Bank Fishing And A Record Catch

[Preytorien]

I was reading another thread this morning about where the next world record bass might come from. Interesting stuff. I live in Indiana, so I doubt it'll be here. But the entire conversation got me thinking about something...and I'd like your thoughts.

 

I'm mostly restricted to the bank. I have an inflatable Sea Eagle boat, but due to the normal work/life constraints I don't get out in it nearly as much as I'd like. I'm 90% of the time a bank-walker.

I fish a lot of small remote ponds, not a big fan of large (and lately VERY busy) lakes and that may or may not hurt my chances of at least catching a state level record. Our state LMB came from a small lake, not one of our larger ones. Since I'm not in a boat with a livewell, what would be the way I get the potential fish certified as a state record? I would prefer NOT to kill the fish by transporting it to a local certified scale while out of the water, and I almost never carry a bucket since I'm not a food fisherman. What are your suggestions? Or am I just unsuited for the task of certifying a record with the equipment I have/don't have?

[roadwarrior]

Without adequate equipment you will probably not be able to keep the fish alive,

especially during hot weather. If you want a certified record have the fish weighed

on a certified scale (or two) and get a couple of witness to sign a statement verifying

the weight. Wrap the fish in a wet towel and freeze it so further testing can be done,

which is often a requiremnt in most states.

[Bluebasser86]

Take a stringer and start making phone calls. Sometimes you can get a warden and a certified scale brought to you. 

[BassinLou]

I was reading another thread this morning about where the next world record bass might come from. Interesting stuff. I live in Indiana, so I doubt it'll be here. But the entire conversation got me thinking about something...and I'd like your thoughts.

 

I'm mostly restricted to the bank. I have an inflatable Sea Eagle boat, but due to the normal work/life constraints I don't get out in it nearly as much as I'd like. I'm 90% of the time a bank-walker.

I fish a lot of small remote ponds, not a big fan of large (and lately VERY busy) lakes and that may or may not hurt my chances of at least catching a state level record. Our state LMB came from a small lake, not one of our larger ones. Since I'm not in a boat with a livewell, what would be the way I get the potential fish certified as a state record? I would prefer NOT to kill the fish by transporting it to a local certified scale while out of the water, and I almost never carry a bucket since I'm not a food fisherman. What are your suggestions? Or am I just unsuited for the task of certifying a record with the equipment I have/don't have?

 

I was thinking about the same thing this morning. LOL.... I would be in trouble because my scale only goes to 12lbs. Assuming I had a scale with a heavier capacity, I would have to film the experience with my gopro. Film the scale measurements, the length, and the girth. Like someone mentioned, start making phone calls is another option. But, what if your in the middle of nowhere? Tough situation that's for sure. 

[WRB]

You need to check your state regulations regarding record bass. For example it's illegal in California to transport live bass from the lake it's caught, it must stay at the lake.

If transportation for live bass is allowed you have some options;

Make a live well from a cooler with a aeration pump you leave in your vehicle and carry a tournament style release bag to add water in, place the bass in the bag to transport it to the vehicle.

Carry a stringer and keep the bass in the water until you can get things together to transport it.

Tom

[Team9nine]

Please don't take this wrong, but the short answer is don't worry about it. Our state record will never be broken in our lifetimes  The long answer though, as a bank angler in Indiana, the fish must die in all likelihood unless you are prepared to take extreme measures on every trip.

 

-T9

[Preytorien]

Please don't take this wrong, but the short answer is don't worry about it. Our state record will never be broken in our lifetimes  The long answer though, as a bank angler in Indiana, the fish must die in all likelihood unless you are prepared to take extreme measures on every trip.

 

-T9

 

 I hear that for sure. They all got excited at Geist this early spring when a guy caught a 7lb-er. I doubt the record will fall. I'm thinking more along the lines of maybe a bluegill or crappie, anything really. I was more wondering really what would a person do, I understand the likelyhood is VERY slim here in our state....it's a tough place to fish I've heard. 

[Team9nine]

I was more wondering really what would a person do

 

Then move on to the long answer: the fish must die. Here are the guidelines for properly certifying Indiana state record fish:

 

• Size is determined by weight measurement first, then length, for state record fish. Both weight and length measurements are required. The weight measurement must be taken before the fish is frozen and on a scale that has been certified by the State of Indiana to be accurate to 1 ounce. If you can’t find a certified scale in a grocery, hardware, grain store, or propane distributor, call the Indiana Division of Weights and Measures at (317) 356-7078 for the nearest location.
• Obtain a copy of the Scale Inspection Report from the store owner where the fish is weighed and submit the report with the entry form.
• Submit a printed meat packaging label showing the weight of the fish, if available
• After weighing, the fish may be gutted and iced, but not filleted or otherwise cut up. The fish must be available for inspection and identification.
• State record fish entries may require verification by a Division of Fish and Wildlife fisheries biologist. It is the responsibility of the angler to schedule a time to have the fish examined by a State fisheries biologist.
• Two witnesses, who are not relatives, who observed the length and/or weight measurement must sign the entry form.
• Provide the location information on where the fish was weighed.
• Provide side-view photograph(s) of the fish and copy of fishing license, if required.

[bigbill]

Before I used a local deli is close by were I weigh my fish in. I use a bucket and move quickly. But now we have slot limits. A scale, a tape measure and a phone video.

[spencer12]

You can buy a cheap cooler and buy an aerator. Me and a buddy use this when fishing tournaments out of my Jon boat. Just look on bass pro or go to Wal-mart and they have them. All you need is a cooler and a battery, although I feel like carrying all this with you may get old after awhile.

[Senko lover]

I would let it swim again, with a picture of the scale. People will believe you, and it doesn't have to be official. 

[Bruce424]

Being a bank fisherman myself the stringer is the best bet. Don't put it through the gills though. Poke it through the upper lip and let it sit in the water and just chill. Make a call to game wardens office. Most likely will drive to you or at least tell you what to do.

[Lund Explorer]

You need to check your state regulations regarding record bass. For example it's illegal in California to transport live bass from the lake it's caught, it must stay at the lake.

If transportation for live bass is allowed you have some options;

Make a live well from a cooler with a aeration pump you leave in your vehicle and carry a tournament style release bag to add water in, place the bass in the bag to transport it to the vehicle.

Carry a stringer and keep the bass in the water until you can get things together to transport it.

Tom

 

On the third of August, what do you think the water temp would be in a cooler left inside a vehicle all day?

 

 

[hoosierbass07]

Please don't take this wrong, but the short answer is don't worry about it. Our state record will never be broken in our lifetimes  The long answer though, as a bank angler in Indiana, the fish must die in all likelihood unless you are prepared to take extreme measures on every trip.

 

-T9

 

 

  Isn't the largest bass in Indiana caught by a woman who was bank fishing or fishing from a dock at a private pond/lake?  I remember reading about it in one of yearly Indiana fishing guide pamphlets the state publishes every year.  The thing is, I think the article said her husband was a conservation officer!  So now I'm skeptical about the whole thing.  Hubby could have brought in a super large bass from another state, thrown it in the private pond, let wife catch it and he verifies and dear wife gets to be in the record books.  Then again it could be 100% legit.  I'm skeptical though.  

[Team9nine]

  Isn't the largest bass in Indiana caught by a woman who was bank fishing or fishing from a dock at a private pond/lake?  I remember reading about it in one of yearly Indiana fishing guide pamphlets the state publishes every year.  The thing is, I think the article said her husband was a conservation officer!  So now I'm skeptical about the whole thing.  Hubby could have brought in a super large bass from another state, thrown it in the private pond, let wife catch it and he verifies and dear wife gets to be in the record books.  Then again it could be 100% legit.  I'm skeptical though.  

 

I've never heard any questioning on whether the catch was legit or not in the more than 2 decades since it was caught. The lake is private but is 120 acres in size with 128 lots. It is perfect for the state record in regards to being almost within a stones throw of the Ohio River, about as far south as you can go in Indiana meaning the fish would have one of the longest possible growing seasons available in the state. Not surprisingly, the record fish it beat was also caught in neighboring (Perry) county from a 2 acre private pond. Here's the story and pic: http://griffinsguide.com/content/2014/02/07/landing-the-big-one/

 

[bigbill]

But the last 6lb 1oz bass I caught was so exhausted she would of died.

She gave my lure a tour of the whole four acre dog leg I was fishing.

My point is an older bass we try to keep alive might die anyway.

I'd have to let it go.

[SirSnookalot]

Being in a weight related business a scale certified by the state of Michigan has to be +/- 1%, I would imagine most states are going to have similar criteria.

Can only say what I would do.  The chance of me catching a 17# bass where I fish is less than slim.  I do not carry the necessary equipment to weigh or transport fish, any effort would result in death for that fish.  It's a picture and back in to the water.

[bigbill]

Two buddies seen my 10lber. That's all I need. One said holly cow and the other said wow. Thank god no one else was there. I hate to bring attention to the place. That's the poo problem once it's posted in the newspaper or state record list the place will be hammered.

We're lucky that the public doesn't know how to bass fish.

They think a ball of night crawlers on a hook will do it.

[bigbill]

Being in a weight related business a scale certified by the state of Michigan has to be +/- 1%, I would imagine most states are going to have similar criteria.

Can only say what I would do.  The chance of me catching a 17# bass where I fish is less than slim.  I do not carry the necessary equipment to weigh or transport fish, any effort would result in death for that fish.  It's a picture and back in to the water.

Sirsnook,

I think big bass are out there more than most think. I was having fun bass fishing just buying lures to see if they caught fish. Then the pb10# showed up. I'm not sure if it was a good thing or not. I became more serious, more intense in bass fishing figuring there's more out there. It took some of the fun out of it. I been addicted ever since.

Now I had bigger bass on and lost them plus seeing bigger bass swim by me on the drop off man I'm sure that we have bigger bass in every state. There not being caught. Anything is possible, never say never we can catch them if we do it right. Stealth is the key. No noise just the frogs croaking.

[Big Bait Fishing]

On the third of August, what do you think the water temp would be in a cooler left inside a vehicle all day?

he forgot to add an unopened bag of ice !!

[SirSnookalot]

Sirsnook,

I think big bass are out there more than most think. I was having fun bass fishing just buying lures to see if they caught fish. Then the pb10# showed up. I'm not sure if it was a good thing or not. I became more serious, more intense in bass fishing figuring there's more out there. It took some of the fun out of it. I been addicted ever since.

Now I had bigger bass on and lost them plus seeing bigger bass swim by me on the drop off man I'm sure that we have bigger bass in every state. There not being caught. Anything is possible, never say never we can catch them if we do it right. Stealth is the key. No noise just the frogs croaking.

I fish a lot, like 7 days a week.  I have no idea how big most of my fish are because I don't weigh them, I do keep a marks at 20 & 25" on a few rods, if that fish is over 25" I know it's a good one, I'm not obsessed with records or PB's.  

Seeing a bass (any other fish for that matter) or having one on the line and not landing it there is no absolute proof how big it really is, it's wishful thinking.  If you had fun what else matters?