you just caught a 79 plus pound bass...

[Jenn]

Originally Posted by Nebe

how do you make this fish work for you and not ruin you?

you dont.....well not in the long run anyway. If the public knows about it there will be sceptics just waiting to call you a liar and cheat.


BTW...what it the current obsession with huge fish and what you would do with them???? 99% will probably never have a 50 or more.

[Nebe]

Originally Posted by Jenn

BTW...what it the current obsession with huge fish and what you would do with them???? 99% will probably never have a 50 or more.

we're all fantasizing about next season... hey at least the talk is positive

[Jenn]

Originally Posted by Nebe

hey at least the talk is positive

true ...you have a good point. But for some strange reason I have seen these topics go south in a hurry......

[Mike P]

I'd submit the paperwork for the record. If no one ever paid me a dime, so be it. Pressure to top it? Why would I feel pressure to go out and get an 80 If it lasted only one day as the record, I'd shake the next angler's hand.

As for what the peanut gallery would say or accuse me of--it wouldn't bother me in the least. They can all pound sand for all I'd care

With all due respect to Al McReynolds, a fish can only ruin your life if you let it ruin your life.

[Backbeach Jake]

Originally Posted by Mike P

I'd submit the paperwork for the record. If no one ever paid me a dime, so be it. Pressure to top it? Why would I feel pressure to go out and get an 80 If it lasted only one day as the record, I'd shake the next angler's hand.

As for what the peanut gallery would say or accuse me of--it wouldn't bother me in the least. They can all pound sand for all I'd care

With all due respect to Al McReynolds, a fish can only ruin your life if you let it ruin your life.

Sounds reasonable. I'd see about securing rights to the images and try to control who photos it. Make sure that my gear is prominate
in said photos. Rod reel lure swivel snap line boots gloves beer on and on for possible sponships. As you said, Mike, I'd shake the next guy's hand.And hand him a plug with the other.

[Ake G]

I'm OK w/a photo but I don't like the "BEHOLD! Here I am the great white hunter with my vanquished prey" thing...

[spence]

That might be a big enough fish to make some boots out of, though I don't know how long they'd last.

-spence

[BassDawg]

Originally Posted by Backbeach Jake

Sounds reasonable. I'd see about securing rights to the images and try to control who photos it. Make sure that my gear is prominate
in said photos. Rod reel lure swivel snap line boots gloves beer on and on for possible sponships. As you said, Mike, I'd shake the next guy's hand.And hand him a plug with the other.

DITTO, definitely shake the hand of the next Champ!
And hand him some fresh wood, a cold beer, and a Cohiba!!

How many of us believe that there truly is an 80+#'er out there?
Are there 100 #'ers out there as some legends have suggested?
Sure would be nice to find out some Striper dawn.......................
She'd, no doubt, either make ya or break ya!

[Swimmer]

Originally Posted by Mike P

With all due respect to Al McReynolds, a fish can only ruin your life if you let it ruin your life.

I agree with Mike on this wholeheartedly. Never before have these exacts words been said about the current record holder. Not in so many words anyways. Mr. McReynolds had to have been living that type of life that welcomed the continous negative reflection, before and after the fact, about his catching the big one.

It is nice to dream though and more than once did I have this dream. My fish weighs 88 #'s in my dream though.

[NIB]

I would write a book...


GO GIANTS

[Flaptail]

get a lawyer.

[Gobi]

Originally Posted by Mike P

I'd submit the paperwork for the record. If no one ever paid me a dime, so be it. Pressure to top it? Why would I feel pressure to go out and get an 80 If it lasted only one day as the record, I'd shake the next angler's hand.

As for what the peanut gallery would say or accuse me of--it wouldn't bother me in the least. They can all pound sand for all I'd care

With all due respect to Al McReynolds, a fish can only ruin your life if you let it ruin your life.

I couldn't say it better myself...
G

[Blitzseeker]

I'll know soon enough because it is bound to happen for me. I've broken off a bunch of fish the last couple years that felt like they were world's records for sure, and a couple I saw in the waves with my eidetic memory were over 100 lbs for sure.

Kidding aside, I'd do what any sane human being would do...try to make a buck off it and laugh all the way to the bank while people bashed me for being lucky....because of course they'd be right. There would never be anything more indicitive of "it is better to be lucky than good" than if I caught the world record.

[ThrowingTimber]

Originally Posted by Mike P

I'd submit the paperwork for the record. If no one ever paid me a dime, so be it. Pressure to top it? Why would I feel pressure to go out and get an 80 If it lasted only one day as the record, I'd shake the next angler's hand.

As for what the peanut gallery would say or accuse me of--it wouldn't bother me in the least. They can all pound sand for all I'd care

With all due respect to Al McReynolds, a fish can only ruin your life if you let it ruin your life.

Agreed

[fishpoopoo]

Originally Posted by Mike P

...a fish can only ruin your life if you let it ruin your life.

ditto. just a stupid fish.

[BassDawg]

I love Vic's, TT's, answer from ova there<<<<<<<.

I hope he responds, my insides are busting right now, just thinking about it .

TONS of pix, tons of documentation, attorneys, endorsements, and yes, yes, yes..........................MILK, milk it for every last stinking endrosement, free boat, rods, reels, gear, tackle, clothing, etc.......

Oh and drinks and cigars on me for a month at the Black Dog .

As for the mental anguish that Gunpowder aspires to, doan think that stuff would bother me, because i would recognize the accomlphishment for what it was and know that behemoths like that only come around once in a Lifetime. As far as having to add more fiddies to validate it, that simply wouldn't apply in my world, the feat alone validates itself.

Which brings us to Swimmers hilarious chitstorms, though toungue in cheek, what he says is very true. I mean i've only been doing this for a little over two years, i absolutely LOVE it, i fish hard and learn fast, and if i even mention that i "hooked" some possible 50's or better with so few moons under me belt, i get hammered. Doesn't bother me, just stating a fact! I mean i've only been fishing for 42 years, i have landed trophies in other species, there is just a sheeet load of water up here and TONS of places for the big gurls to hide that adds to the difficulty and years of effort to be consistent at Landing Lahhhhge!

The bottom line is, aye could care less what any of them bums say! The truly accomplished guys that i've met just smile and wave and doan get into the petty bickering. i'm having fun, i'm living the striper dreams, workin' this beautiful Striper Coast!!!! i've only been doing this for less than 3 years and it taqkes my breath away ~what most of you guys have been born with, these picturesque and bountiful shores~ each and everytime i enter the suds. I could give two CHITS less for what anyone else would toss my way should i be so blessed to land that 80# monstah!!! Believe me, or doan believe me that's up to whatever heps you sleep at night, compadre! My friends, my loved ones, and my fellow stripermen would know the truth, and in the end that's all that matters to me, anywho........................