Bass Record equals Million Dollars? your thoughts?

[shorefisher]

What is the story on Perry being a liar?

From what I've heard he was accused of weighting the fish with lead in the gullet and his records were stripped but then reliable witnesses cast doubt upon the accusers so his record was re-instated.

-shore

[B-o-b]

So you'd have to kill the biggest LMB in the world to have the record? :'(

[BassMaster_17]

You need to keep the fish alive after catching it at no matter what you have to do, that fish is worth more alive than DEAD can u imagine what BPS or Cabelas would pay to have that fish swimming in one of there store aquariums???? I have heard stories that cabelas has paid 1 million for one of a kind record deer racks so imagine what a WR LMB would be worth ALIVE AND SWIMMING IN A TANK, CHA CHING!!! A fish of that caliber needs to be in a place millions of people can observe it + you secure your record for awhile from not allowing it not to be caught again 4oz bigger and having your marketability stolen away from you. Some may call that selfish but in reality it MARKETING!!

The interviews and speaking appearences would pay a nice chunk also, not to mention all the tackle and boat & truck companies wanting to associate that BIG BASS with there products. Heck if you are smart you give that bass a personality and market it (it was done with a Bucking bull in the late 90's Remember BODACIOUS that bull had his own agent and sold millions of dollars in merchandise, more memorbilia than alot of human athletes) and sell t-shirts, coffe cups, coolies, put its picture on anything you can,  heck the fish could even have his own line of tackle with his name one it. If you made less than 3 million in cash and tackle you would be selling yourself short. With that said that means the WR is caught in the USA. Alot of people feel it will come out of CUBA or another country south of the equator where the bass can grow 12 months a year if that happens the marketabilty may be hard to accomplish.

[burleytog]

What is the story on Perry being a liar?

From what I've heard he was accused of weighting the fish with lead in the gullet and his records were stripped but then reliable witnesses cast doubt upon the accusers so his record was re-instated.

-shore

That wasn't George Perry.  You're thinking of the world record smallmouth and DL Hayes.

http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/fishing/columns/story?columnist=wilson_taylor&page=g_col_Wilson_smallie_record_turns-50

[shorefisher]

What is the story on Perry being a liar?

From what I've heard he was accused of weighting the fish with lead in the gullet and his records were stripped but then reliable witnesses cast doubt upon the accusers so his record was re-instated.

-shore

That wasn't George Perry.  You're thinking of the world record smallmouth and DL Hayes.

http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/fishing/columns/story?columnist=wilson_taylor&page=g_col_Wilson_smallie_record_turns-50

You're right it was Hayes.  :-?

[BassMaster_17]

What is the story on Perry being a liar?

From what I've heard he was accused of weighting the fish with lead in the gullet and his records were stripped but then reliable witnesses cast doubt upon the accusers so his record was re-instated.

-shore

That wasn't George Perry. You're thinking of the world record smallmouth and DL Hayes.

http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/fishing/columns/story?columnist=wilson_taylor&page=g_col_Wilson_smallie_record_turns-50

You're right it was Hayes. :-?

Perrys Record was scrutinized because he and his FAMILY ATE THE FISH!!!!

[Certified Public Angler]

well all the articles I read made it sound like it was the great depression and they needed food.

Well if I ever caught a record I would take a million pictures with measurements.  I would get as many eye witnesses as possible, and I would jump in the water and try to keep it alive for the officials.

Then it would be on the way to a BPS tank and I would get a new rod and reel.  ;D

[thetr20one]

Question is ,,,,, Is there a world record bass still out there ?

Of course the is!!! Dottties year class has to have a few survivors Eating the same forage and . It is hard for me to believe there are not many, many fish over  23 pounds!! You may never see a one but they are there. They don't get huge by taking every offering. IMHO another 25# will show up within the next 4 years. And It will be worth a few million!!! I truly believe all the above!!!

[bmuskin]

2 bucks where?

Amazon and a couple of others just google the book. It was very interesting and details evrything everyone is chatting about.

[roadwarrior]

Question is ,,,,, Is there a world record bass still out there ?

Of course the is!!! Dottties year class has to have a few survivors Eating the same forage and . It is hard for me to believe there are not many, many fish over 23 pounds!! You may never see a one but they are there. They don't get huge by taking every offering. IMHO another 25# will show up within the next 4 years. And It will be worth a few million!!! I truly believe all the above!!!

And don't forget, "All fishermen are liars except me and you, and I'm not sure about you!" The Kali boys reported Dottie's "death" several years ago, probably to discourage others from hunting her. I'm sure there are several bass out there well over 22-4.

8-)

[WRB]

The problem is the current world record; 22 lbs 4 oz was never validated to todays standards, it was grand fathered into the record books. No real proof, no actual photo of the bass has ever been produced. A photo showed up a few years ago that hasn't been vaildated.

California's state record bass is 21 lbs 12 oz, caught by Mike Aguiro, Lake Castiac. Bob Crupi never offically weight his 22.01 lb bass, released it before anyone could validate the catch. Knowone will ever know what Dottie weighed for sure, still waiting the length & girth numbers.

Does a new world record bass exists? Hope to let you know soon.

WRB

[ptomacbass]

it's probabbly worth more than a million dollars, but why harm such an old fish or any fish?

[tyrius.]

it's probabbly worth more than a million dollars, but why harm such an old fish or any fish?

Cause they're fun to catch!!!   ;D

[mayassa]

I also think someone might sponsor you with a boat deal these days

[bigbaitfisher]

As from where the money comes from, in some cases there may be a price in cash ( in Mexico the State of Tamaulipas offers 1 million dollars in cash to whomever catches the WR in any of these two lakes: Guerrero or Sugar ), in other cases the money may flow from tackle manufacturing companies.

Let 's say that I catch the WR fishing a Shimano reel, a GLoomis rod, Berkley line and a Rapala lure. That makes at least 4 manufacturers ( Shimano, GLoomis, Berkley, Rapala plus VMC hooks ) willing to pay me to put my ugly face endorsing their products cuz the moment I caught the fish I became a celebrity. Now let 's add even more, the day I caught the fish I was wearing Costa del Mar sunglasses, a Columbia fishing shirt, Levi 's trousers and Nike sneakers, I was fishing from a Ranger boat which has a Minnkota TM and a Johnson outboard, my lures are packed into Plano boxes, I purchased my lures, rod, line and reel at BPS so the list of manufacturers and /or dealers grows. That 's where the money comes from.

I don't think that the "million" is going to come from tackle companies as much as one may think.  Yes, they're going to load you with products, and will more then likely throw cash your way, but adding up to a million in cash...I think you'll be hard pressed unless your cards are right.  

The real money lies in NON-ENDEMIC sponsors.  Those sponsors that are not related to the field of fishing.

"Yes, I ate at McDonalds this morning, and every morning I am on the water to fuel my body with an excellent, warm breakfast and get my head in the game.  On the water, it's nothing but Gatorade and Deer Park Water, the most refreshing water on the planet!  Of course, I can't forget Bullfrog Sunscreen, who helps protect my skin on my long days on the water.  And lets not forget AT&T, who provided me with the cell phone service needed to call my local DNR agent.  I couldn't have done it without my FORD truck which hauls my boat and gear to the lake day in and day out without fail."

You get the picture.  I would list EVERY company that I used that day.  From the biggest name down to the toothpicks I use and the gum I chewed.  It all had an essential part in breaking the world record.   And yes, I am available for marketing for any potential record breakers!!!  ;D  

As for "growing" the new world record, Texas is already ahead of you with their "Share-A-Lunker" program which is, in essence, genetically programming bass with the big fish genes through selective breeding.  It's quite interesting to read about the program in depth.  There are also other smaller entities that are growing largemouth bass in private stocked ponds.  Who knows how successful they will be, only time will tell!

[avid]

The problem is the current world record; 22 lbs 4 oz was never validated to todays standards,

that's kinda like saying that the problem with Joe Lewis is that he never fought today's champions.

Perry did all he needed to do at the time he caught his bass to get into the official record book.  

Now someone else will have to do what they need to do to get into the record book today.  I don't see any problem whatsoever

[Muddy]

Thats just CALIFORNIA RECORD *** :

[Mattlures]

The fish is worth nothing. What you do about it will make you a little. Unless your a big named pro I highly doubt you make anyware near a million. Why would sombody pay you? Are you going to use stren line because the guy who caught the fish did? Yeah youl most likely get some money for advertising and some sponsores but I think Most people are just fantasizing about a fish being worth that much. The only way I see a big payday is if you were able to get the fish into a bass pro aquarium. Now they would make tons of money from people coming to see the fish and you would get some of it, if you were smart.  As for the history of the million dollar fish WRB is close but a little mixed up. The World Record bass club had a bounty of 1 mil for any member who caught the WRB. Each year they would pay out 25 grand to who ever caught the biggest bass of that year . I believ Mike Long won that prize 3 or 4 times out of the 5 years. When Dottie was caught the 2nd time by Dickerson, the fish was eledgedly over the record when first weighed but by the time the Fish and game arived the fish had dumped some eggs and lost some weight. The fish was then released. Well Loyds of london who insured the grand prize for teh WRB found out about this fish that had already been caught twice and they would not reniew the policy. Mike Long reported the fish dead in hopes that the the world record bass club would continue but it didnt work. At the time the bounty was up to 7 mil.  Also Crupie did weigh his fish on a certified scale with wittnesses. The only reason he does not have the officail state record is becuase he didnt wait for a fish and game biologist to officialy identify the fish as a large mouth bass. Crupi's bass is recognized by the IGFA. I bleive that right now there are NO BASS alive that are over 23lbs. Now come winter there are a few that will put on weight and get close. then by the time they are all fatted out with eggs acouple will be bigger then perry's fish. There is a verry small window of a couple years for a fish to reach potential size and even a smaller window of a month or two for a fish to be at its heaviest. I know of 1 lake that has a couple of these fish and a few more lakes that are getting closer.

also I highly doubt anybody will fraud there way into the world record. the IGFA can make them take a lie detector test.

[Mattlures]

Avid I am on the fence about Perry's fish being legit but your comparison holds NO WATER! its not even close. You can see film of Lewis. His fisghts are documented. The Perry fish has almost no real proof. That doesnt mean he didnt catch it, it just means there is no way to prove he caught it. If that picture that showed up would have been Perry himself then that would have been enough to reasonably prove it. All there is, is his story and and a signed aplication for the field and stream contest by I believe 1(possibly Jack Page also) person the, post office guy. That is verrrrry little proof.

Did he catch the WRB. he just very well might have but I doubt anybody thats still living will ever know for sure

[Grey Wolf]

Bottom line----------------Perry's bass is the world record.

You can explain it away all you want but that's the bottom line.

[WRB]

Matt, accurate reply and agree with most of the details. The fact that I have pursued the WRB for nearly 40 years now and caught several giant bass gives me a little different perspective then most bass fishermen.

To make money will take good planning and better marketing skills then the average fisherman has the resources for.

Perry's bass is the world record, based soley on his Field & Stream application for a lunker bass award back in 1932. Perry's goal was very modest, he was hoping to get a few Creek Chub lures.

The Perry bass comes into question because the length and girth numbers are in conflict with the weight and is about 2 inches longer than any largemouth bass ever measured. Knowone knows how the bass was measured, no picture and his fishing partner dissappeared. All we have is Perry's word and that is good enough apparently.

WRB

[Tokyo Tony]

Wouldn't it still be considered the world record bass if you grew the thing in a little pond in your backyard, fed it baby trout for 10 years, then caught it?

[WRB]

Giant bass are called giants for good reason. Like a 7'6" man or woman, they grow that tall becuase of genetics. No mater how much food you feed an average bass, it will never grow to be a giant. The bass will be limited by it's genes.

Several individuals are currently trying to raise a world record bass. The state of Texas has a gene DNA splicing program and selective harvest program that increases the odds to grow giants consistantly.

IMO the next world record will be a wild bass caught from some unknown lake or in one of California's, Texas or Mexico's known big bass lakes.

WRB

[avid]

Are you going to use stren line because the guy who caught the fish did?

Ummmmmmm...Isn't that the whole point of paying people to endorse your product?  It seems pretty evident that people in fact do buy products that are endorsed by others.  Using the line that caught the world record bass would seem like a pretty powerful endorsement to this consumer

Did he catch the WRB. he just very well might have but I doubt anybody thats still living will ever know for sure

California dreamin again Matt.  The official record keepers of the entire fishing universe have declared his bass to be the world record.  If you don't accept that it's ok, but you speak for yourself only.  Ask the Georgia boys if they believe it's the record.

By questioning this entry, you question the validity of the entire IGFA record rankings.  

I repeat.  Mr. Perry did what he was required to do at the time to get into the record book.  That's good enough for me.  

Now it's time for you California WR hunters to stop whining and put the controversy to rest by legally catching the new record.

Oh, and if it is caught using a Mattlures product, throw the guy some cash a'right?  8-)

[avid]

Wouldn't it still be considered the world record bass if you grew the thing in a little pond in your backyard, fed it baby trout for 10 years, then caught it?

actually I think that's pert near how they do it in Cali