(Editor's note: Ed Zieralski of the San Diego Union-Tribune broke this story earlier this morning. Currently, his story includes the only published photo of the fish. To see it, click here.)
Numerous sources reported the catch of a potential world-record largemouth bass this morning at California's Lake Dixon. Angler Mac Weakley – one of three friends who record-hunt together in San Diego-area lakes – was credited with the catch.
Caught on a white jig and weighed on a handheld scale, the fish was reported to weigh 25-01, which would far eclipse the current 22-04 all-tackle world record set in 1932 by George Perry. Weakley then released the fish because it was foul-hooked in the dorsal fin.
It's believed the fish is the same specimen caught twice by big-bass hunter Mike Long (at 18 pounds and 20 pounds), and by Weakley's friend Jed Dickerson in 2003 (21-11).
That's what's known. But as the day progressed, other issues came to light.
An anonymous but trusted source told BassFan that the fish was spotted yesterday on a bed, and two young anglers were unsuccessful in catching it. The same source indicated that Weakley asked the young duo to leave the fish, but the offer was refused.
Access to the lake is controlled, and this morning – the height of the spawning season in gin-clear Dixon – a long line of anglers waited at first light to launch. The source indicated that Weakley launched before the lineup and said he had a camping permit, which does ensure first access.
Then, again according to the source, Weakley reached the fish first and hooked her. Anglers watching from the dock saw the fish surface, with a white jig hooked in its dorsal fin. Weakley brought the fish to the dock, at which point the foul-hook was questioned.
The source said Weakley and his friends then conferred and took their boat out in the lake to speak further, after which they returned to the dock and decided to release the fish.
It's unlikely the fish will be granted world-record status by the International Game Fish Association, since anglers must obey local regulations to qualify for a record with the organization. Additionally, the fish was not weighed on a certified scale, which is present at Dixon, nor were measurements taken – both of which are also strong requirements for record status.
California does prohibit the possession of a foul-hooked fish. The California regulations define angling as: "To take fish by hook and line with the line held in the hand, or with the line attached to a pole or rod held in the hand or closely attended in such manner that the fish voluntarily takes the bait or lure in its mouth."
The regulations also state that, "All fish may be taken only by angling..."
It's unclear right now whether Weakley will pursue world-record status for the fish, but BassFan will continue to report.
> Weakley was a subject in the book Sowbelly: The Obsessive Quest for the World Record Largemouth Bass, by Monte Burke (scroll down this page for more about Sowbelly).
