81lb Bass?

[JackK]

Originally Posted by Swimmer

He should realize that regardless of what he does with the fish he was and is going to be hounded for a long time to come. So he should submit it for the IGFA record and take any money he can earn with it. I feel bad for the guy. This guy played college ball, so he has an education and is having a terrible time with it allready. Imagine what it did to Mcreynolds with his barely thier education.

This. He's already under huge scrutiny. At the very least it needs to be looked at by state biologists, other witnesses, etc. If he just runs home with it and doesn't allow it to be examined he's going to be called a cheat by many for the rest of his life.

Doesn't add up though- why not care about the IGFA record, but still care about the Cup? I think the IGFA would be 10x more important than the cup- which'll just net him a GPS and a fiberglass mount... Obviously notoriety is important to him, he made a name for himself last year, and is continuing it this year. He doesn't fish for a team. While it's great to have a shot at winning $10k, the endorsements from being the world record holder would be worth so much more.

I don't doubt that he caught it or the weight- the whole thing just seems odd to me.

[cheferson]

took a ride . long gone ....

Owner looked stressed , had an attorney there screening calls!

[JohnR]

This guy has a lot of top fish in OTW over the years and now I recognize him from last year (he had a 57) and has a few 50s this year.

He is one of the elite anglers for certain.

I can understand not wanting to go though the IGFA process, though not sure I would make the same determination. Hope I have to figure that dilema

[vineyardblues]

Originally Posted by JohnR

This guy has a lot of top fish in OTW over the years and now I recognize him from last year (he had a 57) and has a few 50s this year.

He is one of the elite anglers for certain.

I can understand not wanting to go though the IGFA process, though not sure I would make the same determination. Hope I have to figure that dilema

Like John states above this guy CAN FISH !!!!

Answer this question pls as I have never played in the OTW contest , do they open the fish up ?

I have played in the Marthas Vineyard derby for years , and my answer is yes

Thanks in advance

[rizzo]

Originally Posted by vineyardblues

Like John states above this guy CAN FISH !!!!

Answer this question pls as I have never played in the OTW contest , do they open the fish up ?

I have played in the Marthas Vineyard derby for years , and my answer is yes

Thanks in advance

No, therefore you can stuff fish and make yourself look like an accomplished angler.

For the record, I'm not attacked anyone in particular, I hope Greg is getting the fish MRI'd and medically examined and DNA stuff to prove himself right. Just trying to raise overall awareness of all those bright eyed innocent people out there wanting to believe everything they hear without questioning it.

Final scenario: bruins win the stanley cup. no celebration in front of the crowds, no parade in boston. all that hardwork for what? I guess a true sportsman doesnt need anyones approval except his own.

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by vineyardblues

Answer this question pls as I have never played in the OTW contest , do they open the fish up ?



Thanks in advance

No. There are probably at least 50, maybe closer to 100, OTW weigh stations, and as far as I know, none of them would have the slightest interest in opening a fish. They're local bait and tackle shops trying to make a living, and their time is pretty valuable to them. They weigh the fish, have the angler sign the slip, and send the slips in once or twice a week, depending on the shop. There's no one central OTW operated weigh station, like there is for the MV Derby. The OTW runs from Maine to NJ.

[rizzo]

Heres a scenario for everyone to think about: You catch a world record fish. Upon inspection by a state biologist they find it had 10 pounds of lead in it, 7 pieces of #8 rebar down the spine, pumped full of water and stuffed with rotten bunker. Theres about 30 pounds.... If you think you have the record, you NEED to prove you're innocent of these games.

In this day and age its rediculous the things people would cheat for. You're going to get criticized in this situation. Gutting the fish and finding 3 yoyo rigs is one thing, stuffing the fish is another. Upon examination and you find no tampering - alright we're on to something here, adds credibility to the record.

[CowHunter]

He should of let them inspect the fish and submit the paperwork and then there would not be any controversey. Instead hes letting a possible world record fish rot in the back of a pickup truck? This was a pic of his 60lber from earlier this year, I know there was alot of discussion on this fish and OTW got quite a few emails. Guess they made it a point to get down there and inspect the fish today...

[spence]

Originally Posted by JackK

I don't doubt that he caught it or the weight- the whole thing just seems odd to me.

As often in the case when stories drip, drip, drip in and there are many who want nothing more than to shoot the guy down.

Hell, simply getting his name wrong up front probably gave the conspiracy theorists all the ammo they needed

-spence

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by JackK

He's already under huge scrutiny. At the very least it needs to be looked at by state biologists, other witnesses, etc. .

Actually--to be accepted as a world record by the only people who count---the IGFA--it doesn't. IMO the striped bass is a species that can be readily and definitively identified from a photograph, and thus, it would not have to be examined by a incthyologist:

SPECIES IDENTIFICATION

1. Photographs must be submitted by which positive identification of the exact species can be made. Read the rules on photographs at the end of this section, and refer to the Species Identification section in the World Record Game Fishes book to determine which features must show to identify your fish. Applications without photographs will not be accepted.

2. If there is the slightest doubt that the fish cannot be properly identified from the photographs and other data submitted, the fish should be examined by an ichthyologist or qualified fishery biologist before a record application is submitted to IGFA. The scientist’s signature and title (or qualifications) should appear on the IGFA application form or on a separate document confirming the identification of the species.

[JackK]

Originally Posted by Mike P

Actually--to be accepted as a world record by the only people who count---the IGFA--it doesn't. IMO the striped bass is a species that can be readily and definitively identified from a photograph, and thus, it would not have to be examined by a incthyologist:

Sorry, I didn't mean that it should be looked at to qualify for the record- I just meant that he should have it looked at to silence any critics about it's weight. If there's nothing to worry about, what's the problem?

Only issue I could see was if he was planning on getting it mounted (assuming he is) the taxidermist might want it round and untouched. But I would think that as long as accurate measurements are taken, a small incision in the fish wouldn't subtract from the quality of the eventual mount.

Plus, the scales, otoliths, DNA etc would probably be pretty useful (or at the least interesting) to state biologists. There's quite a bit that could be learned from this fish- shame to let that go to waste. Goes for the BI 77 pounder as well.

[rizzo]

Originally Posted by Mike P

Actually--to be accepted as a world record by the only people who count---the IGFA--it doesn't. IMO the striped bass is a species that can be readily and definitively identified from a photograph, and thus, it would not have to be examined by a incthyologist:.

If that is true, it further proves the record process is weak at best and the IGFA is a bunch of jokers in a world of make believe. Like the Katy Perry video for california gurls! If you want to get caught up in the game of records at least put some legit science behind it with a credible game plan.

Another scenario: - if I kept a fish in the freezer my buddy gill netted 2 months ago, what would it look like when its defrosted?

I hope everyone is having as much fun with this as I am

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by rizzo

If that is true, it further proves the record process is weak at best and the IGFA is a bunch of jokers in a world of make believe. Like the Katy Perry video for california gurls! If you want to get caught up in the game of records at least put some legit science behind it with a credible game plan.

Another scenario: - if I kept a fish in the freezer my buddy gill netted 2 months ago, what would it look like when its defrosted?

I hope everyone is having as much fun with this as I am

I'm thinking that if you caught the fish in Mass, you could grow to old age waiting for an EPO or someone from the state to come down and verify what species of fish that it is.

Bottom line--there's only one fish in the North Atlantic that looks like a striped bass, and that grows to 80 pounds, and that's a striped bass. There's no need for anyone to examine it to verify that it's a striped bass. As far as the rest of it goes, the weighmaster has to attest to it, the town official has to attest to the fact of the scale's certification, and at least one witness has to attest to the weighing besides the weighmaster. How much verification does anyone want? At the end of the day, you're certifying a fishing record, nothing more. It's not a big deal to about 95% of the world's population.

[rizzo]

Originally Posted by Mike P

I'm thinking that if you caught the fish in Mass, you could grow to old age waiting for an EPO or someone from the state to come down and verify what species of fish that it is.

Bottom line--there's only one fish in the North Atlantic that looks like a striped bass, and that grows to 80 pounds, and that's a striped bass. There's no need for anyone to examine it to verify that it's a striped bass. As far as the rest of it goes, the weighmaster has to attest to it, the town official has to attest to the fact of the scale's certification, and at least one witness has to attest to the weighing besides the weighmaster. How much verification does anyone want? At the end of the day, you're certifying a fishing record, nothing more. It's not a big deal to about 95% of the world's population.

I know, I'm having fun with it too. I don't know Greg at all, maybe hes sitting in front of the CPU laughing at us all too.

If i caught the world record, not many in my life would really care. Probably wouldnt even get a beer bought for me...