A post on the freshwater board got me to thinking about a few things.
The post is about a disqualified AZ state record Largemouth Bass. So here's a few questions for everyone.
1. If you caught a potential record (and wanted to release it) what would you do and why?
2. Assuming I don't have a cell phone (since I think I know what John L's answer to #1 will be) what can I do?
3. What would be the best way to cash in on something like this?
4. What equipment manufacturers, etc., offer rewards, monetary or otherwise for record fish caught using their products/services? Also along these lines, which of these products would you/do you use?

Tight lines,
Wade

Lastly, so nobody thinks I'm just a greedy lowlife fishing for only a record fish with a paycheck attached, I should point out that I still haven't broken into the double digits on bass in 25+ years of fishing and I still love catching anything with fins.

Well I'll admit I'm a greedy lowlife fishing for a record bass... haha.

1. Weigh it on your digital scale to verify that it is indeed close to a record (we'll say lake record). Stick it in the livewell as fast as you can and make sure it's ok. If it's not doing too good you might want to take a picture, get a witness and let it go right there, assuming there's another boat nearby to help you out. If it's chillin in the livewell, take it to the marina and weigh it on the certified scale. Take pictures, get witnesses and put it back in the water.

2. Get a cell phone

3. If it's just a lake record I doubt any company will really care. If it's a world record or a state record though, you might be able to get a little attention. I've heard the world record bass could be worth as much as $11 million in sponsorships, rewards, etc. If you caught a bass of over 20lbs you could probably send resumes to quite a few companies and hear back from most of them regarding sponsorship. Especially if you caught the fish on their bait or rod or whatever.

4. see http://www.recordbass.com

In response to the "get a cell phone"...

Make sure that you don't have a nextel. So far I have about zero coverage with Nextel on just about any lake that I fish. Calero, Coyote, Delta, Berressa, Clear Lake, Orroville, etc.

I guess it would make sense to leave your boat in the water and send someone else for help.

Vince
vince@theblankslate.com

If your cell phone works at your body of water, you're still way to close to civilization ;-) God I love fishing Santa Margarita. Then again , one might argue that by living in SLO, I'm not anywhere near civilization at home -- that's a good thing.