Two questions about Record sized bass.

[Bass_Akwards]

Question #1

If someone catches a state record largemouth, or what they think might be a state or world record(not that I've had to worry about it) would the fish have to be killed in order to become an official record? Meaning do they have to disect and/or autopsy the fish?

Question #2

If the answer to question #1 is yes, would any of you who caught what you thought was a state or world record,  have a problem killing the fish to make it official?

I think I'd have a hard time letting the fish be killed, and would perhaps let it go after an official weighing and measuring, but who knows.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

The fish does not need to be killed, just documented properly via the IGFA guidelines.

[Alpster]

Question #1

There is nothing that says you must kill a record fish. However, getting that fish weighed, measured and hardest of all, witnessed properly is most likely going to cause a LOT of stress on the fish. Unless you have a very specific plan and all the resources in place when you catch him, his odds are not good.

Question # 2

State or world record, I would do my best to save the fish. A certifiable world record would be worth so much money and fame that you would have to be nuts to sacrifice it for the sake of the fish. I would want the world record certified properly so I could retire and go on the teaching tour. If the fish survived, all the better. If he did'nt make it, that's really sad, he would then get mounted and appreciated properly by all. JMHO

Ronnie

[Bass_Akwards]

Perfect, thanks guys.

[Raul]

Question #1

If someone catches a state record largemouth, or what they think might be a state or world record(not that I've had to worry about it) would the fish have to be killed in order to become an official record? Meaning do they have to disect and/or autopsy the fish?

Question #2

If the answer to question #1 is yes, would any of you who caught what you thought was a state or world record, have a problem killing the fish to make it official?

I think I'd have a hard time letting the fish be killed, and would perhaps let it go after an official weighing and measuring, but who knows.

No on both questions, of course that it depends on what species you are trying to submit as "record"  , I don 't think a 4.5 ton white shark is going to go to the official weigh in without some kind of resistance or it 's going to be easy for you to take it alive for weigh in.

The "official weigh in" process is quite simple, you need:

1.- Certified scale: it doesn 't have to be a IGFA certified scale, what IGFA means by certified is that it 's certified by the authority that certifies scales in your country, for us in Mexico where we don 't have IGFA certified scales on every corner the butcher 's scale is good because it 's certified by SECOFI ( the official authority )

2.- Pictures of the fish with measurements

3.- 2 witnesses

4.- In case you are trageting line class record you have to submit a sample of line from your reel to be tested by IGFA .

and that 's it, you can submit your fish for record.

Nowhere in the requirements and regulations it says you have to present the fish.

Remember it 's very important to know the laws and regulations applicable from state to state and from country to country.

[roadwarrior]

I am Mr. Catch & Release...

If it's a record fish, not a "personal best", I would have no problem (no question) about keeping the fish.

In Tennessee the State Record Smallmouth is also the World Record. If I catch that fish, you will see

THAT FISH mounted and replicated...

[George Welcome]

If you catch a state record the state is going to want to certify that fish. They could really care what the IGFA has to say about it. It will have to be inspected by a member of you DNR or GFC, and bear the scrutiny of such a claim. There is every likelihood that the that the catch will be subject to an autopsy. I don't know of any state that will take your word for your catch without the witness being their personell.

State record is only recognized by the state - IGFA does not certify state records.

World record is certified by the IGFA, and to be recognized as a state record your State officials would have to involved.

[Matt Fly]

I do know for a fact that the bass that was caught when I was stationed in Califorina was autopsied.   That may have been because an Xray showed a diving weight that was found in the bass.    That fish came from Miramar and was caught by a lady that had 2 lb diving weight in the fish that was declared to have been there for sometime due to the growth that was on the weight.

The Texas state record that was caught while crappie fishig, was not killed, she was on display for a long time before dieing of natural causes.

I hope Texas could certify the fish with out harming her.     Who ever catches the WR, and from where ever, I hope they let her live for all to view.    That record has been like searching for the "Holy Grail".

Matt

[armesjr]

In VA, to have a fish registered by weight, you must take the fish to a certified weighing station (they are at gas stations and tackle shops) and have it weighed.  So in VA, to have a fish certified by weight, i think you would probably end up killing it.  I guess if you have a boat with a live well you could transport it to a weighing station in your live well, then return it.  I still wouldn't think its chances for survival would be very good.  To answer you question, if i caught a fish that i thought was the state record (its weight exceeded the state record on my personal digital scale), i would have no problem keeping the fish.  I would want the state record, and by keeping the fish hopefully would guarantee that my record would stand for years to come.  

[Redlinerobert]

If I were to catch the record bass, I'd eat it.  After measuring of course.  

ok just kidding.   ;D