List of the biggest documented bass ever caught

[justfishin]

How about a list like that for smallmouth?

[cart7t]

Cart, Perry's witness was never found. He gave a name of a person said to exist and that person never came forward to substantiate his catch. There is so much fishy about this record that it simply screams scam. Where to start??? There is not a single picture of Perry holding his fish. That photo of the young boy with the giant fish may or may not be Perry's. I do not believe it has the dimensions necessary to ahcieve world record size. At least one other photo of Perry with a bass is clearly not as large as claimed. He claimed he had photos of himself with the fish when he tried to extort more money and products from the people at Heddon. They never surfaced. Did he lose the photos to document his single greatest lifetime achievement? What bait did he catch it on? He seemed to change his mind about that and said it was three different ones. No fish over 16lbs documented in Ga since is a pretty good indication that this fish is an extreme rarity, even then you'd have to guess at least a couple would follow in its footsteps and come close.

The current world record smallmouth was struck down for a period of time because two marina owners claimed the fish was weighed in their marina, not because of anything the catcher did incorrectly. It was a dispute between two outside parties, the fish was documented correctly, phographed, etc. If that factor can disqualify a fish, Perry's fish should be DQ'd or at least have an asterisk next to it stating the discrepincies. Or be the unofficial record.

In a time when there are so many rules to follow regarding certifying a world record, it is strange that this stands considering the cloudiness of it all.

Perry's story is a great tale that we all want to believe in but there really is nothing more to it than a fish story. There is nothing solid to document it. A photo that he claimed he had with himself holding the catch would quell all of the naysayers. Where is it?

Cart I was wondering the same thing regarding state records over 16lbs.

We will never agree as to the validity on this fish. With the magnitude of catching a pending World Record bass, I simply can't believe blindly in the Perry record. There are a ton of people who claim to have caught giant bass and when they can't provide proof their tale becomes just another fish story.

This is a photo of my 24lber.....OK you got me , its only over 10. lol But at least I have a photo of it.

The problem is your line of thinking.  You're thinking in the context of what that fish would mean today, not in what it meant back then.  If the situation around that fish occured today it would'nt hold water but the fact that it happened the way it did back then isn't surprising.  

Answer me this. Where are the fish from Florida's waters over 16lbs on that list or any other caught during the 20's, 30's and 40's, or even as late as the 50's?  There's little to any documentation of any of them even though I'm sure plenty were caught.  It just didn't matter back then.  There was no large scale bass fishing industry or audience that cared.  If there was, better documentation and evidence would've been gathered to substantiate any catches of those fish.  Photo evidence lacks because of the lack of cameras during the day.  Had there been some sort of monetary gain or even public acknoledgement of such large catches I bet you'd have seen much better record keeping and attempts make to document.  Since no one is able to disprove the fish, I don't see much reason to keep doubting it.

[deepsessions]

California looks to be the next record holder its no secret that trout are fed into many of the lakes and reservoirs yearly and the sunshine keeps away ice and snow for the most part for the ultimate playground. Every local lake within an hour of me has a lake record of 18 lbs + this can be a bit inspiring at times and others misleading as it doesn't justify the quality of fishing just the size that can be obtained.

a local live bait shop which catches live bait at one of the big tournament trail lakes has a 30lb monster lurking about....he said he see's many of fish in the double digits and knows from years experience its the next world record. Will it be caught?

One state to look out for is Texas they are doing alot of study & research on what it takes to cultivate big bass and also they are experimenting with cross breeding largemouth's with another specie of bass (sorry I forget the strain) they are supposed to gain twice the size in half the time and grow to a bigger size. The program has only been going on for 5 years and they need another 10 to really get a full spectrum of fish.  

just some fish for thought.....now its off to fishing! gotta love these late winter starts

[roadwarrior]

"List of the biggest documented (smallmouth) bass ever caught"

Jim Blair,

There isn't one! First of all, if anyone feels Perry's bass was an abberation, David Hayes' World Record Stands out MUCH further. At 11 lbs 15 oz, that brown fish is 1 lb 1 oz heavier than #2. As far as I know there are only two other "documented" smallmouth over 10 lbs and they are State Records (AL 10 lb 8 oz, NC 10 lb 2 oz). So, the WR is almost 10% bigger than #2 and nearly 20% bigger than #4.

I think it is very unlikely that a new WR will be caught unless it's quirky: 10 lb smallmouth that just ate a two pound skipkack, or something along those lines. Technically, according to IGFA rules, a new WR must exceed the old record by 2 oz. That's 12 lb 1 oz for a smallmouth record!

BTW,

Two years ago my partner, Speedy Madewell, caught a brown fish on the Tennessee River that I netted and weighed. No camera and my scales are not certified, but I KNOW...

[Raul]

Wether we like it or not and unless the IGFA makes a review on who has the WR it still is 22 lbs 4 ounces.

[earthworm77]

The problem is your line of thinking. You're thinking in the context of what that fish would mean today, not in what it meant back then. If the situation around that fish occured today it would'nt hold water but the fact that it happened the way it did back then isn't surprising.

I'm not sure there is aproblem with my thinknig, one would expect a World Record in not just our era but previous eras to come under some form of scrutiny and investigation before it is accepted. If it is held to a lesser standard, why should it be valid today? I find it difficult that several other records have been DQ'd such as the smallmouth record for much smaller questions that arose. Your second paragraph is an example of what I said earlier.....just because those Florida fish are not on that list, it doesn't mean they do not exist. I mean that is not a list of every fish ever caught over 16lbs. Up until yesterday I had no idea that this compilation of fish existed. To someone who simply catches a huge fish, they may not know how to document this fish correctly.

Raul, unfortunately you are correct as well. Weakley no doubt caught the largest documented fish, whether it was intentionally snagged or caught correctly or whatever, I do not know, it just won't be certifiied for the WR

[cart7t]

Since George Perry's fish was acknowledged as the record and the story of the catch was acceptable to the IGFA folks back in 1932, then you must accept it for what it is unless you have proof that the facts aren't what they are.  74 years ago is a long time ago, most of the particulars are now dead.  Rather than complain on a fishing board, why not get like minded anglers together and petition the IGFA to review the catch again (if they haven't already).  

I can understand the skepticism by some on the fish. I read the account in the Bassmaster article a few years ago.  The missing picture of GP with the fish that was sent to the tackle manufacturer was certainly strange but there was the account of GP with a friend and a law enforcement officer taking the freshly caught fish to either a store or post office to have it weighed on what were then, certified scales.  Had this happened these days I'd be extremely skeptical.  The obvious monetary gains of catching a fish of that magnitude have a way of causing people to do devious things they wouldn't ordinarily do but back then, it just wasn't the case.  All Mr. Perry could get out of it was a rod and reel.  hardly worth risking ones reputation on.

[Guest avid]

Weakley's Fish was a 25.1, there is no doubt about it

Really,

I think there is tremendous doubt about it.

Here is a group of World record hunters, fishing for a targeted bass that they believe to be the new WR and they don't have a certified scale????????????????????????  They don't ask for or look for a certified scale??????   NO, they huddle up in the middle of lake, then take all kinds of photo's to "document" the catch, BUT NEVER WEIGHED IT ON A CERTIFED SCALE..............HELLO, anybody home?????

The scale used to weigh the fish was "checked" after the fact.

I don't know where you come from but in my neighborhood, proving something tomorrow that you claim happened yesterday is no proof at all.

[bassmasta7]

I got this list off of the high voltage bass anglers website. It has a list of the largest bass caught in GA.

State Reported Top Georgia Lunkers

Rank Weight Lake (State) Angler  Date

#1 22lb. 4oz. Montgomery Lake George Washington Perry  06/02/32

#2 18lb. 1oz. Marben Farm (Lake Margery) Ron Petzelt 09/15/87

#3 17lb. 14oz. Chastain's Lake (Cobb County) Nickey Rich 04/27/65

#4 17lb. 9oz. Lake Lanier Emory Dunahoo 12/19/65

#5 17lb. 4oz. Marben Farm (Lake Margery) Jerry Jones 04/22/90

#6 17lb. 0oz. Lake Gale (Midway, Ga) Robert C. Stone 03/18/74

#7 16lb. 11oz. Lake Chatuge David Preseley 03/27/76

#8 16lb. 9.3oz. Marion County Lake Sam Taylor 03/15/02

#9 16lb. 9oz. Lake Allatoona Greg Rymer 08/31/82

#10 16lb. 8oz. Lake Eufaula John Giles 03/12/80

#11 16lb. 4oz. Lake Spivey Annie Malcolm 1971

#11 16lb. 4oz. Lake Seminole Charles Tyson 05/23/61

#13 16lb. 2oz. Morgan County Pond Robert Hilsman 04/07/62

#14 16lb. 1.2oz. Fort Stewart (Big Metz Lake) David Gregory 05/26/02

#15 16lb. 0oz. Forsyth County Pond Donald L. Smith 05/19/97

#16 15lb. 15.4oz. Marion County Lake Sam Taylor 03/16/02

#17 15lb. 13oz. Lamar County Pond Bryan McBride 12/10/98

#18 15lb. 12oz. Fort Stewart (Dogwood Lake) Don Harlow 02/20/93

#19 15lb. 10oz. Lake Seminole R.P. Bolton 1970

#20 15lb. 9.6oz. Fort Stewart (Canoochee Creek Res.) Greg Harvey 02/12/99

#21  15lb. 9oz. Fort Stewart (Big Metz Lake) Paul Smith 09/08/92

#22 15lb. 8.5oz. Dodge County PFA David Hudson 03/16/02

#23 15lb. 6.5oz. Hart County Pond Brad McCall 03/21/92

#24 15lb  6oz. Lake Juliette Alonzo Dunn 01/04/90

#25 15lb. 1.8oz Upson County Lake Sam Taylor 03/19/99

#26 15lb. 1.4oz. Fort Stewart (Pineview Lake) Paul Smith 1997

#27 15lb. 0oz. Lake Lanier Grady Watkins 03/25/67

#27 15lb. 0oz. Savannah River Mike Stille 11/06/99

#29 14lb. 15oz. Private Lake Lewis McGahee 04/07/98

#30 14lb. 14.4oz. Fort Stewart (Big Metz Lake) Chuck King 02/??/00

#31 14lb. 14oz. Clarks Hill Lake Carl Sasser 1960

#31 14lb. 14oz. Taylor County Pond Zeke Rhodes 04/06/75

#33 14lb. 12oz. Bartow County Pond Andy Brook 05/30/97

#34 14lb. 11oz. Upson County POnd Randy Wilkins 06/15/89

#35 14lb. 7.5oz. Lake Eufaula Randy Dassinger 02/28/85

#36 14lb. 7oz. Lake Jackson John Burnett 03/09/86

#37 14lb. 4.3oz. Marion County Lake Sam Taylor 07/09/00

#38 14lb. 4oz. Marion County Lake Sam Taylor 04/07/97

#39 14lb. 3oz. Fort Stewart (Big Metz Lake) Eddie Hancock 03/13/90

#39 14lb. 3oz. Goat Rock Lake Garry Brannon 03/13/90

#41 14lb. 2oz. West Point Lake Richard Little 04/15/88

#42 14lb. 0.8oz. Dodge County PFA Charles Sloan 03/20/99

#43 14lb. 0oz. Lake Burton Carl Lovell Jr. 05/28/93

* Reprinted from Georgia Outdoor News, August 2002

According to this list there have been 6 bass over 17lbs caught in GA and 2 over 18. I believe that Perry's bass was just a genetic freak and should be the record. Its ridiculous to say that there cant be bass that large caught in GA but can be caught in FL. The states are right next to each other and Perry caught his bass only 100 miles north of Florida. Also, he was not that far from the Atlantic coast. This makes the climate warmer and more like Florida. If you have ever been to south GA, you know that in some places the climate is very similar to Florida. I believe this bass also had the perfect conditions in the little oxbow it was living in with a great food supply. In Georgia, there arent really any World Record Hunters so if someone was to catch a giant bass they probably wouldnt be carrying a certified scale. In GA, people dont care about certifying their catches as much as people in CA. Im not saying there are tons of 18lbers caught in GA but I know that there have been more than 2 bass over 18lbs caught in GA.

I know Perry caught a giant bass that day. In SOWBELLY, it says he weighed it at a post office on a government certified scale. That makes me think that it is legit. But say the post office thought "lets tune the scale a little bit up so we can make more money." So it may be off a couple ounces (maybe enough that Crupi's was the largest) but i think it should still stand as the record because it has for so long.

[Mattlures]

Avid you can doubt the weight of 25.1 that is understandable but the fish was weighed and witnessed and on video. You can only doubt the scale.

Here is something for you to think about. Jed caught that same fish in 20003 and it oficialy weighed 21.70.  It actualy weighed a few ounces over the world record the first time they weighed it but by the time the fish and game showed up it lost about 3/4 of a pound. so no world record.

3 years later the fish is caught again and it is MUCH larger. Look at the pictures and video.

It is obviously well over 22.4lbs. you can dispute this but not honestly.

I have said this a hundred times. It doesnt matter if you have a certified scale. If they would have hooked that fish in the mouth they would have called the fish and game or the local biologist and had the fish certified. Yes they huddled in the middle of the lake. If you foul hooked it, wouldnt you discuss your options? I know I would have. but ultimatly they did the right thing and released that fish. You can doubt the scale but there is no way with honesty can you say that fish is not way over 22.4lbs. That scale was also checked on Basscenter I believe two days later and it was accurate. When they caught that fish there were spectators watching including the ranger and nothing was done to the fish to increase the weight. It weight 25.1lbs

[roadwarrior]

All right Matt,

It's certainly not about you, but why are you defending the "Hawg Hunters of the World?"  

They are TOTALLY focused on the World Record and they DON'T HAVE A CERTIFIED SCALE? Are we dealing with retards? You know theses guys, is STUPID an excuse?

I have read the WHOLE story. It wasn't an accident or a spur-of-the-moment decision. How can these guys be so UNPREPARED, especially after they have made the "phone call" and decided to spend the night?

Okay, I agree , THAT FISH is the biggest bass that has ever been landed, but I CANNOT believe that these guys could be so unprepared. This taints the entire story.

[Randall]

I got this list off of the high voltage bass anglers website. It has a list of the largest bass caught in GA.

State Reported Top Georgia Lunkers

Rank Weight Lake (State) Angler Date

#1 22lb. 4oz. Montgomery Lake George Washington Perry 06/02/32

#2 18lb. 1oz. Marben Farm (Lake Margery) Ron Petzelt 09/15/87

#3 17lb. 14oz. Chastain's Lake (Cobb County) Nickey Rich 04/27/65

#4 17lb. 9oz. Lake Lanier Emory Dunahoo 12/19/65

#5 17lb. 4oz. Marben Farm (Lake Margery) Jerry Jones 04/22/90

#6 17lb. 0oz. Lake Gale (Midway, Ga) Robert C. Stone 03/18/74

#7 16lb. 11oz. Lake Chatuge David Preseley 03/27/76

#8 16lb. 9.3oz. Marion County Lake Sam Taylor 03/15/02

#9 16lb. 9oz. Lake Allatoona Greg Rymer 08/31/82

#10 16lb. 8oz. Lake Eufaula John Giles 03/12/80

#11 16lb. 4oz. Lake Spivey Annie Malcolm 1971

#11 16lb. 4oz. Lake Seminole Charles Tyson 05/23/61

#13 16lb. 2oz. Morgan County Pond Robert Hilsman 04/07/62

#14 16lb. 1.2oz. Fort Stewart (Big Metz Lake) David Gregory 05/26/02

#15 16lb. 0oz. Forsyth County Pond Donald L. Smith 05/19/97

#16 15lb. 15.4oz. Marion County Lake Sam Taylor 03/16/02

#17 15lb. 13oz. Lamar County Pond Bryan McBride 12/10/98

#18 15lb. 12oz. Fort Stewart (Dogwood Lake) Don Harlow 02/20/93

#19 15lb. 10oz. Lake Seminole R.P. Bolton 1970

#20 15lb. 9.6oz. Fort Stewart (Canoochee Creek Res.) Greg Harvey 02/12/99

#21 15lb. 9oz. Fort Stewart (Big Metz Lake) Paul Smith 09/08/92

#22 15lb. 8.5oz. Dodge County PFA David Hudson 03/16/02

#23 15lb. 6.5oz. Hart County Pond Brad McCall 03/21/92

#24 15lb 6oz. Lake Juliette Alonzo Dunn 01/04/90

#25 15lb. 1.8oz Upson County Lake Sam Taylor 03/19/99

#26 15lb. 1.4oz. Fort Stewart (Pineview Lake) Paul Smith 1997

#27 15lb. 0oz. Lake Lanier Grady Watkins 03/25/67

#27 15lb. 0oz. Savannah River Mike Stille 11/06/99

#29 14lb. 15oz. Private Lake Lewis McGahee 04/07/98

#30 14lb. 14.4oz. Fort Stewart (Big Metz Lake) Chuck King 02/??/00

#31 14lb. 14oz. Clarks Hill Lake Carl Sasser 1960

#31 14lb. 14oz. Taylor County Pond Zeke Rhodes 04/06/75

#33 14lb. 12oz. Bartow County Pond Andy Brook 05/30/97

#34 14lb. 11oz. Upson County POnd Randy Wilkins 06/15/89

#35 14lb. 7.5oz. Lake Eufaula Randy Dassinger 02/28/85

#36 14lb. 7oz. Lake Jackson John Burnett 03/09/86

#37 14lb. 4.3oz. Marion County Lake Sam Taylor 07/09/00

#38 14lb. 4oz. Marion County Lake Sam Taylor 04/07/97

#39 14lb. 3oz. Fort Stewart (Big Metz Lake) Eddie Hancock 03/13/90

#39 14lb. 3oz. Goat Rock Lake Garry Brannon 03/13/90

#41 14lb. 2oz. West Point Lake Richard Little 04/15/88

#42 14lb. 0.8oz. Dodge County PFA Charles Sloan 03/20/99

#43 14lb. 0oz. Lake Burton Carl Lovell Jr. 05/28/93

* Reprinted from Georgia Outdoor News, August 2002

According to this list there have been 6 bass over 17lbs caught in GA and 2 over 18.

And the GON list is not much better than the one we are discussing.  It only shows a very small fraction of what has really been caught. The only guy I know of or have heard of that has actually tried to certify a bunch of fish is Sam Taylor and look at how many Sam has on that list. Theres a bunch more guys out there just looking for big fish who have caught multiple fish in the fifteen to sixteen pound range and I know of one who has one sixteen and a eighteen and bunches over fifteen. You just aren't going to hear about them unless they break the record. With so many lakes in GA destroyed by spots and hybrids as far as trophy potential they arent going to tell everyone about the few lakes that still have trophy potential so more people show up.

[Mattlures]

Actualy Roadwarrior I dont know those guys. I have seen them but dont realy know them. Having a certified scale would be the best thing to do but It is not necessary if you keep the fish. I cant say for sure because I have not asked them but I would guess if that fish would have been caught corectly they would have kept it.

Now why do I defend them? I dont realy know. Maybe because I can Identify with them and share thier passion.

I to must be a retard because I am hunting that fish also and my scale is not certified. My scale is however a salter and is one of the most accurate made. I honestly belive the sacale issue is no big deal because If I catch that fish it wont be released. If I catch a 22lber I will document it with photos and whitnesses and quickly release the fish.

I am closer to action out here and I knpow the mindset. To me not having the scale is no big deal. I think they caught the fish, new it was hooked bad called thier atourny and he said it wouldnt count so just release it. They probably thought about trying to pass it off but who wouldnt at least think about. They did the right thing and releasde the fish. They didnt try and submit it. They didnt lie about it. So I defend them. Does that make sense?

I also dont defend all of them. Some of them lie and cheat and are just plain *****. Do you remember the Trew's with theie supossed WR? I instantly called BS on them.

Also Just so you know Mike Longs scale has been sent to the IGFA and is certified. Maybe I needto do mine to but I just dont think its that important. If I catch it its going home with me. anything less gets released.

[roadwarrior]

Yes, I understand what you are saying.

I have a Shimano spring loaded scale which I calibrate with free weights. As a recreational fisherman, I can tell you this scale is 100% accurate. But, I only weigh BIG smallmouth and the ones over 5 Lbs that my partner thinks ARE NOT!

If I ever score 10+ I'm afraid that brown fish will not survive. Here on the Tennessee River, we have a shot at the next World Record Smallmouth, as remote as that might be. But if I were catching 10+ occasionally and an 11+ EVER, I would have a certified scale!

[bassmasta7]

"they arent going to tell everyone about the few lakes that still have trophy potential so more people show up"

Exactly. In Ga, a lot of those guys keep those lakes quiet. In those lakes with 16, 17, and 18lb fish, it is definitely possible for a fish to gain 4 more pounds to be a WR.If I caught an 18lb fish, I would tell everyone that I caught an 18lb fish but I wouldnt tell what lake because I would know that they would tell other people about it and it would get way too much fishing pressure. The only way I might try to get a fish certified was if it was over 18lbs (well i dont have to worry about that). They dont really have to worry about giving away their secret lakes in Cali because it is public knowledge which lakes hold record bass with stocked trout. Because of that, I understand that a lot of these lakes have crazy fishing pressure. That would be exactly what I wouldnt want to happen with my lake.

Example: Lake Nunya

[cart7t]

Where is Marion County lake at in Georgia?  That lake seems to be coughing up quite a few big fish to the same guy.  

[earthworm77]

Wasn't the Defresco bass stuffed with diving weights? Lots of screwy attempts to cheat the record.

[buzzbaitfool12]

"they arent going to tell everyone about the few lakes that still have trophy potential so more people show up"

Exactly. In Ga, a lot of those guys keep those lakes quiet. In those lakes with 16, 17, and 18lb fish, it is definitely possible for a fish to gain 4 more pounds to be a WR.If I caught an 18lb fish, I would tell everyone that I caught an 18lb fish but I wouldnt tell what lake because I would know that they would tell other people about it and it would get way too much fishing pressure. The only way I might try to get a fish certified was if it was over 18lbs (well i dont have to worry about that). They dont really have to worry about giving away their secret lakes in Cali because it is public knowledge which lakes hold record bass with stocked trout. Because of that, I understand that a lot of these lakes have crazy fishing pressure. That would be exactly what I wouldnt want to happen with my lake.  

Example: Lake Nunya  

Lake Nunya..You got it..The reason alot of people dont get is certified is they dont want the pressure put on the lakes it would bring...I live on Lake Nunya..It is an outstanding lake..I live 10minutes from Vaner which is imo the best lake in georgia for big fish..however I know nunya is the second best lake..The great thing it is private..In these lakes in California, I thought they were catch and release..did I misread that..If so that is what helps it..Unfortunately when you have govt sponsored fisherman catching these hogs on the bank they dont return them..To me our anglers in Georgia are not as educated about catch and release like cali..Like my neighbor on Nunya..his brother catches a 7lber this year and has it mounted..

To Matt..about these so called trophy hunters..You guys are calling out ole perry without knowledge of being there, i am going to call out so called cali hunters weakley..I bet you every penny I got in the bank,which isnt much lol, that if there were no witnesses about that fish being foul hooked it would have been the world record..I know we have been down this road before but who are you kidding..

[bassmasta7]

Wasn't the Defresco bass stuffed with diving weights? Lots of screwy attempts to cheat the record.

Yeah, the taxidermist was cutting open the bass's stomach when he found a 2 1/2lb weight in it. Defresco said the bass ate it when they were using the weight to hold down the stringer. And the Trew bass was just held out to the camera and had 2 witnesses. The lady's son and one of their friends. They said the bass weighed 22lbs 8oz  which would barely make it a new world record.

compare Trew's bass to Dickerson's

There is no comparison. That bass isnt nearly a world record.

[Guest avid]

There is no doubt that the Weakley bass was one huge fish.

Maybe it did weigh more than the recognized record.

But that is a CLAIM, not a fact.

You cannot weigh a fish on an uncertified scale and state that the weight is accurate.

It's as simple as that.

[Mattlures]

buzzbaitfool12 you are making assumptions. I actualy agree with you though. It is verry posible but I dont know because I have not been in that position. You have to admit it would be verry tempting. Think of this. You have been hunting that fish for the last 4 or five years being on the lake probably200- 250 days out of the year. You finaly get your shot. You have about 5 people withing 30 yards watching your every move including the ranger. It would be easy to tell if he was intenionaly trying to snagg it. Thier is a drizzle and it is early and dark with a little chop on the water. The fish has hit your jig a couple times already but it was dificult to see and you swung too late. Now you see the big fish go down on your jig and block your view of it. Your line jumps ............what do you do? YOU SWING. now the fish runs towards the dock but you just barley keep it away from the cables. you pull the fish within range but your net man misses. Finaly you get the fish close enough and its netted. The first thing you see is the Jig sticking in the fin and know your screwed. At this point you try to justify it in your mind. I didnt try to snagg it but you know there were witnesses. Thats when they made the call to their lawyer. I assume he told them it was against CA law to keep the fish and advised them to let it go. At this time they knew it was over. Thats why they didnt get a measurement or wait for a certified scale. It wouldnt have mattered. I am sure pure curiosty and self gratification is why they even weighed it the first place.

This is my take on what happened. I will tell you this. Mac has not returned to the lake since. He was ruined. He was so close and then crushed. I am guessing he and the other 2 will be back this year after having time to mourn. Also a few weeks after that fish was spotted and Mike Long and John Kerr were on it for a little while and it even went nose down on Johns bait ONCE and then it left and wasnt spotted any more. I do not know what was going on in thier minds at  the time I can only speculate.

Why I feel the need to defend them is not bassed on my opinion but bassed on their actions. They inevitably did the right thing. maybe they thought about trying to pass it off but they didnt do it. Like I said They told the truth and released the fish. What more could they have done?

Their have definatl been cheats and I do not defend them at all they are the lowest. They are worse than guys who put fish in cages to win tournaments.

[bassmasta7]

Also a few weeks after that fish was spotted and Mike Long and John Kerr were on it for a little while and it even went nose down on Johns bait ONCE and then it left and wasnt spotted any more. I do not know what was going on in thier minds at the time I can only speculate.

That is amazing. One fish in a giant lake and Mike Long finds it even with all the increased fishing pressure. That just supports what Matt has been saying all along about Mike Long. He is the greatest angler of all time. I wonder if that fish is still alive and ready to be caught in a couple of months, hmmm...

[Catt]

I still think its awesome knowing a hawg of that size (25.1 or not) exist and is swimming around out there and still growing. Honestly I read this post before I went to bed last night and could not fall asleep just thinking about it.

Matt stick that hawg and end this  

[BASS fisherman]

Just a quick question:

How does one get a scale certified?

[Mattlures]

bassmasta the lake is small and that fish spawns in certain area, not the same spot but a certain area. Mike has caught that same fish once when it was 20.75. Also while everybody was up a dixon after that 25lber was caught Mike went out and caught his personal best at 21.5. He gets so close every year. He told me he was on a fish for 3 days one time that he knew was about 24lbs. He specificaly said NOT 25 but 24. He said that fish was soo locked it wouldnt leave the bed and no matter what he did he couldnt get it to bite. On the last day that he could take off of work he said just before he left he stuck his rod down in the water and poked the fish. Could you imagine? First off who could take that much pressure? I would die of a heart attack! Mike will break 22.4lbs I just hope he is the first to do it.

Bass fisherman, that is a good question I believe you send your scale to the IGFA and they check it.

IMO your scale is just for your own justification. If sombody Wants to doubt you they will. I weigh all my big fish and even smaller ones, I am very good at guessing weights. If I catch the world record I wouldnt care if my scale is certified. I would keep the fish and have it weighed. I do of course keep my scale wich I have personly checked it to be extremly accurate for my own peice of mind. If I catch a 21lber I will weigh it and know it aint gettin there so I would take some measurement and some pics and release the fish. I may or may not report the location of wereI caught it. In all honesty I dont realy beleive I will catch it. I have a better shot that 99.9999999999% of the population but my chances are still 1 in a million ok maybe 1 in 10,000 Mike I would say has about a 1 in 20 chance.