I did not want to derail the thread with that amazing fish, so I am starting a new discussion. It seems there are varying opinions on how much the record striper would be worth, if handled correctly, to the fisherman that landed her.
I am in the camp that it wont be worth much, and I'll explain why. First, lets assume that the fish is caught in the surf by Joe Blow. Its 80lbs, certified, witnesses. Everything is legit. Joe was using a plug by a well known lure company, custom rod, shimano reel, simms waders, aquskins pull over, korkers, etc.

So, where would the "millions" come from? The lure company? They have plenty of celebrity names humping their gear. I think they'll be some cash for a few adds in saltwater mags. 20-30k TOPS.
Shimano? They have Larry Dahlberg, the spanish fly guy and many others. How much is Joe Blow worth to them? 20-30k TOPS for a few adds.
Aquaskins? Some adds, maybe a spokesperson at fishing shows, etc.
Simms? Same thing.
Some money for the articles in the Saltwater mags, maybe appear in a OTW show, give talks at the annual fishing shows. All in - 30K (and thats a huge stretch!)
Add in multiple lure/tackle/gear companies giving you lifelong freebies which may amount to a ton of savings.
Maybe, if played right, this would amount to a maximum of 150-200K over the life of Joe Blow, I think thats a MAJOR over estimate.
If taken from a boat, maybe theres some additional sponsorship opportunites.
Cathing the record is a one hit wonder, not like guides or tv personalities. I dont think its worth a major investment from sponsors adn i also dont think the majority of companies providing gear for SB have deep pockets.
So,what are your thoughts? Those that thinks its worth big $$$, why do you think so? Lots of writers, tackle makers and industry folks out here, thoughts????

I think it is pretty close to where you are saying. You might need to *own* something marketable to profit more from it.

If I ever catch the world record, I'm going to have Clammer, his 5 year old line, driven over rod / reel, and an unweighted sluggo style rubba in the picture :hee:

The next record is worth is a lot of headaches/criticsm/unrest for whoever catches it..I'd cut the line or let the thing go and I'm not kidding.

The next record is worth is a lot of headaches/criticsm/unrest for whoever catches it..I'd cut the line or let the thing go and I'm not kidding.


I agree with ya. I would keep it have it mounted take photos of me and the fish at every angle possible, then tell everyone i weighted it on a bogo and it was around 60. The nonesense that would come along with a fish like that isnt something im into.

I'm not playing devil's advocate, but here are a couple of questions I have. Can the person make money from the photo's and story if it were printed in a big time magazine like Saltwater Sportsman? If it were someone who is somewhat known in the Striper world, could they make money speaking at some of those seminars/events and lugging around the taxidermy mount of the fish? I agree that the LMB world record is way more lucrative, but didn't Al McReynolds make quite a bit of dough that he pissed away after he got the record?

IMHO it all depends on WHO catches it.

I think I agree with the OP. You would get freebie stuff and speak, maybe some small endorsements etc., but you would not be a millionaire.

I also agree with a previous post that it will matter who caught it. If the person is not wise, it could be worth nothing. In this society, looks could play a part in it too. Weird to think of it that way.

I do not consider myself a greedy person, but I think if I caught a world record striped bass I think I would lie my tail off about what I caught it on, with etc. in order to maximize the $$ possibilities. Maybe not, I was able to release my new PB last season so maybe I could feel good about being honest.

I'm not playing devil's advocate, but here are a couple of questions I have. Can the person make money from the photo's and story if it were printed in a big time magazine like Saltwater Sportsman? If it were someone who is somewhat known in the Striper world, could they make money speaking at some of those seminars/events and lugging around the taxidermy mount of the fish? I agree that the LMB world record is way more lucrative, but didn't Al McReynolds make quite a bit of dough that he pissed away after he got the record?

IMHO , yes, but think all that amounts to 20-30K. You dont get much $ from SS or any mag, and how much could seminars and events get you? Thats only good for a few years, after that your story will be old.

My only hope would be to make enough to break even on the thousands I've already spent, everything else is gravy - to be spent on future purchases for fishing.

Ask Ed Kirker or Bob Rochetta if holding the world record ruined their lives (assuming Kirker is still alive). Ask Charlie Cinto or Tony Stetzko if holding the "unofficial" record ruined their lives. Charlie got more ink and acclaim for his fish, that was never accepted as the record, than Kirker got for his. You'd have to look long and hard to find a happier, funnier and more delightful individual than Charlie.

The guy who let it ruin his life did a pretty good job of ruining it on his own, and would have wound up in the same boat without the fish---only faster. It's a sad story and I feel for him, but a lot of the wounds are self-inflicted, IMO.

Yup,
I'd stuff a Shimano lure down it's mouth.
Put a Daiwa reel on a st Croix legend loaded with Berkley braid.
Spro swivels and Jinkai fluoro.
Making sure I was wearing my Orvis waders and Simms top.
:rtfm: :point: :biglaugh:

I did not want to derail the thread with that amazing fish, so I am starting a new discussion. It seems there are varying opinions on how much the record striper would be worth, if handled correctly, to the fisherman that landed her.
I am in the camp that it wont be worth much, and I'll explain why. First, lets assume that the fish is caught in the surf by Joe Blow. Its 80lbs, certified, witnesses. Everything is legit. Joe was using a plug by a well known lure company, custom rod, shimano reel, simms waders, aquskins pull over, korkers, etc.

So, where would the "millions" come from? The lure company? They have plenty of celebrity names humping their gear. I think they'll be some cash for a few adds in saltwater mags. 20-30k TOPS.
Shimano? They have Larry Dahlberg, the spanish fly guy and many others. How much is Joe Blow worth to them? 20-30k TOPS for a few adds.
Aquaskins? Some adds, maybe a spokesperson at fishing shows, etc.
Simms? Same thing.
Some money for the articles in the Saltwater mags, maybe appear in a OTW show, give talks at the annual fishing shows. All in - 30K (and thats a huge stretch!)
Add in multiple lure/tackle/gear companies giving you lifelong freebies which may amount to a ton of savings.
Maybe, if played right, this would amount to a maximum of 150-200K over the life of Joe Blow, I think thats a MAJOR over estimate.
If taken from a boat, maybe theres some additional sponsorship opportunites.
Cathing the record is a one hit wonder, not like guides or tv personalities. I dont think its worth a major investment from sponsors adn i also dont think the majority of companies providing gear for SB have deep pockets.
So,what are your thoughts? Those that thinks its worth big $$$, why do you think so? Lots of writers, tackle makers and industry folks out here, thoughts????

Most world record holders out there aren't looking for anything but to break their own record again.
How many 'personalities' have records? Not many I'd guess.

Of the 10 IGFA mens line class record holders for striped bass, I recognize 2 names.

I disagree with you guys. I firmly believe that the next world record will be worth a lot of money. But, it's just my opinion.

As it was pointed out by Mike, Al McReynolds ruined his own life, the fish didn't.
Just so you know, Garcia paid McReynolds $250,000 in 1978. That was a lot of cabbage in 1978! Translate that into 2010 dollars and you are in the million dollar range. I believe that you guys don't see the merchandising and marketability that could be generated by hiring the right sports agent.
But what the hell difference does it make? None of us are in that position.

The only record that will make anyone rich when it's broken has been held by a guy named George Perry since the early 1930s.

We way overestimate the importance of the striped bass in the overall scheme of things.

The only record that will make anyone rich when it's broken has been held by a guy named George Perry since the early 1930s.

We way overestimate the importance of the striped bass in the overall scheme of things.

Which was JUST missed in 91 by 4oz.

Which was JUST missed in 91 by 4oz.
and tied this year... :)

I love the story of George Perry.. Everyone here should read "Sow Belly". Its all about the hunt for the world record LMB

and tied this year... :)

I love the story of George Perry.. Everyone here should read "Sow Belly". Its all about the hunt for the world record LMB

Ahhhh Japan.

This place apparently holds goliath LMB: http://www.castaiclake.com/index.html

Ahhhh Japan.

This place apparently holds goliath LMB: Castaic Lake | Home (http://www.castaiclake.com/index.html)


SOW Belly... Read it.

SOW Belly... Read it.

I only like picture books.
Is it a picture book?

I disagree with you guys. I firmly believe that the next world record will be worth a lot of money. But, it's just my opinion.

As it was pointed out by Mike, Al McReynolds ruined his own life, the fish didn't.
Just so you know, Garcia paid McReynolds $250,000 in 1978. That was a lot of cabbage in 1978! Translate that into 2010 dollars and you are in the million dollar range. I believe that you guys don't see the merchandising and marketability that could be generated by hiring the right sports agent.
But what the hell difference does it make? None of us are in that position.

Im not worried about ruining life, there are many ways fo doing that. I am purely talking $.
Fishing was not as popular as today when McReynolds caught that fish. Look how many networks have BIG name fishing shows on cable. Paul, think of it as an investment - will Shimano invest in Joe Blow or Larry Dahlberg? I can SEE Larry catch fish all the time on Shimanos, but Joe Blow has a few pics of him with a reel and a dead fish. Think of the legendary names in Saltwater fishing, striper lures, etc, how many guys are rich????? Lets say Joe Blow comes up with the "Joe Blow Surf baby" lure and markets it. And it sells VERY well. How many of us have Gibbs lures at home? Was Stan Gibbs rich?
Im really looking to be enlightened, my opinion is not really based on much, just speculation. Id be really curious to see how someone can make $ on this.

Sow Belly by Monte Burke,interesting and sometimes boring account of the same obsession most of us share.Spawning season is big time for LMB and also exploited by the savvy ,opportunistic angler.

I disagree with you guys. I firmly believe that the next world record will be worth a lot of money. But, it's just my opinion.

As it was pointed out by Mike, Al McReynolds ruined his own life, the fish didn't.
Just so you know, Garcia paid McReynolds $250,000 in 1978. That was a lot of cabbage in 1978! Translate that into 2010 dollars and you are in the million dollar range. I believe that you guys don't see the merchandising and marketability that could be generated by hiring the right sports agent.
But what the hell difference does it make? None of us are in that position.

$812k, not millions.
And you'd be lucky to get half that today.

Just bear in mind that every tackle manufacturer is getting thousands of fishermen ... thousands hounding them for sponsorship dollars, gear, and money for records, etc. ... they are truly harrassed beyond belief by striper fishermen, tarpon fishermen, sailfish fishermen, trout fishermen, largemouth bass fishermen, walleye fishermen, pike fishermen, musky fishermen, redfish fishermen, salmon fishermen ... the list goes on.

Their budgets for that kind of thing are pretty slim these days. When I was an editor for The Fisherman magazine - especially down in Florida, the manufacturers would call me all the time because some hack who wanted to right an article was demanding free stuff ... and they couldn't afford everyone who offered to write about their gear ... as I have to believe that their margins are not as large as they were back in the 1970s and 1980s ... even with the improvements in the manufacturing processes that have been brought on by technology, supplies costs are up, taxes are higher than even, human resources expenses are up (even in Asia and other third world countries where stuff is made) ... so their budgets are thin ...

... even a television show on ESPN is not going to net someone all that much money ...obviously a show by Bill Dance, Roland Martin and other leading largemouth bass fisherman has greater rewards than a saltwater fish show because the market is so much larger ... freshwater is 80 percent of the fishing industry in the US ...

... while I cannot beging to guess the incomes generated off the shows, I have to believe that some of the saltwater celebrities such as George Poveromo and Jose Wejebe must make a good living off their television programs, but they also do other things as well and they do it because they love to do it ...

... so there would not be very much money in catching a world record ... again as highlighted above, a ton of world record fish are caught every day by people who are in it for the thrill of the record, not the money ... most of them already have the money because they can afford to fish all the time ...

... and the big money for the television shows doesn't even come from fishing companies or related products, they come from the car manufacturers, beer companies and other big named companies such as that ... because the money required for those small cable programs with a 1.4 gross rating point is tinsy compared to the dollars that are shelled out for professional sports ...

... IMHO, I'd stick to the day job if anyone thought they'd get a fat bank roll from catching a world record fish ...

Heres a few other things to consider.

If the worls record was caught and broken, you would have to take a polygraph, IGFA rules.

So you couldnt lie and say you caught it on this plug from this maker or your own plug to help business, they look at everything from the line, rod, reel, swivel, clip, etc. There is no getting away with anything. They check everything! You and only you can touch the fish, rod, reel, line, etc, so no help, if someone does help you record is void.

you would also have to truthfully tell were and when you caught it, so your go to spot will be burned. I know alot of spots that are very limited access and catching the next world record would definetly close it down.

I know it was mentioned, i think if someone who was known caught it, it would be worth lots more, someone like Zeno or DJ Muller could really go to the next level where if someone like me caught it, not so much a big deal.

The hassles and aggrevation would be high, but not many people would be able to stomach releasing a fish that big.

I think its all in how you play it out, if your smart and keep photos down to a minium and keep your story for a one time only thing then its worth more.

look at what happens when a big fish is caught, veryone accuses you of being a photoshop magician:devil2: by the end of the thread people are even questioning if its fish or not!

I think the $250,000 Al got was a bounty offered to anyone who broke the world record and he happen to do it. I have not seen or heard of any bounty from any manufactures these days, maybe they should offer one so more anglers would use their equipment.

I couldn't even guess what it might be worth but I hope this season I will find out :uhuh:.

I don't see it being worth much at all.

There's just not enough money in the little striper based section of the "industry". Most of the companies are little operations where no one is getting rich. More like struggling to stay afloat. And if they are a big company only a little portion of their efforts (if any) is focused on the striped bass.

You might get some free gear out of it and I honestly think that would be about it.

I think you'd make out better winning the Striper Cup.

If I ever catch the world record, I'm going to have Clammer, his 5 year old line, driven over rod / reel, and an unweighted sluggo style rubba in the picture :hee:

LOL! :rotf2:

I think the $250,000 Al got was a bounty offered to anyone who broke the world record and he happen to do it.

I think if we had this scenario nowadays a record fish just might turn up. One of those big breeders being illegally caught and released would likely find their way onto a scale.

Between the Sportsman's Show seminar circuit, offering up the story to a national magazine, selling the rights to the photographs and maybe riding the wave of your 15 minutes of fame to turn it into a charter business or tackle company, the amount of money a world record striped bass would be worth would rely heavily on how much the time and effort you were willing to invest in marketing yourself and your catch.

There wouldn't be a big, one-time payoff, it would be more like a job opportunity. Personally, I think turning a record fish into a substantial sum of money would be more difficult than actually catching the fish.

In terms of tackle manufacturers, unless there was a prior arrangement or sponsorship in place, the best you could reasonably expect would be discounts, and maybe even some free stuff.

I think the $250,000 Al got was a bounty offered to anyone who broke the world record and he happen to do it. I have not seen or heard of any bounty from any manufactures these days, maybe they should offer one so more anglers would use their equipment.

I couldn't even guess what it might be worth but I hope this season I will find out :uhuh:.

Yes, it was offered by the old Garcia company--not ABU-Garcia, but the ones who imported the Mitchell reels in the 60s and 70s. And he damn near had to sue them to get it. Nelson Bryant, who wrote the outdoors column for the NY Times, was really the key to Al getting the money. He brought the weight of the paper to bear and Garcia finally ponied up.

After Uncle and the state of NJ took their cut, Al used what was left to buy a house in Manomet. He fished Long Beach in Plymouth regularly and visited the Canal a few times, and came back occasionally even after he moved to the southwest--which is when things started going into the crapper for him. Mike CC's dad used to have a picture of himself shaking hands with Al on the photo wall, when he owned Cape Cod Charlie's.

Don't believe for a minute that Al didn't enjoy his time in the spotlight, too--no matter what he says today. He used to carry business cards that read "Al McReynolds, World Record Holder, Striped Bass" around with him and passed them out to people he'd meet on the fishing grounds ;)

Between the Sportsman's Show seminar circuit, offering up the story to a national magazine, selling the rights to the photographs and maybe riding the wave of your 15 minutes of fame to turn it into a charter business or tackle company, the amount of money a world record striped bass would be worth would rely heavily on how much the time and effort you were willing to invest in marketing yourself and your catch.

There wouldn't be a big, one-time payoff, it would be more like a job opportunity. Personally, I think turning a record fish into a substantial sum of money would be more difficult than actually catching the fish.

In terms of tackle manufacturers, unless there was a prior arrangement or sponsorship in place, the best you could reasonably expect would be discounts, and maybe even some free stuff.

That is pretty much my point. Get the right sports agent and they would know how to market you on the "circuit".

If anything, I'd use my new found leverage to get a photo op with Cindy Garrison...

After I had Janet Messineo mount the world record fish I would hang it in my room down cellar. There for my own edification I would go and look at it whenever I felt like it.

Yup,
I'd stuff a Shimano lure down it's mouth.
Put a Daiwa reel on a st Croix legend loaded with Berkley braid.
Spro swivels and Jinkai fluoro.
Making sure I was wearing my Orvis waders and Simms top.
:rtfm: :point: :biglaugh:

Very Funny!:rotf2: