This was on another forum.  A rumour last May sprung up here in MO. that a 13lber was caught out of Table Rock that was shy of the state record of 13lb 14oz caught out of Bull Shoals over 40 years ago.  No idea if the fish was weighed on certified scales. Does this fish look right for that weight (13lbs 4oz)?

Here's the link to the story

http://rangerowners.flwoutdoors.com/apps/fromreaders/story.cfm?id=1058

I am not a CA Big Bass Guy, but I will be one of the first to be dubious on that 13lb 4oz fish just on looks alone.  I mean look at some of the recent Varner bass Doghouse caught and do a side by side comparison. The fish this dude caught doesn't look that much bigger to me. He also didn't list any type of measurements or take any other pics at another angle to better show the dimensions of the fish. Who knows? Table Rock could definitely hold a new MO record fish in her waters, that's for sure.

Disclaimer: I am definitely not a big bass guy. Heck, I haven't even broken the 5 lb barrier yet. But I have seen enough pics form some of our hawg huntin' boys we have here.

It could be the angle of the picture, but I agree with Valascus.  It would seem to me that the belly would protrude more for 13 lbs, but then what do I know about fish this big.  

X2

Pictures can be deceiving, both big and small. The bass in earthworm77's avatar looks HUGE to me, and it is a very nice bass, but still under 12 lbs. Now I know Craig weighs his fish and is honest as the day is long, but if had claimed a new Florida State Record, that picture would go a long ways in authenticating the catch.

I remember when fourbizzle made his first posts on the forum of his night he had with a buddy of his. He had caught a 13lb 1oz fish, which was his new PB. I think this pic pretty much puts this one to bed as BS in my head. No way that fish is 13 lbs 4oz. I just don't see it. Looks too skinny to be 13lb just judging by that pic.

Here are some pics of a few more fish in the 13 lb weight class off of Fish Chris' website. 1st pic is 13lbs 11oz. 2nd pic is 13lbs 5oz. 3rd pic is 13lbs 2oz.

     I don't think so. the size of the gils compered to his hand is wrong and he is holding it way out.

 maybe 8 or nine but 13.4------maybe with lead in its gut

I agree with you guys.  Looks just shy of 10 IMO.  But we weren't there so who knows.

While I don't consider myself a "big bass guy", I'm with roadwarrior on this one. Pictures can be very deceiving, especially if there is just one angle of the fish.

That being said, I wont even judge that picture because I have no clue!  ;D

I would be interested in what Fish Chris thinks of the picture. He has probably seen more pictures of 10+ pound bass than anyone.

The problem with photos is that you cant judge a fish by a photo. I will believe the guy because it can't be proven otherwise. I caught this 13lb fish with two witnesses present when I weighed it. It was close to shape and size of that fish. It was long and solid but not much of a belly that most fish would have to have to get to 13lbs. Most people have never seen a young fish that is around 30 inches long that gets to that weight so most are going to say its a fake or he is lying about the weight. Fish come in all shapes and sizes even 13lb fish.

Here is even a better example of what I am talking about. I saw this fish in person and it looked huge when I weighed it at 11lbs 14oz. Took the photo and it don't look like the same fish.

Exactly...

Your 13 looks a lot like the other guy's 13.

Here's another one to compare with:

http://www.plat.co.jp/english/fish/Hugo_Herrera/Hugo.htm

That's right, people.  A picture can be deceiving.  As an example, look at the 10 lb'er in my avatar.  :  

I have another reason for not believing that is a 13 lb bass. I look at the eyes. A 13 lb bass in MO would be a very old fish. I do believe that there are 14lb fish in MO...heck MAYBE a 15 or so. But beyond that...no. The point is, a fish that big would be a very old fish and would be showing some signs of that age...namely the bug eyed look. That fish doesn't have that look at all. I find it hard to believe that a largemouth bass in the state of MO grew that large that fast.

Thanks for everyones response. As you can see, the photo and story are posted on a legitimate website but I was shocked that the guy did so little to verify the fish.  If I had caught that and it weighed that much on my un-calibrated, un-certified Rapala digital scale I'd have to take it somewhere where I could get it officially weighed on the outside chance I may have a new state record.  Whatever, the fish is huge and is the first really big fish I've seen come from Missouri waters in quite a while.