This just went down a couple of hours ago, so I wanted my buddy Rob's bass site to be the first to have it.

Certified weight: 10.12 kg. = 22 lb. 5 oz
Length: 29.4 inches
Location caught: Lake Biwa, Japan

This was just on the TV news about an hour ago, so this is all the info I have. Mr. Okamura, the president of Deps Tackle Co., helped with the interview; I did not catch the anglers name.

We are well past the spawning season when most of the giants are caught at Lake Biwa; most of the fish now are quiet slender (after spawn condition). Not this one!




Congrats to the angler on a fine catch.

Lake Biwa shocked the bass world a couple years ago by producing a bass that was well over 18 pounds (The Japan record was caught at Lake Ikehara, and weighted over 19 pounds.).


A 25 1/2 lb. bass was caught as by catch in a fisherman's net earlier this year, so many thought it would be just a matter of time before a record size fish was taken from Japan's largest (over 70 miles long) natural lake.


http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files/7628-WR2.jpg


http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files/7629-WR1.jpg


http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files/7630-WR3.jpg
:-)

http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files/7631-WR_5.jpg


http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files/7632-WR_4.jpg

"Known as the person who introduced swimbait fishing to Japan"

Attachment #1, (.jpg file)
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10.12 kilograms = 22 pounds 4.972495 ounces

Rounding up is fine, but not for the record books. Unless we had a weight of Perry's fish at the same precision, nobody will ever know if this new one is actually larger or not.

Could you imagine if you were this dude who just caught a 22-5? I can understand the IGFA rules about having to beat the record by some reasonable amount but dang!!

If this fish is all legit (which feels like to me) I'd sure be inclined to say this guy should have his name listed first for the record.

Regarding the fish getting caught in Japan - it doesn't bother me at all. Seems no different than it being caught in California. In both cases the bass were transplanted. Maybe some day the record will come out of China, who knows. I saw some nice looking bass water there last summer.

In any case I can't wait to hear more about the story of the catch.

Yeah I have to agree with you swimbait. hey Lake, nate here, I have to say that the fact that the fish was caught in japan doesn't bother me, in fact heres one way to look at it: The japanese fishing industry has helped our tournament fishing in a lot of ways. techniques in japan have made their way out west and so have some very high quality products and bait detail second to none which have greatly helped our circuits and shaped very well rounded anglers. NOT TRYING TO ARGUE, just my two cents, and figure if the next record isnt in the us, might as well have it be japan, and not some random country which hasnt "pitched in" to make us better fisherman. i mean gary yamamoto, the senko, lucky craft? thanks japan.
nate
p.s. john dont u love spots?

Can't wait to find out what's in her! Must have just swallowed a duck and all it's chicks!

Must have been the hair!

That's amazing...

Yer just being patriotic, bro. Nothing wrong with that! :7

so your the one who changed forum names. lol..yah spots are my friend. NOT.

Come fish the FED on July 26 Nate. Its going to be sic. If youw ant to talk about it in more detail email or call me so we dont hijack thr thread. I dont want to get yelled at again for doing so lol

According to this website, a Roman Made swimbait was used.

http://www.bigindianabass.com/big_indiana_bass/

It looks like that 70cm fatty that was caught earlier this year in Japan also fell to a Roman Made swimbait.

http://lurecult.wordpress.com/2009/03/23/fabricacion-en-roman-made/

Some of the pictures of the big bass were posted on the Roman Made site, but its not clear if they are implying that the bait was caught on that lure, or if they are just posting the pictures.

The text on the site you just linked came from Tackletour this morning.

In any case, somebody find out what this momma bass was caught on, inquiring minds are dying to know :)

If anyone knows Matt Paino ... (hint hint) ... it is now 8am Friday morning in Japan

http://www.bassfan.com/docktalk.asp?id=6479#6479