Here’s a news flash! Waiting for the International Game Fish Association to rule on the potential Japanese world record bass is like waiting for your next birthday. You know it’s coming, but you don’t know if you’re going to live that long. But here’s what just came by email: “No decision yet on possible record bass caught in Japan.”
Specifically, their latest release states: “The IGFA is still waiting additional information before making a decision for world record recognition on a 22 lb 4 oz largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), caught by Manabu Kurita, 32, of Aichi, Japan, from that country’s largest lake July 2.
“IGFA conservation director Jason Schratwieser said the World All-Tackle application is still under review after it was received in mid-September through the Japan Game Fish Association (JGFA).”
Schratwieser added, “We’ve been corresponding with the angler via our sister organization, the JGFA.”
Previously, IGFA had announced it had received Kurita’s application and required materials in September, and the record keeper was supposed to render a decision in “the next three or four weeks” from that date.
Not so.
4 Responses to “Thanks, IGFA: ‘No decision’ on World Record”
I’m totally agree, they’re jerks. They have everything they want to validate the fish. I don’t care anymore about what they say, the fish was here, whatever they do. We all know who have the actual largemouth world record, this guy is a great guy and he comes from japan 
What do these guys use for communication? Feathered pens, inkwells and parchment tied to a carrier pigeon’s leg? The IGFA is proving that the world has passed it by. In my opinion, the two-ounce margin requirement over the current record is ridiculous. Always has been. If it’s been weighed on a certified scale, the weight is the weight.
The IGFA never takes a stand on anything, including all of the dubious record submissions in the past that effectively dulled our senses and made this apparent record a ho-hum affair.
George Perry’s record has always been the least documented of all the big fish and, if not for the efforts of certain writers, would have been questioned before now and perhaps disallowed. It was always a nice thing to have that brass ring, but credible … no way.
And, while I’m on a roll, no one wants to bring up the race card. Would the IGFA have dawdled this long if an American had submitted the record? Perhaps. I’m guessing more of us would have been demanding an answer. I’m guilty as well, but not because it’s a Japanese catch. It’s because I simply don’t care anymore. Thanks IGFA and all those criminals down in San Diego … you screwed up a cool deal.
Well, I too am a bit disappointed in IGFA’s inability to make a decision but (the proverbial but) I do understand their cautiousness with the ordeal. It states specifically in their rules that any record under 25 pounds must eclipse the old record by 2 ounces. That rule was in place way before this fish was caught and for them to “change the game” right now, they better have all their “i”s dotted and “t”s crossed.
This is the most coveted record in the world. Mr. Kurita’s fish is bigger than the benchmark but it doesn’t meet the specifications as per IGFA. I am hopefull that the IGFA is taking this time to do everything right so they can award Mr. Kurita with the world record. I don’t tink they’re jerks and I don’t think they are sitting on their butts at all.
I wouldn’t doubt if they have lawyers involved with this decision. What are the ramifications to the IGFA if they allow this as the record when, in times past, they didn’t allow a record fish due to the 2-ounce rule? I personally don’t know if this has happened but with small fish it would surprise me if it hasn’t.
Hang on people and let the IGFA figure this out. I, just like you, want to see the outcome. But I don’t want it to be shrouded in confusion or anything else.
Mr. Kurita, I hope the record is yours.
Terry Battisti
LOL Manabu took a lie detector 3 days ago with them and it was fine. They are jerks in my opinion. Even Bassmaster is saying it is a world record above George Perry along with other SERIOUS trophy hunters. Everything is in order and they still drag their butt.