There is enough information coming out now that casts doubt on the method and motivations surrounding this catch, and it does take away from the purity of the pursuit of the world record.

Undoubtedly a fantastic fish, a miracle of genetics, environment and survival, and in my mind definately the biggest bass caught.

However, there are things involved that taint this and give it the feel of Barry Bonds chasing Ruth and Aaron. We will all admit that this fish was landed, but, they already know that there are vital elements of the submission for world record consideration that are missing. No measurements and not on Dixon's certified scale, besides the fish would have to be turned over for examination. Never mind the fact that it was foul hooked; the other items will probably not be overlooked.

We have all watched as several people that post here and other sites pursue giant fish for the purity of the pursuit. And while I would not have a problem with the person who caught it benefitting financially from their conquest; these three appear to mainly be in this for the financial reason. After reading Sowbelly, I got that impression, and now that we find out that their attorney was present or consulted, and they tried to pay off the Barnett kid to allow them to approach the fish, it seems more so now. I may be wrong about that, but it certainly feels that way.

Duclos seems to be at his craft for the pure pursuit of giant fish, and Mike Long, while commercially benefitting from his exploits, seems to be truly and passionately inlove with his quarry. I have heard from someone who knows him, that he keeps scale samples and detailed records of every fish over 10 pounds he has caught, for learning purposes. I believe Belloni truly enjoys the pursuit for the passion of it, and many others, he wouldn't have posted what he did above if he didn't care about the purity of this record.

This is an amazing set of occurrences, and while the fish to me is legitimatley the biggest bass ever caught, too much turmoil surrounds it, and a wise man would proceed with caution.

Dan O'Sullivan