Above: Photo of a potential new catch-and-release record striped bass, shared by Captain Clinton Lessard of Sho Nuff Fishing.
With a headline that stopped many striper fishermen in their tracks, the Virginian-Pilot reported yesterday of a “world record striped bass caught and released off Cape Charles.” The striper, however, is not in the size class of the current 81.88-pound IGFA world record striped bass caught in Connecticut in 2012. Instead, the 48-inch striped bass caught and released by West Virginia angler Alex Foster, while certainly a big striper, nabbed the IGFA’s All-Tackle Length Release Category, a category created in 2011 that hasn’t received the same attention as their weight-based record categories.
Foster’s 48-inch striped bass is expected to replace the current C+R record of 46 inches, caught off NJ by Captain Frank Crescitelli. The 48-inch mark is certainly vulnerable, as we have multiple striped bass over 50 inches caught and released in our Striper Cup tournament every year. The next record holder could be you, if you’re willing to take the time to meet the IGFA’s requirements, purchase their $49 ruler, and pay the associated fees.
Or, you could go after the bluefish record of 34 inches, currently held by “The Chicken Man” Wade Boggs. Then you’d be able to say that you beat Boggs.
Great Catch!! Buy that ruler!!!
While that is an impressive fish hopefully it survived the release. Large fish don’t handle release well. A fish that big, which was fought for that long, hoisted far up out of the water for a picture all add up to a sketchy release.
Anytime I see the front spikey dorsal fin laying down in a striper hero photo I gotta think that fish has lost the fight instinct and on its way to being comatose. I’m not saying it can’t be revived but I think it’s a sign that fish has been out of the water longer than necessary.
Beautiful fish! Congratulations!
you kitten me w this IGFA crap?
YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THAT MY 105 POUND STRIPER I CAUGHT LAST WEEK IN CHARESTON BREACHWAY WILL NOT BE GOOD FOR A WORLDS RECORD ??? I LET IT GO, BUT I SAVED MY LURE THANK GOD FOR BANJO MINNOW LURES.
No you didn’t. That beats the actual world record by over 20 pounds lol. Everyone around the world would simultaneously shit bricks.
Sounds like sour grapes. He took a picture and released the fish give the guy a break. What are you PETA.
Too bad caught in VA? Nice state other than black face Gov. and anti constitutional agenda
That’s a real nice fish for sure, and likely there was better data gathered to make the claim of new record, but in this photo the fish is pushed close to camera, based on size of the lucky fishermen’s head vs. hands
Whos underware was Boggs wearing?
Now That’s A Striper.!!!! Dam Right We Love Fishing.!!!
Dam.!!!
Nice fatty, but really? “World Record”? Maybe we should send the angler another WWW belt for this accomplishment. Also please send me a belt while you’re at it for the 8-inch cunner I released in Dennis this summer. Oh never mind, I forgot to measure it with the $39 ruler required to record it
I stopped taking bass out of the water about six years years ago after a 40+ didn’t survive. It’s a beautiful fish but handling them is often a death sentence and these cows are the future of the species.
Whats funny is that if only the picture was posted and nothing about a record, everyone would be saying “Nice Fish!”
If you want an out of water pic I believe it can be done without harm by holding the fish in the water until your camera is ready, lift them out supporting their weight evenly, snap you pic quick and return them to swim away. A bass in particular will bite down on your thumb when she’s ready and tail slap water in your face. Man I am already itching for spring!!!
congrats..nice fish..all u cry baby save a fish types ..dont hold dont take pictures dont take them out of the water…try not fishing for them if your that worried..u make no sense all the dont do but you still throw lead at them…give it a rest …let the guy enjoy his catch beautiful fish and he let if go …kudos to him
Excellent job!
I revived a bluefish once. It took me 20 minutes. I didn’t give up, she swam away as strong as ever. I’ll never forget that moment. I felt her fighting strength as she whipped her tail before her descent into the abyss.
More fish die from “catch and release” than are caught.
There are ways to make fish mortality from catch & almost mute. 1) Get a lanyard and a boga like grip. 2) Catch fish, attach boga let chill in water. 3) Get camera and floating tape ready.
4) Hold fish up for no more then 30s and measure when back in water. 5) Revive fish if not already and let go
Simple and it works.
Baloney. I’ve caught many striper over 40 pounds and about 5 over 50 in my 60+ years of fishing for them, fresh and salt water. All over America from cape cod to Sacramento river delta and every river and lake in beyween and never had one not swim away . They are hardy fish. Never kept one, never had one die. Almost all survive