one bit.

[zdunham]

Beltzville is my home lake. I agree it holds some nice fish, but it's also one of the toughest lakes I've ever fished. The best I've ever managed was a 5lb pre-spawn female chock-full of eggs.

I'd like to think that there are honest people out there in the fishing community, especially in my own back yard, but I don't believe this one bit.

 

It can be a great lake but you are so right about how hard it is. I fish a lot of the Tuesday night, 3-hour tournaments there. When you get a really hot and sunny day and a lot of people have been out on the lake, it is nearly impossible to catch anything. When that lake is turned off, it is REALLY off.

 

When my friend and I do go on a day when it is empty and the weather is bad, or if we go during spawn, its potential really shows. We've caught one 4 lb 13 oz smallmouth, and several that were 3 lb 13 oz. We've had two largemouth over 6 lbs there as well. Came in second in one of the Tuesday tournaments last year when we caught two 4-pounders (largemouth) in the first 10 minutes. During spawn last year we saw multiple 6+ pound largemouth within 20 yards of each other. I know big ones exist in there, they just disappear most of the time.

 

If someone caught a 10 pounder out of Beltzville, I wouldn't be surprised because I'm sure it is possible there. When I first saw that 10 pounder on the list for 2012 I wasn't even suspecting anything. I only got suspicious when I saw the same guy with that many big ones.

[flyfisher]

hard to say if it is a hoax or not but you also have to remember a lot of guys who are big fish hunters are a different breed.  I like to catch big fish but don't target them exclusively, mainly because ia m not sure my ego can take it   I have been pretty focused before on catching a few specific fish that i have lost or saw and i will literally camp at a spot for a day and wait for the big girl to feed and hope i am in the right spot at the right time.

 

Bottom line is who cares as long as it isn't the state record or anything fish stories are part of the business and if he gets his rocks off by trying to decieve everyone else in the fishing community then he has more problems than lying abotu a few fish to deal with.....

[robdob]

Of course its a hoax.  This guy is a clown why would you need attention so bad that you have to lie about catching big fish

[SPEEDBEAD.]

I saw a pic of that fish (I believe) on another forum.

 

Give me a minute. Not even close to the claimed weight.

 

Disregard, the fish I saw apparently came from another lake in PA.

 

Bottom line with the guy on the list, no pic = no fish.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Perfect examples of this flawed reporting system:

 

2008 - Largest fish (caught by guess who) is 3/4" shorter length and 3/4" shorter girth and yet weighs almost a pound more than fish #2? Doubt it.

 

2009 - 10lb fish is #1 in the state. Length? 15 inches.

 

I would love to see a 15" fish that weighed 10lbs. It would completely redefine the bass term "football".

[Dwight Hottle]

You MUST submit an application to the Commission's Angler Award Program to be considered for this listing. These are the largest 5 fish, by weight, submitted in the Senior Angler and Junior Angler categories only. Lists are not provided for Husky Musky, First Fish, and Catch & Release categories. Note weights and sizes are not verified, all submissions accepted on the honor system.

 

 

 

 

I have always taken this listing with a grain of salt. Anyone can submit a fish without verification. No picture, no witness, NO BRAGGING.

[zdunham]

You MUST submit an application to the Commission's Angler Award Program to be considered for this listing. These are the largest 5 fish, by weight, submitted in the Senior Angler and Junior Angler categories only. Lists are not provided for Husky Musky, First Fish, and Catch & Release categories. Note weights and sizes are not verified, all submissions accepted on the honor system.

 

 

 

 

I have always taken this listing with a grain of salt. Anyone can submit a fish without verification. No picture, no witness, NO BRAGGING.

AHA! I did not see that note before. I looked on the guy's Facebook page and there are no giant bass pictures. Someone always has to ruin the honor system. Whoever put those up without even questioning it is a moron.

[jhoffman]

Biggest bass of 2010...10lb 1oz LMB... caught on powerbait... lol

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Biggest bass of 2010...10lb 1oz LMB... caught on powerbait... lol

 

I have a harder time believing in 10lb PA bass than I do catching them on Powerbait, Seriously.

 

Texas state record is 18 and change, caught on a dang crappie jig. LOL

[zdunham]

I have a harder time believing in 10lb PA bass than I do catching them on Powerbait, Seriously.

 

Texas state record is 18 and change, caught on a dang crappie jig. LOL

Yeah, a lot of records are caught on strange baits. I would assume a freak fish is not doing the same thing as the others for multiple reasons.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

PA's got DD's in it. I know I have seen one legit 10 swimming. She wanted absolutely nothing to do with me.

 

I'll settle for these though...

 

 

 

 

[zdunham]

NICE pics. Here are two of my big ones: 6 lb 10 oz largie is my biggest, 4 lb 13 oz smallie, also my biggest. In a tournament last summer we caught one that was 5 lb 11 oz on our scale but 6.54 lbs on the official scale. Our scale may have been off for those other fish so you tell me if you think they are bigger. Largie was caught at Wallenpaupack, smallie at beltzville. Two give perspective on how long that smallie is, I am 5'11".

 

 

[Little John]

Hello new to this forum,

 

I love fishing for all species of fish, but the bass is my favorite. Large mouth, small mouth, striped bass, sea bass, rock bass, etc. The largemouth record is over 11 pounds, Since 2009 all the bass in the # 1 spot have been between 8 and 10 pounds. So the larger bass do exist. Rare I dont think so because just because know one see's them that much doesn't mean they are not there. Just like those giant deer at Cabellas. I just wanted to say that I have several angler awards in several states and there is no honor system in the PA angler award rules and regs. The 10 pound fish that was 15" mentioned above had to be a type O. Just a few rules and regs to bring some insite;

 

4. Kept fish must be weighed and measured by fishing license agents, Official
Weighing Stations, or tackle stores or authorized employees of the Pennsylvania
Fish & Boat Commission.
5. Catch-and-release and First Fish catches must be witnessed.
6. Measurements must be made with a metal ruler or tape measure. Measure
from tip of the nose (with closed mouth) to tip of the tail.
7. Photographs. For kept fish: A clear, side-view photograph of the fish
IS required UNLESS its species has been verified by an official weighing station
or authorized employee of the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission.

10. The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission reserves the right to investigate
the identification, methods used in catching, and the accuracy of measurement
and weighing. It also reserves the right to reject any application.

 

I just wanted to say that all info is processed and viewed by a member of the PA Fish & Boat Commission because I have and know people that have been denied. This JZ person must have sent in the proper info to be accepted. As far as JZ goes, I looked at the artilcle the other day in the Wilksborough Leader or something like that along with the PA Fish & Boat Commisiion website it said he spends 30+ days fishing those lakes from sun up to sun down and uses a boat with a fish finder and live bait. I belive that there are big fish out there and if that person spends alot of time on the water and knows were to go and fishes the same lake all the time and know where, when and how to catch these fish, then it is possible for these fish to exist and this person to be telling the truth. Fishing is all about being in the right place at the right time, and having the right knowledge, and tackle to do the very best you can do at that time. I was told a long time ago from one of my Dad's friends that even the most advanced fisherman with the most advanced gear wont catch fish if there is none ther to catch but if they are ther you have to be good enough to fool thm into the strike and have the skill to land them. I feel thats true so I just think JZ was in the right place those days because of experience. One day I should be so lucky!!

 

Good Luck fishing to all!

[zdunham]

It says right on the PA Fish and Boat website that it is based on the honor system. Explain that.

 

Weights and sizes are verified for an actual state record, not for those lists. Fish that big ARE rare. If you think an 8-10 lb largemouth is a common fish in the north, you need to rethink what you know.

[tomustang]

He shows he can photograph those fish on facebook, but can't do it for rare large bass and crappie? Sounds too iffy that he would get sizes for bragging but not photos, I would think above all a photo would do it.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Forgot this one....

 

[J Francho]

 

Dude, that fish's eyeball is as big as yours!

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Dude, that fish's eyeball is as big as yours!

 

LOL, yeah that was a pretty good one.

[Dwight Hottle]

Little John is confusing the state record requirements with Pa fish & boat commission angler award  program summary. Heck for all we know  little john could be JZ. There are so many discrepancies in the angler award program summary that it is not worth the paper it is printed on. Anyone can say they caught whatever & it weighed & measured whatever. The really bogus ones have no clue what a given weight should correspond to length & girth measurements. Great program but without verification it is meaningless because of the dishonest people who submit bogus weights & measurements.