Some of you guys have no clue!

[Mattlures]

Ok you guys make a big deal about a $1000 offer. If they were unsportsman like they could have crowded Kyle and fished for the same fish but of cource they didnt. I would have offered him what ever money i had too.

Every body talkes about the million dollar fish. SAYS WHO!!!!!!!!!!!!! you think people are going to come running with money in hand and start throwing it at them. they may get some indorsments but they would have to work very hard to get any whare near a million for it.

Ok now here is the big one.......Pay atention..........Its not about the money. I dont care about the $1000 offer that means nothing.    Its about prestige respect and clout. Who ever catches the biggest fish is king. Those guys work at casinos and make alot of money. They are not in it for the money its all about who catches the biggest bass. A lot of trophy hunters(myself included) dont fish tournaments. Our way of competition and reward is being known for the big fish we catch.  That is the mindset.

I wish you guys would leave the guy alone. He just caught the biggest bass in recorded history and let it go because he foul hooked it. Imagin how heartbreaking that must have been to see that fish come up with the jig outside the mouth. He knew what he was fishing for. He knew how to make it bite. He just misjudged it.

[Chris]

http://www.finefishing.com/aaspecies/basslargemouth/recordlargemouth.htm

[Captain Cali]

Well said Matt. A lot of people don't understand the mindset of these guys. It's really NOT about the money and I truly believe that. I don't even want to know how much they've invested of their money in this pursuit. I bet it's a lot. Of course with all this hype about the "Million Dollar Fish" everyone will think it is about the money. The story gets twisted every which way, even after the record has been set straight.

[Mattlures]

Thats just that guys opinion. The fish and fisherman would have to be marketable. They would also have to work for it. Imigin if some poor Mexican caught the fish, documented it properly and then ate it. Do you think he would get much money out of it? my point is the money is not guaranteed. Its assumed. I think way to many people focus on the whole money aspect of the WR . you guys probably think I am full of it but I would be completly happy being the recognized WR holder and not make any money from it. Would I try to make money from it? sure but that is only secondary. Its the TITLE

I think people have seen too many scamers like the Trews and the lady that had a weight in the fishes belly. This is not the same. Mac wanted to catch the fish more than he wanted to get paid. He knew it was the record there is no way in hell he intentualy tried to snag it.

and just for the record. These guys are not my freinds. I am not sure if I like them or not but i do respect them.

[Chris]

I think the underlining point was that if a guy just went out with the sole purpose of ****** hooking a record fish should it be a record. Not knowing anything about the guy or how it was caught or foul hooked people just had the picture stuck in their heads that someone ****** hooked a record and should it stand. You have so many hoops to jump just for a record to stand and if the guy didn't go through all the motions it will not stand. Part of the reason for all the BS is because everyone wants that title and if they are going to give it they need to make darn sure. Measurements need to be taken, DNA, Certified weight, and when everything is said and done you might end up killing the fish. If the guy caught the fish and didn't snag it on purpose the record should stand. The problem is that the fish was not measured, weighed on a certified scale, had pictures taken verifying everything (length, girth, weight)or an official of some sort. We don't live in a world that will take a man at his word.  I wish we did he deserves it.

[Chris]

oh yeah Matt here is a question for ya

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1143078157

[bobo]

How does he deserve it? Like i've said I give people the benefit of the doubt, always. Until they show other wise.

He catches this fish with a foul hook, finds out if unintentional, it still may be ok. Decides to pursue record. Day later, doesn't see support so decides to withdraw it? Says he's worried about keeping the fish alive, but goes out for a 15 minutes celebration with the fish in tow on a stringer? Says he doesn't know the rules in one sentence, and in another says they are proffessional world record  bass hunters... The only controversy is what he brought on himself. We're all just spectators..

Maybe it's a cali thing, but if I catch a 25.1 bass with a foul hook and I think it's legit i'm going to try to have it official, not gonna ponder over the next couple days whether to make it official, regardless of fines, outcome , etc.... If I catch I 25.1lb bass with a foul hook and think it's not legit, I'm not gonna ponder over the next few days whether to make it official either, i'm gonna say it's not legit and be done with it....

I'm finding it hard to take this guys word, when it took a couple days to figure out what he wanted to say...but lets keep some perspective here, thinking he may be a little on the shady side isn't calling him a cop killer or anything.

Money had a little to do with it, but sometimes you can't put a price on fame. Those are to huge factors on catching a 25.1 bass. I agree though, money to be made would be no where near the fame. Oddly enough, you can make alot of money off fame

And btw way, the first day, I thought this guy was the new WR holder, he was legit regardless of it went official. Needless to say, I've considerably changed me opinion.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Just for the record,I thought the lady with the fish that had the 1lb lead ball in it's belly wasn't a WR but still held up because after autopsy, the biologist learned that the stomach had built a lining around the ball to seperate it from the stomach therefor concluding that she didn't put it there.

[Matt Fly]

Is this the same lady from Mirmar in the late80/early 90's with the 2.5 pound diving weight, she was credited for the fish minus the diving weight.

I don't understand killing a fish to do an autopsy,  I can X-ray anything with out killing it and find abnormal weight hidden inside.

[paparock]

If I ever caught a fish I thought even came close to a world record, I would photograph it on my scale take some quick pics and if there is a share a lunker program try to get the fish to them healthy. If I had any doubt about the fish's health I would release it. I would have serious doubts about submitting it to be an official record because of all the BS people would through at you. I don't know the man or what motivates him but I would have to take some time to think about if I really wanted to go through the pain of trying to break such a record. I'm just one of those people that fish for fun but try to target bigger fish. Those that target trophy bass have their place and more power to them because if they succeed they suffer from all those that will try to deny them their moment of fame, whatever their motivation. To me I doubt it would be worth all the character assassination and rumor mongering that follows.

[cart7t]

....... If the guy caught the fish and didn't snag it on purpose the record should stand. The problem is that the fish was not measured, weighed on a certified scale, had pictures taken verifying everything (length, girth, weight)or an official of some sort. .......

No, it shouldn't.  Amoungst all the requirements of the IGFA for certification of a world record is the one that states the fish must be caught within the bounds of local game and fish laws. Clearly that was not followed here.

According to CA law, a fish hooked outside the mouth is a non-catch. It must be released immediately. No weighing, no pictures, no length or girth measurements and certainly no sticking the thing on a stringer while you decide what to do with it.

While the IGFA will consider a foul hooked fish, they won't consider a fish taken outside of local game law whether they had all the other requirements or not.

And that's how it should be.

[cakes]

A I have said in another post:

I think he is somewhere in the middle.  Not a standup guy like Abe Lincoln who walked miles to return a penny,lol.  But not some ahole who was trying to buy a WR.  This guy has been trying for years for these monsters.  In his present state, which he was probably in near hysteria, he wanted that bass so bad he could taste it.  So what if he offered a grand to buy the guy out.  Who had admittedly fished it all day and couldn't get it to bite.  Who here hasn't bought or tipped someone to get preferred service?

As for what he was trying to or would have done is all speculation.  Maybe he and the eventual WR holder should be given lie detector tests.

[Guest avid]

Matt, I have re-read your original post and can't believe that YOU believe what you wrote.  You really doubt that the manufacturers wouldn't come chasing after the world record holder with bushels of money?  You are in the business.  How many of your baits would you sell if the next wr were caught on a matt lure?  The chatterbait can't keep up with production and they are only known to followers of the pro circuit.  

C'mon Matt.  You want to express an opinion? Fine.  But get off your high horse.  Some of us are not so clueless.

[Matt Fly]

Come on Avid, you made me re-read my last post.  LOL, I believe its the other Matt.

Hookem

Matt

[Guest avid]

Sorry Mattfly    I did mean the OTHER Matt, the thread starter. Hoo boy, the ruckus this big fish is a rasin'  ;D

[Captain Cali]

Some of you just don't understand the mindset of TRUE trophy hunters. Everyone else seems to be money hunters, not true trophy hunters.

Let me ask everyone this, if Mac offered Kyle $1000 to fish for the bass and would split the "million dollars" if he caught it, would you still have a problem with such an offer?

[K_Mac]

Mattlures

I have stayed out of the conversation because I don't have enough information to judge the man's character or motivation. Some have offered opinions that I do not agree with, but that does not mean they are clueless. This site has over 4000 members who bring many different points of view to the discussion. We are all united by our love of bass fishing, but we come with a variety of worldviews and life experience. I very much enjoy the exchange of ideas, as long as it is done with respect. Just my .02

[Triton_Mike]

I agree with Matt 100%.  He made a very good example if a hispanic person caught the fish fishing with a cane pole.  IS he an instant millionaire??  I seriously doubt it.  Now if KVD caught it with his marketing abilities you bet he'd be in the chips.  Another thing.  Takahiro Omori won the Classic 2 years ago.  He didn't benefit nowhere near 1 million bucks.  It's all about marketing.  Yes the chatterbait guys and sweet beaver guys would benefit but if the hispanic guy can't speak english or even worst can't market himself he's not going to get much of squat.  Theres a HUGE difference between marketability and catching a WR fish.  

T Mike

[Matt Fly]

Mike, if he can talk and answer questions, every talk show, every magazine, every fishing company that can be tied to it, is gonna do something to get their names mentioned.     Eagle claw hooks would pay dearly to have on their packages of hooks.    World record bass caught on eagle claw hooks.  You change that to a rod and reel and artificail bait and that door opened up wide.

Worse case scenerio, cane pole, and little kid.     Any other avid bass fisherman stands to have lots of seminars ahead, bookdeals and anything else.      

$$$$$$$$$$$    

[paparock]

Money makes some things easier but it also adds a whole different set of troubles. I agree with the "marketing ability" posts. It's just so hard for me to identify with all the turmoil that gets stirred up when someone may break some record. Life's to short for all that kind of hassle.

I can't take money with me when I die but I would like to take  'my honor and my word ' with me.

[Fisher of Men]

IMO, No matter who catches it, they will be criticized no matter what. That's just the way we've become as a society. We are skepticle of everything. So many crooked people have committed dishonest acts, we have been pre-programmed to feel that way about anyone who achieves something of World Record status. It is sad that we can't take anyone's word anymore. The pope himself could catch the world record bass while a crowd of thousands watched him and he would still be criticized. That's just the way we are.

As far as the opportunity to make $$$ off of this record, there is no doubt that, in the right hands, alot of money could be made. I don't know about a million dollars, but obviously there is no question that thousands could be made from it.   This guy knew what he was doing. He would have went after the $$$ had questions not arose regarding snagging the fish. If no-one else would have witnessed this event, he would be applying for the record. In this case, the California tourism industry is going to be the winner. And, it will be just a matter of time before this comes up again.

[Biglouie]

How does he deserve it? Like i've said I give people the benefit of the doubt, always. Until they show other wise.

 

And on you previous post about this fish....

....Until I see something that says otherwise, i'm leaning towards shady... Click my name, read all my posts about this.  

Bobo, you kill me.  LOL!

[Triton_Mike]

OK Matt Fly,  If a chinese dude weekend angler with a cork and bobber catches the WR on it do you really think someone is going to pay this guy the big chips for his story?  Would you buy the same cork and bobber he used?  I am not saying the guy won't make ANY money.  What I am saying is if a guy is marketable he'll be alot closer to the cool Million than the chinese guy in my story.  

T Mike

[Matt Fly]

You change that to a rod and reel and artificail bait and that door opened up wide.

Worse case scenerio, cane pole, and little kid. Any other avid bass fisherman stands to have lots of seminars ahead, bookdeals and anything else. $$$$$$$$$$$

Mike, I agree with you.  I didn't like the reference to Mexican, and just noticed you wrote hispanic in its place when you replied, nothing to do with you or your post, I just think it was an extreme example and doors would open up for a bass fishermen, granted none of us would do as well as KVD, the man who is BASS CLASS.

[Chris]

....... If the guy caught the fish and didn't snag it on purpose the record should stand. The problem is that the fish was not measured, weighed on a certified scale, had pictures taken verifying everything (length, girth, weight)or an official of some sort. .......

No, it shouldn't. Amoungst all the requirements of the IGFA for certification of a world record is the one that states the fish must be caught within the bounds of local game and fish laws. Clearly that was not followed here.

According to CA law, a fish hooked outside the mouth is a non-catch. It must be released immediately. No weighing, no pictures, no length or girth measurements and certainly no sticking the thing on a stringer while you decide what to do with it.

While the IGFA will consider a foul hooked fish, they won't consider a fish taken outside of local game law whether they had all the other requirements or not.

And that's how it should be.

no wonder BASS don't fish there you just ruled out 90% of my tackle box