It was a sunny morning on the water when Alex Rudd headed out in search of a great day of bass fishing. Fairly quickly in the morning, Rudd hooked into an 18-inch spotted bass.
“We’re gonna have to call somebody. I think I just caught the state record,” said Rudd. “Did you bring a scale?” He asked his friend.
They did not have a scale, but luckily, a man on the river bank nearby offered to let Rudd use his scale. Rudd’s bass came out to about six pounds, falling short of the state record by about a pound. While the bass was not a state record, it was a personal best for Rudd. The average maximum length for spotted bass is around 18 inches, and the average weight around three to five pounds.
“One of the most amazing fish I’ve ever had the pleasure of catching,” Rudd shared before releasing the bass.
What to do when you think you’ve caught a record bass?
If you are lucky enough to find yourself in a position where you believe you’ve caught a record-breaking fish, you’ll need to weigh the fish on a scale certified in your state. Generally, you can find a certified scale at a bait shop, hardware store, or marina near you.
Before you continue, be sure to compare the weight of your fish to the existing record that you’re looking to break. Depending on state regulations, you may need an observer to witness.
If the weight of the fish you’ve caught is greater than the record, it’s time to document your fish.
You’ll likely need photos of your fish and to document the catch; often both length and girth measurements are required, as well as photos from multiple angles. Exact requirements will vary from record to record. For example, a world record fish may require unique and additional documentation compared to a state record fish.
From here, contact your local Department of Natural Resources (DNR) office to get the fish identified, and fill out a record application, which you can find at your state’s DNR website.
Alex Rudd Fishing holds a potentially record bass to the camera. Feature Image: Alex Rudd Fishing | YouTube
Regarding “record bass”, did you know the IGFA world record Largemouth bass, caught on a metal jig, was 17.1 lbs? It was caught by Robert Crupi on December 28, 1990. The name of the metal jig was a 3/4 oz Crippled Herring, now marked by Rapala under the Luhr Jensen name.