81lb Bass?

[Rockfish9]

I'm glad the fish has been submitted... this should put it to bed for good.. as i said in my original ost.. helluva fish.. I'd like to shake his hand.

[rizzo]

I will forever doubt it, unless the fish is gutted and checked. I dont know the angler, scale operator and most people on this board, so why would I trust random peoples judgment on it? So what if it was weighed on a certified scale, it could have been stuffed? Gut it at the taxidermist, see whats in there. Reweigh the entire fish and contents on a certified scale and see what you get. If the fish is around 80 pounds still, the record can solidly be confirmed. If the fish comes in at 50, it was a cheat as 30 pounds are missing from the equation.

This has nothing to do with jealousy, discredit or whatever. Its just common sense from my point of view, and I will never believe its true until its is actually proven true. So what if IGFA certifies it based on "the story" or looking at the outside of the fish? The fishing world is full of BS stories, exageration, blah blah - you really have to prove it true. If they can prove it true, yeah I couldnt be happier for the guy. Its cool to see the record go to someone who fishes all the time and can appreciate the accomplishment.

My opinion is that you gotta fish for yourself. If you try to "keep up with the Jones" you'll always be left miserable and empty.

[Rockfish9]

Originally Posted by rizzo

I will forever doubt it, unless the fish is gutted and checked. I dont know the angler, scale operator and most people on this board, so why would I trust random peoples judgment on it? So what if it was weighed on a certified scale, it could have been stuffed? Gut it at the taxidermist, see whats in there. Reweigh the entire fish and contents on a certified scale and see what you get. If the fish is around 80 pounds still, the record can solidly be confirmed. If the fish comes in at 50, it was a cheat as 30 pounds are missing from the equation.

This has nothing to do with jealousy, discredit or whatever. Its just common sense from my point of view, and I will never believe its true until its is actually proven true. So what if IGFA certifies it based on "the story" or looking at the outside of the fish? The fishing world is full of BS stories, exageration, blah blah - you really have to prove it true. If they can prove it true, yeah I couldnt be happier for the guy. Its cool to see the record go to someone who fishes all the time and can appreciate the accomplishment.

My opinion is that you gotta fish for yourself. If you try to "keep up with the Jones" you'll always be left miserable and empty.

it's called faith... faith in man kind that the majority of people have pure hearts and intentions... I'm glad I grew up in a time when a mans word was the gold standard... for better or for worse, I still believe in it... innocent until proven guilty.

I do agree with one thing.. and I preach it at seminars and to green horns as well as vetrans... be only concerned with what you can accomplish.. dont get caught up in with what others are doing or may have done...yesterday is the past.. tomorrow is a brand new day.

[spence]

Originally Posted by Rockfish9

it's called faith...

It's also called process. The IFGA has a process they believe is trustworthy enough to warrant their accreditation. It's like a scientific fact, perhaps never 100% but close enough...

Don't be a doubter without reason, it will kill your fish karma

-spence

[rizzo]

Originally Posted by spence

Don't be a doubter without reason, it will kill your fish karma

-spence

Reasonable doubt - that is what I have. I've yet to see a reason to completely prove it true, so until then I don't believe it given all the things that have happened on this one. More facts pointing toward its false than true.

The IGFA process isn't fact if they don't examine the fish. Its based on someone's claim and it may be true, may not be true. I put my 2 cents in on this one and have nothing more to add. I will not believe it until it goes through the gutting!

[Sea Dangles]

For better or worse gutting isn't part of the process for IGFA or OTW striper cup fish.Although I have been told OTW,like Rizzo,wanted to change the rules midstream. If you have ever seen the IGFA record book then you know they take things seriously. There are numerous line class records for every species. The IGFA is in possession of the leader allegedly used to catch this whopper and the decision will not come in haste. For guys like Rizzo there will never be the proof he hopes for. I would hope that any record,be it all tackle or line class would be submitted with honesty. Beyond that anything negative seems like sour grapes.There are enough cynics in the world to poison the well;they make the impression of a turd in the punch bowl.When you question a mans word it cant be taken lightly.

[CowHunter]

Originally Posted by Sea Dangles

For better or worse gutting isn't part of the process for IGFA or OTW striper cup fish.Although I have been told OTW,like Rizzo,wanted to change the rules midstream. If you have ever seen the IGFA record book then you know they take things seriously. There are numerous line class records for every species. The IGFA is in possession of the leader allegedly used to catch this whopper and the decision will not come in haste. For guys like Rizzo there will never be the proof he hopes for. I would hope that any record,be it all tackle or line class would be submitted with honesty. Beyond that anything negative seems like sour grapes.There are enough cynics in the world to poison the well;they make the impression of a turd in the punch bowl.When you question a mans word it cant be taken lightly.

Chris, any idea what difference the leader material will make???? Its gonna be an all tackle record once approved so I dont think it will matter. Its like the OTW Writer took a scale, well that will show the age of the fish, maybe 24 years or so, but in no way that determines the wieght. We all know that the wieght of any fish of the same length can vary greatly. The length to fork, length to tail and girth measurements they will use and am sure to a certain tolerance they will determine if there is anything way off. I am sure with all the controversey they will give a polygraph and if should pass will certify the fish. GM made a bold predictment on his facebook page a few months ago that the world record bass would fall this summer, boy was he right! (The Entire FB Page has been recently removed). I have seen and heard some very valid points made by some experienced anglers regarding this fish and previous fish, and I really dont think there is anything wrong with being a skeptic if there are discrepencies that raise questions. I know you may think otherwise but I did not make a single complaint to OTW prior to this WR Fish, I know there were quite a few complaints by others.

I ask some on the board, out of curiosity, Just by the natural scale of things, how many 40's do you have to catch before you catch a 50? Then how many 50's before you catch a 60? OF course anyone can get lucky and catch a wr, its a big ocean, but the probabilites of catching more 60's than 50's or 40's?

And not that it matters, but the fish is definately not at NE Taxedermy.

[clambelly]

Originally Posted by rizzo

Reasonable doubt - that is what I have. I've yet to see a reason to completely prove it true, so until then I don't believe it given all the things that have happened on this one. More facts pointing toward its false than true.

what reasons have you seen that prove it to be false?

[rizzo]

Originally Posted by clambelly

what reasons have you seen that prove it to be false?

The one thing that is definitely not proving it true is that the fish was not gutted and opened up. I can't understand why everyone is arguing that this isnt a big deal. Its the key to the whole story. I can't be any more clear about it. But everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Thats mine and I feel very strongly about it.

The certification and recertification of the scale, witnesses, pictures, ect. are all meaningless in that none can prove or verfiy the fish wasn't stuffed. How can you argue that?

[fishbones]

Originally Posted by Rockfish9

it's called faith... faith in man kind that the majority of people have pure hearts and intentions... I'm glad I grew up in a time when a mans word was the gold standard... for better or for worse, I still believe in it... innocent until proven guilty.

I do agree with one thing.. and I preach it at seminars and to green horns as well as vetrans... be only concerned with what you can accomplish.. dont get caught up in with what others are doing or may have done...yesterday is the past.. tomorrow is a brand new day.

Great way to look at things.

I can't imagine what it's like to go through life with such a negative attitude that you have to doubt others and diminish their accomplishments. People who do that must be real fun to be around.

[TheSpecialist]

Originally Posted by rizzo

I will forever doubt it, unless the fish is gutted and checked. I dont know the angler, scale operator and most people on this board, so why would I trust random peoples judgment on it? So what if it was weighed on a certified scale, it could have been stuffed? Gut it at the taxidermist, see whats in there. Reweigh the entire fish and contents on a certified scale and see what you get. If the fish is around 80 pounds still, the record can solidly be confirmed. If the fish comes in at 50, it was a cheat as 30 pounds are missing from the equation.

This has nothing to do with jealousy, discredit or whatever. Its just common sense from my point of view, and I will never believe its true until its is actually proven true. So what if IGFA certifies it based on "the story" or looking at the outside of the fish? The fishing world is full of BS stories, exageration, blah blah - you really have to prove it true. If they can prove it true, yeah I couldnt be happier for the guy. Its cool to see the record go to someone who fishes all the time and can appreciate the accomplishment.

My opinion is that you gotta fish for yourself. If you try to "keep up with the Jones" you'll always be left miserable and empty.

In that case let's throw out the whole IGFA record book, hire some people you do know and start over....