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Capt Don's had a 90 pound bass mounted that was on loan from somewhere, so they do exist, and they are still out there. There was acatch in 1997 in Delaware from a commercial netter that went 104, 88 pounds at the dock gutted. Look at the largest Cod ever caught on rod and reel- 98pounds 12 ounces by Alphonse Bielevich off Isle of Shoals, NH in 1969.
The largest ever confirmed Atlantic Cod was 212.4 pounds taken off St. Pieere Bank, NS. Look at the huge gap there. The same thing holds true , in my opinion, for almost every game fish sought by man. The largest and fattest of these species do not get to be that way by biting things with hooks in them. They are wary, careful fish, who often frequent deep areas where larger baits are present and fisherman do not often target, due to the depths, distances, and other factors that draw these fish to these holding places. Large stripers caught in nets are always in winter months, offshore, where they are more than likely suspended mid depths, and get caught up in them. If they do ever become hooked, think of the efforts and gear that would be required to land such a beast. The odds heavily favor the fish in those circumstances. Just my .02
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