Well, Ive got mixed emotions on this issue. I really believe the world record belongs in California. However, lets face it, California anglers have had there share of opportunities and screwed every one of them up. Curse, kinda like the Red Sox and Babe Ruth? I dont know, dont particularly care. But I think this is a wake up call to the Cali guys that have a REAL shot at the world record. I think this will instill new motivation and dedication to the Cali crew, and it will likely make all those with a legit shot rethink how they go about pursueing the world record as it relates to legality and documentation.

As far as live bait goes, there are two sides. First, the dude just caught a world record (notice I didnt say the biggest bass ever)! Im stoked for him and think we all should be, regardless of what it was caught on. Clearly, its not an easy task of finding such a fish then making it bite. Second, the guy is a proven big bass catcher, and from what I can gather a sponsored fisherman, so I would suspect he first tried to catch the fish on an artificial. From what Ive read, it was a "sight fish", not sure what this means but it definitely means he could see the fish; and given his credentials my instincts tell me he didnt try live bait first. So, it sucks it was caught on live bait, but he probably did the best he could. Any of us would have done whatever it took to put that fish in the boat, and I dont look negatively on the guy for using live bait.

Finally, I am of the camp that doesnt believe the George Perry fish, and Im glad that fish will finally be put to rest (well, sorta, assuming the tie issue). This opens a new chapter, and it was a chapter that stunk of staleness.