Over the years there have been rumors and unsubstantiated reports of bass that could have tied or eclipsed Perry’s record, but nothing ever passed IGFA criteria. B.Hiroshima: Mr. Kurita, thank you for agreeing to this interview. Although none of these claims have been successful, they have resulted in considerable legal fees for the IGFA,” he said. "We simply wanted to do our due diligence. Largemouth bass have also been introduced in many countries but in Japan fisheries officials consider it an invasive species. The many questions he was given included if he was truthful about the information reported on the application form and if his boat ever came to a complete stop while fighting his fish. Kurita was quoted as saying “I knew it was big, but I didn’t know it was that big.” Read more ›. The Japan bass is a world record. When measured, the fish had a fork length of 27.2 inches and a girth of 26.7 inches. Kurita’s name is now on the IGFA Web site with that of Perry’s and will appear in the 2011 edition of the World Record Games Fishes book…. It didn’t end there. The results from the polygraph concluded that Manabu Kurita answered the questions honestly and that the catch was legitimate. A considerable amount of time and correspondence was to continue between the IGFA, JGFA and Kurita, a primary reason it took so long to come to a decision. Bass an undesirable fish in Japan George Perry has held this prestigious title for nearly 83 years, since he pulled his massive 22-pound, 4-ounce fish from Montgomery Lake, Georgia on … In response, the IGFA immediately corresponded with the JGFA to speak with the angler about this issue and to gather information regarding the legality of fishing where Kurita caught his bass. The IGFA reserves the right to employ polygraph analyses to any record application, and this is explicitly stated in the affidavit section of the world record application form. On July 2, 2009, the angling world was stunned to learn of Kurita's catch. This largemouth bass caught in Japan officially ties a 77-year-old world record The International Game Fish Association announced today that the 22-pound plus largemouth bass caught in Japan last July ties the IGFA All-Tackle World Record. I have been waiting for my sources over there to call with more information, but it looks like Lure Magazine in Japan has gotten the rights to the story first, but as new information comes in I will post it on my site. {/literal}{include file="blk:outdoorsblog_header"}{literal}. During that time, he has worked a myriad of beats for The Oklahoman including both the federal and county courthouse in Oklahoma City for more... Kurita passed. If this fish's reported weight holds up, Kurita's 29.4-inch giant is 1 ounce heavier than George Perry's 77-year-old, 22-pound, 4-ounce record. “However, almost right away rumors began to circulate that Kurita may have caught his fish in a ‘no-fishing zone’. The IGFA approved Kurita’s application for the fish caught from Japan’s largest lake on July 2, 2009. Some anglers did come close, however. However when biologists in Japan examined the ova of the big female, Schratwieser said they concluded that the fish was not triploid. I would hope it was released to keep the "big genes" in the pool. The 22 pound, 4 ounce largemouth bass caught by Japan’s Manabu Kurita matches the IGFA record held for 77 years by Georgia’s George Perry. It's official. We knew this would be significant so we immediately contacted the JGFA for more information.” During this time, the IGFA was also besieged with letters and emails from the bass fishing community, said Schratwieser. On Dec. 15, Kurita was examined by a professional polygraph analyst in Japan. unless that record is broken this year. It is the "holy grail" of fishing records. A new pending world record largemouth bass was caught in Japan last week. IGFA's regulations require that a record fish weighing less than 25 pounds be surpassed by two ounces or more. Kurita, 32, of Aichi, Japan, was fishing Biwa that July day using a Deps Sidewinder rod and a Shimano Antares DC7LV reel loaded with 25-pound Toray line when he pitched his bait, a live bluegill, next to a bridge piling. “Most people thought that the next All-Tackle record would come from California. Freshwater fishing’s “Holy … Technically, Manabu Kurita's 22-pound, 4.97-ounce largemouth bass from Japan's Lake Biwa is now tied with a bass nearly 1 ounce lighter caught more than 77 years ago in rural Georgia. IGFA All-Tackle records are now free for viewing by the public at igfa.org. (It was not.) After a short, three minute fight he had the fish in the boat. Caught at Lake Biwa “Many were incredulous that the All-Tackle record could be tied from a fish in Japan. Oh well. IGFA conservation director Jason Schratwieser said Kurita’s application was meticulously documented with the necessary photos and video. The International Game Fish Association announced today that the 22-pound plus largemouth bass caught in Japan last July ties the IGFA All-Tackle World Record. The previous record largemouth was caught by George W. Perry from Montgomery Lake in Georgia in 1932. This spurred more correspondence with the JGFA and the angler, including affidavits asking the angler if he stopped his boat at anytime. Again, more correspondence was issued to the JGFA to request that Kurita take a polygraph test. “Although not native to California, it appears transplanted bass have adapted quite well to the deep, clear lakes and reservoirs and the abundant trout forage found in some of them. JOIN TODAY! The All-Tackle record for largemouth bass is the most sought after game fish record in the world. Each weighed 22 pounds, 4 ounces and were caught 77 years apart. The International Game Fish Association today rocked the bass fishing world by announcing a new world record — or co-world record — caught by … In establishing the new record, IGFA representatives worked closely with their sister organization, the Japanese Game Fish Association, to examine Kurita's application and investigate allegations that the fish was caught in an off-limits area. The documentation was received through the IGFA’s sister association the Japan Game Fish Association (JGFA). Official word came back that the location of the catch was not a no-fishing zone, but was an area where anchoring or stopping was prohibited. He has worked at The Oklahoman for 25 years. Schratwieser said, “The moment Kurita weighed his fish, word spread like wildfire. “It works out well because they not only translate applications but can also contact the angler if more documentation is needed.”. That fish undoubtedly helped to spawn a billion dollar industry that today makes up a significant part of the sport of recreational fishing. Again, the testimony and affidavits that came back indicated that the Kurita did not violate any laws and that his catch was indeed legitimate.” Others beseeched the IGFA to approve the record and give Kurita the credit he deserves. The IGFA only has line classes up to 20 pounds for largemouth bass, so Kurita had no chance at a line class record as well. Schratwieser said the closest came in 1991, when Robert Crupi caught a 22-pound bass in Lake Dixon, Calif. that still reigns as the 16-pound line class record and the third heaviest approved bass record in IGFA history. This largemouth bass caught in Japan officially ties a 77-year-old world record, Ed Godfrey was born in Muskogee and raised in Stigler. Probably not. “Since the IGFA requires three months from the time of capture before a record can be approved, the official word would have to wait until Oct. 2,” said Schratwieser. He only twitched the bait a couple of times before he got bit. Minnesota pro Austin Felix now will always be announced as the 2020 Elite Rookie of the Year. He immediately agreed. Membership Includes 1 Year Bassmaster Magazine, Plus $50 in free gear. that may be a big fish but its not 22 pounds cause you can tell she is holding the fish ot to make it ook bigger, {/literal}{include file="blk:outdoorsblog_bottom"}{literal} A great many anglers are interested in this record. The polygraph {/literal}{include file="blk:outdoorsblog_rail"}{literal}. Annually it publishes a comprehensive list of current records of fresh and saltwater fish across the globe in its World Record Game Fishes book which is divided into all-tackle, line classes, fly, and junior record categories. "It was an extremely clean and thorough application," said Jason Schratwieser, conservation director of IGFA. DANIA BEACH, Fla. — The most sought after record in all of fishing has been broken ... almost. The largemouth bass is one of the world's most widely distributed freshwater fish. Many experts speculate that a record largemouth will be worth more than $1 million in endorsements and appearance fees to the angler fortunate enough to catch it. In North America the largemouth bass, and especially the All-Tackle record, is considered by millions of anglers as the “holy grail” of freshwater fish because of its popularity and the longevity of Perry’s record. 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