Weld's Largemouth Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 Hello, I was curious as to how one could verify a state record bass and still keep it alive and let it swim another day. I know it is pretty simple if you have a livewell and a boat, but if you do not... how would you accomplish this, especially if you are fishing from shore? I don't want to sound cocky as if I were to catch the next record, I just want to be prepared. 4 Quote
Super User Dwight Hottle Posted February 16, 2015 Super User Posted February 16, 2015 First thing to do is check with your state regarding the actual regulations. There is probably a form to fill out regarding their questions & witness signatures. They may require a state biologist to verify the species & take a scale sample. They will most likely require weighing on a certified scale like in a grocery store or meat market where the scale is verified by state regulation yearly. The state of Pennsylvania requires a paper printout from the scale.Practically speaking the regulations may prevent you from keeping the fish alive. 3 Quote
Super User Catt Posted February 16, 2015 Super User Posted February 16, 2015 Around here we have state designated weigh stations that are certified and have the proper facility to handle bass oven 10 pounds. 2 Quote
Trenton Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 First thing to do is check with your state regarding the actual regulations. There is probably a form to fill out regarding their questions & witness signatures. They may require a state biologist to verify the species & take a scale sample. They will most likely require weighing on a certified scale like in a grocery store or meat market where the sale is verified by state regulation yearly. The state of Pennsylvania requires a paper printout from the scale.Practically speaking the regulations may prevent you from keeping the fish alive. Would rather just brag about the fish here in PA then let the thing die before it would get verified. Let someone else enjoy it. 1 Quote
Dogmatic Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 PA also has provisions for C&R fisherman, although not the "official" record, at least you don't have to kill the fish.☺ 1 Quote
Weld's Largemouth Posted February 16, 2015 Author Posted February 16, 2015 I would much rather keep the fish alive, but to sacrifice a chance for the title of state record holder.. its a close decision. Would it be practical to transport the fish in a large bucket so it can get verified? Quote
Dogmatic Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 I would much rather keep the fish alive, but to sacrifice a chance for the title of state record holder.. its a close decision. Would it be practical to transport the fish in a large bucket so it can get verified? Maybe, or a cooler with a portable aerator might be a good idea. Mike Long has video of how he keeps his hogs alive for picture taking purposes, might give you some ideas. I use to use a floating 5 gal. mesh bait bag when I was fishing out of my pontoon. Now I use a cooler rigged as a live well."Many men go fishing their entire lives without knowing it is not fish they are after."-Thoreau 1 Quote
Weld's Largemouth Posted February 16, 2015 Author Posted February 16, 2015 Maybe, or a cooler with a portable aerator might be a good idea. Mike Long has video of how he keeps his hogs alive for picture taking purposes, might give you some ideas. I use to use a floating 5 gal. mesh bait bag when I was fishing out of my pontoon. Now I use a cooler rigged as a live well. Thing is I'm a bank fisherman, I wouldn't lug around a cooler all day, but a collapsible mesh bag might work.. if i could aerate somehow.... Quote
Penguino Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 I have transplanted bass between private ponds. After swimming in a jostling big bucket (NO AERATION) for 15 minutes or so, after releasing the bass, it still managed to swim away after reviving it for 5 minutes. Quote
Dogmatic Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 Thing is I'm a bank fisherman, I wouldn't lug around a cooler all day, but a collapsible mesh bag might work.. if i could aerate somehow.... Maybe this, mesh bag or fish keeper (like Mike Long uses), to 5 gal. bucket, to cooler...to scale, then back. 1 Quote
Weld's Largemouth Posted February 16, 2015 Author Posted February 16, 2015 I have transplanted bass between private ponds. After swimming in a jostling big bucket (NO AERATION) for 15 minutes or so, after releasing the bass, it still managed to swim away after reviving it for 5 minutes.But would 15 minutes be enough to verify the fish? I don't see why I cant take lots of photos including all measurements and then get my scale verified after I let the fish go.. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted February 16, 2015 Super User Posted February 16, 2015 If I catch a state record, it's going on ice. 6 Quote
Super User SirSnookalot Posted February 16, 2015 Super User Posted February 16, 2015 Around here we have state designated weigh stations that are certified and have the proper facility to handle bass oven 10 pounds. I'd rather grille it Quote
Super User F14A-B Posted February 16, 2015 Super User Posted February 16, 2015 Lol, no shortage of ice right now in the country! I agree with Dwight Hottles statement. Arm yourself with all the regulations/ knowledge before hand, and you must realize and accept the fact that the fish may likely die..it happens.. Having your plan in place will surely go a long way in helping keep the fish healthy. There's still a good chance the fish dies.. If I catch a state record or world record bass... It's over for the fish! 3 Quote
Super User F14A-B Posted February 16, 2015 Super User Posted February 16, 2015 But would 15 minutes be enough to verify the fish? I don't see why I cant take lots of photos including all measurements and then get my scale verified after I let the fish go.. Are those YOUR rules and regulations? Quote
Super User J Francho Posted February 16, 2015 Super User Posted February 16, 2015 He can go with that, but then it's just a nice fish, a personal best, but not a record. Quote
Trenton Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 Well world record is one thing. If I caught the world record, agreed it's going on ice. But it would be hard for me to not release a Pa state record. I'm mean after all were not exactly known for a giant large mouth. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted February 16, 2015 Super User Posted February 16, 2015 I'd love to see our bogus NY record fall... 3 Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted February 16, 2015 Super User Posted February 16, 2015 If i catch a potential state record fish I will do what i can to keep it alive but i am not going to beat myself up about it if it does die. I have released plenty of citation size fish here in virginia so if i happen to catch the record, maybe it was one i released before. No worries and i will sleep good at night Quote
Super User fishballer06 Posted February 16, 2015 Super User Posted February 16, 2015 Those of you suggesting putting a potential STATE RECORD largemouth in a 5 gallon bucket and keeping it alive for 30-40 minutes to get it weighed are out of your mind. The OP lives in New York. The New York state record Largemouth was 11.4 pounds and was 25.5" long. You're not going to fit a fish that big in a 5 gallon bucket. And as for saying Pennsylvania doesn't grow large bass either is the same story. The state record largemouth here in PA is 11.3 pounds. You might say it now that you would rather throw that fish back, but I have a feeling that if you caught an 11lb + bass in a northern state, you'd probably be taking it in to get certified at any cost. New York Records - http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7935.html Pennsylvania Records - http://fishandboat.com/strecord.htm 2 Quote
Mainebass1984 Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 Each state has its own set of rules and regulations. In Maine the only instance when you can keep fish alive is when you are participating in a tournament. All tournaments in Maine require a permit from the state that allows anglers to keep fish alive in there boats. If you are not in a tournament any game fish caught must be killed or immediately released. Anyone who gets caught with live game fish in there live well will face a hefty fine and even loss of license. If I were to catch a state record in Maine I would have to kill it to have any chance at the record. Quote
Hyrule Bass Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 the fish is coming out of the lake if i catch a record fish. put it back for someone else to enjoy may sound like a novel idea to some of you, but it could also be the same fish that breaks your newly set record a couple months and a feeding frenzy down the road. i understand wanting to preserve fisheries, but those fish aint gonna live forever either. chances are you could release it right after catching it and it turn belly up a few hours later. you just never know. im just wondering when people got so soft about keeping a fish. i bet some of you would cry if you saw me keep a fish or two... 3 Quote
Trenton Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 Same thing as passing up on a shooter buck. Done it plenty of times I wouldn't think twice about releasing a bass. I'm in it for the catch. How you gonna catch it again unless it's released? Ill scale that thing myself and probably take 100+ pics sure. But I don't want it to die. All those genetics going to waste Quote
Super User J Francho Posted February 16, 2015 Super User Posted February 16, 2015 Wasted genetics? How many seasons do you think that fish passed its genes on already? Not to mention what makes you think it's genes that makes a record bass? There's no research that supports that idea. 2 Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted February 16, 2015 Super User Posted February 16, 2015 Why make it hard on yourself ? There are (3) types of "Fish Handling" in my mind. 1). Catch & Release. 2). Catch & Keep to Eat 3). Catch and Keep for record verification and weigh in. An individual serious about #3 should already have the paper work in this/her vehicle along with the phone numbers to dial / State officials to contact Both during working hours AND after working hours and on weekends. Being ready is the best way to make the process successful. Otherwise one may end up missing out on what will most likely be a once in 10 life times opportunity. A-Jay 1 Quote
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