Opinions needed

[johnnie crain outdoors]

Okay Bassin' friends, here's a question I am researching for an article. Should bass caught from private lakes or farm ponds be considered for world or state records? Or should record fish be caught from public waters only?
Please answer and give reasons for your answer, Thanks, Johnnie.
I will give my opinion later.

[Capn jack duggins]

I don't see why not. Sure you can feed a bass more than it could get in nature, but you're not going to MAKE it eat!

As long as it is not genetically altered it would be OK with me.
The real question is, will the officials accept it?

[johnnie crain outdoors]

Thanks Cap'n Jack. Will add your comments to my file. Seems California wants that record bass and they don't care how or where they get it. Just a matter of time I'm sure. Thanks again, Johnnie

[RNE]

Yes, with some conditions.

You pose a question that has deeper implications Jonnie. I can think of a number of ways someone, or some Agency might work to create a World Record and force the catch of same.

One, and just one, place a fish with the genome tending to extremely large size and rapid growth in a small shallow pond alone with all the food it would ever desire. Keep the water at optimum temperature, never stress the fish in any way. Then let matters proceed. When you want to harvest the fish, remove as much of the food base as possible. Then ‘catch’ it.

But, in my opinion.

Wild fish, in any natural environment, including ponds or private waters should be eligible for consideration as a record.

Making the call as to when the situation was ‘enhanced’ excessively would be very difficult.

Richard.

[mofish]

I dont see why it should come from public water. Large Bass are just as hard to catch from small ponds and lakes as they are from public waters. I agree with RNE in should be a wild bass caught in a sporting manner and such. I just wish I could be the one to catch it!!

[IdahoBassSlayer]

We have two stocked (pay) ponds in my area here and the bass are irregular fat shaped and much easier to catch. You can almost throw anything in the water, I just take my friends from out of area who have never been fishing before because they are almost guaranteed to catch something big everytime. I think that these ponds etc. are made for purposes such as these. I think that the game is taken away from places such as these. Yes they are still a game fish, but natural processes and natural way of life has been taken away, and they look abnormally fat! That is why we have state records, people want to go out and try to catch that really big one that generations have been talked about over the years. These stocked and people fed fish aren't as sporty and 'real' game fish in my opinion. I'll stick to my tributaries off the lake!
Thanks,

[johnnie crain outdoors]

Thanks all;
Here's my 2 cents worth. I don't believe bass caught from private waters should be allowed since only limited numbers of anglers can pursue these fish. There is no Fair Chase rules in fishing as in hunting big game, but I think there should be.
Bass from ponds have even been taught to take food from a persons hand! Is that a wild animal? They have no fear of humans or offerings made by humans. It would be relatively easy for a California angler to take an over-size bass, release it into private water, supply all the food, cover and other necessary ingredients for fast growth, ban everyone from fishing there, then catch the fish again when it has reached world record size. Is that fair to all? I think not. I wouldn't even feel good about catching a record like that. The money would of course be great, but I'd still have to live with myself. Thanks for the posts, hope we get some more. Johnnie

[Capn jack duggins]

You have to remember, fishing and lying go hand in hand and anyone who does break a new state of world record can say they caught the fish using brand-X line, lures, rod, reel, boat, motor and whatever else in order to cash the big checks!

Like the old world record smallmouth bass that had carburator parts and lead weights sewn inside it with the hook from a jitterbug!


So, can we really believe the guy or gal who tries to claim the ultimate prize?

Tough question, John!

[mofish]

Good points Jonnie and others, I didn't even think of it that way. Yes I would have to say that a world record caught that way would not be a good thing. Be like fishing in the bait bucket. Theres all types of people out there and I'm sure that there is probably a fish already in one of those ponds just waiting to reach the righ size.

[johnnie crain outdoors]

Pro Staff and friends, I am in the process of contacting all my state senators and Reps. in hopes of getting a bill introduced to make sure all record fish caught in Iowa be caught legally and from public waters.
I really don't like Iowa's Big Fish Award program either, all you have to do is send in the length, girth and species of fish to qualify. No photo needed, no official scale needed? State records do require documentation though, but can be caught anywhere. Gets a little "iffy" around here because Illinois is just across the river and Missouri is only an hour away. So an angler could conceivibly catch a fish from any of the 3 states.