Ah the internet, and the multiple choice it has in how ones comments are taken...
I see it as two locals ( call us locals, scuffers, jamokes, or SOB's, it don't matter, just don't call us late for dinner

), who had the good sense to know a 36 pounder is good for "giving away" fillets, and keep some folks happy, the 24 inch comment, I see as local humor, as we all know the smaller ones taste waaaaay better( I remember fat 18 inchers,

and wish I could take one of them once in a while )
Truth be told if most bass eaters tasted them smaller ones, they would loose their desire for the larger ones real quick.
OTW... welll... that's a deep subject,

but they ain't at fault here.. that fish was going to be kept as a "good will" fish for friends to eat anyhow. My speculation is that it prolly wouldn't have been dragged in to the shop tho, these guys just prolly see it as "Hey, it might be a shot for a prize, let's do it."