Mattlures

Its not me. I have never even caught a smallie. That fish did come from CA though. I seen the picture on another forum. I wount be suprised if some 10+lbers are caught here this year.

Avid I am sorry I am anoying you. The reason I care so much about this subject is because I know most of the playes and its all hapening in my backyard. Plus I am out there hunting these fish too. I agree with most of what Avid is saying except you are wrong about a few things. First off They recieved almost nothing for catching that fish and now a year later under these less than ideal conditions I would speculate that they would get almost no sponsers. Mac might get some press but as far as money goes, it would be minimal. The state has no reason to presure the IGFA. If people are going to visit because of that fish than they would alredy be doing it. Avid you are wrong about why the IGFA is encouraging them to submit. Your not very far off though. The IGFA wants the press. They need it. How many of you are members? Hardley anybody even talks about them unless the WR bass is in question. You are right, that its about the money. IF, and its still an if they do submit the IGFA will milk it for all its worth and then reject Weakley's claim posibly based on the foul hooking(because it was on a bed makes it harder to accept) and maybe even because it wasnt released imediatly even though I believe that part is erelevent because if CA law didnt find him guilty than neither should the IGFA. Mark my words, If they submit I will bet any of you $5 that Mac's aplication is denied. I wont bet on Jeds though. Oh and my world record is kinda lame but what the heck. I was fun fishing one day and catching big carp when I caught the world record goldfish. 9lbs 10oz. ;D

I am a hypocrite! I know that in most cases you should keep some small bass. Most of the guys here release everything and some of the lakes have way to many small bass. The right thing to do is to keep a bunch of 1-2lbers but I just cant do it. Even though I know I should, I just feel bad killing them. Believe me I aint no peta dork either. I just like putting them back. Maybe this year I will force myself to keep some little ones.

HUH???? I realy think you missed this one. My point is The IGFA has thier own rules. If they are met than you get the record. They are not above the law. They are not equal to the law. Law enforcemt is completey seperate. However one of the rules of the IGFA is that the fish must be caught according to local regulations. If the law (DFG) does not feel they broke the law than they did not break the law. The IGFA could be ok with them stringing up the fish and weighing it. The IGFA could also rule that even though the DFG is ok with them not instantly releasing the fish that they,(theIGFA) is not ok with it. They are thier own private organization. Thier major function is just to keep records. So to answer your question, NO you would not get the record Its not that the IGFA does not care about the laws, its just that they are seperate. Again I never said the IGFA was ok with the way everything happened. I realy doubt they will give him the record. Here is an example. Bob Crupi caught a 22lb 1oz bass and weighed it on a certified scale in front of wittnesses. He took photos.He is credited with an IGFA line class record. Crupi was not granted the state record because he did not wait for a game warden to identify the fish as a largemouth bass. Even though it is obvously a bass he didn't get the state record. Now should the IGFA not have given him the line class record either? of cource they should hjave because he met all their requirements. In this case the DFG should have been more understanding

I know it sounds like I am routing for them but I am not. I only defend them when people accuse them of things that they have no idea of what actualy happened. I personaly dont know them. Truth is, the one time I actualy talked to them, I was not happy with them because they had 3 boats and worked together to limit my shoreline. Once the whole lake was covered they backed off but I was not happy with their actions. I dont dislike them though either. I do feel bad for Mac, I couldnt even imagine the feeling he must have had when he first seen the jig in the side of the fish. I would have thrown up.

Ok many of you have critisized the IGFA for even considering Macs fish becasue according to CA law he should have released it imediatly. Some have said that they have lost respect for the IGFA for being above the law. These people are ignorant to what the IGFA is all about. They do not make or enforce laws. That is up to the the local law enforcment. The IGFA has their own rules and if an aplication meets the needed criteria then the record is awarded. They do not go above the law. They have many rules that are perfectly legal to do according to the law but would disqualify a potential record. For instance. acording to the IGFA if you use a treble hook with bait any record would automaticly be disqualified. Out here manny trout guys use tiny trebles with powerbait and many catfisherman like to use trebles. I personaly like to use small trebles with bread balls for carp. You also can not have a fixed treble. It has to be free swinging. So anybody who uses swimbaits and imbeds on of the hooks in the bait would be disqualified. None of these things are illegal acording to the fish and game. You guys need to realize the IGFA just keeps records. If a potential record meets thier rules than it gets accepted. In the case on the Weakley fish the DFG felt the fish was returned in a reasonable amount of time considering the situation. No Ticket, not even a warning so, the IGFA could justify that particular part of the aplication. Acording to the IGFA foul hooking is also OK if it is not intentional. They will speak with the guys who seen them catch this fish. Hopefuly they will also polygraph Mac. A polygraph may not be used in court but again the IGFA is not law enforcement. They just need to suficiant proof and testing them is one way of getting it. For all of you who are getting upset at the thought of Macs fish being the record, dont worry it wont be. The IGFA likes the attention. It rarly gets any press unless its world record bass time. They will take forever to rule on Macs aplication and ultimatley reject it. They will not be specific on why because there is no one black and white rule that they didnt do but there are to many things that are questionable. Even though the IGFA says foul hooking will not disqualify it, there is a diference in a foul hooked fish that you didnt see and one that is on a bed. To me there is a BIG diference. When that Trew lady submitted her fish for the record, anybody who knew anything about big bass instanly knew her and her son were frauds. They had NO chance of getting the record but the internet was alive with debates about the IGFA and I am sure they loved all the attention. So all you guys who are worried about Mac getting the record, dont be. Jeds fish however, now thats a diferent story. We will just have to see how they rule. I for one believe the IGFA will make the right decision. if they feel there is enough proof than thats that. I had to jump through a lot of hoops to get my record and that is nothing comparred to tyhe WRB.

I do like the Idea of the polygraph test. I imagine that if the IGFA is to the point that they are considering granting either of these possible records than they would test them. I for one believe they knew that fish was the WR and did not purposly foul hook the fish. I personaly dont think Mac should get the record because of the foul hook AND ONLY BECAUSE OF THE FOUL HOOK!!!! (saying that he kept the fish too long and that is illegal is rediculous and petty.) However If the IGFA decides they are ok with the foul hooking than they realy should polygraph Mac. If for no other reason it might quite down the haters a litte.

Thats kinda scarry Glenn, you run a pretty tight ship already. Welcome Keri

Buzzbaitfool good responce. Except there not force fed. They stock the trout for the "trout fisherman" not the bass. The bass only get to eat them for 1/4 of the year. Another thing to consider is that as far as I know, neither Mac nor Jed have actualy submitted thier aplications yet. First they will have to do this and second the IGFA will have to except one or both or rejct them both. Ok now let me give you guys a little history on the World Record club. The WWC was formed buy two guys who started a club and payed out prizes for the biggest bass caught. You had to be a member to qualify. If I remember it cost $25 per year to join. It grew quickly. They had an insurance policy to back the grand prize for catching the WR. I believe it was Lloyds of London. By the Time Jed Caught his fish the Club had thousands of members and the grand prize had increased tp aprox. 7 Million. L of L would not renew the insurance policy after Jed caught that fish. It scared them. The WWC went under the next year. In its breaf history it payed out $25000 each year for the largest bass caught in the world. I believe this went on for 5 or 6 years. Mike Long won the prize every year except the year Jed caught his. Pretty impesive Huh? This is where most of the rumors of the WW being worth millions come from, but it no longer exists

I realy dont think there is much controversy in either catch. I think it is up to the IGFA to determine weither either one qualifies according to their laws. If Not then they should be rejected. If So they should get the record. Its that simple to me. One thing that I do like about both of these catches is bothe fish were photographed weighed and whitnessed. All the other details should and will be sorted out by the IGFA. As far as not being preparred I totaly disagree. Here is why. Had Mac caught that fish in the mouth they would have kept it at least long enough for everybody to come and certify it. I dont think it was posible to prepare for a foul hooked fish. How could they have possibly known that would happen? How could you prepare. They consulted their lawyer who said it was illegal to keep the fish so they released it. They did what they were supossed to do. Jeds fish was photgraphed, measured, witnessed and weighed on a certifeid scale that was at the Lake. Again they did what they were supossed to dd. The world record club said that they had to weigh the fish with the DFG present. They called the DFG as soon as they were told this. The world record club dodged a bullet and folded the next year because of it. I believe in both cases they did what they should have. People make having a certified scale out to be such a big deal. I dont believe it is. I have an extremely accurate scale and if I catch a fish that big I am keeping it. I will release anything less. I should send it to the IGFA but it takes a while to get back and I am not sure if you have to be a current member. I do know that you CAN send your scale in with your aplication and they can certify it then. BTW I do have an all tackle world record and as unpreparred as I was, It was accepted by the IGFA

Cart I dont but in this day and age there will always be doubters and haters. Any record no matter how legit and documented will still have some controversy. I Remember when Jed caught his 22-9 and I always thought he should have submitted it. I assume hi didnt because he didnt want all the controversy but it apears like the IGFA wants to consider it and Macs fish. This has always been a heated subject and I am sure some of you guys hate me for my opinions but I call it like it is. When that Alleged picture of Perry's bass surfaced it came with Zerro proof. It wasnt even Perry in the picture and for all we know they found that fish floating. But becasue of that picture I now see that it was at the verry least possible for Georgia to produce a world class bass. There is no hard proof that that picture even came from Georgia. BUT I honesty beleive Perry could have verry well caught that bass and it could have weighed 22-4. I give him the benift of the doubt. I was convinced before that it was a lie but I have changed my views. The world record is an obsession of mine. I will call a fake a fake( The Trew fish) no matter where it comes from. I will also recognize when sombody has caught a potential record no matter where they come from. I just bothers me when people start playing monday morning quarterback and start bashing these guys and or me for defending them.

Ok you guys are getting rediculous. You will defend Perry's record to the point of being ....... well never mind. First off saying that him keeping a fish for a little while is illegal and he shouldnt get credit for it. I am trying not to get upset but its like argueing with drunks. You guys are rediculous!!!! This is not a commonly known law. I never heard of it before this and they probably didnt either. This is completly diferent than a closed season where you must emidiatly release a specific species. Everybody who is fishing during that season would be aware of that law. They spirit of this law is to keep people from keeping a snagged fish. They did not keep it they released it. Yes it wasnt instantly but it was pretty quick. I HAVE ALREADY SAID THIS SO GET IT THROUGH YOUR HEADS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the law inforcment DFG did not cite them or even warn them. According to them they released the fish in a reasonable amount of time. IF the law says they didnt break the law than thats that and get over it. You guys are so desperate to cling to Perry's record you will come up with any argument no matter how weak. I have actualy changed my opinion. I dont think Mac should get the record because the fish was foul hooked. That is the only reason I feel this way. However the IGFA says as long as it wasnt intentional. You guy critisize Jeds fish for being 4 years old.. Big deal he put it on a certified scale in front of wittnesses including the lake ranger and it came up 22lbs 9 oz. The world record club required the DFG to weigh the fish not The IGFA. The IGFA only requires that the fish be identified by the dfg or ranger ETC as a large mouth bass. So thinking that the second weight (on the same scale 2 hours later) it the one the IGFA will use is not fact. It will be up to them. Roadwarrior I do not personaly know these 3 guys. I have seen them on the lake and chatted for a second but I dont know them. We do have mutual friends. I assume you were being sarcastic but you have a valid point. I would think they would be the ultimate sponserees for a scale company. If anything they are my competition I dont want to help them. I have a question for all of you. WHO DO YOU THINK IS TALKING THESE GUYS INTO SUBMITTING? hmmmm I know, Its the IGFA! That does not gaurantee anything but ther are very interested in seeing these aplications. For the record I no longer have a problem with the Perry record. It does not bother me. I feel that Mac shouldnt get it because he foul hooked the fish but The IGFA says that part is OK so we will have to wait and see. Also you guys critisize Jed for accepting the "official" weight of 21.75 and now applying. You werent there. He caught the fish completly legit and it broke the record. The world record club would not recognize it untill weighed by the fish and game hours later. So he did not give up 7 million. He wasnt goint to get it anyways. He was either going to get the $25000 or nothing from them. His story has never changed. from day one they have always said the fish was 22-9 the first time they weighed it. You guys critisize his actions and judgements and say he should have known better. I disagree. I personaly dont have a certified scale but it is a Salter and is extremely accurate. If I catch a fish that big I wont release it. but any thing less and it goes back. These debates always seem to get petty. People start bashing the guys who catch these fish . Calling them me stupid or putting them down for any other reason they can think of. Like saying thier actions were illegal. Give them a break. It all boils down to this your JEALOUS!!!!!! , I am to. I for one can freely admit that am extremly jelous of them. I at least can admit it. It always ends up being southern vs Cali guys. This is stupid knock it off!

Cart we could argue about it forever but if the DFG (Department of Fish and Game) did not cite him then. They obviously felt he comited no crime by weighing the fish. The purpose of the law is to keep people from keeping a snagged fish. They only kept it a short while and if the LAW (DFG) doesnt have a problem with it than neither would the IGFA I dont think your opinion of this illegal weighing is worth anything. Before you get your feelings hurt my opinion is worth just as much as yours. The DFG says his actions were ok so End of story. Geese you guys are realy grasping saying its ilegal because he didnt release it imediatly. How many of you have driven 57mph when the speed limit was 55? I believe most of the southern boys will oppose these aplications and most of the wetcoasters will be routing for them. I honestly dont know how I feel about Mac foul hooking that fish. I am kinda on the fence. I do defend him when people wrongly accuse him of things though. As for Jeds fish if he decides to submit and has the wittnesses needed for the first weighing than I am all for him getting the record. Just because its 4 years old doesnt mean he shouldnt get the record. Every thing about that fish was done properly. Measurements, wittnesses, pictures, Certified scale, I think this one will go.

Radiob, when Jed first caught the fish it weighed 22 lbs 9oz. He called the world record club and they said it had to be weighed by the fish and game so he called them. It took them a couple hours to get to the lake to do the "official" weighing on the same scale. The fish had spilled eggs and had lost weight . The world record club obviously used the the secong lighter weight. The IGFA could use the first and heavier wieght which would be 22lbs 9oz and the new world record. FishChris yes they have a chance at getting her one more time but they did it right once and were cheated out of it. I dont blame Jed for submitting it, after all he caught the world record fair and square.

Raul I am not disagreeing with you. However I dont believe any man alive could release that fish the instant they landed it. The Law is the DFG and they did not ticket Weakley. The IGFA is seperate, all they do is record records. It will be up to them It apears that you guys are focussing to much on Weakley's fish , I believe Jed's fish is the real threat and If he submits it will ultimatly be accepted as the world record.

Cart7 the IGFA disagrees with you and just because you havent heard of Jeds fish doesnt mean the IGFA hasn't Turns out they not only let go of the fish, but also may have let the record slip because the IGFA may have certified the catch. Jason Schratwieser, the IGFA's conservation director, said this week that nothing the anglers did disqualified it as a record catch. The IGFA wanted to see the application and talk to the fishermen and three witnesses, brothers Steven and Dan Barnett and dock attendant Chris Bozir. They felt the weak link was the fact the fish was foul-hooked, however, our rules state that only a fish that is foul-hooked intentionally is disqualified as a record, Schratwieser said. They were honest about it right away. They said they didn't foul-hook it intentionally. Schratwieser said the fact they didn't measure the bass also was not a deal breaker. here read the entire article http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/outdoors/20070305-9999-lz1s5foulfair.html

Raul I dont know what the IGFA will do. I know that they did release the fish pretty quick after they caught it and the DFG did not have any problems with the taking the pictures before the release. The IGFA makes thier own rules they are a private organization. I honestly have no idea what or how they will rule on this. However... Jeds fish is a whole other story and was caght in the mouth on a swimbait. Nothing fishy or no contriversy on how the fish was caught . He had wittnesses including the ranger who weighed the fish on the lakes certifeied scale. Jed was pressured to take the later(less) weight because the World record bass club was going to deny him the 7million dollar claim. Instead Jed was awarded $25000 for the largest bass caught that year. Well now he feels ripped off and rightly so. That fish was 22lbs 9oz when first weighed and everthing else was certifed. It doesnt look good for the current record! I believe the IGFA will deny Mac but give the World record to Jed. Either way these are 2 verrrry legitimate threats to claim the WR

Rumor has it that Jed Dickerson and Mac Weakley are going to submit thier aplications to the IGFA for the world record. Mac has recently had his scale certified and the Igfa wants him to apply . Most of you know the story behind his 25.1 lb bass but its Jeds aplication that has the best chance at being the New world record. In 2003 Jed caught that same bass and weighed her on a certified scale in front of witnesses. They measured her and took pictures. SHE WEIGHED 22lbs 9ounces!!!!!!!!!! While waiting for the fish and game to show up the fish lost eggs and weight. By the time they showed up they reweighed her for the World record bass club and she only weighed 21 lbs 11oz. The second weight was the one used because the World record bass club would have had to pay Jed the 7 million that it gauranteed for a WR bass. The insurance company that backed the WR club cancled their policy becuse Jed had caught that fish. So now it looks like they both are going to submit, Mac for his 25.1 and Jed for his 22.9 and they are both the same fish. The Igfa has stated that there is no time limit on aplying for an all tackle record. I dont know if Mac will get the record but Jed certainly should and has one heck of a chance at getting it. They could possibly accept them both ! wouldnt that be strange.

Rolo is 100% correct. In the world of swimbaits the guys in the know, know that to much action (snake like) does not atract the big fish. That is a small fish bait. Doesnt mean it wont work, all baits can catch fish. I much prefer a more natural sublte swim than an exagerATED ONE.

Its not as much fun as you might think. its like reeling in a drift sock from 1200 ft down. If you give them slack because you rested they will get off. I hope it tastes good, if not Maybe it will be bait

Avid you could try dragging a large magnet. I feel bad for you buddy I hope it turns up

Matt do you think all those SAL's had the real baits listed when they were reported? I ask because I know before I started selling baits I would always report that I caught a big fish off another bait that was no threat to my way of fishing. I would say I caught it on a spinnerbait or crankbait or something else I never used. I knew alot of guys did this to throw people off. Now I either tell the truth or I just dont report them. But I read reports in the paper where a guy catches a 10lber on Senko when I seen him get the fish on a jig so I know it still happens here. Maybe its diferent because of the SAL program and you get the recognition and the mount but If I were there and had nothing to gain(selling baits) I might not want to give up my bait especialy if I was the only one using it. BTW I am not questioning any of those #s they actualy sound about right to me. I would think Jigs and worms would be 1&2 Give swimbaits a few more years out there and you will see them make their case. Vyron Texas is just geting started with swimbaits

I have another way to look at it. EVEN THE ANTI BED GUYS WILL AGREE!!!!! Ok Here is one way that I look at it. On any given lake were I live there are always a meat hunter or two out fishing for bass. For the most part they only catch the smaler ones so they are actualy helping. Durring the spawn however they at least have a chance at big fish and it would suck if one of them caught a big female and killed her. SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO by me going around and catching as many of the big fish as I can, I AM PROTECTING THEM. Seriously once one of those big mammas has been caught the odds of getting her again become verry low. She will most likely be very spooky and wait until night to finish. I have seen this with my own eyes after I have released a big bed fish. I have seen other boats stay on the same spot for hours and give up because I edjucated that fish. I also generaly dont release them right away because of this. I will put them in the well and take them to a photo spot and take some pics and if I am in the mood I might even bring them into the dock and report the fish. I am verry careful with them and handle them as little as I can then I will drive them back to where I caught them and release them. I have even checked them for a couple days. They are soo spooky I just catch them leaving when I get within sight.