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World record bass a phony..... 2024


fishing user avatarbilgerat reply : 

.....says Doug Hannon in this month's issue of Field and Stream. Here is the paragraph:

"I don't think there is a world record bass in Florida. If it happens, it'll happen in California, Texas or Mexico. It's important to be honest about this catch. George Perry's record has lasted more than 70 years, and to be quite honest, it isn't real. The first (certified) 20 - plus pound bass (since Perry's fish) was Dave Zimerlee's 20- pound 15-ounce largemouth caught in California. His fish was 26.75 inches long with a girth of 28 inches. Perry claimed (his 22-pound 4-ounce bass was) 32.5 inches long with a girth of 28.75 inches. It is preposterous to assume that adding almost 6 inches in length and 3/4 inch in girth would only add about 1.3 pounds. The fact that no pictures were taken and that no parts of the fish ever survived the fish fry is telling as well. Perry's fish was probably 13 pounds."

This is sure to stir the pot. The entire article is pretty good, that was only one paragraph. Here's a couple of tidbits I found interesting:

Most large bass (over 15 pounds) were caught in 6 feet or less of water. (according to his research)

He claims 90% of his 10 pound bass came on a 7 inch straight tail worm.

fishing user avatarFishingPirate reply : 

Thats interesting. Id rather Perry's bass maintain its position untill it is broken though. Its not like its impossible. If his bass was recorded as 32lbs 4oz thatd be different. Its a fact that 22+lbers exist, someone just needs to get one.

fishing user avatarFish Chris reply : 

Hey Bilge, yea', I've heard Doug H's take on it, and he's probably right.

But then again, I kind of agree with Pirates opinion too

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Id rather Perry's bass maintain its position untill it is broken though. Its not like its impossible. If his bass was recorded as 32lbs 4oz thatd be different.

I'm not sure their is a 22-6 bass swimming around at this very moment though.... or, a bass which is always more than 22-6 even with normal weight fluctuations. But even so, a 22-6 or better is doable.

BTW, that 25.1 that was foul hooked (which I absolutely believe was 25.1 lbs) was almost certainly a genetic fluke. Otherwise we would have seen five of them in the 24 lb range, and twenty of them over 23 lbs..... but instead, we haven't seen even one more over 22 lbs, in a long time. And that fish has since been proven to have died. So, its going to take another 1 in 100 million fish just like it.... and then it will have to get caught "after" growing to its full potential. You'd probably have a better shot at winning $100 million in the lottery ;-)

How's that for a vote of confidence ? ;-)

Peace,

Fish

fishing user avataretommy28 reply : 

"The fact that no pictures were taken and that no parts of the fish ever survived the fish fry is telling as well. Perry's fish was probably 13 pounds."

Incorrect sir, there was a picture taken, here it is... this fish is a monster.

and as far as florida goes, there very well could be a record bass in this state. there are lakes like stick marsh and rodman where they could live and never see a lure. as well as okeechobee, toho, and many others do to there size.

post-18614-130163012176_thumb.jpg

fishing user avatarDINK WHISPERER reply : 

I believe the next one will come from Okeechobee!  

fishing user avataretommy28 reply : 

it is very possible, i was there in feb. I say 6 fish on beds al of them over 9pds. in a 150 area. I could not catch any though. there is also so much open water that no one fishs and who knows what is swimming there.

fishing user avatarFish Chris reply : 

Ya' know etommy, not to sound liike a smart arse, but in reality, you could have seen > 6 fish on beds, with all of them over 18 lbs, and their still might not be a single fish over 20 lbs... let alone over 22-4. That's just the way fisheries work.

We have a lake here in Cali (my home lake Berryessa) which has produced at least 30 bass over 16 lbs..... with at least 10 of those being over 17 lbs, but yet the lake record is only 17.5 lbs. 17lbs is just about where they top out in this lake.

Not to say that Berryessa, or Okeechobee couldn't produce a 20.... or a 22-6... but if either of these places (or any other place on the planet) does produce a 22-6 or bigger, it will have as much, or MORE to do with the exact fish in question, than it does the body of water it came from.

Peace,

Fish

BTW, about that photo of Perrys fish, that is a very hard photo to judge the weight of the fish with. Perry is holding it, not in front of himself, but rather, in front of a small child (who knows "how small").

That's a big bass no doubt, but judging by the photo alone, I wouldn't give it more than say 16 lbs, and that would be stretching it. I think it could be "as small as" the 13 lbs that others have suggested.

fishing user avataretommy28 reply : 

no man I was just showing the fact that there is a pic. of the fish. I have to admit i was told where those fish were and I did not believe them so I checked it out and sure enough.

fishing user avatarburleytog reply : 

I would take any word or assemblage of words that come out of Hannon's mouth with a 50 lb. bag of salt.

fishing user avatarNYfishwow reply : 

Doug hannon is expert fisherman, who spent 50 or more years fishing, caught 100s of 10 lb bass which not many fisherman in the world do!  Its a good opinion about old world record bass, there's only very few pics about that fish and lots of facts missing. A 13 lb bass should be about same size as persons arm or size of little 2-3 ft child. Its very possible that fish was not in 20 lb range but there definitely a lot of information not available .

fishing user avatarroadwarrior reply : 
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That's a big bass no doubt, but judging by the photo alone, I wouldn't give it more than say 16 lbs, and that would be stretching it. I think it could be "as small as" the 13 lbs that others have suggested.

Hmm...

Fish Chris knows a little bit about both big fish and photography.

8-)

fishing user avatarNYfishwow reply : 

Fish Chris and Roadwarrior are right in my opinion. When you really think about it, Perry was good average fisherman with less then average gear to fish with. Is it possible to catch a 22 lb fish off less upgraded rod and reel compared to a zebco combo? Theres always a chance but it doesn't really make sense.

Cool to give title to perry for amazing catch but if he only caught a 13 lb fish, then years later tons of people who caught larger fish didn't even get record because he was already given the title of best.  Not really fair .  :-/

fishing user avataretommy28 reply : 

here is my two sence, I heard/ read a interview with the kid in the pic. he swears it was 22pds on the scale. but he was a kid plus who is to say that the scale was right. it was a long time ago and who knows. but with no proof either way can we really take the title from him. I dont think so, it is this simple go out and fish and maybe you will luck on to some genetic mistake that weighs over 22 pds. what really scares me is with the tech. now that some one might make a huge bas in a lab. so long story short just go fish for fun or what ever you reasons are and try to get luck.

And personally I dont consider him the best but just the man with the largest bass caught legally at this time.

fishing user avatarbilgerat reply : 

The record only exists in YOUR mind. You either believe it or you don't. Hannon's opinion is just that, an opinion. And you know how that old saying about opinions goes... ;)

I've said it here before. If the record was broken tomorrow, there would be naysayers right off the bat. Perry's critics have cited (rightfully so) lack of pictures and documentation. The fact that it was the 1930's before the age of digital cameras, computers, etc. only fuels the fire. In 75 years, people would look back on a 2009 'record' fish with the same skepticism. It's human nature.

fishing user avatar32251 reply : 

Hannon is just sour grapes. He can moan all he wants, but there is a world record and he does not have it.

fishing user avatarMattlures reply : 

I dont know if I believe it or not but I hate it when somebody posts that picture and says "here is the pic with Perry's bass"

THATS NOT PERRY IN THE PICTURE !!!!!!!! tHERE IS ABSOLUTLEY NO PROOF THAT IS PERRY'S FISH. PERIOD!!!!!! Somebody found that pic when their aunt died and suposedly she knew some of Perry's relatives so they make the huge leap and assume that is Perry fish. I repeat, that is not Perry in the picture!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nor has that picture evr been authenticated.

fishing user avatar.dsaavedra. reply : 
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Hannon is just sour grapes. He can moan all he wants, but there is a world record and he does not have it.

SO TRUE!!!

i actually laughed out loud when i read this.

fishing user avatarbladeslinger reply : 

I read somewhere the fish was weighed at a post office for verification in the Field and Stream contest.  My opinion- a post office would never short a scale and lose $$$ ;)

fishing user avatarCatBassin reply : 

I read the book "Sowbelly, Chase For The World Record Bass" about a year ago and I have questions about the record myself. No there's not enough evidence to prove it's true but there's also not enough evidence to disapprove it either. I say we keep it as is.

fishing user avatar.dsaavedra. reply : 
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I read the book "Sowbelly, Chase For The World Record Bass" about a year ago and I have questions about the record myself. No there's not enough evidence to prove it's true but there's also not enough evidence to disapprove it either. I say we keep it as is.

word.

fishing user avatarFish Chris reply : 
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Hannon is just sour grapes.

Darn, you guys are ruthless ! :) Whether I agreed with Hannon, or not, I don't think I'd go so far as to call him jellous :) LOL

The guy has couple more than just a few big ones himself. (I think I have him by a half a lb or so though ;-) Not that I'm a better angler. It's just because ours are trout-fed.

Mattlures is right though. I remember reading that thier had not been any proof that that was really a photo of Perry's fish..... but that the guy in that photo "was definately not" Perry....

Hmmmm,

Fish

fishing user avatardonbeatya reply : 

o well there is only two places the next record will come from its either a california lake that the bass gorge on rainbows or a mexico lake where bass gorge on talapia. JUST MY .02

also from that pic id say dottie was bigger foul hooked or not

fishing user avatarEddie Munster reply : 

I kind of doubt Perry's fish due to the lack of pics but until officials say he doesn't have the record, he has the record.

I do believe there's a World Record out there somewhere at some time of the year. Just because it (or something so close to it) hasn't been caught, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. If it gets that big it's smart enough to stay away from us.

fishing user avatarMattlures reply : 

The record fish exists but I doubt any fish maintanes record weight throughout the year. There are probably 2-3 fish on the planit that will get to or over 22lbs durring the spawn. Then they need to eat something and keep it down after you catch them. And You actualy have to catch them!!! It aint happening this year. All the potential lakes that have giant fish are done for the year. Maybe next year. No 20's this year either.

I except Perry's record because it is the mark to beat. I do not totaly belive it but I except it. If one were to research it thouroghly it becomes extremely difficult to believe. There are gaping holes in the "evidence" and way more then enough reasonable doubt.

Hannon has good reason for his opinion.

My opinion is, whats the point? seriously. I believe it was possible, (doubtful) but possible. I know the number to beat and I know the guys who are chasing it. None of them are all that old and they dont seem to be slowing down. If the fish is out here, one of them will get it.

fishing user avatarGeorge Welcome reply : 

It's so easy to call a dead man a liar and cheat.

fishing user avatarMattlures reply : 

Yes George but death does not make a man honest either.

I will add this one little tidbit.

While Perry was alive, Ray Scott (founder of bass) sent a guy to do a polygraph test on Perry. Do you think he took the test? No

Does that prove he was lying? No

interesting though.

fishing user avatarflipin4bass reply : 

Hannon an expert fisherman?? Tell him, Charlie Moore, and the Blue Dolphin to come down here and I'll smoke em. You can moan and groan all you want, the record stands.

fishing user avatarcart7t reply : 
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Yes George but death does not make a man honest either.

I will add this one little tidbit.

While Perry was alive, Ray Scott (founder of bass) sent a guy to do a polygraph test on Perry. Do you think he took the test? No

Does that prove he was lying? No

interesting though.

Will one of you CA guys please, legitimately catch a 22lb 5oz bass and end this thing?

Seriously.  The world record bass was caught 77 years ago.  It was a whole different time and place.  Those questioning the record the most, youngsters by and large,  can't even begin to wrap their brains around what times were like back then and why the scenario took place in regards to this record fish.  I mean really, the guy got a whole fishin rod and reel out of the deal... whoopie.. it wasn't even a dobyns with a steez mounted on it.   ;)

fishing user avatarEddie Munster reply : 

Personally I can't believe Perry didn't take it to the nearest Bass Pro Shops to try to make some real money on it. Obviously a hoax.  ::)

fishing user avatarHannons Hound reply : 

[edit]I doubt very highly Hannon is jealous of Perry's fish, I personally think he's frustrated that this supposed record fish set the bar with poor records or concrete proof. It's only a matter of time before Mike Long legitimately sets the new record. ;)[/edit]

fishing user avatarPaul Roberts reply : 

I never gave the issue much thought, until someone on this board mentioned that Perry's fish was caught outside the floridanus' range!!!

This would make Perry's Georgia fish a northern strain bass. The largest northern LM I'm aware of (correct me if I'm wrong) was a 15.5lb caught in a MA pond. Northern strain bass aren't even in the race.

fishing user avatarNYfishwow reply : 

Its nice pic but if theres more reasons to call it a phony then any ounce of proof then its must be a phony. When i look at it more it does look like a 10 lb fish then 15 lb bass. not really human nature but common sense. It would be human nature to say its a 22 lb fish. Where are all the other  20 lbs bass from Georgia, i met some people from Georgia caught 9-10 lb fish but never seen another 20 lb fish ever!

Is there any other record of 20 lb fish ever caught in Georgia other then Perry's fish? really?

fishing user avatarCatt reply : 

In 1932 the world record bass meant little to anyone outside of maybe Field & Stream who at the time were putting on the contest in which Perry's bass was entered. According to the contest rules, Perry had the fish's dimensions and weight notarized which in my personal option validates the record.

We keep trying place modern standards to something that took place 77 years ago while we should be keeping mind the standards of the era. In 1932 not every one and their brothers owned or even had access to a camera so it would not be surprising there are no pictures.

I here a lot of talk about Perry's bass was a northern strain and could not have been of this size yet he won the "Field & Stream" contest again in 1934 with a 13 pound 14 ounce large-mouth. How can one say definitely the bass was not Florida strain some 77 years later?

fishing user avatarrippin_lips reply : 

Another point on the picture:  Perry went fishing that day because it was raining too hard to work the fields.  By the shadows in the picture, it definitely was sunny when the picture was taken.

Does that disprove the record, no.  

I think someone will grow the next world record.  Either genetically (Texas) or on a private pond.

fishing user avatarROCbass reply : 
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I dont know if I believe it or not but I hate it when somebody posts that picture and says "here is the pic with Perry's bass"

THATS NOT PERRY IN THE PICTURE !!!!!!!! tHERE IS ABSOLUTLEY NO PROOF THAT IS PERRY'S FISH. PERIOD!!!!!! Somebody found that pic when their aunt died and suposedly she knew some of Perry's relatives so they make the huge leap and assume that is Perry fish. I repeat, that is not Perry in the picture!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nor has that picture evr been authenticated.

If it's not Perry then who is it? Unless you know who it is how can you say who it isn't?

fishing user avatarBigBassGuy reply : 
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I dont know if I believe it or not but I hate it when somebody posts that picture and says "here is the pic with Perry's bass"

THATS NOT PERRY IN THE PICTURE !!!!!!!! tHERE IS ABSOLUTLEY NO PROOF THAT IS PERRY'S FISH. PERIOD!!!!!! Somebody found that pic when their aunt died and suposedly she knew some of Perry's relatives so they make the huge leap and assume that is Perry fish. I repeat, that is not Perry in the picture!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nor has that picture evr been authenticated.

If it's not Perry then who is it? Unless you know who it is how can you say who it isn't?

Read this story and then tell me if you think its Perry or not.

http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/bassmaster/news/story?page=b_fea_Perrys_bass_060706

fishing user avatarTucson reply : 

OK, I'm going to put an end to this.  I'm going fishing tomorrow and I'll catch a legit 23 lber, have it notarized, polarized, xygloed, magnafluxed and X-rayed.  Then the debate will be over.  

Man, I gotta do everything myself!   ;)

fishing user avatardodgeguy reply : 

it amazes me that a guy in 1932 could have a fish weighed and notarized but we don't believe it!!!he did what the requirements were at that time.it's like saying that other events in history never happened either because we don't have photographic evidence.that would be obviously absurd.let the record stand.btw i personally feel that 25 lber in california should have counted.hooked on the outside of the mouth proves the fish went for the bait.it also proves perry's fish was possible.there are also fish people never catch that may be even bigger.over here in ny we have the nyc reservoir system.state police practice scuba diving in these reservoirs.there are reports of huge trout that sit on the bottom .there are reports of plenty of huge bass also.huge fish don't get big by getting caught.just because others haven't caught fish this size doesn't mean they don't exist.i fish a pond close to my house where i catch nothing but dinks under 12 inches.one day i pulled a 6 pounder out.this fish was roughly 6 times the weight of the others so i guess it didn't exist!!!

fishing user avatarCODbasser reply : 

does anyone know what perry caught the fish on?? just curious 8-)

fishing user avatarCatBassin reply : 

I can't remember what kind of lure it was, but I do know it was the only one he had. It tells in the book "Sowbelly" but I just can't remember what it was. I also recommend reading this book, it gives some interesting information and is quite enjoyable.

fishing user avatarFishingPirate reply : 

They sell the modernized version of the lure at DICKS. I think its a creek chub or something. Basically its just a 5-6 inch double-jointed wooden swimbait. I think thats what it is, someone better educted in fishing lore might have to step in here though.

fishing user avatarWayne P. reply : 

Do any of you remember the HOT bass lake a few years ago that had 30# bass in it that were either speared or netted, but no one had caught one that could be counted as a world record due to the method?

http://honduras.com/hondurastips/english/lakeyojoa.htm

fishing user avatarJake. reply : 
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does anyone know what perry caught the fish on?? just curious 8-)

A Creek Chub Fintail Shiner.

fishing user avatarSouth FLA reply : 

We can all debate this or that, but in the end the record stands!

I respect and admire Doug Hannon, although lately it seems he has becoming a bit Roland Martinish in his promotion, but he has achieved that through years of on and in the water time!

As far as the next world record, to get it straight we should have to

1. Weighed/Measured on a certified scale/tape

2. Documented via photograph

3. Have it genetically tested to verify strain info (hybrid strain,  Florida strain, Northern strain)

4. Have location revealed of where it was caught

5. Have the fisherman/woman who caught the record take a lie detector test, regarding how he caught the fish and whether it was foul hooked or not, or if tampered with the fish in any form.

6. If the fish was caught outside its natural range or limitations. If not it should be noted that the record bass is not a natural occurrence in the area and potential reasons for unnatural weight.

(i.e. Caught in private cool water pond where genetic hybrid fish were feed a diet of high protein tilipia and trout, or caught in California where the trout stocking programs and cool temperatures has allowed bass to grow to huge proportions, or caught in S. Africa on a private lake, landowner admitted to selective breeding as well as genetic modification to provide record bass with optimum environment, etc.)

The point is that there will always be controversy over a world record largemouth bass.  Everyone will have an opinion of why or why not the record should or shouldn't stand. Even if the world record is folklore, a bigger bass was caught in California.  

I would actually like to see a "Natural" record book where only genetically tested fish caught in natural range under natural settings would count, but that is just me call me MONK!  

fishing user avatarJDPgator reply : 
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Yes George but death does not make a man honest either.

I will add this one little tidbit.

While Perry was alive, Ray Scott (founder of bass) sent a guy to do a polygraph test on Perry. Do you think he took the test? No

Does that prove he was lying? No

interesting though.

Matt, I do not think your post is fair. You choose not to believe it the record I have zero issues with that. I personally could care less if the record is valid or not because it will never impact my like, but to say that because Perry elected not to take a polygraph test somehow casts doubt is just wrong.

Did Scott disclose to Perry that a polygraph was going to be part of the interview? If he did not fully disclose the intentions of the interview process at the very least it would be human nature to feel like you were being forced to prove your innocence.

If someone were to pull a stunt like that on my 84 year old grandfather from Cordele, GA they would be lucky to only get thrown out on their backside and I would bet good money that a shotgun would be at least seen.

fishing user avatarMattlures reply : 

I was just pointing out a fact. I did not say he was lying. Perry wasnt that old at the time Ray Scott wanted the test Perry died at 61. Perry not taking the test does not make him guilty. It is possible that he was insulted. I wasnt there. I wish he would have taken the test though. It might have cleared up things one way or another. I honestly dont know how I feel about the record. One day I think its a lie and another day I think it maybe legit. I have wrapped my head around it many times and I have for the most part let it go. The article suporting the picture is rediculous. They clam the picture is legit by two palm trees in the background. Now if there was a building then that would be believable. I could go on and on and write a 10000 word post with a ton of evidence against the record, but I dont want to. In the end I am still not 100% possative.

How do I know thats not Perry in the pic? well because its not. Perry was much younger then that at the time and there are plenty of pictures of Perry and thats not him. Am I saying that not Perry's fish? No I am not because it could be. All I am saying is that nobody knows who the people are in the pic. And they are just geussing at where the picture was taken. It could be legit but it is far from fact or proof.

perry1.jpg

Here is a real picture of Perry. He submitted this fish and won the Field and stream prize again. Acording to Perry and Field and stream this fish weighed an incredible 13lbs 14oz

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Yes George but death does not make a man honest either.

I will add this one little tidbit.

While Perry was alive, Ray Scott (founder of bass) sent a guy to do a polygraph test on Perry. Do you think he took the test? No

Does that prove he was lying? No

interesting though.

Matt, I do not think your post is fair. You choose not to believe it the record I have zero issues with that. I personally could care less if the record is valid or not because it will never impact my like, but to say that because Perry elected not to take a polygraph test somehow casts doubt is just wrong.

Did Scott disclose to Perry that a polygraph was going to be part of the interview? If he did not fully disclose the intentions of the interview process at the very least it would be human nature to feel like you were being forced to prove your innocence.

If someone were to pull a stunt like that on my 84 year old grandfather from Cordele, GA they would be lucky to only get thrown out on their backside and I would bet good money that a shotgun would be at least seen.

fishing user avatarTriton_Mike reply : 
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Its nice pic but if theres more reasons to call it a phony then any ounce of proof then its must be a phony. When i look at it more it does look like a 10 lb fish then 15 lb bass. not really human nature but common sense. It would be human nature to say its a 22 lb fish. Where are all the other 20 lbs bass from Georgia, i met some people from Georgia caught 9-10 lb fish but never seen another 20 lb fish ever!

Is there any other record of 20 lb fish ever caught in Georgia other then Perry's fish? really?

Randall would know more than I would but I believe the next biggest Georgia bass to Perry's fish was 17lbs 9oz.  A good long way from 22lbs.  Thats just one of many reasons why I don't buy Perry's fish as the World Record. I follow along with Mattlures and Fish Chris train of thought.

fishing user avatarTriton_Mike reply : 
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I can't remember what kind of lure it was, but I do know it was the only one he had. It tells in the book "Sowbelly" but I just can't remember what it was. I also recommend reading this book, it gives some interesting information and is quite enjoyable.

NiceBass,  I hate to tell you this but Monte Burke the author of Sowbelly is a fraud just trying to create a soap opera.  Mike Long threw him out of his boat when he found out his intentions.  Take what you read in Sow Belly with a grain of salt.

Mike

fishing user avatarROCbass reply : 

I agree that most of the evidence suggests it is not Perry in the picture, but until there is a positive ID of who it is it could still be anybody, Perry included, especially taking into consideration the quality of the picture and the fact that the man's face is shadowed and hard to make out. I just think it is strange that people are so quick to say its not Perry, yet no one knows for sure because no one knows for sure who it is.

fishing user avatarFishwhittler reply : 

1. George Perry's fish was definitely a very large fish.

2. It is impossible to definitely judge the size of the fish based on the picture.

3. George Perry's fish COULD have been 22 lbs.

Just my two cents worth. :)

Fishwhittler

fishing user avatarMattlures reply : 

No Shanner the pic is not Perry period. There is no suggestion. It is simply not him. Shoadows etc. that is a differnt man and that is undisputed. It simply is not  Perry in that picture. FACT.

fishing user avatarGeorge Welcome reply : 

Question it if you will but be assured of this: It is the world record according to the keepers of the grail: it will remain the record until someone catches a bigger fish. No amount of discussion is going to change what is now recorded.

fishing user avatarSDoolittle reply : 
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does anyone know what perry caught the fish on?? just curious 8-)

A Creek Chub Fintail Shiner.

I always thought it was a Creek Chub Wiggle Fish. I guess even that is uncertain.
fishing user avatarCatBassin reply : 

Triton_Mike, I see how it made a soap opera. I read it more for entertainment than education. But I do see what your'e saying.

fishing user avatarROCbass reply : 
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No Shanner the pic is not Perry period. There is no suggestion. It is simply not him. Shoadows etc. that is a differnt man and that is undisputed. It simply is not Perry in that picture. FACT.

Ok, so its not him. How do you know? were you there when the picture was taken? Who is in the picture if not Perry? The biggest piece of evidence aside from a couple old poor quality photos against it being Perry that I have seen is that his son said his dad didn't smoke. Lots of people quit smoking. I agree that it is extremely likely not Perry, but the evidence that I have seen is far from enough for me to declare it a fact. The fact is I don't know George Perry or anyone else who was alive in Georgia in 1932 from a hole in the ground, and a photo of a man whose face is barely visible is not enough for me to say with 100% certainty who it is or is not, no matter what anyone else says. Then again I tend to be a little more skeptical than most people.

fishing user avatarWRB reply : 
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"The fact that no pictures were taken and that no parts of the fish ever survived the fish fry is telling as well. Perry's fish was probably 13 pounds."

Incorrect sir, there was a picture taken, here it is... this fish is a monster.

and as far as florida goes, there very well could be a record bass in this state. there are lakes like stick marsh and rodman where they could live and never see a lure. as well as okeechobee, toho, and many others do to there size.

Actually the bass looks bigger than it is! The boy would need to be about 5'8", the man around 7'6" for the bass to be 32" long. I would estimate that bass to about a 75 to 80% girth bass, typical for Florida bass in caught Florida. The bass shown is about 14-15 lbs, IMO.

What has never added up is George Perry's account of the conditions during the time he caught the bass...stormy rainy weather and didn't get back to weight it until after dark. No one has ever located George's fishing partner, he disappeared and was never interviewed.

The Perry bass; 32" long is 3" longer than any bass ever officially recorded, including Dottie the *25.1 lb bass.

Back in the day that Perry entered his bass, the only prize was fishing tackle and lures. Authentication wasn't strictly adhered to for fresh water bass contest until nearly 20 years after the catch, when the IGFA decided to list fresh water world records.

Whatever the Perry was, it is the official world record, the bench mark to break.

WRB

*Dottie official length and girth has not been disclosed to date. The 25.1 lb weight was weighed on the anglers digital scale, unofficially. Whatever Dotties weight was when caught last, it was over 21 lbs., was she over 22.25 lbs.??? we will never know.

fishing user avatarmattm reply : 
  Quote
Ok, so its not him. How do you know? were you there when the picture was taken? Who is in the picture if not Perry? The biggest piece of evidence aside from a couple old poor quality photos against it being Perry that I have seen is that his son said his dad didn't smoke. Lots of people quit smoking. I agree that it is extremely likely not Perry, but the evidence that I have seen is far from enough for me to declare it a fact. The fact is I don't know George Perry or anyone else who was alive in Georgia in 1932 from a hole in the ground, and a photo of a man whose face is barely visible is not enough for me to say with 100% certainty who it is or is not, no matter what anyone else says. Then again I tend to be a little more skeptical than most people.

C'mon it may or may not be Perry's fish, but it isn't Perry.  His own family is saying that.  The picture isn't so poor that his own family wouldn't recognize him and they all seem to say it isn't him.  

It really doesn't matter though the picture really doesn't prove anything besides two people are holding a very big fish.  Could be anywhere between 13-25 lbs.  I doubt the weight personally, but that doesn't matter.  Perry did what was required of him at the time and the record is his.  Me or anyone else saying it was or isn't the record is just a guess.

fishing user avatarmattm reply : 

Also I highly doubt what Hannon is saying comes out of jealousy.  It's not like he would have the world record if Perry's fish was discounted so what would be his gain?  

I'm not even a Hannon fan, but don't see what he would have to be jealous of.   Imo, it's just his honest opinion.

fishing user avatarcart7t reply : 

 

  Quote
Later that day, Perry and Page took their catch to the general store in nearby Helena, Ga., where the proprietor - a notary public - weighed and certified its dimensions and weight.

A customer mentioned a Field & Stream magazine bass contest, and encouraged Perry to enter his fish, which also was weighed and measured on certified scales at the town's post office.

So Mr. Perry, Mr. Page, the proprietor of the store the fish was originally taken to, himself a notary and then the Helena postmaster are all liars?

Gotcha.   ;D

fishing user avatarbilgerat reply : 

Line from my original post:

  Quote
This is sure to stir the pot.

Boy, I called that one........ :P

fishing user avatarMicro reply : 

Let's apply some forensics.

The best reference for the length of that fish is the kid standing obliquely next to it.

According to the Center for Disease Control - Anthropometric Reference Data For Children and Adults, the average height of a 5 year old is 44.5 inches.

I printed out the image and measured the height of the boy and the length of the fish. The fish is 71% of the height of the child. Assuming the child is of average height - 44.5 inches, the bass in the photo is about 31 inches long.

Hannon said in his diatribe that the first, nearly 21 lb bass, was 26 inches long. I suggest to you this bass is longer, and have no reason to disbelieve that it weight the claimed 22+ lbs.  

I say this is Perry's bass, that Perry accurately stated the weight, and overstated the length.

Got a better method?  Post it.

All you guys that catch big fish and hold them way out in front of you to make them look bigger have have done nothing but muck things up. ;D

fishing user avatarRandall reply : 

Just some thoughts on Perry's fish from my point of view living in GA and fishing some of the best lakes GA has for big bass for the past 15 years.

1. There have been fish caught in GA over 30 inches long. WRB said very few fish have been verified over 30 inches. That's just what you see on the record books since most of those fish are from California. I catch 28-29 fish pretty often and have caught four over 30 inches in just the past few years. Cali fish may have the girth but Georgia fish have plenty of length so it makes a fish threre and here hard to compare in a photo. Add the girth to that length and you have the makings of a huge fish. Looking at the photo of someone holding what could be Perry's fish in front of the post office and comparing it to my 15lb 12oz bass in girth then I believe that fish could have weighed 22 lbs if it was 32 1/2. It looks that big to me comparing it to what a normal Georgia fish looks like in girth.

2. As to comparing what GA has as far as bass today and back then there is no comparison. Trophy bass fishing in GA has been ruined by anglers moving spotted bass from one lake to another and our DNR stocking hybrids and Stripers in almost every lake we have that has Trophy bass potential. So, I can't really judge Perry's fish on what GA produced since his fish. It's a whole different ballgame here now than it was then.

3. As far as the bass in that areas genetics I would guess it to be a FloridaxNorthern. That is pretty common in that area of South Georgia as well as Northern Florida. Some pure Florida strain bass have been brought from South Florida and stocked in ponds here in GA from way back. Many lakes were built over those ponds and now most of what I fish for around Atlanta which is North or Central GA have Florida genetics. There are lakes built way back in the fifties and sixties in extreme North GA that had and have bass with Florida genetics.

I going out tomorrow with the hopes I might see a 16lb or 17lb bass on a bed. If I had lived in GA in Perry's time I believe I could have a a good shot at a much larger fish. But, I don't know if Perry's bass was 22lbs. I wasn't there so there is no way for me to know.  

   

fishing user avataretommy28 reply : 

randall makes a good point, there was nothing that would compete for food with that fish other than native species then, now there are cichlids, striper hybrids, snakeheads and all kinds of other things... by the way while people talk about the next record bass coming from cali.NEWSFLASH: THOSE ARE MOSTLY FLORIDA STAIN BASS as well as many texas and mexican bass are.

fishing user avatarthe zone reply : 

just to chime in on this,  Perry's fish is likely to be a farce.  The probability of catching a world record fish in Georgia is relatively low.  Especially with the lack of 20+ pound fish to give warrant to such a feet.   Notice, i didn't say it was impossible.  

However, who said a little myth and lore is a bad thing?  Texas, California and Mexco are producing.  Heck Cuba is a possibility.  Who knows?  But I like to think that the pig is floating somewhere out there.

fishing user avatarCatt reply : 

A notary public (or notary or public notary) is a public officer constituted by law to serve the public in non-contentious matters. A notary's main functions are to administer oaths and affirmations, take affidavits and statutory declarations, witness and authenticate the execution of certain classes of documents.

The notary would have had to by law witnessed the measurements and weight of the bass before he could apply his stamp of notary to the entry form.

Indisputable evidence or not?

I think it is ;)

fishing user avatarMicro reply : 

The Zone, Randall already spoke to that issue. Today ain't the 1930s.

fishing user avatarBassnajr reply : 

The fish in that photo is NOT 20 lbs.+....

fishing user avatarNYfishwow reply : 
  Quote

All you guys that catch big fish and hold them way out in front of you to make them look bigger have have done nothing but muck things up. ;D

i agree with bassnajr , in the pic the child is standing behind the fish then side by side, its not accuate measurement. Still it was the golden ticket fish of that time, Perry will have almost a 100 year streak if no one ever breaks his record.

fishing user avatarDawsonH reply : 

The kid isn't standing far from that fish because of his arm position, also the man holding the fish does not have his arm in a position that would be conductive to holding it closer to the camera.

Edit: It also appears to me that the child's left foot is closer to the camera than the fish, and that the man's elbow is closer to the camera than the fish. With the angle of the man's arm holding the fish, it is not possible for it to be held closer to the camera than the boy because his arm is bent back in towards his body. From looking at the feet of the man and the boy you can see that the boy is standing closer to the camera, and it appears to me with his left foot closer than the fish.

fishing user avatarSoFlaBassAddict reply : 

Gotta love a bass caught so long ago causing such a controversy to this day.  For all of the people out there stating that it's a "FACT!!!11" thats it's not Perry in the picture, prove it.  On the other side somebody needs to prove it is him.  Honestly though, does it really matter now?  The record is the record and it will be until somebody lands a bigger fish.  Personally I could care less about catching record fish as cool as it would be.  I'm sure theres bigger fish floating around some of the remote areas of the world.  It wouldn't surprise me if theres a few massive fish floating around in the unmolested parts of the Everglades or some of the swamps up in northern Florida.  Nobody will ever know for sure.  One day it will be broken and people will be calling whoever the person is that catches it a cheater, lier, etc etc.

fishing user avatarmattm reply : 
  Quote
Posted by: Catt Posted on: Today at 9:12pm

A notary public (or notary or public notary) is a public officer constituted by law to serve the public in non-contentious matters. A notary's main functions are to administer oaths and affirmations, take affidavits and statutory declarations, witness and authenticate the execution of certain classes of documents.

The notary would have had to by law witnessed the measurements and weight of the bass before he could apply his stamp of notary to the entry form.

Indisputable evidence or not?

I think it is

Catt,

Please understand that I have no idea what Perry's fish weighed, but you notarty argument holds no water.  There are dishonest, naive or imperfect people in all walks of life.  The notary could of easily been lying for Perry took his word for it or just made a mistake. We all have heard stories of judges, policemen and doctors that have just as respectable positions that have abused their authority. The notary could of just easily of been spot on and recorded the whole situation correctly.  

The standards back then were loose and Perry may or may not of benefited from that.  Either way the record is what it is and if anyone wants it they know what they have to do.  Dottie proved it is possible.

fishing user avatarMattlures reply : 

Members of Perry's family have stated that the man in the picture is not George Perry. There is your proof. FACT FACT FACT. plus anybody who is not blind can see it is a different man. arguing against this FACT only makes sombody look unreasonabl and their other arguments loose validity. As for the picture itself. I feel the fish looks big enough that it is in the realm of possability that it is 22.4. I also feel it is possible that that is a picture of Perry's fish. However there still id no proof where that piture was taken and nobody can identify who is in the picture. That picture alone tells me that it was possible that a 22lber existed and that it was caught in GA by Perry. The problem is there are so mant strong arguments against the record being legit. I just dont know. If that were Perry in the Pic that would be good enough for me.

It is also possible they found a floater? heck maybe they used dynomite? I highly doubt it but its not impossible.

George welcome said it best. The IGFA says its the world record. They keep the records. We all know the weight to beat. like I said before I have accepted the record. I am not sure if I believe it but I accept it.

Did you guys know the freashwater hall of fame lists the Trew bass as the world record? I am thankful that the IGFA keeps the records becuase if they didnt kooks like hall of fame would accept anything as a record.

quote author=537862707F75786E26222726170 link=1240098315/69#69 date=1240200231]Gotta love a bass caught so long ago causing such a controversy to this day. For all of the people out there stating that it's a "FACT!!!11" thats it's not Perry in the picture, prove it. On the other side somebody needs to prove it is him. Honestly though, does it really matter now? The record is the record and it will be until somebody lands a bigger fish. Personally I could care less about catching record fish as cool as it would be. I'm sure theres bigger fish floating around some of the remote areas of the world. It wouldn't surprise me if theres a few massive fish floating around in the unmolested parts of the Everglades or some of the swamps up in northern Florida. Nobody will ever know for sure. One day it will be broken and people will be calling whoever the person is that catches it a cheater, lier, etc etc.

fishing user avatarCatt reply : 

Of what benefit would it have been for the notary to lie?

The notary simply made a mistake in reading a ruler or weight scales?

The standards back then were loose? A pound was still a pound and an inch was still an inch.

mattm that's is the silliest argument ever ;)

George L. "Dazy" Perry the son of the record holder flatly stated in the ESPN article When I saw the cigarette in the man's mouth, I knew it wasn't my dad because he didn't smoke," Perry said. "I believe the picture was taken by Aunt Mae (the former Lelia Mae Walden who married James Bowen Perry in the early 1930s, according to family records). I don't know who the little boy might be.

How much more proof do you need ;)

fishing user avatarMicro reply : 
  Quote
The fish in that photo is NOT 20 lbs.+....

You were there and weighed it?

  Quote
i agree with bassnajr , in the pic the child is standing behind the fish then side by side, its not accuate measurement.

You must be looking at a different picture than me. Because the kid in the picture I posted is most definitalte standing very close to and beside that bass.

  Quote
Members of Perry's family have stated that the man in the picture is not George Perry. There is your proof. FACT FACT FACT. plus anybody who is not blind can see it is a different man. arguing against this FACT only makes sombody look unreasonabl and their other arguments loose validity. As for the picture itself. I feel the fish looks big enough that it is in the realm of possability that it is 22.4.

Matt, stop getting so worked up. You're going to give yourself an aneurysm :-[.

Perry's family has stated that's Perry's fishing partner that day. They've also verified that the photo was taken in front of the GA post office where it was weighed. Just like the known photo of Perry. It's a 20+lb fish, even by your standards (and 30+ inches by mine). So it's almost certainly Perry's fish. Unless it's some other 20+lb GA fish no one knows about (and do we really want to go there?).

What is not in dispuite is that it's a fish caught in its native range that wasn't stocked and virtually hand fed high fat, high protein non-natural meals to make it big. That alone makes it a more impressive fish than any fish I've seen from other states.

fishing user avatarCatt reply : 

Micro

The photograph was discovered in 2005 by Jerry Johnson of Waycross, Ga., in the effects of his late aunt, Mildred Johnson of Alma, Ga.

The Johnson and Perry families were friends not relatives

Jerry Johnson could not identify who the people in the photo are.

George L. "Dazy" Perry the son of the late George Washington Perry stated he does not know who the people in the photo are and all he could identify was the location as being that of the post office.

What happened to Jack Page, Perry's companion on the trip to Montgomery Lake? There are no Pages in a list of surnames in the Telfair County History, 1807-1987. Unfortunately, the Telfair County courthouse burned in 1934, destroying records that could have helped identify the man who witnessed the catch.

If there were interviews with the Perry family I would like to see links or copies so we could read them ourselves.

fishing user avatarCrestliner2008 reply : 

I just love this thread! But, does anything that anyone could have, or will have, to say today, going to change the fact that Perry's world record will stand tomorrow? I think not. Speculation is fine, but it will never change that number. And I don't think that's a bad thing either.

Now here's some food for thought: Here in MA, our state record is 15+ pounds! Now that's some bass! 22 - 15 = only 7 more pounds! Doesn't seem all that impossible to me. If we can grow a bass to better than 15 pounds, why is it not plausible that a 22+ pound fish can/does exist somewhere in our more fertile waters to the south? I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility at all.

fishing user avatarROCbass reply : 

Matt, I can show you a picture of my brother and say that he's not related to me, you don't know either of us so you would have no idea. So Perry family members saying its not him is not proof of anything. Especially taking into consideration the son's comment that the reason he knew its not his dad is his dad didn't smoke. Its possible he did as a young man and stopped, and the son never remembered it. If the son said he knew it wasn't his dad because it looks nothing like him or my dad was not that tall it would be a lot easier to take at face value. I could also show you two different pictures of the same person that look like completely different people, but they aren't. So that also proves nothing. Personally I believe it is Perry's fish and that is not Perry holding it, but I don't know. I wish there were some other photos of this Jack Page character. If a known picture of him looked more like that man than the known photos of Perry, that would be good enough for me to say its him and not Perry, but based on the evidence as I see it, there is still some very slight doubt in my mind. As others have said, this is all moot because 22-4 is the mark to beat and no amount of talk or speculation at this point will change that. I just think it is an interesting picture, especially considering the mystery behind it.

fishing user avatarCatt reply : 

Bill Baab, who retired in 2000 after 35 years as a sports writer and outdoors editor for The Augusta Chronicle, interviewed Perry in 1959 and has authored numerous articles on the Perry bass.

But he never heard Perry mention any photos of the record fish.

"I'd also talked with his widow, two daughters and a son - and none were aware of a photo of the big fish," Baab said.

fishing user avatarBassnajr reply : 

OOOO!!

I love a good controversy....

fishing user avatarcart7t reply : 
  Quote
Bill Baab, who retired in 2000 after 35 years as a sports writer and outdoors editor for The Augusta Chronicle, interviewed Perry in 1959 and has authored numerous articles on the Perry bass.

But he never heard Perry mention any photos of the record fish.

"I'd also talked with his widow, two daughters and a son - and none were aware of a photo of the big fish," Baab said.

Clearly, due to the written stuff that's been unearthed since then, that at least one photo was taken.

Not hard to believe back then.  It was in the heart of the depression.  Not that many had Kodak "Brownie" camera's, fewer still could've afforded a roll of film and even fewer still the cost to process to make some photo's.

It's really not hard to understand the lack of hard data about this fish if you realize:

Bass fishing as a sport was not realized.

There was no multi billion dollar bass fishing industry.

There were no bass fishing tournaments.

Personal endorsements were not a standard way of advertising like they are now.

Camera's were a luxury, no something attached to your cellphone which, BTW, didn't exist either.

Nor did the internet, computers, email, television, bass boats, $400 fishing reels or $300 fishing rods.

George Perry was scraping out a life for his family in the middle of the depression.  It rained that day so he wasn't going to get paid.  He decided to fish to feed the family to make up for it.  He tied into a monsterous bass.  So big he had to go show it off before he took it home and put it in a skillet.  The size of the fish was so big an onlooker suggested he enter a Sports Afield contest to win a rod and reel.  He had the fish weighed and measured at 2 legitimate places that had no outside interest in the fish other than it was much, much larger than any that had been caught previous.  Apparently, a photo existed because a hand written letter by Mr. Perry to the Creek Chub people indicated he had one and they could use it in their advertising for the whole whopping fee of some lures.

So far, nobody has ever disproved that the fish existed and that's who the burden of proof lies upon.

Unless someone can unearth some evidence of a grand conspiracy by George Perry, a notary in Helena, Georgia along with the postmaster of the Helena  post office I'd say this record is firmly set in stone and will only fall if a CA guy can remember to do everything right when he/she finally hooks the next fish larger than 22-4.   ;)

fishing user avatarEddie Munster reply : 

Catt,

I've taken stuff to a notary several times (to one I know and a couple I don't) and they've notarized stuff where the document was supposed to be signed by the other party in their prescence but wasn't.

Notaries are humans and like most of us, are trusting and/or take the path of least resistance. I'm not saying the notary lied for Perry but rather that it's possible that the notary just 'rubber stamped' it. Not probable but possible.

Since it was the 30's it adds credence to both sides of the argument. Back then who really cared if some guy holds the record for this type of fish? People were worried about just surviving let alone whether this fish weighed 17 lbs or 22 lbs. On the other hand, since fishing wasn't so popular back then how many toads were caught that people didn't even think 'this could be a record fish!'.

One thing about Hannon; who can doubt the man has caught some HUGE fish and knows something on the subject of toads? He's done so much underwater study on them that you'd think by now he'd have video of numerous fish that would break the record. I don't think he's proceeding from a position of jealousy but merely stating through his experience the record fish coming from Georgia is most likely false.

The record fish is out there and will be taken from Cali. or Texas.

fishing user avatarmattm reply : 
  Quote
Posted by: shaner1988 Posted on: Today at 6:35am

Matt, I can show you a picture of my brother and say that he's not related to me, you don't know either of us so you would have no idea. So Perry family members saying its not him is not proof of anything. Especially taking into consideration the son's comment that the reason he knew its not his dad is his dad didn't smoke. Its possible he did as a young man and stopped, and the son never remembered it. If the son said he knew it wasn't his dad because it looks nothing like him or my dad was not that tall it would be a lot easier to take at face value. I could also show you two different pictures of the same person that look like completely different people, but they aren't. So that also proves nothing. Personally I believe it is Perry's fish and that is not Perry holding it, but I don't know. I wish there were some other photos of this Jack Page character. If a known picture of him looked more like that man than the known photos of Perry, that would be good enough for me to say its him and not Perry, but based on the evidence as I see it, there is still some very slight doubt in my mind. As others have said, this is all moot because 22-4 is the mark to beat and no amount of talk or speculation at this point will change that. I just think it is an interesting picture, especially considering the mystery behind it.  

Geez!  I can't believe you are standing behind this.  What the kid said was as soon as I saw the picture I knew it wasn't my dad b/c he didn't smoke.  I'm sure that he has a pretty good idea of what his dad looked like though.  If someone showed you a picture of your dad couldn't you say for a fact whether or not it was him?  This part of the argument has to be over.

  Quote
Posted by: Catt Posted on: Today at 4:37am

Of what benefit would it have been for the notary to lie?

The notary simply made a mistake in reading a ruler or weight scales?

The standards back then were loose? A pound was still a pound and an inch was still an inch.

mattm that's is the silliest argument ever

George L. "Dazy" Perry the son of the record holder flatly stated in the ESPN article When I saw the cigarette in the man's mouth, I knew it wasn't my dad because he didn't smoke," Perry said. "I believe the picture was taken by Aunt Mae (the former Lelia Mae Walden who married James Bowen Perry in the early 1930s, according to family records). I don't know who the little boy might be.

How much more proof do you need  

Catt,

I'm not saying the notary lied or had any motive to lie.  However, I don't find it impossible that the notary just took Perry's word for what the fish weighed and measured.  I grew up in a small town in TX, you know how us southerners think were all good, ol' country folks, where I don't think it would of been impossible for my dad to get something notarized on his word.  Especially if he had in his possesion a huge fish that was obviously bigger than anything the lady in the post office had ever seen.  In the 1920's I'm sure a female notary could of easily said huge fish big deal what do I need to notarize.  It not like she was notarizing where Perry was on the night of a murder.  Again not saying it happened but could of.

An inch is an inch and a pound a pound, but we as humans can make mistakes and scales can certainly be off.

Standards back then were certainly loose compared to todays standards.  To date we haven't even seen a picture of Mr. Perry with the fish.  I believe that right there would disqualify him today.  However, I'm the first to admit that none of that matters.  He did what was necessary then and the records is his today.  

Even though I have my doubts the picture goes a wrong way to proving the story in my mind.  The fish in the picture is certainly a monster.  As we all know you can look silly real fast by guessing weights from pictures, but that fish is big.  I'm getting a kick out of the guys saying 13lbs.  I can guarantee you if ya'll catch one that big and someone is saying its only 13 you are going to be ready to put your fighting boots on.

We'll never know for sure I guess.  I think I could write a very long paper that made a lot of sense for both sides of the argument.

fishing user avatarmattm reply : 
  Quote
The record fish is out there and will be taken from Cali. or Texas.

I sure hope it comes from TX, but I've never understood why everyone is so quick to throw us in the running.  We have never produced a bass over 18 1/4 lbs much less 19, 20, 21 or 22.  I live in the state and don't know of anyone that is out here fishing solely for a  world record.  I don't live in CA, but can think of 10 or so that do just off the top of my head.  I think we have the best big fish waters in the US, but I don't know about world record waters.  From what I understand of CA the lakes that are producing the 18+ pound fish don't turn out the numbes of trophy's like Fork, Falcon, Conroe, Amistad and Choke Canyon but produce monsters.  I think CA is the states only realistic shot.

fishing user avatarWRB reply : 
  Quote
Let's apply some forensics.

The best reference for the length of that fish is the kid standing obliquely next to it.

According to the Center for Disease Control - Anthropometric Reference Data For Children and Adults, the average height of a 5 year old is 44.5 inches.

I printed out the image and measured the height of the boy and the length of the fish. The fish is 71% of the height of the child. Assuming the child is of average height - 44.5 inches, the bass in the photo is about 31 inches long.

Hannon said in his diatribe that the first, nearly 21 lb bass, was 26 inches long. I suggest to you this bass is longer, and have no reason to disbelieve that it weight the claimed 22+ lbs.

I say this is Perry's bass, that Perry accurately stated the weight, and overstated the length.

Got a better method? Post it.

All you guys that catch big fish and hold them way out in front of you to make them look bigger have have done nothing but muck things up. ;D

For the sake of argument; keep in mind the boy is standing behind the bass, the man is holding the bass by the lower lip with all the weight of the fish. The bass's length could measured from the lower extended lip to the tip of the tail, longest measurement, or could be measured from the closed mouth to the fork in the tail, about a 3" to 4" difference. How a fish is measured is very important when trying to determine the bass's weight. Today we measure the fish in accordance to IGFA rules; mouth closed to fork in the tail.

The bottom line is; this picture isn't a picture of the Perry world record bass. The photo was taken in the early afternoon on a sunny day, the record was caught late during heavy rain, weighed and eaten, according to George Perry's account of his catch.

WRB

fishing user avatarsenile1 reply : 

Ah yes . . . another debate about George Perry's fish . . . I think we have a couple of these threads a year but this one is the best one yet.  Obviously, there is room for doubt, but some people would doubt the record no matter what Mr. Perry did to prove it at the time.  We have to accept that he met the standards for the time period and he holds the record.  (And it was definitely within the realm of possibility to catch a fish of that size, at that time, in Georgia, as Randall stated.)  For those who don't think a 22 lb'er could have been possible in Georgia, how many of us would have believed a 25 lb'er is possible in California if we had not seen Dottie?  (Or, as another poster mentioned, that a 15 lb northern strain largemouth would be possible in Massachusetts?)  Who knows what lurks in the depths of Cali's clear lakes . . . man-eating bass maybe?  Don't let your toddlers go near the water.  ;)

fishing user avatarWRB reply : 

If the Perry bass record was disallowed, for whatever reason, who's catch should replace it?

With all the talk about Dottie, she was never officially weighed and validated by California DFG. The next largest bass; 22.1 lbs, caught by Bob Crupi, doesn't qualify for the same reason. The California state record bass was caught by Mike Arujo, on a Renoski 8" swimbait, Lake Castaic, March 5th, 1991; 21 lbs 12 oz or 21.75 lbs. This bass was put on ice and offically weighed and examined by the DFG.

WRB

fishing user avatarSnowBass23 reply : 

Dead horse = beaten.

;)  I can imagine this thread closing down in 5, 4, 3, 2....

fishing user avatarROCbass reply : 

Mattm,

I have seen photos of my dad when he was younger from before I was born, and no, I did not recognize him at first. Perry Jr. saying it isn't his dad is very strong evidence against it being Perry. But it does not mean that there is no chance whatsoever in the world that it is not either. Is it good enough to reasonably assume it is not Perry? Absolutely. Enough to be 100% positive and state it as fact? No.  When scientists test a theory, all the evidence they gather can support the theory's validity, but it can't prove it. Evidence and proof are not the same thing, that is all I am saying.

fishing user avatarMarathon Man reply : 

Has anyone contacted Creek Chub regarding George Perry's letter to them regarding a photo and maybe getting  some baits in return. Did he send them a photo? What does Creek Chub say about this matter? In the letter Mr. Perry said the photo was of "himself with the fish". He did not say the photo was of another man, a kid, and the fish. Did Creek Chub ever receive the photo?  Is this a different photo than the one discovered in 2005?

I think if we all approached this more like  investigators, and kept the emotional level lower, that good detective work and some follow up might still shed some light on this occurrence.  Has anyone contacted Ray Scott regarding this story and the subsequent attempt to interview Mr. Perry. Who was the person doing the interview? Did that person actually attempt to get Mr. Perry to submit to a polygraph test? How accurate were polygraphs when this was done. Did Mr.Perry say why he would not take a polygraph? There are answers to all these questions, and there may be people still alive who can answer them factually. This would make a very interesting "myth buster" type  show.

But lets not do a Warren Commission report on George Perry's big bass. Lets find out what really happened.

This is a great forum.

fishing user avatarCatt reply : 

So what does that have to do with this discussion? During this era a man's word was a lot more honorable than that of a man of today, they were a poor people but they said what the meant and meant what they said. A man had the title of public notary it meant something and that something was they could be trusted to honor his word.

Think of the odds that a public notary and a postmaster both getting the measurements and weights wrong.

While it may be slightly possible for George Perry's son not to recognize a picture of his young father what are the odds his wife wouldn't recognize her husband?

Perry mentioned in his letters to Creek Chub the existence of a photo but Creek Chub never responded or did they ever publish a photo.

The theory of the bass being caught on a day when it was to raining for Perry to go to work but the photo is showing sunny skies; it is very common any where along the Gulf coast to have thunderstorms on minute and sun shine the next.  

fishing user avatarmattm reply : 
  Quote
The theory of the bass being caught on a day when it was to raining for Perry to go to work but the photo is showing sunny skies; it is very common any where along the Gulf coast to have thunderstorms on minute and sun shine the next.  

Agreed.  Most say though that his story said they left on an overcast day and didn't return until dark.  Still doesn't prove anything.  Once Perry decided to enter the contest he could of iced the fish until the next day.

  Quote
Think of the odds that a public notary and a postmaster both getting the measurements and weights wrong.
 

That would make it less likely, but still possible.  I was under the impression that the notary was the lady at the post office.  Is that not right?

fishing user avatarWRB reply : 
  Quote
So what does that have to do with this discussion? During this era a man's word was a lot more honorable than that of a man of today, they were a poor people but they said what the meant and meant what they said. A man had the title of public notary it meant something and that something was they could be trusted to honor his word.

Think of the odds that a public notary and a postmaster both getting the measurements and weights wrong.

While it may be slightly possible for George Perry's son not to recognize a picture of his young father what are the odds his wife wouldn't recognize her husband?

Perry mentioned in his letters to Creek Chub the existence of a photo but Creek Chub never responded or did they ever publish a photo.

The theory of the bass being caught on a day when it was to raining for Perry to go to work but the photo is showing sunny skies; it is very common any where along the Gulf coast to have thunderstorms on minute and sun shine the next.

Catt, as I recall the letter and a photo was sent to Field & Stream for Perry's entry in to their contest. I know from experience that sending entries and letters to various contest and lure makers was about the only avenue available to try to earn something from catching a big bass, even back in the 50's.

Field & Stream apparently did not have any pictures of the Perry catch when the IGFA asked for information for their records.

In regards to the rain, Perry didn't work his farm due to a storm, not just a passing rain shower.

Perry was into sending catches into fishing contest, that is why he had a witness and weighed the bass at a post office. If there was a picture, you can bet it would have been published, even back in 1932. The IGFA accepted the catch and that is all that matters. The Perry bass stands as the record, until someone catches a heavier bass.

WRB

fishing user avatarMaxximus Redneckus reply : 

Like i said before in another post how could the man know his 22-4 oz bass would cause such debate and ridicle,if he was lyin and others where involved why not say it was 25 lbs or even just plain 20 even  he would have never known a 22 lb bass record would be so hard to break 60 yrs later

fishing user avatarMattlures reply : 

shaner1988 are you for real? It is a fact that is not Perry, Period. It has been proven . you are the only person on the planit that would argue against this fact. Perry's famaily has confirmed its not him. Fact.

You can see from the pictures its a differnt man. Fact. Perry was only 20 when he caught his fish. its a different man.

Do you know why his son knew from the second he saw the cigarette? because George Perry watched his dad die from lung cancer from smoking and he cared for him as he died. He became the man of the house and took care of his family. He vowed never to smoke.

Your continued defence is absurd and rediculous. You sir are wrong. deal with it. It happens to all of us, myself included. However when somebody proves to me that 2+2=4 instead of 3 or 5 I admit I was wrong and move on.

And No I am definatley not having any anurisms. I am actualy enjoying this thread and I am not upset at all.

fishing user avatarROCbass reply : 
  Quote
shaner1988 are you for real? It is a fact that is not Perry, Period. It has been proven . you are the only person on the planit that would argue against this fact. Perry's famaily has confirmed its not him. Fact.

You can see from the pictures its a differnt man. Fact. Perry was only 20 when he caught his fish. its a different man.

Do you know why his son knew from the second he saw the cigarette? because George Perry watched his dad die from lung cancer from smoking and he cared for him as he died. He became the man of the house and took care of his family. He vowed never to smoke.

Your continued defence is absurd and rediculous. You sir are wrong. deal with it. It happens to all of us, myself included. However when somebody proves to me that 2+2=4 instead of 3 or 5 I admit I was wrong and move on.

And No I am definatley not having any anurisms. I am actualy enjoying this thread and I am not upset at all.

Matt, I agree that its not Perry in the photo, as all of the evidence suggests that its not. I'm just saying that stranger things could happen than that evidence being wrong. A prime example is the OJ Simpson trial. Most of the evidence said he did it, but it did not prove it in the eyes of the jury members. As far as Perry watching his father die of cancer and vowing never to smoke etc. If that is true that is the first time I have heard it, and it rules out the possibility that he quit and his son just never knew he smoked that I mentioned, which was basically me playing devil's advocate along with everything else I posted in support of the minuscule chance it could be Perry.

fishing user avatarMuad Dib reply : 

so georgia bass are part of the northern strain? maybe a hybrid? and maybe theres a chance some ny'er could catch a 22lber!!!!!!!!!. if i did  catch the wr id donate half of any money to bass resource.com :D ;D

fishing user avatarMicro reply : 

Here's the current US Post Office in Helena, GA.  Palms very similar to the ones in the photo do, indeed, exist very close to it.

helena_po.jpg

fishing user avatarMicro reply : 

There are more palms in the yard of the house next door.  They look much closer together and may be the ones in the picture.  Of course, its just a guess.  But they definately look like the same kinds of palms, only with much more mature.

fishing user avatarDalton Tam reply : 

If you read the story correctly he had to get the fish weighed at a post office and recorded before he could count the fish as the largest in the world. I do think that it is kinna prepostrous that he took the fish home a ate it but I do believe that the man caught the biggest fish in the world and I also beleive in the 25.1 that was foul hooked. If you read that story correctly the man dint bring it in to a post office bacause he did foul hook it. I seriously doubt a federal mail man or lady would lie for the man just to say he caught the biggest bass in the world. To say that there is one out there right now that could top that idk. All I can say is keep fishing and maybe we'll find out ;) ;D

fishing user avatarCaptain Obvious reply : 

I would bet the record will possible be broken in cal first

But I think in the end Texas will set the record that will last longer.

fishing user avatar1inStripes reply : 
  Quote
I do think that it is kinna prepostrous that he took the fish home a ate it but I do believe that the man caught the biggest fish in the world and I also beleive in the 25.1 that was foul hooked.

Gotta think man, this was 1932, not 2002.  There was a Great Depression going on and everyone done all they could to put food on the table.  I don't like eating bass too often, but if Im having a hard time putting food on the table, and I catch any fish, much less a 22lb bass that will feed a few stomachs, its gonna end up on the table.

fishing user avatarSimonSays reply : 
  Quote
  Quote
I do think that it is kinna prepostrous that he took the fish home a ate it but I do believe that the man caught the biggest fish in the world and I also beleive in the 25.1 that was foul hooked.

Gotta think man, this was 1932, not 2002. There was a Great Depression going on and everyone done all they could to put food on the table. I don't like eating bass too often, but if Im having a hard time putting food on the table, and I catch any fish, much less a 22lb bass that will feed a few stomachs, its gonna end up on the table.

Never thought of that, it's a good point, I would have eaten it too...come to mention it...looking at the times I might have to eat a world record too!

fishing user avatarbucketmouthmonsters reply : 

its a good question " DID HIS FISH REALLY WEIGH THAT MUCH??" noone will ever know the truth except perry himself.

with that said the pic doent really look like a 22lb bass but i have never seen one that big in person so who am i o judge.

one thing that could be possible is what if feild and stream set the bar that high and perry just so happened to be the lucky guy who got chosen to represent the world record bass?? it may have been a 13 lb, 15lb or even 22lb's i guess noone will ever really kno. but, it will be broken im sure. thats what records are for. " made to be broken"

fishing user avatarTin reply : 

1. It will never be known

2. Dottie is the world record imo

3. There won't be another

4. Micro should replace Laurence Fishburne on CSI....

fishing user avatarGeorge Welcome reply : 

It was a conspiracy I tell you: The postal employee reply when asked to lie: Yep, it's only during the depression and if I get caught I'm out of a job, but I am sure my family will agree with my decision..

The notaries reply: Yep, I'll do it. What's a little jail time if I get caught.

Field and Steams reply: well isn't this the most rediculous claim ever, but what the heck the readers are stupid, as are we, and it's only going to cause us a cheap rod and reel.

G. Perry's comments: well I know it's going to make me the laughing stock of the world on bass resource in 2009 but I can get this neato rod and reel. I am sure my family will think it's all worth it.

LMAO: knowing that FL strain bass do make it all the way to Georg1a and F1's can grow just as big as the Fl strain.

fishing user avatarCatt reply : 

Me like em George ;)

fishing user avatarMattlures reply : 

Actualy George, Field and stream did just that. they published several  world record, contest winning claims around  that same time. Then they had to go back and publish retractions because they were found to be frauds. So obviously people were trying to cheat to win that contes for a neato rod.

It is rediculous to say times were different back then and that somehow people were more honest. People have been corrupt since they were created. There have been dishonest cheets throughout recorded history. In that small town where everybody knew everybody and they were all friends, it would be easy to fabricate the story. Just look at all the stupid world records that people do now just to be in a book. Like who can stick the most cloths pins on their faces.

There is motive and the means for Perry to have faked the record.

Remember he only had 1 lure between himself and Page so a brand new rod and reel to poor farmboy would be a huge prize.

Now dont get me wrong I am in no way what so ever saying they lied or faked the record. all I am saying is it could have easily been done. And it had been atempted by several other would be record breakers, contest winners.

I have done a lot of research on this subject and at one time I was 95% sure Perry was a cheat and a liar. Now I would say I am about 60% thinking he caught the record. The biggest change in my opinion is that picture. It might not even be Perry's fish it could just be a floater that some guy found and took a pic with his son. But for me that picture refutes 2 of the bigest arguments against Perry's fish. #1 was the measurements. They never stacked up comparred to documented 20lbers but when I look at that fish it looks different then our Cali bass. The measurements become possible.

#2 is that GA has never produced another big bass even close to the record. Well to me that fish looks 20+lbs so it has produced at least 1 fish that big.

As for the fish being northern strain, well FL is right next to GA so the fish very easily could have been a pure FL strain or a n F1 just like George Welcome said.

fishing user avatarWRB reply : 

I can't tell you how manny times I have flip flopped on the Perry bass over the years. 60-40 might be a good number for most trophy bass fishermen who have acttually caught giant bass.

The bass in the photo looks like it's about 18+ to my educated estimates. 5 lbs heavier, serious doubts. I can have a 5 year old stand behind one of my mounts, but what would that prove? Big bass and small boy, the bass would look a lot bigger then the one we have been debating.

The thing to keep in perspective is George Perry didn't enter his catch back in 1932 as a potential world record, it didn't exist for nearly 20 year after he caught his bass. Perry entered a Field & Stream contest for a prize and hopefully some free tackle. I did the same thing back in the 50's, it was the only game in town. Did he exaggerate the weight with the help of his friends, who will ever know.

The northern bass verses PURE Florida strain bass is also a mute topic, as Florida and Georgia are connected physically. It's no stretch of the imagination to have FLMB near the border of Georgia; F1, F2...F10, pure Florida that some other fishermen brought up and plated, it's still a FLMB, not a PURE northern LMB. If the 22 1/4 lb bass was a NLMB, George cheated, take your pick.

WRB

fishing user avatarDawsonH reply : 

That kid is not standing behind the fish in that picture. He is beside it.

fishing user avatarWRB reply : 
  Quote
That kid is not standing behind the fish in that picture. He is beside it.

Look a little closer; his right hip is actually behind the bass and arms reaching forward and holding onto the mouth.

WRB

fishing user avatarbass wrangler569 reply : 

George Perry's mark is the record whether it is factual or not and there is no point in arguing over something we'll never know. I personally am skeptical about the record but the fact is that Perry's fish is the mark to beat whether or not it should be and no amount of debating is going to change that

;)

fishing user avatargrimlin reply : 

I actually feel bad for Perry now because of this thread.

I'm also confidence somebody is going to beat it.May take another 10-20 years to do it.

I just hope it ain't me...i couldn't take this kind of criticism that Perry's been taking all these years.

fishing user avatarCatt reply : 

The Catt's opinion

I believe 100% George Perry's bass was 22 lbs 4 ounces

I believe 100% you can not tell the weight of a bass by a photo

I believe 100% the photo is not of the world record bass

I believe 100% Weakley's 25.01 is the new world record

I believe 100% all the rest is just interesting information ;)  

fishing user avatarMatt Fly reply : 

I don't know if its true or not, but its the mark to beat as the records shows.  Why debate it any further?   All the CSI technology available hasn't over ruled it yet.

Mac's bass is living proof that bigger bass exist.    But not the record.

Cali laws states all fish must be hooked in the mouth, IGFA states all state laws must be observed.   Cali law makes it moot point in the first place.      

    Fish of a lifetime, I'm truly sorry he fouled hooked that fish behind the dorsal.      I'd love to see Dottie as our record.    A fish that massive deserves to be more than a memory.     Dottie might have been the next record to stand for 100 years.

fishing user avatar32251 reply : 
  Quote
The Catt's opinion

I believe 100% Weakley's 25.01 is the new world record

How can you believe this when it is in clear violation of the rules as to how the fish has to be hooked??

fishing user avatarDalton Tam reply : 

Gotta think man, this was 1932, not 2002. There was a Great Depression going on and everyone done all they could to put food on the table. I don't like eating bass too often, but if Im having a hard time putting food on the table, and I catch any fish, much less a 22lb bass that will feed a few stomachs, its gonna end up on the table.

fishing user avatarrboat reply : 

George Perry caught a really big bass. Was it 22-4? maybe, maybe not. He did what he needed to. It was weighed, notarized, and fed to a needy family.

The photo part is puzzling. Not many cameras around rural Georgia in 1932. Film and processing costs also involved. If you were going to take a photo, would you not want the picture to be of the angler and his catch? Not just some unknown guy and a kid?

Was the fish 100% LMB or a cross hybrid lookalike?

Many questions, however, it is the record until broken, believe it or not.

fishing user avatarKYntucky Warmouth reply : 

As far as I am concerned, the world record bass died last year and she will not be beat for some time to come.

fishing user avatarCatt reply : 
  Quote
  Quote
The Catt's opinion

I believe 100% Weakley's 25.01 is the new world record

How can you believe this when it is in clear violation of the rules as to how the fish has to be hooked??

In order to be the best you must beat the best & 25.01 trumps 22.25

Was it caught by legal means under State laws no but all I need to see certified are the scales used to weigh the fish.

All the rest is interesting information ;)

fishing user avatarLimpinglogan reply : 

Am I the only one who thinks the fish in the picture could easily be a 22lb fish? I think it looks huge!

fishing user avatarCaptain Obvious reply : 

I have one?????

Why would Perry lie about the weight??

I mean he was fishing to put food on the table, I'm sure he didn't know what the world record bass weighed before he caught his.

I mean he wasn't like " Hmmmm.... let me go check on the Internet (which hadn't been invented yet) and see what the world record LMB is..... I see 18lb....then lets call this one 22-4 take a picture than eat it so nobody can find out "

the fact that the picture is taken with an unknown kid is a point in his favor, it shows that he didn't really care what the fish weighed, If he did he would have had a picture of him and the fish

I'm not saying that the scale he measured the fish on was correct, but the man told the honest truth about what he thought the fished weighed

And the record stands 22-4, that's the number to beat.

fishing user avatarRandySBreth reply : 

Maybe Hannon is just grumpy because it wasn't caught on this thing....         http://www.naturalmotionlures.com/index.php

;D

fishing user avatarEddie Munster reply : 

Dottie WAS the New World Record that didn't get caught BY THE RULES. I watched the special on t.v. with the guys who kept trying to catch Dottie after they caught her the first time. He said something along the lines of 'I couldn't tell for sure that she went after it (the bait) so I just set the hook' thus resulting in the foul hook.

Sightfishing, blindly setting the hook doesn't give him the record IMO. I give him props for telling the truth but he didn't earn the record.

Despite all the drama, Perry has the record. Period.

fishing user avatarWRB reply : 
  Quote
Dottie WAS the New World Record that didn't get caught BY THE RULES. I watched the special on t.v. with the guys who kept trying to catch Dottie after they caught her the first time. He said something along the lines of 'I couldn't tell for sure that she went after it (the bait) so I just set the hook' thus resulting in the foul hook.

Sightfishing, blindly setting the hook doesn't give him the record IMO. I give him props for telling the truth but he didn't earn the record.

Despite all the drama, Perry has the record. Period.

Don't give too much credit, the observers standing on the nearby dock blew the whistle on him and that was why the bass was immediately released...before being officially weighed. The heaviest weight is commonly reported as 25.1, however that was on the fishermen's digital hand held scale*, on the dock scale the was 21.8 lbs, so there are several issues with Dotties weight also.

* The scale tested accurate weeks later, however the fish was never examined for added weight. It's very important to follow all the rules to establish a new world record. You got to wonder why the immediate release if everything was right. The scene had to be a circus and it's a shame how that catch played out.

WRB

fishing user avataretommy28 reply : 

eddie im not 100% sure on this but I think in cali itdoes not matter weather site fishing or not the fish must be hooked in the mouth if not it does not count and must be released.

Maybe some one from cali can give some insite on this.

fishing user avatarWRB reply : 
  Quote
eddie im not 100% sure on this but I think in cali itdoes not matter weather site fishing or not the fish must be hooked in the mouth if not it does not count and must be released.

Maybe some one from cali can give some insite on this.

Snagging any fresh water fish outside the mouth is illegal in CA.

The law was intended to prevent fishermen form snagging salmon when migrating up rivers and streams, however applies to all game fish.

WRB

fishing user avatarAverageJoeBass reply : 
  Quote
I have one?????

Why would Perry lie about the weight??

I mean he was fishing to put food on the table, I'm sure he didn't know what the world record bass weighed before he caught his.

I mean he wasn't like " Hmmmm.... let me go check on the Internet (which hadn't been invented yet) and see what the world record LMB is..... I see 18lb....then lets call this one 22-4 take a picture than eat it so nobody can find out "

the fact that the picture is taken with an unknown kid is a point in his favor, it shows that he didn't really care what the fish weighed, If he did he would have had a picture of him and the fish

I'm not saying that the scale he measured the fish on was correct, but the man told the honest truth about what he thought the fished weighed

And the record stands 22-4, that's the number to beat.

I agree 100%.

fishing user avatarEddie Munster reply : 
  Quote
eddie im not 100% sure on this but I think in cali itdoes not matter weather site fishing or not the fish must be hooked in the mouth if not it does not count and must be released.

Maybe some one from cali can give some insite on this.

Just to be clear, I'm not against Sight fishing. I was just pointing out that the guy decided to set the hook without feeling or seeing the fish bite. Sounds kind of deliberate now after what WRB said about those guys.

fishing user avatarCaptain Obvious reply : 

OK the time has come for me to do what I do best.....Stating the obvious.

Here it goes......

No matter what we say or do, nobody can prove that Perry's fish did or didn't weigh 22-4 pounds.

All we have to go on is that Perry said that he weighed the fish and it weighed 22-4 pounds. Therefore, until we can prove without a doubt that the fish didn't weigh 22-4, we must believe what Perry said the weight was.

The record is 22-4 pounds that's all there is to it.

Now I know some people have said how Weakley's, 25-1 pound bass is the world record. If we had let it slide that the fish was foul hooked and given him the world record; then we can put our selves on the same shelf as the MLB, who closed it's eyes when somebody broke a record while breaking a rule. Then saying "Hey people want to see a record broken....so let's all pretend that everything is alright and let it slide"

Sorry, that isn't right! A record that is broken by cheating is a record that still hasn't been broken!

I'm not saying that Weakley cheated, but a rule was broken when that fish was caught. That means that the fish can not  be applied for the world record. It's just a hard cold fact. If you want to win, you have to play by the rules.

If anyone of us goes out tomorrow and catches a bass weighing 24-3 pounds would we say "I'd like to apply this fish for the second biggest caught even though the record is 22-4 there was a fish that weighed 25-1 so that really is the biggest"

NO!!!! You had better believe that you would be applying that fish for the world record because you know that 22-4 pounds is the real, long standing record that has never legally been beaten!

OK I'm done :)

Capt.O

fishing user avatarnickb reply : 

From everything that I have read, I believe that Perry's fish was, in fact, 22-4.  There is just too much evidence that is stacked in his favor.  I'm not going to regurgitate what everyone else has said on this thread, but I just wanted to give my input.

fishing user avatarElGuapo reply : 

I respect everything that Doug Hannon says regarding big bass and am disappointed to read his thoughts on this. I wonder what he thinks about the Fritz Friebel bass. (I believe thats his name). 19 or 20 pounds with pics and cut open to prove it wasn't weighted.

If the next record comes from CA the fisherman can expect a lifetime of grief, especially from Floridians. Man made lake with FL strain bass stocked with 6 inch trout year after year. Pretty safe to say that if Perry's fish was living off of a smorgasboard of dumb farm raised trout it would have been even bigger than 22-4. Seems less legit than a Florida farm pond bass to me.

Hey, why don't we start stocking Farm 13 with thousands of zoo-born duck billed platypus' every year!

fishing user avatarchristopherjake reply : 

Holy cow!  That thing is a MONSTER!!!  One of these days, one of these days...

perrybassphoto2_001.jpg

fishing user avatarThe_Natural reply : 

The only thing I can add to this thread is the fact that the fish in the pic could have weighed 22#'s easy. It's huge...and way far from the camera. You have the kid for comparison. I'd have guessed it at 3ft. Regardless if that fish is Perry's or not in the pic; it's world record worthy. California anglers may be looking at the fish's gut; the bass in Georgia aren't fed snicker bars.

fishing user avatarflechero reply : 
  Quote
Perfect!

You knocked this old thread off page 1

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1240098315

::)

That's odd, it's at the top of page 1 on my computer. ::)

fishing user avatarroadwarrior reply : 

We have a new tool and can combine threads.

One of the other guys must have combined Muddy's

with this one. I was just kidding anyhow...Seems like

the topic pops up every now and again...

::)

fishing user avatarbackpain... reply : 

Good thread!

I believe the Perry story. I also think the Next record will pop up in the next few years in Texas or Mexico.

fishing user avatarmidnighthrasher reply : 

Those monsters could eat my personal best 4.2lb largemouth!!!

fishing user avatarNBR reply : 

If I recall correctly the weight was on a certified scale(a grocery store if my memory hasn't slipped with most every thing else), witnessed by a Georgia game warden during the open season and entered into Field and Stream magazines annual contest. At the time Field and Stream was the most credible source of fish weights. Despite the doubting Thomas' and  other naysayers George Perry's large mouth bass stands as the worlds record.

So live with it or catch and document a larger one!

fishing user avatarbigfish88 reply : 

they have the world record bass mount at my bass pro in GA, where it was caught, thing is a PIG!!

fishing user avatarHAMMER23 reply : 

IT'S in the books , chisled in stone, and that will last for at least one more day if not a thousand others, and that's all that matters !!

fishing user avatarZ06-VETTE reply : 

I signed up because of this thread.The facts are 22 1/4 are the #'s to beat.You can cuss & fuss all day long and you wont get in the Record book.I love the fact that everybody is like its gonna be form cali/tex/Fla.The truth of it is,Not 1 person on this board knows when and where. No one can ever know whats at the bottom of any lake/pond.Thats the fun of the whole thing.

fishing user avatarZ06-VETTE reply : 

Yes some states have longer feeding seasons,witch inturn leads to larger fish.But like I posted. If you think about all the Lakes/ponds/rivers/pits/ across the world.Its just crazy to think that just 3 states in the US are gonna be, the be all end all. Just think of the ponds that you don't know that exist. I just found a Monster of a pound that no one's fished in 20yrs or more.This thing is huge!!!! Gonna guess close to 7 achers.I use Google earth to look for ponds.

fishing user avatarMuddy reply : 

I am glad you took the time to sign up and straighten us all out  ::)

fishing user avatarmattm reply : 

Which state is this pond in?

fishing user avatarEddie Munster reply : 

Whoa; someone caught a 22 lber? When the heck did this happen?!!!!

fishing user avatarBigBrotherThunda reply : 

Well, to stray off the perry topic a little bit. I am an avid scuba diver, and have done quite a bit of deep water diving with the rescue squad on several lakes in AL which is not known to have monster LMB's like FL, CA, and TX. The size of some of the LMB's that i have seen in DEEP water 50+ feet shocked me. I never thought i would have seen fish i beleive to have weighed 13-16lb's in large groups. I firnly believe that in the more fertile waters of CA,FL, and TX there are records to be had.

fishing user avatarZ06-VETTE reply : 
  Quote
Which state is this pond in?

In my op I made a typo.Not 70achers but 7.Tryin to type quick.And the pond is in NC

fishing user avatarMuddy reply : 
  Quote
  Quote
Which state is this pond in?

In my op I made a typo.Not 70achers but 7.Tryin to type quick.And the pond is in NC

WHERE THE $#&@! IS IRENE???????

fishing user avatarGatorbassman reply : 

She's at my house tonight.


9898

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