Rockbass record...state shutdown

[reinhard1]

why am i not surprised that MPR did not even research this claim of this guy. smoking and eating this bass will be his dream come true. good luck.

[LightningBG]

What a widget!!!!!!!!

Cant say I've heard that in a while. Very nice.

[matthothand]

MPR should've been shut down with the rest of the non-essential state funded entities. Not a credible news source. Let the linked article above be the closing argument for that case.

[T-water]

Wow! I didn't realize that this post would get so many people angry at MPR. First off I'm glad when anybody reports on the outdoors (even if they don't get it perfect). Yeah I'm a liberal guy and I like MPR probably second to KFAN. Anyway I think it should be cleared up that MPR receives very little money from the state. I'd love to hear them talk more about fishing maybe get some guides or whoever to do a regular segment. All that said I also recognize that sometimes MPR does come on a bit strong and certainly sets themselves up for a good roasting from time to time.

Hope to hear about the conclusion of this story. The whitetail deer pic cracked me up!

[SpitnArgueDuckClub*]

I don't get why there are posters that have to make fun of the guy in the story. So what if it is a smallmouth, I am sure it isn't the first time someone misidentified a fish and it won't be the last either. I would love to see this fish be a rockbass. Now that would be too funny.

[pushbutton]

Wow! I didn't realize that this post would get so many people angry at MPR.

Good take! Like 4,5,9,11 always put out quality, well researched stories and articles I watch Fox, MSNBC, BBC, listen to MPR, Rush, Coast to Coast... to say that one media outlet is all knowing and good, while the other is wrong and bad is ridiculous. There is truth and garbage within them all....

[Grum]

Was that from April first this year or last?

[LightningBG]

I don't get why there are posters that have to make fun of the guy in the story. So what if it is a smallmouth, I am sure it isn't the first time someone misidentified a fish and it won't be the last either. I would love to see this fish be a rockbass. Now that would be too funny.

He is still defending the claim.

"Nah, it is. When we pulled it out, it has the spines like a rock bass as well as the bright red eyes. Once the state opens up, I'll get it certified.

Posted by Travis | July 8, 2011 3:54 PM "

It doesn't seem to me that the state is really needed to positively identify the species. Many guides should be able to make a pretty positive ID. Or he could send some decent pictures to a fish biologist at a University. Or ask the WI DNR what they think it is.

I have the email for a fish biologist at the U of MN. If I had a decent picture, I'd send it to him.

[LightningBG]

Was that from April first this year or last?

For a minute I was like, where did you come up with April? This is July.

But I can be a little slow (foolish) sometimes.

[curtistodd]

Us Barnesville, MN people really know how to fish!

[RebelSS]

Cant say I've heard that in a while. Very nice. (LightningBG)

I was gonna say "Ultra-maroon".....

[TurnUpTheFishing]

Ive been catching a lot of rock and smallmouth bass lately and Im leaning towards rock bass. It does have more of a smallie's body shape but the mouth is too small to be a largemouth and doesnt seem to be in proportion for a smallmouth bass either.

[reinhard1]

i have cought rock bass all my life but never one like this. this is a smallmouth bass in my opinion. i think this guy will figure it out and end up having a meal. good luck.

[CAMAN]

He is still defending the claim.

"Nah, it is. When we pulled it out, it has the spines like a rock bass as well as the bright red eyes. Once the state opens up, I'll get it certified.

Posted by Travis | July 8, 2011 3:54 PM "

Smallmouth get red eyes also, and they also have spines along their back(it's called a dorsal fin).....

[pulleye16]

I very well could be a rock bass. It has the eyes, mouth, color, spots along the top that could possible prove it is, however...a tell-tale sign of a rock bass typically are the spinny fins on the bottom and I can't make them out in the pic...but it's hard to make anything out from those pics.

If on mythbusters, I'd have to go "Plausable"

[TurnUpTheFishing]

I agree, the pics are horrible but it does appear to have the coloring of a rock bass, too.

Its sad how some people here ridicule this guy based on a few awful pics and little internet article. Because no one here has ever been wrong before, right?

Ill wait for better pics or to hear from an expert before Ill pass judgement.

[theharvester]

SMALLMOUTH !! theres no rock bass that long u clowns lol

[spivak]

Seems like the point of the article was that because there is a state shutdown this guy can't find out if he has a state record rock bass or not (or if it even is a rock bass). Quote from the articles author in response to others questioning if this is a rock bass:

Thanks for all the comments! Indeed, that's precisely why Renecker is anxious to get his fish checked out. While he thinks he's got a rock bass, he wants an expert to weigh in - but there's no one at DNR to do that.

Posted by Catharine Richert | July 8, 2011 3:57 PM

[CAMAN]

Seems like the point of the article was that because there is a state shutdown this guy can't find out if he has a state record rock bass or not (or if it even is a rock bass). Quote from the articles author in response to others questioning if this is a rock bass:

Thanks for all the comments! Indeed, that's precisely why Renecker is anxious to get his fish checked out. While he thinks he's got a rock bass, he wants an expert to weigh in - but there's no one at DNR to do that.

Posted by Catharine Richert | July 8, 2011 3:57 PM

Aren't CO's authorized to make that decision and weigh potential record fish? Last I checked they're still on the job!

[ANYFISH2]

While I do not think it is a rockbass, I am not going to call him out. But if he wants someone from the DNR to way in on it then he should find a DNR biologist and have him look at it. Just because they are laid off does not mean they no longer can ID it for him(most would be more than willing to do so for a "Record" fish or just to be helpfull). It sure seems it would help him avoid the ridicule.

19" and 4#'s, sounds like smallmouth numbers to me. Compared to 12.6" and 2# state record rockbass.

[knoppers]

you don't need the DNR to weigh or identify that fish, it just needs a certified scale and witnesses for the final weigh in, which most bait shops have.

like said, I think it has more to do with the state shutdown, than someone trying to weigh in a record.

is there a hybrid bass???

[Mid-Lake Rock]

Minus the MPR talk, this gets my vote for THREAD OF THE YEAR. Try to keep the discussion based on the fish, birds, etc. This might rival the box fan.

[chris63]

It is hard to id a fish from pictures alone.Both these photos are very poor.Until the jaw and the dorsal fin count is verified we'll have to go with speculation.It ain't over till the fat bass lady sings!c63

[chris63]

Another thing about Rock Bass is their ability to change their appearance in different environments.They do look a lot different in stained rivers then they do in clear,clean rocky up north bodies of water.Some people have called this species the chameleon of the fish world.c63

[grizrunner]

you don't need the DNR to weigh or identify that fish, it just needs a certified scale and witnesses for the final weigh in, which most bait shops have.

like said, I think it has more to do with the state shutdown, than someone trying to weigh in a record.

is there a hybrid bass???

well is there??? If so, he's found it.