Rumor Has It....

[Scott F]

The DNR did not give the state record to this fish.

[Dinky]

The DNR did not give the state record to this fish.

From the information in the story it certainly should not have given it as it did not apparently comply with the certification requirements.

[gulfcaptain]

Why all the hate, yes it's a shame he didn't follow through like he should have.  That's a big guy, and yes if you don't hold the fish with the right angles it is hard to really see an acurate picture.  He probably won't get the record due to mishandling of the fish but it is still a nice SM and a sign that record fish live in the city limits.  

[gulfcaptain]

The fish has a curve in it if you look close, he didn't get it straight and whoever took the pic didn't do a very good job. 

[River Rat316]

it doesn't matter which angle you hold that fish, there is no way it has a 22" girth. It is a big fish no doubt, but not anywhere near 22" girth, I think it might still barely break the 6 lb 7oz record, but not near 8lb 9oz it is claimed to be

[roadwarrior]

Nice fish, but not close to a record.

[slonezp]

Why all the hate, yes it's a shame he didn't follow through like he should have.  That's a big guy, and yes if you don't hold the fish with the right angles it is hard to really see an acurate picture.  He probably won't get the record due to mishandling of the fish but it is still a nice SM and a sign that record fish live in the city limits.  

IMO anyone who thinks they have/had a potential record fish would have taken more care in seeing the fish was properly handled after it was removed from the water. The fish should have never turned to mush. How hard is it to call the DNR or run to a grocery store to get a certified weight. Why weren't more pictures taken? Maybe he was looking for his 5 minutes of fame.

A couple years ago a Chicago perch fisherman who is well know on local forums tried to pull one over on the Sun Times sports writers saying he released the new state record smallie. The pic he had looked even smaller than the one we are discussing now. He made the paper and was eventually banned from many forums because of stealing fish pics off the internet and claiming they were fish he had caught. What people will do for attention..............

[Dwight Hottle]

it doesn't matter which angle you hold that fish, there is no way it has a 22" girth. It is a big fish no doubt, but not anywhere near 22" girth, I think it might still barely break the 6 lb 7oz record, but not near 8lb 9oz it is claimed to be

X2

[Lucky Craft Man]

A bigger pic

I am posting this just to add some reference. Here is a picture of a 7 pound Smallmouth I caught last year that had just over a 16" girth. His fish reportedly had 6 more inches in girth.

For more comparison, here is a Musky I caught last Fall that had a 23.5 inch girth. His fish reportedly had 1.5 inches less girth.

I will admit, it is tough to tell the actual size of a fish from a picture, however, a 22" girth is a noticeably thick fish no matter how the fish is held.

[Dwight Hottle]

Good comparison Steve.

 

Just for the record Mr David L Hayes world record smallmouth went 27" long by 21 2/3" girth. That fish weighed 11lbs 15oz. So even the world record smallie did not have a 22" girth.

[Kevin22]

It looks photo shopped to me.  The camo patterns are different.  On his right arm, left in the photo, is the most popular mossy oak pattern.  On his left forearm, right in the photo, it is one of mossy oaks first patterns.  Mossy oak tree bark.  Two completely different patterns. 

 

 

That camo pattern is hardwoods hd. I have the same shirt. 

[gettin bent]

No way its a 7lb fish. Lucky craft man did a stellar job comparing fish to fish. Btw L.C.M beautiful skie. Smile says all in both pics

[spiggy212]

He said the fish didn't fit in his freezer... Even if it wasn't a state record, I would've made room for a fish like that!