Potential Record-Tying bass "May" be invalid

[Branuss04]

Check it out... Yet another twist to this catch. Looks like the United States (Well mainly California ) may have been given another chance to take the record

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jul/31/1s31breakout204025/?sports/outdoors&zIndex=141426

[Dan:]

that article says he caught it on a bluegill. That makes three different baits that I've read about!

[flechero]

Seems like something like being in an off limits area would have surfaced before now.  As crowded as those lakes are reported to be, I doubt it would take so long for the "facts" to come out.

I'd love it if it were completely vetted as a "good" catch and then he didn't submit to igfa...   ;D  

I guess there wouldn't even be an undisputed record, even if it was caught during taping of a show where the cast set and entire fight & landing was shown, uncut.  

[tnhiker44]

Let me get this straight... there are off limit waters in regards to a world record (tie) fish? And just who gets to make that call? If we get a vote then I say Texas, California and Mexico are hereby off limits. That is just silly.

[Matt Fly]

The key word in the San Diego report is "rumor".

I don't put too much into the rumor mill.    

Sounds fishy to me.

[Dan:]

Let me get this straight... there are off limit waters in regards to a world record (tie) fish? And just who gets to make that call? If we get a vote then I say Texas, California and Mexico are hereby off limits. That is just silly.

I may have read it wrong but I thought it meant that the area he was fishing was off limits to fishing period and the record must come from an area that is legal to fish.

[Fishing Rhino]

Let me get this straight... there are off limit waters in regards to a world record (tie) fish? And just who gets to make that call? If we get a vote then I say Texas, California and Mexico are hereby off limits. That is just silly.

Not really.  

If it was caught in an area closed to fishing, the fisherman broke the law by fishing there.  

I don't see anything silly about the rules stating that fish from closed areas are disqualified.

[cart7t]

Not really much different than Dottie being snagged and not caught by a hook within the mouth.  Rules are rules.  

[Tanker4lyfe]

No guys when they are saying off limits theyre talking about the area of the lake at which he caught it. Kinda like backside of bouys are off limits in a tourney. Supposidly there were signs posted in the area so who know. Anyways who cares we should all marvel at the fact that he made the catch and that we know that there really are bass that can grow that big.

[tnhiker44]

This is crazy. If this fish was caught in off limit water during a tourney it is just not legal for the tourney... but legal in every other sense. The fish caught is actually the largest of its kind ever reported. People will do anything to discredit just about anything and everything. Water closed to fishing?? I vote California, Texas and Mexico.... and I suppose Japan too.

[Glenn]

This is expected.  No matter how legit, documented, legal, and thorough a record breaking catch is (or will be), it will undoubtably be subject to rumors, speculation, and scrutiny.  And even if everything proves out to be completely 100% accurate and legit, and is declared a new record by the authorities, there will STILL be people claiming it's not a world record.

People are so predictable.

[Mattlures]

Here is a post from Greg Vella. He lives over there and is an avid trophy bass fisherman

"Overall, almost everything that was done regarding the submission of the huge bass caught at Lake Biwa was done very correct. There are only two potential "problems" with the Japanese submission to the JGFA and IGFA, and the area where the fish was caught is one. The place that the fish was caught is not posted "No Fishing", nor can anybody point to any law made by Shiga Prefecture (where the fish was caught) saying that it is illegal to fish there. It is one of the most commonly fished spots on the entire lake, and I have never heard of anybody being asked not to fish in the aforementioned area.

There is, however a Japan Bass tournament rule that states that the area can not be fished during a tournament, probably for navigation (safety) purposes. Most marinas, docks, commercial boat harbors, and bridges are off limits for tournament fishing, but are fine for recreational anglers.

The fish in question was not taken during a tournament, nor was it taken by a tournament angler, but ultimately it will be a judgment call by both the JGFA and IGFA."

         

[Dan:]

This is crazy. If this fish was caught in off limit water during a tourney it is just not legal for the tourney... but legal in every other sense. The fish caught is actually the largest of its kind ever reported. People will do anything to discredit just about anything and everything. Water closed to fishing?? I vote California, Texas and Mexico.... and I suppose Japan too.

EXCEPT for the fact that the record rules say that the fish must be caught in a legal area. At least that is what I've heard, someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

[Fishing Rhino]

That potential world-record-tying largemouth bass caught in Japan earlier this month might have some problems getting certified by the International Game Fish Association.

It may have been caught in an area closed to fishing.

Jason Schratwieser, conservation director for the IGFA, said the Japanese Game Fish Association has the record application. Schratwieser said he hasn't had a chance to see it.

However, word out of Japan is that the bass may have been caught in an off-limits part of Lake Biwa, one of the world's most ancient lakes, located in Shiga Prefecture in Japan.

Manabu Kurita, a pro staffer representing Deps Tackle Co., in Japan, reportedly caught a 22-pound, 5-ounce bass that would tie the current IGFA all-tackle world-record bass of 22 pounds, 4 ounces caught by George W. Perry on June 2, 1932. (Association regulations state that a bass must weigh 2 ounces more than Perry's to break the record.)

The bass measured 29.4 inches long, but girth measurements were not given. It reportedly was weighed on a certified scale. Kurita used a bluegill, according to reports.

If Kurita caught the bass in a restricted area, it would not qualify as a world-record bass, according to Schratwieser.

I'd say the article is somewhat vague about the status of the place where it was caught.

It is called three things, closed, off limits, and restricted.  Which is correct?  Are any correct?  Who imposed the status of that section of the pond?

Each can mean different things.

[Tin]

After seeing what I have seen of the IGFA in RI when it comes to weighing in potential records (salt water). I see them doing whatever it takes to see that the Perry's record stands.

[cart7t]

Here is a post from Greg Vella. He lives over there and is an avid trophy bass fisherman

"Overall, almost everything that was done regarding the submission of the huge bass caught at Lake Biwa was done very correct. There are only two potential "problems" with the Japanese submission to the JGFA and IGFA, and the area where the fish was caught is one. The place that the fish was caught is not posted "No Fishing", nor can anybody point to any law made by Shiga Prefecture (where the fish was caught) saying that it is illegal to fish there. It is one of the most commonly fished spots on the entire lake, and I have never heard of anybody being asked not to fish in the aforementioned area.

There is, however a Japan Bass tournament rule that states that the area can not be fished during a tournament, probably for navigation (safety) purposes. Most marinas, docks, commercial boat harbors, and bridges are off limits for tournament fishing, but are fine for recreational anglers.

The fish in question was not taken during a tournament, nor was it taken by a tournament angler, but ultimately it will be a judgment call by both the JGFA and IGFA."

     

This would seem to be a different story then.  I can't see where a possible world record submission would be bound by the laws of a fishing tournament unless the tournament rules mimicked state or national laws.  If in fact this was a "tournament only" off limits area but perfectly legal for anyone else to fish, I'd have to think the catch should stand unless there are some other irregularities.  That is unless the IGFA has a rule otherwise.  Can't imagine that though.  

[Catt]

This is expected. No matter how legit, documented, legal, and thorough a record breaking catch is (or will be), it will undoubtably be subject to rumors, speculation, and scrutiny. And even if everything proves out to be completely 100% accurate and legit, and is declared a new record by the authorities, there will STILL be people claiming it's not a world record.

People are so predictable.

Exactly  

[Mattlures]

Yep Glenn is right. As much as I want to catch the WR, I should be carefull what I wish for. No matter how legit I could do it, I would be put under a microscope. Would it be worth it? I dont know? Maybe I will just let it go and take some pictures, ha ha

[dodgeguy]

Not really much different than Dottie being snagged and not caught by a hook within the mouth. Rules are rules.

and she should have counted because it was not intentional.in my eyes she is the world record.all others are pretenders.

[Jeremy D.]

Im just gonna take it as it comes and see what happens of course there are gonna be rumors.....you cant believe everything you read!