What To Do If I Catch A Record Breaking Bass?

[schplurg]

Hasn't happened to me, yet! But I'm curious about what it takes to register your catch if you break, or think you may have broke, a lake record. Or any record.

 

What I mean is, say I'm in my boat and I catch an 11 pounder and the lake record is less. 

 

What I think and what I've heard:

I believe many lakes have scales where you can weigh your bass "officially". I have also heard that the bass will usually die during the process. Is there a way to do this without killing the bass? Maybe it depends on the fishery and how it is set up?

 

Lake Tulloch has a weekly shootout every Wed night. I would assume that the launch ramp where it begins has a scale for the tournament, and therefore probably one (the same scale?) that would work for official weighing.

 

I would assume every lake is different and one should find out ahead of time how it works.

 

I don't want to assume anymore  

 

Just curious and it's winter so....what do I do when I catch "Walter"?

[TnRiver46]

We don’t have any lake records in Tennessee. If it’s a state or world record you have to kill it and submit DNA 

[slonezp]

crap my pants and call the DNR...

[MN Fisher]

Dunno about lake records, but for state records...

California's procedure is here: https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=40090&inline

Application for California is here: https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=3420&inline

Both the above and the saltwater forms are here: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Records

 

Basically for you - photos (to positively identify the species), weighed on a certified scale, and length/girth measurements (to validate the weight).

[schplurg]

So according to that, it seems like I could use my own scale if it was "certified for legal trade".

 

I looked up scales for legal trade. Most are bigger in size than a typical hanging scale you find in a boat. Well the ones I saw in my 30 second search were. Does anyone know if a pro quality Rapala type scale can be used? I'm gonna guess no.

[MN Fisher]

Just now, schplurg said:

So according to that, it seems like I could use my own scale if it was "certified for legal trade".

 

I looked up scales for legal trade. Most are bigger in size than a typical hanging scale you find in a boat. Well the ones I saw in my 30 second search were. Does anyone know if a pro quality Rapala type scale be used? I'm gonna guess no.

Scale has to be certified by the state and labeled as such...with regular checks. So unless you paid the fee and had it checked, no...it wouldn't qualify.

[slonezp]

3 minutes ago, schplurg said:

So according to that, it seems like I could use my own scale if it was "certified for legal trade".

 

I looked up scales for legal trade. Most are bigger in size than a typical hanging scale you find in a boat. Well the ones I saw in my 30 second search were. Does anyone know if a pro quality Rapala type scale can be used? I'm gonna guess no.

A legal record needs to be weighed on a certified scale

[schplurg]

After looking a bit more the scale has to be accurate enough to be calibrated. Can't calibrate a $10 scale. Well not mine.

 

Okay so probably gonna have to kill the fish and transport it unless you know of a marina with such a scale.

 

@WRB Have you ever had experience with this?

[iabass8]

take a picture of it as far away from your body and close to a camera as you can. tell everybody it's 3# larger than it is. 

[gim]

18 minutes ago, schplurg said:

Okay so probably gonna have to kill the fish and transport it unless you know of a marina with such a scale.

The fish is most likely to die in the process. I think most state records require the weight to be certified to become a new state record.

 

Here in Minnesota, they’ve added a new category for some state record fish in the C & R category in recent years. It’s primarily very large fish that are difficult to weigh such as sturgeon, catfish, and pure strain muskie. I’ve emailed them more than once asking for a new C & R category on every species, including LMB and SMB.

[WRB]

54 minutes ago, schplurg said:

After looking a bit more the scale has to be accurate enough to be calibrated. Can't calibrate a $10 scale. Well not mine.

 

Okay so probably gonna have to kill the fish and transport it unless you know of a marina with such a scale.

 

@WRB Have you ever had experience with this?

Yes! 

Lakes Casitas and Castaic had potential world record bass in the 90’s. Neither lake had or has a certified scale or DFG personal at the lake to validate a record bass catch. The DFG wardens were headquartered at Fillmore trout trout hatchery located about 30 miles away from both lakes.

It’s illegal to transport live bass from the lake to get a certified weight, but it was done out of necessity.

My 19.3 lb bass weighed 21 lbs on my Chatillion spring scale. I loaded up my boat and traveled to the Mini Mart about 2 miles away, they had a certified produce scale. My fish was weighed using a different tray then zeroed to and weighed 19.3 lbs. loaded up the bass, went back to the marina and was releasing it when a father and son wanted a photo. They told me they watched me catch the bass. I was so disappointed the bass was under 20 lbs reluctantly held the bass for the photo, the only photo i have. I gave the bye stander my name and address, released the bass and went home.

later the Mini Mart guy who weighed my bass said they forgot to reset the zero and I should add 2 lbs to the weight. How ITF can you do that after the fact. I will never know the actual weight of that bass, but bye stander did send a photo and a friend came up to the dock while I release the fish.

Tom

 

[BlakeMolone]

4 minutes ago, WRB said:

Yes! 

Lakes Casitas and Castaic had potential world record bass in the 90’s. Neither lake had or has a certified scale or DFG personal at the lake to validate a record bass catch. The DFG wardens were headquartered at Fillmore trout trout hatchery located about 30 miles away from both lakes.

It’s illegal to transport live bass from the lake to get a certified weight, but it was done out of necessity.

My 19.3 lb bass weighed 21 lbs on my Chatillion spring scale. I loaded up mt boat and traveled to the amino Mart about 2 miles away, they had a certified produce scale. My fish was weighed using a different tray then zeroed to and weighed 19.3 lbs. loaded up the bass, went back to the marina and was releasing it when a father and son wanted a photo. They told me they watched me catch the bass. I was so disappointed the bass was under 20 lbs reluctantly held the bass for the photo, the only photo i have. I gave the bye stander my name and address, released the bass and went home.

later the Mini Mart guy who weighed my bass said they forgot to reset the zero and I should add 2 lbs to the weight. How ITF can you that after the fact. I will never know the actual weight of that bass, but bye stander did send a photo and a friend came up to the dock while I release the fish.

Tom

 

Can we see that picture? 

[schplurg]

47 minutes ago, WRB said:

Yes! 

Lakes Casitas and Castaic had potential world record bass in the 90’s. Neither lake had or has a certified scale or DFG personal at the lake to validate a record bass catch. The DFG wardens were headquartered at Fillmore trout trout hatchery located about 30 miles away from both lakes.

It’s illegal to transport live bass from the lake to get a certified weight, but it was done out of necessity.

My 19.3 lb bass weighed 21 lbs on my Chatillion spring scale. I loaded up my boat and traveled to the Mini Mart about 2 miles away, they had a certified produce scale. My fish was weighed using a different tray then zeroed to and weighed 19.3 lbs. loaded up the bass, went back to the marina and was releasing it when a father and son wanted a photo. They told me they watched me catch the bass. I was so disappointed the bass was under 20 lbs reluctantly held the bass for the photo, the only photo i have. I gave the bye stander my name and address, released the bass and went home.

later the Mini Mart guy who weighed my bass said they forgot to reset the zero and I should add 2 lbs to the weight. How ITF can you do that after the fact. I will never know the actual weight of that bass, but bye stander did send a photo and a friend came up to the dock while I release the fish.

Tom

 

Thank you for the detailed response. Too bad about the scale. When I weighed my PB (5.25) I had a spring scale. It said 6 pounds.

 

After releasing the fish I noticed the scale wasn't zeroed. I didn't touch the calibration wheel thingy, and when I went home I weighed 6 pounds of pennies on that scale.

 

I then weighed the pennies on a very nice kitchen scale. It read 5.25. I then zeroed out my scale and the bag also weighed 5.25, the true weight of my fish. Far as I can tell.

 

I even kept the pennies until my new scale arrived. Same weight.

 

Thanks for the replies everyone! I'll change my profile photo once I get a record  

 

BONUS! My cousin just bought a house 5 minutes from Camanche, and there's pond on his road I can kayak fish too. I'm going next weekend to check it out, AND see if my boss can transfer me to a nearby location and get back out of the bay area. Yeehaw!

[Glenn]

Why yes, yes we DO have an article about this too!

https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/be_prepared.html

 

[schplurg]

12 minutes ago, Glenn said:

Why yes, yes we DO have an article about this too!

https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/be_prepared.html

 

Exactly what I needed to know, I didn't even think to search the articles about this.

 

I video all my fishing for fun, have a phone camera ready to go, my scale sitting out on the backpack. That's mainly so I can weigh the poor fish in a short time and get it back in the water. No fun holding a fish while unzipping a backpack with one hand.

 

I like the idea about the paperwork. It might even help get you in the right frame of mind - "now that I'm prepared I am definitely getting that big fish"  

 

I'm still kinda new to fishing, and I am definitely better at handling a fish properly than I was two years ago. I watch the old videos and cringe heh.

[Catt]

On the Texas lakes it's quite easy & doesn't have to be a state record just a bass over 13#s.

 

From January 1 through March 31, donate your Legacy Lunker to the ShareLunker program.

IMMEDIATELY CALL OR TEXT
(903) 681-0550

 

Need help measuring the length and weight of your Lunker or help with holding it until TPWD staff arrive? Visit one of our weigh and holding stations closest to your location.

 

Under 13#s follow instructions listed or call Texas Parks & Wildlife.

 

https://texassharelunker.com/entry-criteria/

[NoShoes]

1 hour ago, BlakeMolone said:

Can we see that picture? 

This times a thousand 

[A-Jay]

Each pre season as part of putting paperwork together for the boat to be ready for the upcoming season, I down load and print the updated  state record fish info, the names and numbers of both the DNR officers for my area, as well as the contact info of on call state biologist required to certify a record catch.

This package also includes the updated state record application form and instructions.

Always Ready

A-Jay

 

[Jaderose]

What would I do?  Be very excited and as I most likely would not have a camera and may or may not have a scale, I would unhook her, admire the heck outta her for a couple of seconds, probably even give her kiss.  Thank the good Lord for the opportunity, wish her well, and release her.  I would desperately want that fish to see another day.  I would be devastated to be the reason for that fish to die

[BrianMDTX]

9 hours ago, WRB said:

Yes! 

Lakes Casitas and Castaic had potential world record bass in the 90’s. Neither lake had or has a certified scale or DFG personal at the lake to validate a record bass catch. The DFG wardens were headquartered at Fillmore trout trout hatchery located about 30 miles away from both lakes.

It’s illegal to transport live bass from the lake to get a certified weight, but it was done out of necessity.

My 19.3 lb bass weighed 21 lbs on my Chatillion spring scale. I loaded up my boat and traveled to the Mini Mart about 2 miles away, they had a certified produce scale. My fish was weighed using a different tray then zeroed to and weighed 19.3 lbs. loaded up the bass, went back to the marina and was releasing it when a father and son wanted a photo. They told me they watched me catch the bass. I was so disappointed the bass was under 20 lbs reluctantly held the bass for the photo, the only photo i have. I gave the bye stander my name and address, released the bass and went home.

later the Mini Mart guy who weighed my bass said they forgot to reset the zero and I should add 2 lbs to the weight. How ITF can you do that after the fact. I will never know the actual weight of that bass, but bye stander did send a photo and a friend came up to the dock while I release the fish.

Tom

 

Wow. First, awesome bass, whether 19, 20 or 21+ lbs. But still, to find that out after releasing the fish? Good googamoogah!

[TnRiver46]

I won’t ever have to worry about catching a record bass. Wshew! Glad that’s off my back.........

[A-Jay]

I forgot to mention that this states current top brown bass was taken

in 2016 from the Menderchuck River which connects Lake Menderchuck North & Lake Menderchuck North.

While I don't fish that narrow river (it's like a freeway in the summer),

I do put some time on the big water of both places.

Get The Net !

A-Jay

 

[slonezp]

11 hours ago, BlakeMolone said:

Can we see that picture? 

 

9 hours ago, NoShoes said:

This times a thousand 

The replica bass is the picture in his avatar

 

and you get 1 guess as to what @WRB screen name means

[NYWayfarer]

2 hours ago, Jaderose said:

What would I do?  Be very excited and as I most likely would not have a camera and may or may not have a scale, I would unhook her, admire the heck outta her for a couple of seconds, probably even give her kiss.  Thank the good Lord for the opportunity, wish her well, and release her.  I would desperately want that fish to see another day.  I would be devastated to be the reason for that fish to die

Same here. 
 

It might sound crazy to some but as long as I know I caught it and had some pictures and video to prove it I don’t need my name in a record book. It would be nice but not at the cost of a magnificent animal. If I could get that and keep the fish alive I would think about it.

 

I used to carry a disposal camera in my tackle box before cellphones for taking pictures of fish catches. I can’t imagine life without my smartphone now.

[Dens228]

Since I live in Illinois I'd have to go to a southern state, catch a huge bass, keep it alive and transport it to Illinois, attach my lure to it again, put it in the water and pull it out............

Anyone on here from Illinois will know what I'm talking about.