With it’s catch criteria met, Manabu Kurita’s July 2, 2009 catch of 22 pounds, 4.97 ounces, was acknowledged this morning as the co-world record by the International Game Fish Association. To no-one’s surprise, and given the coverage afforded to the Lake Biwa fish by Bassmaster Magazine, when we knew the press conference was to be shown live on bassmaster.com, it was pretty much assured the catch was going to be allowed.
However, because IGFA only recognizes new records for fish in this size range if they exceed the standing mark by 2 ounces or more, there exists a tie in the record books, despite the fact Kurita’s fish is heavier than the long-standing George Perry mark (22-4).
Time will tell if bass anglers generally accept the tie, or whether they eventually lean to the logic of the heavier bass. Clearly, the interest in the Japanese record and the IGFA process has been lukewarm here in the West.
If nothing else, however, it means setting a new world record will not take anymore extraordinary effort than it has for the past 77 years. And big bass season is just beginning….
4 Responses to “IGFA says Kurita bass ties world record”
I’ve been waiting for two hours for you to write something on this George! What took you so long? 
As for the record tie, I am a little disappointed. I think that the IGFA, although they have their rules and inferred that there could have been legal issues, they should recognize Manabu’s fish as the record. But, as with all things of this sort, at least it was recognized as a tie.
I have been following big fish since the Zimmerlee fish in 1972 and have kept records of big fish since the Easley fish in 81. It’s good to see the record broken (tied) finally and legitimately by someone of the caliber of Manabu. My hat is off to him and the JGFA and even the IGFA. Plus now we know for certain what the actual weight of the record fish is.
Now we (I say “we” collectively) can move forward and try again for the record, which, as you said, isn’t too far off what it was yesterday.
Terry
PS: Talked with Mike today and he’s got a fish spotted that’s WR class.
HEY EVERYBODY: Terry Battisti says Mike Long has spotted another world record bass in San Diego County…! Let’s all help him sneak up on it. 
LOL George. Heck, he posted it on Facebook…..
Good report George. Manbu is asleep now but he wants to thank everybody who supported him and says that he will catch one bigger this year in the spring and if it is the one he hooked last year, it will weigh in the neighborhood of 28 pounds.