Re: record large mouth bass?

["Bob La Londe" <usenet@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

"Frank Olson" <Use_the_email_links@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:rGeUf.172744$H%4.104711@xxxxxxxxxxx
> Spike2 wrote:
>> http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/outdoors/20060320-1251-bn20bass.html
>
>
> When I go fishing (and the last time was in May of 2005), it's usually for
> Steelhead or Trout.  I'm not what you'd call an avid (or even "rabid")
> fisherman, but there is one sentence in the story that sort of piqued my
> curiousity, and perhaps Bob La Londe can explain:
>
> "That may be a problem, however, because Weakley said he foul-hooked the
> fish ? meaning the hook lodged below the dorsal fin on the fish's side,
> not in the fish's mouth."
>
> When I'm fishing for Trout, it's with one "aim" in mind, and that is to
> cook my catch.  I don't care if I get the sucker by a "fair hook" or
> "foul" (if I can get him into the boat and he's big enough, he's roasted).
> :-)
>
> Frank Olson
> http://wwww.yoursecuritysource.com


Largemouth bass is fished through most of the country for sport.  Tournament
fishing for bass is so prevalent that many people would never consider
eating one.  Anyway, in regards to your question.  Most of the western
states do not allow "snagging" any fish listed as a game fish.  Snagghing
being defined as intentionally foul hooking a fish.  Largemouth falls in
this category.  Snagging is a very damaging way to fish.  In addition
largemouth and some other species are particulary susceptiple to snagging
when they are on shallow spawning beds in the spring.  That would be now I
am guessing on Lake Dixon where this fish was caught.  Most tournament rules
allow you to fish for spawning bass, but any fish must be hooked in the
mouth.  A foul hooked fish must be immediately released when bed fishing.

California's regulation for fishing simpley says that the fish must not be
"intentionally" snagged or foul hooked.  Before I go on and explain the
controversy let me explain why their rule may be worded that way.  When
fishing bedding fish they don't want people to throw in next to them with a
huge snagging rig and injure the fish, but for other types of fishing such
as working a topwater bait and sometimes even using a crank bait a
legitimate strike at the bait by the fish will result in a hook up outside
of the mouth.

The controversy is mostly perpetuated by jealous angler who wish they had
caught this world record fish.  Anyway, these guys took its picture, weighed
it and released it because it was foul hooked believing that they could not
qualify for the IGFA world record.  Very upright behavior in my opinion.
Then it was pointed out to them that IGFA rules only say that it must be
caught legally, and that since Ca regs only say you can not intentionally
foul hook the fish there catch was a legal catch.  They considered applying
to IGFA for the world record, but after weighing in all the options the
decided not to.

Now what is the big deal.  Because of the competitive nature of bass fishing
and the potential for marketing opportunities the angler who catches the
next world record largemouth bass has the opportunity to make a lot of
money.

FYI:  The existing world record largemouth bass weighed in at 22lb 4oz. and
has stood since 1932

--
Bob La Londe
http://www.YumaBassMan.com