Ok here is why I dont believe it.
The whole record is based on hearsay. There is no proof.
No picture, No actual wittness, no remains and motive to cheat.
First off to say that people were more honest back then is rediculous.
People have been cheating and steeling since biblical times.
Georges dad had recently died and he was the man of the house and times were hard. It was the depression and he was trying to feed his family. They were desperate. People SAY george didnt know about field and streams contest when he caught the fish. How do they know? If he was planning a fraud than of cource he would say that. Acording to the book Sowbelly, Georges partner was never found for an interview. If thats true than all you have is George himself. he could have found a fresh floater or used dyamite.
The story also says there were many witnesses at the post office. I may be wrong but I think the only two that signed any thing were the the guy at the post office and the notery guy. We also have George winning the contest again and winning more money/prizes with a teen bass tht barley looks 8lbs.
Why didnt he mount the fish? Because he was poor of course! I rember taking a trip accross the country when I was a kid and I saw a lot of old fish heads that were just nailed to boards. He could have done that. even if he didnt know about the contest than, he found out at the post office.
You could say he didnt care about the fish or the record. Than why would he emediatly weigh the fish on a certifeid scale and have it witnessed by a notery. Thats simple becaus he wanted to win the money/gear.
One of the biggest problems That I have is no picture. He took the time to go out of his way to show people at the post office and have it wieghed but never thought to have a picture. That one realy bothers me. You could say he didnt care but his actions say diferently.
Now dont go getting all upset about these theorys. I dont think George dynamited a fish. I was just making a point that even the smallest amount of real proof is not there.
If there was a pic I would believ it.
If there was a head or mount I would believe it.
If there was no motive I might believe it.
THIS IS FACT, The record is based purely on peoples stories. I need to see something before I believe it. I have tried to believe his story but there just isnt any proof.
I think the numbers are off based on other huge bass. Is it posible that a fish with those numbers could weigh that much? I guess its posible but I still think highly unlikely.
Up until Lightning Rods picture I didnt think that a fish that big in Georgia was posible but I have to admit that pic actualy cast a tiny bit of doubt on my beliefs.
For anybody who thinks That I am just jealous, You are wrong. I am jealous of any big bass bigger than mine, but I dont think the world record bass should be based on stories with no physical proof.
A bunch of you could argue reasons as to why he did this and that but there still isnt any proof.
I apologize If my post offended anybody. I have to admit it wasnt right for me ta call him fraud. I cant prove that he was, but you cant prove that he realy did catch the world record. So hopefuly the next time sombody catches it they prove it without a doubt. I know if I caught it, the fish would be kept.