New Arkansas State Record Undone!

[MaineBassFishin]

Too bad for, although I'm certain I agree with there decision 100% after all a records a record. Taken directly from BASS..

" WYNNE, Ark. – Less than two weeks after an Arkansas largemouth bass record apparently was set, an investigation by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has revealed that the fish was caught illegally.

Paul Crowder of Forrest City claimed to have set the record Feb. 28 on Lake Dunn near Wynne. Crowder’s fish weighed 16 pounds, 5 ounces, which would have broken the record by an ounce.

The AGFC discovered that a license was purchased for Crowder three hours after he claimed to have caught the bass. Crowder’s fishing license expired in April 2011. Under AGFC regulations, it is illegal for any person 16 years of age or older to fish without possessing a current Arkansas fishing license. State record-fish rules require that an angler hold a valid license at the time of the catch.

Crowder has been charged with fishing without a license. He faces up to a $1,000 fine and up to 30 days in jail. The fish was seized as evidence by AGFC wildlife officers. Crowder has a court hearing March 19 in Wynne District Court.

Crowder’s fish would have broken the 36-year-old record set by the late Aaron Mardis of Memphis. Mardis set the state record March 2, 1976, with a 16-pound, 4-ounce largemouth caught on Mallard Lake near Manila in Mississippi County. Crowder’s fish was not fully certified as the state record by the AGFC’s director and chief of fisheries. The AGFC will continue to recognize the Mardis fish as the state record.

AGFC Chief of Fisheries Mark Oliver said he was disappointed that a bass large enough to be a state record can’t be certified because of illegal activity.

“At this time, we are still confident in the size and weight of the fish and proud that such a monster was produced in Arkansas waters,” Oliver said.

Crowder’s fish measured 26½ inches long and 22¾ inches in girth.

The 80-acre Lake Dunn is in Village Creek State Park in Cross County. The AGFC is testing the fish to determine the genetic strain of the bass."

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Yep. Just read it a few moments ago. Completely agree with the decision. Guy was breaking the law, caught a giant, and tried to get his name into the record books. Pretty funny that he may end up fined for it and faces jail time as well.

[MaineBassFishin]

I definetly agree with punishing him and $1,000 fine seems pretty weak. But on one hand a record is a record he still caught it.

[Shane Procell]

Boy what a bad situation! Talk about going from an extreme high to the extreme low. I congratulate Dunn on a fine catch.....but what a bone head decision to try to buy a license after the fact. Good call by the state officials.

[NorcalBassin]

Awesome story... he had it coming (how many times did he fish the past year without a license???). Poor fish died a record but won't be in the books.

[tomustang]

Serves him right.

[Big Fish Rice]

Certainly was an impressive largemouth. Gotta check the date on that fishing license before you hit the water.

[Hooligan]

Ha! That's awesome! What kinds numbskull would you have to be to do something like that? I love it...

[FD.]

He deserves the $1000 fine and 30 days in jail just for being a moron.

[LgMouthGambler]

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

[Outdoor]

Really can't fix stupid...someone he was with must have come forward and said he caught it and then purchased the License. OR...he was braggin he caught it early and then went and purchased the license and F&G did the math. Fishing illegal either way.

[ww2farmer]

Only in Arkansas LOL.

[Packard]

What an idiot! It is not like he couldn't afford to buy a license, just look at his rod and reel combo.

[A-Jay]

Hero to Zero, just that fast ~ Talk about learning the hard way ~

So the entire time this man was making arrangements with the authorities to authenticate his record catch, he knew he had no fishing license ?

Insert "Dummy Cuff" here.

A-Jay

[SAC2]

what a shame.

[Ima Bass Ninja]

That guy should have stupid tattooed backwards in his forehead.

[grimlin]

Serves him right....what an idiot.

[BassAssassin726]

He wasnt using a Mustad hook either, dummy!!!!

[JoePhish]

I get ticked when people don't follow fish and game regulations. Some people have a total disregard and just take what they want out of the water. Just today I was having a discussion about it. We brought up a friend who "disappeared" for a week. Turned out he was serving 7 days in the Keys for an undersized lobster.

If I'm going to jail it certainly won't be because of a fish.

[WookieeJedi]

That hurts. Excuse me while I go check my AR license.

[jeremyt]

It is a bad situation, I will refrain from calling him an idiot though. I am sure he feels it.

[Morgan Hedrick]

100% agree with the decision!

[Elk River]

The fine should be higher since the size of the fish. In W.V. they started to base fines on Deer poaching on antler size, the bigger the buck the more it's gonna cost you.

[6pointbuck2003]

Talk about a bad day. Serves him right though.

[Lund Explorer]

Only in Arkansas LOL.

Stupid isn't limited to geography. Years ago one of these dolts here in Michigan had caught a huge smallmouth, probably pushing the magic 7lb mark. He was bound and determined to have it mounted even though he caught the thing almost three weeks before season.

Not the greatest plan to freeze it and then show up to the taxidermist with it on openning day!