If waiting on a world record announcement rings your bell, then that’s what you’re probably going to get Friday–bells and whistles. That’s because the International Game Fish Association will hold a live press conference at 10:30 a.m. our time, to finally let us know its ruling on the Manabu Kurita catch.
Of course, using IGFA’s own rules, the announcement can only mean one of two things: either it’s a tie with George Perry’s 1932 catch, or it’s a no-count. That hardly seems enough sizzle for a press conference, but what the hey?
Of course, bassmaster.com is in on the deal and they will be airing the “event.” Since the once-proud bass fishing organization went over the ESPN-zone, they’ve had little fresh stuff to talk about. I can’t imagine how they’ll spin this particular announcement.
Anyway, a post on delawaretrophybass.com carried the B.A.S.S. statement, which said in part: “On Friday, Jan. 8, 2010, at 1:30 p.m. ET, the International Game Fish Association will announce its decision regarding the world record application of Japan’s Manabu Kurita.”
It was not clear if Kurita would be present for the press conference. It has been more than six months since the fish, weighing 22 pounds, 4.97 ounces was caught in Japan.
The IGFA has NEVER made an announcement live with a press conference so I think it is safe to assume, that they would not hold a conference to publicly humiliate him, so it is a new or tie record however you like to call it, but anywhere in the world when you catch even 1/100 of an ounce more in weight in any tournament it is a win. That is how most reasonable people see it including Bassmaster which is why they list in at the top above Perry as 1A on their top 25 bass of all time list.