So with all the talk about big fish lately, and some of the exaggerations we've heard, I'm wondering what evidence exists to support how big stripers really get, and how many of them might be out there at world record size? I know these are kind of little kid type questions, but what the heck, here goes:

1) What is the largest striper in captivity? Has anyone ever taken a striper, but it in a big aquarium, filled it up with bunker and just seen how big it can get?

2) What are the largest documented stripers that have been pulled in in nets or using other methods that don't qualify for world record status? We've all heard stories of the netted stripers from the old days at 100# or better, but are there any modern stories that are reasonably reliable?

3) What about divers? Do folks like Mike Laptew (sp?) frequently see fish they think are 55-60 pounds or better? Once in their diving careers, or all the time? Have they seen fish that are clearly world records waiting to be caught?

4) What about fish that are unreported? Do you guys personally know of anyone who caught a fish 60 lbs or better that weight it on their own but never reported it publically? A world record? (!) Does this happen frequently or is this the exception?

In summary, this is not my goal but some have a goal of catching a 50, or a 60, or even a world record fish. How reasonable is that goal of a world record fish? Are there 5 fish on the east coast at that size? 50? 5,000?

:wavey:............I'd like a shot at answering your questions.


1. You may find some 15lb. stripers at the New England Aquarium. However, I don't believe they have ever tried filling the tank with bunker to see how big they can get, but they do throw the sharks in there every once and awhile to see how big the sharks can get.

2. I don't know of any modern day "nettings" of Striped Bass over 100lbs, do I believe they exist,,, many-manny-years ago maybe.......:huh: 100lbs. TODAY???....I'd have to see it to believe it.

3. Mike Laptew always THINKS he sees big fish when he's diving, he seems to forget that human vision under water gets magnified multiple times, that coupled with the fact that he spends too much time sippin' Margaritas in Costa Rica. :cheers2:

4. I believe there are MANY unreported 50 and perhaps a few 60lb. fish that do not get reported for numerous reasons. However a world record NOT getting reported??? I highly doubt it. The guy who catches a 60 and doesn't report it, is in it for the money. This same guy would also know that a World Record would definately mean more money than dollars per pound. He wouldn't report it for fame but for CASH$$$$$$$


My Summary: I hope to catch a World Record Striper in the same way that I hope to win the PowerBall. I don't think I ever will, but dammit if I don't try as often as I can. I also KNOW that there will be a Power Ball winner just like I KNOW there exists a Striper BIGGER than the current World Record. Never Give-up, Never Surrender!!

yea....a hundred or so odd years ago a 100lb'er was netted off Orleans, but stripers- predation removed- can easily grow 100lbs and live 50 or 60 years. Cod too!!!

125lbs in 1891...

fish in the 80's have been netted...

in 67 one weighting 81lbs went to the market in Virginia or Maryland...
81lbs is what it weighted after it got to the market... who knows what it lost in the net and how long was the wait to the market...

31 years old was the oldest bass ever recorded/dated...

Like leptar said there is evidence of documented 100#+ bass that has been netted commercially but was that just a couple of freaks that had adapted to offshore waters or is there evidence that there are small schools living in offshore nursing homes? Isn't the greatest dept 100' that most fisherman target bass, even that time frame is fished at the warmest time of year?
We think of bass as in.. food source = bass, if thats true then these freaks would have been caught rod and reel by now unless their diets change to bottom fish and shellfish, imo very possible. I think Georges Bank is bigger the Massachusetts, over fished as it is and the huge food source that it is you would think that one of them monsters would appear periodically when the conditions are right, same goes for Stellwagen among other places... then again Flaptail seen a freak in 10' and when that freak seen Flap she swam back to 200'.

Last year or the year before the guys from MD DNR caught a 80+ pound fish while they were doing electroshock sampling. Its somewhere on the MD DNR website.

the aquarium down in woods hole (the whoi one/ maybe its the noaa one?) has some big bass in there: like 40+ pounds

92lber in a net in 95 (http://www.arkansasstripers.com/striped-bass-hall-of-fame.htm)

100+ pound bass are out there. They live in deep water around a lot of structure.

Every so often a net pulls up a big 80-90 pound fish.

the 125 pound fish back in the 1800's was 6' long, and it was weighed without the head.

There are world record fish out there, and some of us have probably even hooked up with them. I'll show you a picture of the new world record as soon as I catch it this year.