Here's a pic of the new Japanese record largemouth. The pic is from Lure News Magazine in Japan. The fish weighed 19.4lbs and is the largest bass caught so far this year in the world. Just goes to show that not all the big ones are in California :) I don't know much of the other details on the catch, but it sure is a big one!

http://www.calfishing.com/images/rob/19-4_japan.jpg

They seem to have a similar technique for hiding their fishing spots, har :P

Domo arigato, Mr. Swimbaito! (a little 80's music flashback from the Styx) That fish is huge... very cool. Thanks for sharing with us.

Vince Borrego
vince@theblankslate.com

Oh man, I hope that fish didn't turn into a sh%$load of sashimi. They have a government imposed catch-and-kill policy in Japan now to rid themselves of the chub-gulping bass. I hope it at least ended up alive in someone's aquarium or pond. Any news on which bait it was caught on?

I got the impression that the guy who caught it definitely knew what he was doing and was fishing seriously for bass. That's about all I know other than that. There will probably be more info about the catch from US magazines in a bit.

Maybe Capt. G will read this and give us a little info? Maybe...what do you say Capt. G? You out there?

There's a serious movement in Japan right now to stop the catch and kill policy. It looks like that Bass might still have a chance. The economy has taken a huge hit and everything boils down to $. Even when I graced the pages of CalFishing in my underwear and a sporty life jacket, what Chris didn't reveal was that I was being payed to do that. I can be rented out for 50th wedding anniversaries, birthdays, Bass-A-Thons, even baptisms. $ is the name of the game and time is awastin'

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Since there seems to be a lot of interest in this fish, I will give you all the straight dope. I sent the pic to my buddy Rob, which came from Lure News, Japan, a publication I frequently write for and appear in. The pic is snipped not to hide the spot it was caught, but rather to fit my scanner (it is a scanned image, almost 3 megs). I have other photos, but do not have the rights to use them yet, so you will have to wait for the USA version that will come out soon.
The details, straight from the trophy hunter who caught the fish, MR. Shimada:
Fish: Largemouth Black Bass Florida Hybrid, 8,620 grams, 19.4 pounds
Location: Ikehara Dam, Bingo Arm (there are four major arms)
Rod: 7.4 ft. Evergreen
Reel: Shimano Antares
Line: 25 pound
Rig: heavy down shot rig (4/0 hook, 3/4 oz. sinker)
Lure: Optimum 4 inch
This was a sight fish. Mr. Shimada also caught several more fish over 10 pounds the same week, all sight fishing.
Notes: Ikehara has been kicking out quality fish recently, and my customer, Mr. Nakumura, also a trophy hunter, caught the # 2 Japan fish exactly one week after the 19.4 pound monster. His fish was certified at 16.54 pounds. Way to go, guys.
These guys belong to a loose trophy hunting club called "Marukin". They sight fish, and catch dozens of double 'Ds' and teeners every year. They do not pitch on any site fish unless it is over 10 pounds. Serious to the max. All fish, including the Japan record 19.4 were successfully released. I do not want to get into politics, but the Japanese gov. did not impose a 'catch and kill' policy. There are some lakes, less than .01 % (a tenth of one percent) that have some limited restictions. Maybe I will address this topic in some of my seminars in the future in the USA, as there seems to be a lot of interest/concern/mis-information.
Sorry for the crappy English, I am used to writing and speaking in Japanese. Guess this boy from Cali has been in the land of the rising sun too long (going on 14 years).
Capt. G, doin it G-Style

bamf

Capt. G., thank you! Very impressive catch. I don't think the thought of drop shotting anything that heavy ever crossed my mind. (And I'm sure I won't be trying anytime soon)

Those guys are true sportsmen; glad to hear they released those big dogs so they have a chance to be caught again!

capt. g do you guys sell you baits to the u.s.a.?
like all your big trout plugs?
thank you