Potential new world record largemouth bass

If you happened to catch the news this summer, there could be a new world record largemouth bass on the books.  Then again, there might not be a new world record largemouth bass on the books.

On July 2^nd 2009, Manabu Kurita, 32, caught a largemouth bass from Lake Biwa in the Shiga Prefecture of Japan that weighed-in two ounces heavier than the current record of 22 pounds, 4 ounces.  That fish was caught 77 years ago by George Perry near Jacksonville, Georgia and is considered the Holy Grail of world fishing records.  Many observers believe that the new record fish will bring in well over a million dollars in prizes and endorsements to the lucky angler.

Needless to say, anything close to a record inspires huge interest and fierce debate within the angling community.  In 2006, a 25-pound bass was caught in California but was not submitted for consideration due to being foul-hooked instead of caught in the lip.  That fish, named “Dottie” due to an unusual mark on her gill plate, was found dead in May 2008.

Angler Manabu Kurita with potential record bass

According to the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) rules, the Japanese fish would technically tie the current record as any new entry must be more than 2 ounces heavier than the current record holder to set a new mark.

On September 15, 2009, the IGFA announced that it had received all the necessary documentation concerning the latest catch and would issue a ruling within a month.

It’s now December 4^th.

To be fair to the IGFA, Kurita freely admitted trolling a live bluegill to catch the bass and apparently there is some debate as to whether this is considered a legal fishing technique on Lake Biwa.  That aside, the cynic in Yours Truly must also wonder if certain interest groups are worried about the ramifications of a non-English-speaking international angler tying up the most cherished fishing record in the Good Old U.S of A.

“It wouldn’t seem cricket,” as the Brits might say.  “It would hurt marketing,” the corporate man would say.

Make no mistake- bass fishing is big business in 2009.

An ugly- and BIG- largemouth bass

Can you only imagine if a non-documented illegal immigrant would happen to snag a new world-record bass from some Florida pond?  You’d probably see bass fishing being discussed in heated exchanges on talk radio and on the U.S. Senate floor.   That might be funny and sad at the same time.

One major chunk of irony: biologists are considering trying to rid Lake Biwa of largemouth bass because it is a non-native species!

Maybe they would take our Asian Carp problem in trade??

photos: various internet sites, origin unknown

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