81lb Bass?

[piemma]

I was at a marina (not mine) this morning and I heard some of the most outrageous stories about this fish.Like:
All beat up. Was really caught by a dragger. Full of rebar and lead.

Personally, I believe it's the real deal and the guy has a history of big fish so why would he lie?

[spence]

Originally Posted by piemma

Personally, I believe it's the real deal and the guy has a history of big fish so why would he lie?

Yea, Field and Stream article says he's caught 3 60's in the past year.

-spence

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by spence

Yea, Field and Stream article says he's caught 3 60's in the past year.

-spence

Actually, it was four 60s and a 58. And those are just the fish he entered in the Cup. You're only allowed to have your 3 best fish stay on the board. He might have caught others that he either released, or that were entered and displaced. Also, according to the F&S article, he released one that he estimated to be well over 70 a few years back.

F&S appears to have talked to the guy personally (and probably paid for the rights to an "exclusive"), whereas OTW got their info yesterday from a CT beat writer who talked to other "credible sources" who may not have been all that credible. So, I put more stock in today's F&S article. The guy did go to the hospital, that's true, but it wasn't for a panic attack. He apparently took a fall out on the water and hurt his ribs, and went to have them checked out. This is from his own mouth. He left a couple of mob scenes to have a chance to catch his breath. He already stated what tackle he used--a heavy 6-1/2' St Croix tuna rod, a Quantum Cabo reel, and 50# Berkley Gorilla Braid. I fully expect him to submit the paperwork, based on his statement that "he'd be an ass" if he didn't. He didn't have to do that yesterday, and he doesn't have to do that today, or tomorrow or for almost another month. There's nothing more that he has to do.

If the guy fishes from a tin boat, he caught the fish inshore. He's not running out to federal waters south of the Block to poach in the EEZ in a #^&#^&#^&#^&ing tin boat. The redness on the fish is pretty normal. The fish lays in a box, and the blood pools in the low points of the body where it comes into contact with the box. It's what's called post-mortem lividity, and it's perfectly normal---it's not net rash. I have quite a few pictures of bass less than half that size with the same redness. There's nothing suspicious in my mind at this point. OTW did everyone an extreme dis-service yesterday by spreading some wild rumors, IMO.

As far as the 54" thing goes---anyone want to take a stab at the length of McReynolds' fish? I'll save you the trouble of looking it up--it was 53-1/2" long, but it had something like a 35" girth.

[animal]

Well said,Mike.Congrats to the angler!

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by Clogston29

I'm happy for the guy and happy it fell too a real fisherman. I really thought the record would end up going to some guy out drinking beers who decided to throw out a chunk and see what happened - "johny grab the rod" scenario. This guys resume speaks for itself. Would like to see fish examined though, if nothing else to eliminate rumors.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Originally Posted by Mike P

Actually, it was four 60s and a 58. And those are just the fish he entered in the Cup. You're only allowed to have your 3 best fish stay on the board. He might have caught others that he either released, or that were entered and displaced. Also, according to the F&S article, he released one that he estimated to be well over 70 a few years back.

F&S appears to have talked to the guy personally (and probably paid for the rights to an "exclusive"), whereas OTW got their info yesterday from a CT beat writer who talked to other "credible sources" who may not have been all that credible. So, I put more stock in today's F&S article. The guy did go to the hospital, that's true, but it wasn't for a panic attack. He apparently took a fall out on the water and hurt his ribs, and went to have them checked out. This is from his own mouth. He left a couple of mob scenes to have a chance to catch his breath. He already stated what tackle he used--a heavy 6-1/2' St Croix tuna rod, a Quantum Cabo reel, and 50# Berkley Gorilla Braid. I fully expect him to submit the paperwork, based on his statement that "he'd be an ass" if he didn't. He didn't have to do that yesterday, and he doesn't have to do that today, or tomorrow or for almost another month. There's nothing more that he has to do.

If the guy fishes from a tin boat, he caught the fish inshore. He's not running out to federal waters south of the Block to poach in the EEZ in a #^&#^&#^&#^&ing tin boat. The redness on the fish is pretty normal. The fish lays in a box, and the blood pools in the low points of the body where it comes into contact with the box. It's what's called post-mortem lividity, and it's perfectly normal---it's not net rash. I have quite a few pictures of bass less than half that size with the same redness. There's nothing suspicious in my mind at this point. OTW did everyone an extreme dis-service yesterday by spreading some wild rumors, IMO.

As far as the 54" thing goes---anyone want to take a stab at the length of McReynolds' fish? I'll save you the trouble of looking it up--it was 53-1/2" long, but it had something like a 35" girth.

Unless we hear otherwise from legit sources (which I doubt) - not minor pi$$ing contests on the innernets - lets give this guy some credit and props.

He has a history of big catches, he is clearly highly skilled, he knows where and how, and is obviously one of those that have 6th bass sense that people like me only dream of having

Read the F&S article: Exclusive Photos: New Pending World Record Striped Bass! | Field & Stream

[CowHunter]

I am willing to bet that the field and stream article was done over the phone. Who took the pics???? Just look at the article, they have GM with what 4-5 different outfits. Im sorry, but no way is a 49-50 inch fish going to be 81.88lbs, if it was it would be wide all the way like a tuna, solid not like that. I spoke with Jim Fee yesterday while he was on the way down to see the fish and havent heard from him since. Why all the quietness. I just dont understand why create controversey? WHO SAW The fish? Leave the fish at a legit tackle shop for a day, Let whoever wants to inspect the fish, rewiegh on a certified scale, do length to girth measurements. Dispell all rumors! Why create problems for yourself? Alot of guys on this board sell fish, Ive had hundreds of pounds of fish with little or no ice for hours in mid summer off gayhead / nomans during the day and they dont look like some of his fish. Why do all the pics of fish look worse than any fish Ive seen in a supermarket??? If he never wanted the publicity then why even wiegh the fish in???
I wish I submitted this 65" fish I got mounted, i just didnt want the publicity...

[westhavendave]

Originally Posted by CowHunter

I am willing to bet that the field and stream article was done over the phone. Who took the pics???? Just look at the article, they have GM with what 4-5 different outfits. Im sorry, but no way is a 49-50 inch fish going to be 81.88lbs, if it was it would be wide all the way like a tuna, solid not like that. I spoke with Jim Fee yesterday while he was on the way down to see the fish and havent heard from him since. Why all the quietness. I just dont understand why create controversey? WHO SAW The fish? Leave the fish at a legit tackle shop for a day, Let whoever wants to inspect the fish, rewiegh on a certified scale, do length to girth measurements. Dispell all rumors! Why create problems for yourself? Alot of guys on this board sell fish, Ive had hundreds of pounds of fish with little or no ice for hours in mid summer off gayhead / nomans during the day and they dont look like some of his fish. Why do all the pics of fish look worse than any fish Ive seen in a supermarket??? If he never wanted the publicity then why even wiegh the fish in???
I wish I submitted this 65" fish I got mounted, i just didnt want the publicity...

If you are not joking, you are seriously delusional. I don't think Field and Stream would put the magazines reputation on the line by not vetting the veracity of the anglers claim, before they did the article. Go kill some more bass.

[CowHunter]

Originally Posted by westhavendave

If you are not joking, you are seriously delusional. I don't think Field and Stream would put the magazines reputation on the line by not vetting the veracity of the anglers claim, before they did the article. Go kill some more bass.

I did an article for field and stream this year, they wrote what I said...

I, nor a single person I know would even think of questioning Pete Vican's state record 77LBer. The man did it legit 100 percent like anybody I spoke with did. Yes we all wish we caught a slob like that and every single person I know was happy for him.
Guess speaking with good friends that fish the same water as GM have seen his previous fish just adds to suspicion... Why all the controversy on GM??? Every Single person I spoke with thinks this is BS...

[Slipknot]

Originally Posted by CowHunter

I am willing to bet that the field and stream article was done over the phone. Who took the pics???? Just look at the article, they have GM with what 4-5 different outfits. Im sorry, but no way is a 49-50 inch fish going to be 81.88lbs, if it was it would be wide all the way like a tuna, solid not like that. I spoke with Jim Fee yesterday while he was on the way down to see the fish and havent heard from him since. Why all the quietness. I just dont understand why create controversey? WHO SAW The fish? Leave the fish at a legit tackle shop for a day, Let whoever wants to inspect the fish, rewiegh on a certified scale, do length to girth measurements. Dispell all rumors! Why create problems for yourself? Alot of guys on this board sell fish, Ive had hundreds of pounds of fish with little or no ice for hours in mid summer off gayhead / nomans during the day and they dont look like some of his fish. Why do all the pics of fish look worse than any fish Ive seen in a supermarket??? If he never wanted the publicity then why even wiegh the fish in???
I wish I submitted this 65" fish I got mounted, i just didnt want the publicity...

Originally Posted by CowHunter

I did an article for field and stream this year, they wrote what I said...

I, nor a single person I know would even think of questioning Pete Vican's state record 77LBer. The man did it legit 100 percent like anybody I spoke with did. Yes we all wish we caught a slob like that and every single person I know was happy for him.
Guess speaking with good friends that fish the same water as GM have seen his previous fish just adds to suspicion... Why all the controversy on GM??? Every Single person I spoke with thinks this is BS...

Do you think it is BS also?

Nice catch there on that fish.

not everybody is a pro
and also not everyone takes photos that make fish look large

[RIROCKHOUND]

Originally Posted by CowHunter

Ive had hundreds of pounds of fish with little or no ice for hours in mid summer off gayhead / nomans during the day

glad I don't buy bass

[rizzo]

This is the America of today, people believe everything written in magazines and on the internet. Theres discussion how this fish is a super giant, torpedo head, offshore super breed and its only 49"? Oh 54" in the article? Who are you gonna believe? Its all over the top. Oh the guy caught multiple 60s, okay. There was incidents last year about his catches too. With all this going on, he finally had his chance to set everything straight, in person with that fish. Its not about jealousy, its verifying and documenting the catch. In the year 2011 we should be able to better on keeping track of it all.

[CowHunter]

Originally Posted by RIROCKHOUND

glad I don't buy bass

I comm fished in mexico where we spent all day out baking in the sun and through fish on the deck where they sat in that hot sun all day and the fish looked better. How many people fished in the caribean? they ice the fish? they troll em and box em and then we eat cerviche later... Those fish in the markets, especially those from the south are several days or weeks old but we buy em and eat em...

[Stripersurg]

There will always be skeptics in this world, that's just the way it is. Like others have said, the man has a track record of catching fish, some very big ones as well, this isn't his first Rodeo.
As to why he didn't do certain things a certain way, that's irrelevant.
We need to give our fellow fisherman support, and a pat on the back, for achieving what the vast majority of us will never be able to do.
If, and it's a big IF, something was to come of this catch that isn't legal, or suspicious, it will all come out eventually.
For now, though, my hat's off to the guy.

[rizzo]

So did anyone else notice in the field and stream photo gallery - Pic of fish that Ken posted here showing it is 49" with the tape laid flat on the ground. Another picture on field and stream showing the tape at 54" on the tail - showing the tail only. So the measurement is clearly wrong by 5"!!!!

[Kierran]

Originally Posted by Mike P

F&S appears to have talked to the guy personally (and probably paid for the rights to an "exclusive"), whereas OTW got their info yesterday from a CT beat writer who talked to other "credible sources" who may not have been all that credible. So, I put more stock in today's F&S article......

That beat writer interviewed Greg before F&S and didn't have to pay for it:

Story and Photos: Potential World Record Striper

[BigFish]

I officially couldn't care less if its legit or not....and why do people get their panties in a bunch??? Envy???? Good for him on a great catch for cryin' out loud! That is all.

[Slipknot]

I did not see the fish in person and not sure if you did Ken or any of your friends, so all we have is witness accounts and photos I guess. I don't see anything bulging out of the belly or any suspicion of stuffing 20 to 30 pounds of whatever(baitfish,rocks,crabs,lead,ice etc.).

How do you know he has not or is going to open it up? Does he really have to anyway?
Glad I did not catch it, holy crap



Best thing I can say is go out and catch one bigger

"Does anybody feel like Pete Vican is being cheated here?"
Why would he be cheated? Didn't he catch one hell of a fish himself? I'm glad for him.

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by Slipknot

"Does anybody feel like Pete Vican is being cheated here?"
Why would he be cheated? Didn't he catch one hell of a fish himself? I'm glad for him.

Agree with Slip. Why would Peter Vican feel cheated?

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by Slipknot

"Does anybody feel like Pete Vican is being cheated here?"

Why would he be cheated? Didn't he catch one hell of a fish himself? I'm glad for him.

Looking at the leader board, if Peter could put up a fish of around 66 pounds, he could still take the Angler of the Year award. If he could do that, all he'd be "cheated" out of would be a free replica mount. I'm sure he's already sent his 77.40 out if he wanted a mount.

Guy's caught two fish over 75 the last two seasons, so another 66 isn't all that far-fetched.

[Raider Ronnie]

Originally Posted by BigFish

I officially couldn't care less if its legit or not....and why do people get their panties in a bunch??? Envy???? Good for him on a great catch for cryin' out loud! That is all.

"Envy????"

Penis envy !

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by Kierran

That beat writer interviewed Greg before F&S and didn't have to pay for it:

Story and Photos: Potential World Record Striper

Sorry, man. Whoever does their web page and Facebook updates did you a real dis-service yesterday. That's where this nonsense about a "panic attack" based on reports of "credible sources" started.