Was Giant Japanese Bass Caught Off Limits?

July 31, 2009

By Lance Madden

We knew it was going to take quite a long time to verify whether Manabu Kurita had indeed landed the world record bass at the beginning of this month, but questions keep coming up, each one making it harder for Kurita to take sole possession of the record.

First was the fuzzy rule about the weight: 22 pounds, 5 ounces. Technically, it weighed more than the world record of 22 pounds, 4 ounces. By IGFA rules, however, any fish under 25 pounds that is a contender for world-record status must top the current world record by two ounces.

Now there’s a question about where the fish was caught. It may have been hooked in an area closed to fishing. The area is being investigated by the IGFA. If Kurita did get his monster bass in an off-limits area, George W. Perry’s world record from 1932 will continue to stand alone. --Lance Madden

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from blake425 wrote 2 years 42 weeks ago

I would like to see the world record to come from America.

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from 2Poppa wrote 2 years 42 weeks ago

This is like the Olympics of Bass Fishin'!

This is bad news for Deps Tackle Co. and good news for the rest of the Bass lovin' fishin'anglers in America!

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from Walt Smith wrote 2 years 42 weeks ago

Rules are Rules. Remember foul hooked Dottie!! HA! HA!! Better luck next time Manabu!

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from Koldkut wrote 2 years 42 weeks ago

I remember a flytalk blog post talking about fishing out of bounds, or trespassing.......maybe it applies here, an ethical dilema.

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from MLH wrote 2 years 42 weeks ago

When Roger Maris bested Babe Ruth's home run record people just had a hard time accepting it and Maris seemed forgotten by many while Ruth's legacy endured. Will it be the same with Perry's bass?

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from dwaynez wrote 2 years 42 weeks ago

The rules are there for a reason, you have to meet follow the rules to the letter to qualify for a record.

Too many if's associated with this so-called record.

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from ggmack wrote 2 years 42 weeks ago

if you fish by the rules and regulation all the time you will never run into trouble. to many people break the rules " just once' and the find themselves in an ethical dilema.

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from vtbluegrass wrote 2 years 42 weeks ago

How hard are rule to follow anyhow?. Hooking inside the mouth, from an area where it is legal to fish, and don't let anyone else touch the rod and reel while you are fightin the fish. And kill the dang thing if you think its a record. A largemouth bass that size and that old is damn near dead. If it does live it will most likely start to lose weight just like really old people.

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from Koldkut wrote 2 years 42 weeks ago

Seems that the majority of you want to keep the record in America......so what if an American were to go over there and catch a record? And it would seem as if "Americans" are the only ones who know how to bass fish......

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from FloridaHunter1226 wrote 2 years 42 weeks ago

I hope it falls through because I much rather see the record in America where bass are not considered junk fish.

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from bravesfand wrote 2 years 42 weeks ago

we need to keep the world record in america!!

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from Dan the Man wrote 2 years 38 weeks ago

We don't need no foreigner takin this record! Keep it in America baby!

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from Dan the Man wrote 2 years 38 weeks ago

Like what utbluegrass said, if you think its a world record, kill it and put it on ice. Don't worry about what those catch and release junkies think about it. When you have a chance at greatness, seize the opportunity. We have dominion over all animals.

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from delawarebass wrote 2 years 22 weeks ago

Man There is so much more to this than you guys understand. If you really want to be informed and quit making racist statements based on misinformation just visit http://delawaretrophybass.com the full and real story is there.

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from delawarebass wrote 2 years 22 weeks ago

The rest of the story

By James Hall

Editor, Bassmaster Magazine

Manabu Kurita told me the truth today about how, when and where hecaught the pending world record bass. Every detail. How do I know it’sthe truth? I know because Mr. Kurita doesn’t care if his fish iscertified as a world record or not.

Manabu Kurita fishes in the area where he caught the 22-5 largemouth.

Shy and unassuming, the 33-year-old Kasugai native became hooked on bass fishing 18 years ago.

“I saw a photo of a largemouth bass in a magazine and I was very impressed with how it looked. So, I tried fishing for bass and I became passionate about catching them,” Kurita explained.

Kurita’s passion takes him to the lake more than 150 times a year. According to his estimations — and those close to him consider the estimates conservative — Kurita annually catches more than 100 bass greater than 8 pounds.

On July 2, 2009, he landed his biggest fish ever (although not thebiggest he has hooked). The 22-pound, 5-ounce behemoth ate a live sunfish he had rigged on a 5/0 Fina Power Finesse bait hook.

“I had noticed this big fish swimming around the bridge piling, andI was pretty sure she would eat a bluegill. So, about 11:30 a.m., I went to the bridge piling and cast the bait to the north side. I twitched it a couple of times and the big bass ate it. It was my first cast,” Kurita explained.

Kurita showed me the exact spot on the bridge, made the exact cast and explained how surprised he was once he landed the fish.

“I knew it was big, but I did not think it was that big,” he admitted.

Using the same techniques as when he caught the potential worldrecord, Kurita landed this 8 1/2-pounder while showing the area to Bassmaster Magazine editor James Hall.

The IGFA has not yet certified Kurita’s catch as a world record because of a rule that states a record fish cannot come from a sanctuary or no-fishing zone. The remaining question has been about whether the three marked bridge pilings where he was rumored to have caught the fish are no-fishing zones, and, if they are, was Kurita actually fishing near these three pilings? (The other bridge pilings are not marked, so fishing, anchoring and tying to them is totally legal.)

When I asked Kurita to take me to the exact spot where he caught the bass. He did not hesitate. We drove directly to one of the three marked pilings, confirming the rumors that he caught the fish in an area that was marked: “Do not stop.” He could just as easily have taken me to another bridge support, one that would have completely negated the naysayers.

His honesty was refreshing. His motives seemed pure.

However, this supported those who questioned the legality of hiscatch. Does the “Do not stop” sign suggest, and thereby give authorities, the ability to ticket anglers fishing the marked pilings?

This determination is left to the local police and, ultimately, theJapanese Game Fish Association and the International Game Fish Association.

After my meeting with Kurita, I met with Yoichiro Oguri, president and owner of Popeye, a very popular tackle store chain (Japan’s version of Bass Pro Shops). Mr. Oguri is a very well-connected and respected icon in the Japanese fishing industry. During our conversation, I asked if he had a contact within the JGFA, and, if so, could he find out the status of the Kurita world record application.

Mr. Oguri contacted JGFA and found out the delay was because of the fact that they were unsure of the local laws surrounding Biwa’sno-fishing zones. Mr. Oguri then contacted the Shiga-Ken Police Department (enforcers of Lake Biwa laws). He asked them if fishing was allowed near the three marked bridge pilings. The answer was “yes.” It is illegal to anchor or tie to the bridge pilings, but fishing next to or around them is completely legal.

Kurita broke no laws in the catching of the 22-5.

Mr. Oguri then contacted the chairman of the JGFA and informed him of his findings.

Moments later, the JGFA gave Kurita’s catch the thumbs up and sent a letter of support to the IGFA. As of this writing, the IGFA has not yet commented on the status of the record. However, it seems all concerns about the legality of this catch have been answered. It is likely Mr.Kurita’s bass will be recognized as the biggest largemouth ever caught.

And if for some reason the IGFA still does not recognize Kurita’s accomplishment?

“That’s OK,” Kurita replied with a shy grin. “I think I might be able to catch a bigger one next year.”

You can talk with Manabu Kurita LIVE in the forums here
http://delawaretrophybass.com

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from delawarebass wrote 2 years 22 weeks ago

Interview with Japan's Top Trophy Bass Hunter:

Kurita Question #1: How long have you been fishing for trophy bass? How did you get started?

Kurita: This is my 8th year targeting monster bass. It started when I caught a 64cm (25.2") bass, which was great, however the bass swimming next to my bass (64cm) was much larger than mine and it was a thrill to see that bigger one. Since then I have always wanted to catch just trophy bass.

Question #2: Please tell us a brief "fishing bio" about yourself (200 words or less) such as: how many days do you fish, if you are pro tournament angler, if you are in the fishing tackle business, if you are sponsored by companies in the fishing tackle business, if you are a fishing guide, if you have written or been written about in trophy bass articles/books, on fishing TV shows or videos - none of those things are necessary, but just establishes who you are with the unfamiliar reader. Basically, please share 200 words or less "fishing bio" about yourself.

Kurita: I am a product field tester for Roman Made (www.roman-made.jp) which makes handcrafted lures and Fina (Hayabusa) a Japanese hook company. I do not compete in tournaments. I am just an avid angler who goes fishing on average 150 times a year.

Question #3: How many trophy bass have you caught (definition/size of a "trophy" is whatever you prefer)? What is the size of your biggest trophy bass?

Kurita: On April 6, 2008 I caught a 70cm, 8480g (27.56", 18.7 lbs.) with a giant swimbait called “Mother” by Roman Made. It is the 3rd largest bass on record in Japan. Kurita's 70cm, 8480g (27.56", 18.7 lbs.) bass is now 3rd largest in Japan. On July 2 of this year (2009), I caught the 73.5cm, 10.12kg (28.94", 22.31 lbs.) monster bass which is pending world record review on a live bluegill. These are my two largest that went over the 70cm mark, They are 1st and 3rd largest on record in Japan. .

Question #4: What rod and reel combos do you use most often for trophy bass hunting? What line and pound test do you use most often (mono, fluoro, braid) for trophy bass hunting? We are not asking so much about brands and models, but about general features of the rods, reels, lines you most often use for trophy bass hunting. Also, we are not asking about every rod, reel, line you use - that can be many different outfits. We wish to give the reader (who may be unfamiliar with trophy bass hunting in Japan) a general feel for what you most often would prefer to use in terms of rod, reel, line - understanding it is not the only outfit you use - but the one you would prefer to use, or tend to use most often.

Kurita: For the most part I use a long rod. Typically 7’ – 8’ and one that has a fast taper and is rated heavy action. I use a high gear reel that is heavy duty. I use fluorocarbon line rated 20-30lb.

Question #5: What are your top three techniques for catching giant bass?

Kurita: Burning a big bait Jerking a monster lure, 30cm (12") 10 oz Stitching a big worm

Question #6: What are your top three lures for attracting trophies?

Kurita: Big swimbaits Monster baits. 30cm (12") or over Big worm, or rubber jig

Question #7. What is the best time of the year for trophies in Japan?

Kurita: Based on my experience, my opinion is every month besides August and September. August is the hottest month in Japan and September is still hot but air temps begin to cool off. Still the water temperature has risen so high and that makes the grass so thick.

Question #8. What role do electronics play for you when hunting for trophy bass?

Kurita: I do have my boat equipped with electronics but I only use them when I want to see the water temperature, depth, or structure which is not that often.

Question #9. Once you are on the water, how do you divide your fishing day trying to locate trophy bass?

Kurita: I start out by throwing the Giant Bait and check to see if there are followers or not. I also just like to use my senses and search for places I have a good hunch about. It then depends upon that day's reaction from the fish whether I continue to use lures or I switch to live bait.

Question #10. What is the main trophy bass forage in Japan's lakes?

Kurita: The main bait found in Lake Biwa are bluegill, hasu and funa. However bass will change what they feed on depending upon the season and the prevalence of bait.

Question #11. Do you do any night fishing for trophy bass?

Kurita: I used to fish at night but not now. At night, I usually caught bass between 30cm - 60cm (12-24 inches). So now I try to fish from morning to afternoon to catch bigger size bass

Question #12: Do you feel there is a particular time of day or night when it is best to catch trophy bass?

Kurita: I prefer fishing between 10am and 4pm.

Question #13: What do you feel that trophy bass do different, that ordinary size bass do not do?

Kurita: Bass that are locked down to one spot grow quicker and larger than the bass that are always swimming around from place to place.

Question #14: What do you do different when hunting trophy bass, that you do not do when fishing for ordinary size bass?

Kurita: For me its all about mindset. I have to be committed and remain stubborn to only fish for giant bass of the hugest proportions. To succeed, it's imperative to stay loyal to your goals. It's all about mindset concludes Kurita, to be committed and stubborn to fish only for true giants.

Tons more articles, tips and videos on this at http://delawaretrophybass.com

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