New co-world record largemouth recognized by IGFA

[blackdog1101]

Saw this in the Star Tribune:

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New co-world record 22-4 largemouth bass recognized by IGFA

The International Game Fish Association today rocked the bass fishing world by announcing a new world record — or co-world record — caught by Manabu Kurita of Japan. The fish ties the all-tackle record for largemouth bass held for 77 years by George Perry of Georgia.

The announcement came after six months of deliberation by the IGFA.

Here's the press release isued today by the IGFA in Florida:

Today the IGFA approved Manabu Kurita’s application for the fish caught from Japan’s largest lake on July 2, 2009. The 70-year old non-profit fisheries conservation, education and record-keeping body, received Kurita’s application and documentation on Sept. 19, 2009. The largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), was caught from Lake Biwa which is an ancient reservoir northeast of Kyoto.

Kurita, 32, of Aichi, Japan, was fishing Biwa that July day using a Deps Sidewinder rod and a Shimano Antares DC7LV reel loaded with 25 lb Toray line when he pitched his bait, a live bluegill, next to a bridge piling. It was Kurita’s first cast to the piling where he had seen a big bass swimming. He only twitched the bait a couple of times before he got bit. After a short, three minute fight he had the fish in the boat.

MORE....

[bassmann77]

Wow what a fish. Reading the entire article and the process the IGFA went through to make sure the fish was legit should be commended. Having caught a few muskie in the 20# range was fun, but a bass that big makes one wonder what fight that would bring

[TonkaBass]

I'm sure that lake wont see increases pressure or anything...

[TR21HP]

You can't get much more pressure than it already has? Bass fishing in Japan is crazy and really expensive. They charge exhorbitant access fees and their marina is on land with boats stacked on top of each other in racks - just crazy.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

Their is an article in the current bassmaster that talks about bass fishing in Japan and has a interview with the new record holder. Pretty interesting if someone wants to read more.

[TonkaBass]

Yeah i saw that. I liked the part about his lucky rod!

[Cecil]

I liked the part about his $350 lure!!! Also, I saw where he said he has seen many bass bigger than that one in that area. Ummm...Japan anyone?