SHAKING UP THE RECORD BOOK

A rule change recently implemented by the Florida- based International Game Fish Association regarding how the organization will now interpret and classify world record largemouth bass is getting the attention of anglers around the globe, especially those intrigued by the big ones.

The change has also got plenty of anglers scratching their heads in confusion. Leaders with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Inland Fisheries Division say they are trying to figure a way to cope.

The new rule divides northern largemouth bass and Florida largemouth bass into separate all-tackle world record categories instead of one, which has existed for decades.

The rule also calls for mandatory genetics testing as support for any new All-Tackle record submissions for either species. However, genetics testing will not be required for eligibility for line class, tippet class, junior and length records.

Additionally, the IGFA made adjustments to spotted bass and Alabama bass records to reflect accurate species identification between the two.

IGFA calls itself the leading authority on angling pursuits and the keeper of the most current world record catches in dozens of categories for fresh and saltwater. The organization officially announced the aforementioned changes in a June press release. The report indicates the updates to bass record categories are “based on the latest scientific findings.”

“These changes, rooted in comprehensive research and conservation efforts, underscore the IGFA’s commitment to maintaining accurate and current records for game fish species, ensuring a thriving future for the sport,” the report says.

The research findings are highlighted in a scientific article recently published in the American Fisheries Society Journal. Co-authored by IGFA staff and biologist Dr. Andrew Taylor of the University of North Georgia, the article is titled “Updating Angling Records to Advance Sport Fish Conservation: A Case Study of IGFA’s Black Bass World Records.”

The IGFA report says “the groundbreaking study reviewed the current science related to black bass genetics to update IGFA record keeping for this important species group.” Among other things, the study determined that Florida bass and largemouth bass have distinct identities, and that genetics testing is only way to accurately tell the difference between the two.

Texas angler lands Florida world record

Texas angler Kyle Hall is the first angler to take advantage of the open window of opportunity created by the rule change.

Hall, a pro angler from Granbury, caught a 15-pound, 13-ounce bass in March 2024 while fishing at Lake O.H. Ivie near San Angelo. Hall loaned the fish to the Toyota Share-Lunker program run by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Subsequent genetics testing performed by TPWD confirmed the big bass as a pure Florida.

In April, Hall submitted all the necessary paperwork, including genetics testing results, to the IGFA for certification as the first ever Florida bass world record. The IGFA approved the application on July 1, according to Zach Bellapigna, IGFA’s Angler Recognition Manager.

Current largemouth record remains

Interestingly, the IGFA report says the existing all-tackle northern largemouth world record shared by the late George Perry and Manubu Kurita will remain unchanged.

Perry caught his 22-pounds 4-ounce fish in 1932 from Montgomery Lake in Georgia. Kurita’s 22-pound, 4.97-ounce fish was caught in 2009 at Lake Biwa in Japan.

Though Kurita’s bass was nearly an ounce heavier than Perry’s, it wasn’t enough to claim the record. IGFA says a world record fish weighing under 25 pounds must beat the existing record by at least two ounces to win the title outright — thus the tie. That in itself seems like a silly rule. Lucrative bass tournaments and horse races have been won by smaller margins.

Though neither bass was genetically tested, it seems much more logical to assume both fish were carrying a high percentage of Florida DNA than not. Northern largemouth bass rarely grow beyond 10 pounds. Florida bass are genetically programmed to grow much larger, as are hybrid crosses between the two species.

Some are saying the IGFA’s decision is backwards from what it should have been. The ruling pretty much guarantees the northern largemouth world record record will never be broken.

Bellapigna says the main reason the Perry/Kurita northern largemouth world record will remain unchanged is because neither fish was genetically tested.

“It’s the only solution we could find on our side that is fair to everyone,” Bellapigna said. “Without any definitive proof, we can’t change any of our current records.”

Bellapigna says he has heard from numerous anglers who don’t approve of the idea of placing Florida bass and northern largemouths in separate all-tackle world record categories, but maintains the stance that it is IGFA’s policy to follow the best possible science with its record keeping.

“If the scientific community tells us that they are separate species of fish, then we need to acknowledge it with our records,” he said. “We’ve always done things that way, whether it’s fresh or saltwater.”

Hall’s Bass Not the Biggest

It’s worth noting that Hall’s world record Florida bass currently ranks No. 37 among Texas Top 50 biggest bass of all-time list maintained by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Angler Recognition Program. It seems strange that the IGFA is calling it the all-tackle world record.

TPWD geneticist Dijar Lutz-Carrillo says 215 Toyota ShareLunker entries have been identified as pure Florida bass, most since 2004. Five pure Floridas have been documented in Texas that were larger than Hall’s fish. The biggest is 16.89 pounder caught at Lake Fork in 1993. The two most recent Floridas include a 16.40 pounder caught in 2021 at Lake O.H. Ivie by Joe McCay and a 16.00 pounder caught in 2022 at Eagle Mountain Lake by Robert Bandy.

Bellapigna said anyone of those fish would top Hall’s as the world record Florida, if the angler went to the trouble to submit an application to IGFA, along with the proper documentation. The same could be said for any pure Floridas caught and documented through genetics testing in other states.

“Even as we sit here today, these anglers could submit an application for these fish as they are larger than the current approved record and there is no time limit to submit and all-tackle world record claim,” Bellapigna said.

Bellapigna added there are several factors involved in the world record application process. The angler would need the original tackle, including the hook, leader and line sample to submit along with their application.

“They would also have had to of been adhering to IGFA International Angling Rules when they made the catch,” he said. “We often see similar situations where state records exceed the current world record in weight, but either an application form was not submitted or the angler who landed the fish was not fishing IGFA legal at the time of the catch.”

Texas Records: Where From Here

Obviously, one of big questions that stems from all of this is what will become of Texas’ hallowed list of Top 50 largemouth bass?

The Top 50 list begins with current state record of 18.18 pounds and ends with a 15.58 pounder. Sandwiched in the middle are an impressive army of giants at the epicenter of an incredible success story that never would have unfolded had Florida bass not been introduced to Texas waters in mid-1970s to co-mingle with our native northern strain. Millions more have been added since.

Will TPWD follow the lead of the IGFA and water down its records program by creating separate categories for pure Florida bass, northern largemouth bass and inevitable hybrid crosses between the two? Or will the agency leave well enough alone and stick with a more simplistic approach?

Birdsong says the agency is still evaluating implications of these new black bass species and record categories adopted by IGFA.

“Elevating the Florida bass to a species level came as a surprise to us and to many other state fish and wildlife agencies as well,” he said. “We’re taking a hard look at it and trying to determine if it all makes sense for us. It’s not written into any policy or regulation that we are going to adhere to this. We’re trying to take a measured approach and make sure we do the right thing for Texas fisheries resources and for our Angler Recognition Program. This issue is complex, for sure. We are having conversations with other fish and wildlife agencies around the country and we’re all trying to take inventory and figure out how we are going to step through this.”.

Matt Williams is a freelance writer based in Nacogdoches. He can be reached by e-mail at mattwillwrite4u@yahoo.com .