David Swendseid, an Oregon resident who held that state's smallmouth bass record for a short time in the late 1990s, has been selected to handle the bidding for the mount of Manabu Kurita's world-record-tying largemouth caught last year. Swendseid (pictured with the 7-06 bronzeback he pulled from Haag Lake) has worked in the fishing industry at several levels and is currently a product manager for Jackall.
Swendseid will entertain offers from around the globe, but it's his hope that the mount of the 22-pound, 4.9-ounce lunker that the American Sportfishing Association deemed a tie with George Perry's 78-year-old mark will end up on this side of the Pacific.
"My preference is to see the world record make its final resting place in the U.S.," he said. "It's America's No. 1 sport fish. We gifted the largemouth to Japan, and a matured return would be an honor."
He's never met Kurita – they linked up through a mutual friend who also fishes Lake Biwa (where the monster was caught).
"I'm honored that Manabu asked me to take on such a privilege. The intrinsic value that this record will bring the purchaser is humbling."
He emphasized that all legitimate offers will be considered and that no minimum price for the mount has been set. To contact him, call (971) 506-1359 or send an email to dside7@yahoo.com.
