The current World Record Largemouth

[earthworm77]

I don't think he has a problem with Georgia holding the record. He has the problem with the RECORD itself no matter where it was. The record (story) just happened to come from Georgia.

Thank you KU, you got the point.

rattletrap, If you look at my avatar you'll clearly see that I am from Georgia myself. I have no issue withwhatever state that has the record. Just the facts or lack of that surrounds the so called record.

R/T I stated repeatedly that this had nothing to do with Georgia or California or even Florida, you simply didn't comprehend that or chose to beam your state pride. I'm glad that T-Mike also saw the point I tried to make.

Here is another point, there have been 2 Florida state record fish denied record status due to fuzzy details and lack of proper documentation. One over 20lbs and another a 19+. No problem with me. If it can't be proven, and properly documented, it shouldn't be recognized in any and all states.

[roadwarrior]

If you are interested in an IGFA record, go to the website and it's all spelled out. The basics are a certified scale, measurements and witnesses. You have to provide a sample or your line and fill out the paperwork on a timely basis, it's not that complicated.

I don't have any chance of catching a World Record largemouth bass, but I fish every weekend for the smallmouth. That record is far more challenging, there has never been a smallmouth caught that comes within a pound of the World Record.

[Rattletrap]

Forgive me for being over zealous. It just gets old after awhile.....

[JDPgator]

So if I understand this:

The pro side of the argument says he met the criteria at the time of the catch with valid scales and eyewitness accounts.

The con side of the argument is that 1 there are not any other fish close to that size in GA and 2 there is no picture of the catch.

Is that the basic jist of this arguement? I just wanted to make sure I fully understand what both sides using as the foundation of their opinion before I made one myself. Thanks.

JP

[playmaker47]

Just because Georgia doesnt have 20+ lb bass caught often like california, doesnt mean that they aren't there. Georgia anglers catch numberous 15+ lb bass every year. Now you know that not all the bass that are that big are caught every year, and most that big that are caught in Georgia are released. These fish are still out there growing, and they dont all just die or stop growing at the 20lb mark. These fish are still out there swimming somewhere. Georgia definately has the possibility of producing a 22 lb 4 oz fish. Just because there isnt as much proof of it happening back then as there would be now due to technology and grown interest in the sport doesnt mean it isnt a valid record.

By the way I am from Kansas so this has nothing to do with a Georgia/California battle or whatever.

[earthworm77]

The con side of the argument is that 1 there are not any other fish close to that size in GA and 2 there is no picture of the catch.

Mr. Perry claimed he caught the fish on a Creek Chub Wigglefish, in a later interview he claimed he caught it on a different crankbait. I'm not sure there are any eyewitness accounts of the catch on record. Mr. Perry told the people at Creek Chub that he would provide them with a photo of the record fish if they sent him free baits. He never provided the photo.(This information was provided by bassmaster interview.) I don't think there is accuracy saying there are no fish that size in Georgia, the fact of the matter remains there is such a tremendous gap between the size of this fish and the second largest that it seems suspect. So essentially in the past 75 years, nobody has taken a fish over 16lbs or so. This makes it seem more unlikely. The catch was said to have been weighed on a feed scale, was it certified? Who knows. Was it as accurate as today's scales?

The bass was eaten for dinner thus never taken for verification or proper certification. Because nobody except Perry and perhaps a small number of people saw the fish, how can it ever have been certified for a record.

My opinion is that at the time there was no record for LMB and that accepting it was really no big deal. Who would have thought that this leiniency would cause the longest standing all tackle record in history.

Playmaker, you are right, it may be valid, but it also may not be. It really is food for thought.

[Rattletrap]

You watch those Cali bass being pulled in and they are pulled in quick. They have no cover. It's like fishing in a pool. That will not happen in Georgia. We have stumps trees and pads that they wrap around. Who knows if Ga or Fl has ever had 20lb plus Hawgs break them off in the stumps. I believe it has happened. I believe they are out there......

[KYbass1276]

Guys I guess we could debate this forever but the fact remains we wasn't there and we will probally never know. This post has got so many good points that it get's ones mind going back a forth. I guess I will still beleve it is the record because it's on the paper as the record like it or not we all have to live with it until the next one is caught. But if you stop and think of it isn't amazeing that one has not been caught yet with so many people fishing  you would honestly think or atleast I do that one would be caught by now. I would like to think as well that there is a picture out there somewhere maybe stashed in someones attic and them not knowing what it really is worth to us But who knows all we have is the wait until is broken agin Lets put this one to bed

[earthworm77]

Dude, now we finally agree on something!

[Triton_Mike]

I hate beating a dead horse but I have to comment to Playmaker,

There is a HUGE difference between a 15lb fish and a 22lb fish.  7lbs to be exact.  There are only 28 fish in the 15lb or bigger range that have been recorded that have caught in Georgia. That by no means are they numerous and caught every year.  Recently we have had a surge of fish in the 15lb range but in previous years it hasn't been a common occurence every year. There very well could be a 20lb + fish in Georgia.  But I'll put my money on the fact that their isn't.  A 22lb fish is a RARITY fish.  Heck a 20lb fish is a Rare fish and we are no threat to the current world Record.  

BTW I finally found a GON issue stating the top 40 Georgia bass of all time

1. 22lbs 4oz

2. 18lbs 1 oz

3. 17lbs 14oz

4. 17lb 9oz

5. 17lbs 4oz

6. 17lbs

7. 16lbs 11

8. 16lbs 9.3oz

9. 16lbs 9oz

10. 16lbs 8oz

.

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15. 16lbs even

16. 15lbs 15oz

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28 15lbs even

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42 14lbs even

Notice the HUGE gap between 1st and 2nd a 4lb difference.  I can handle a 1 or a 2lb difference but 4lbs seems to be a stretch.  

Roadwarrior.  Question for ya.  I'm rusty on my smallmouth stuff but wasn't their a 10lb smallie caught below Wheeler dam??  I'm not sure how big it was but I think that was the former record at one time.  Do you have any history/information on that fish?  

T Mike

[RoLo]

T Mike,

I'm rusty on my smallmouth stuff but wasn't their a 10lb smallie caught below Wheeler dam??

The former world-record smallmouth bass (before the Dale Hollow fish in 1955)

was 10 lb, 8 oz smallie taken below Wheeler Dam in the tailrace of Wilson Lake.

Roger

[Rattletrap]

IMO. I don't see 4lbs being a stretch. That's only egg roe and a full stomach.

[preach4bass]

And when they do, there will be people on here, and around the world, that will dispute the validity of it.

Personally, if I did catch a WR LM, I wouldn't let anyone know. Sure, the fame and fortune would be nice, and being in the spotlight would be nice, no doubt, but having people say that it was a setup, that I somehow fixed the fish, or the scales, or paid people off.......etc., I wouldn't want it.

So, if he thinks that he wants that kind of attention, more power to him.

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;

That's a good one!  I don't know (and personally don't care) if the World Record is bogus, but I know that statement is bogus!  Come on nwgabassmaster, you'd tell the whole world just like the rest of us!  I believe George Perry caught a 22+ pound bass long before I believe you could catch the WR and not tell anyone. ;D ;D

[Mattlures]

Most people DO NOT BELIEVE IT. They just accept it. Ask fisherman from anywhare other than Georgia or Florida and you will see that most think it is fake. Here is another interesting note for you Perry supporters.

Ray Scott the founder of BASS sent a reporter to interview Perry and administer a polygraph test.

HMMM I wonder why Ray would do such a thing? Well geuss what. The interview was given but the the lie detector test was not. HMMMMMMMM. Imagin that.

The biggest discrepency is the actual mesurments that Perry gave. Compared to actual documented fish of similar size Perrys fish should have weighed over 25Lbs. The numbers dont add up. Perrys partner was never found or interveiwed.

To say that he had nothing to gain is flat out wrong. He also won the contest again with a fish he claimed to be nearly 14lbs wich he not only photographed he had it mounted too. The fish looks no whare near 14lbs.

People will get upset and say negative things about anybody who challenges the validity of the record.

They like the Idea of it coming from their state or that it has lasted for so long. I used to believe it until I became realy interested in it. I read every article I could find and sadly after a while I changed my opinion on it. I honestly believe that anybody who investigates it with an open mind will come to the same conclusion.

[Rattletrap]

WRONG Matt. You use the bass calculator on this site, and it actually weights less than the World Record weight at 21.6225lbs. Which is close enough to the real weight. Georgia still owns the record real or fake. Even if there was positive proof with photos, people other than Georgia residents would still be arguing the facts. Georgia has the record, that's all that matters.  Break it if you can. ;D ;D ;D

[flechero]

This isn't my kind of debate but I'm surprised no one has mentioned the lake and watershed system. I know from just fishing some of the Tx lakes, that a fishery can be severly impacted by a number of factors over time... river flows impacted by dams, aquatic plant growth, water levels, silt brought in by rivers, and the list goes on. There could have been a population of 20lb fish there back then... and you guys have said very few people were interested in that or even fished for them.

I though it funny when some refer to it as the "so called" or "alleged" record. The fact is that it IS the record, even if the scales were wrong, it was accepted and documented, by the standards of that time. Crying about it now won't change anything.

There are lots of records in lots sports that have stood the test of time... should we assume that any of them not documented on film are bogus?

[Triton_Mike]

rattletrap,  Then why hasn't a 19,20, 21 or 22lb bass been caught in Georgia if 4lbs is only egg roe and full tummy?? LOL

Mike

[Chris]

WRONG Matt. You use the bass calculator on this site, and it actually weights less than the World Record weight at 21.6225lbs. Which is close enough to the real weight. Georgia still owns the record real or fake. Even if there was positive proof with photos, people other than Georgia residents would still be arguing the facts. Georgia has the record, that's all that matters. Break it if you can. ;D ;D ;D

bass calculator on this sitemost of them are based upon his record.

[Rattletrap]

It's not been caught yet and it keeps breaking the line. I don't no. IMO. 18lbs is close enough in my book. BTW, Georgia does not have an enlargement program to produce numerous 20lb bass like California. Our state is all natural, so you will not see fish like that being produced in numbers. George Perry's was one of a kind. A freak of nature for this state. There might not be another one out there. It's just a freak of nature that happens to be held by Georgia as the World Record.

[Rattletrap]

WRONG Matt. You use the bass calculator on this site, and it actually weights less than the World Record weight at 21.6225lbs. Which is close enough to the real weight. Georgia still owns the record real or fake. Even if there was positive proof with photos, people other than Georgia residents would still be arguing the facts. Georgia has the record, that's all that matters. Break it if you can. ;D ;D ;D

bass calculator on this sitemost of them are based upon his record.

I'm trying to figure out your reply. Bass weight calculations are based on math, not Georgia's record.

[Poor Richard]

Poor Richard says:

The bass records--both of them--are like the old notions that the 4-minute mile would never be run; the sound barrier could not be broken.  Us elders can remember both myths being smashed.  So let's keep shooting for these two bass records.  Of course, if the LM recordis broken in one of those trout-stocked California lakes, someone will want to compare that to athletes using steroids.

Why don't we get the record folks to allow a second place category for the L&S basses, confined exclusively, of course, to modern confirmation rules and documentation.  I'd accept that and no sour grapes!  Then we'd have a record to shoot for that no one could contest and things would be real lively while we're waiting for 24 and 5.

-------------------------

It got away?  Don't cry--lie!    8-)

[earthworm77]

I think it is a little comical how some of you guys are truly threatened by the thought of the record falling to trout fed bass in California. Is it really that intimidating? Are they such a strange anomally?  I think it is good management. If it is so easy to do, why hasn't the Lone Star Share a Lunker Program produced a true high teen heavy weight? Ironic to be talking about un natural when most of your fish are likely F1's which are not native to Georgia anyway. Just FYI. You can't have it both ways.

[Guest bigtex]

All of this talk about California trout fed bass and GA world record bass that was caught by Perry is just crazy.  I'm from Texas and I believe Perrys WR stands tall and strong.  I do however believe that it will be broken, but not by California but by Japan.  Remember, this is a WORLD RECORD we are talking about.  Not just in the USA.  Besides, if Japan doesn't do it than TEXAS will.

[Chris]

WRONG Matt. You use the bass calculator on this site, and it actually weights less than the World Record weight at 21.6225lbs. Which is close enough to the real weight. Georgia still owns the record real or fake. Even if there was positive proof with photos, people other than Georgia residents would still be arguing the facts. Georgia has the record, that's all that matters. Break it if you can. ;D ;D ;D

bass calculator on this sitemost of them are based upon his record.

I'm trying to figure out your reply. Bass weight calculations are based on math, not Georgia's record.

If I hold up two fish that are the same weight neither one will measure the same. If I hold up two fish that measure the same they will not weigh the same. The math part is based upon what the weight/ length/ girth of a known fish. Most tables and calculator "find the weight" stuff is based upon the known weight/length/girth of Buck's fish. It was the only known fish that big at the time so they figured out a formula that seems to work with in ounces based on his fish's measurements. Today we are a little smarter and have figured out a little different way of figuring it out. But that was what all the math stuff was based on for years.

[Triton_Mike]

bigtex,  I know your proud of your state but since the famed Fork had the largemouth bass virus a while back they haven't had but ONE top 50 fish in Texas top 50 rankings since the year 2000 almost 6 years ago.  That fish only weighed 15lbs and a little change.  Sorry but the WR isn't going to come from Tejas anytime soon unless Fork or Alan Henry does a huge turnaround.  I do think the Share a Lunker program is an awesome program that ANY state could benefit from due to using strong genes to produce a super fish.  However your gonna need some egg yolks (protein in the form of trout) to get them over the 20lb barrier.  That has been the key ingrediant in California.  Japans current record is 19.34lbs and was caught in 2003 I believe.  They would have a better shot than Texas at the WR.  

T Mike