Since there seems to be a lot of interest in this fish, I will give you all the straight dope. I sent the pic to my buddy Rob, which came from Lure News, Japan, a publication I frequently write for and appear in. The pic is snipped not to hide the spot it was caught, but rather to fit my scanner (it is a scanned image, almost 3 megs). I have other photos, but do not have the rights to use them yet, so you will have to wait for the USA version that will come out soon.
The details, straight from the trophy hunter who caught the fish, MR. Shimada:
Fish: Largemouth Black Bass Florida Hybrid, 8,620 grams, 19.4 pounds
Location: Ikehara Dam, Bingo Arm (there are four major arms)
Rod: 7.4 ft. Evergreen
Reel: Shimano Antares
Line: 25 pound
Rig: heavy down shot rig (4/0 hook, 3/4 oz. sinker)
Lure: Optimum 4 inch
This was a sight fish. Mr. Shimada also caught several more fish over 10 pounds the same week, all sight fishing.
Notes: Ikehara has been kicking out quality fish recently, and my customer, Mr. Nakumura, also a trophy hunter, caught the # 2 Japan fish exactly one week after the 19.4 pound monster. His fish was certified at 16.54 pounds. Way to go, guys.
These guys belong to a loose trophy hunting club called "Marukin". They sight fish, and catch dozens of double 'Ds' and teeners every year. They do not pitch on any site fish unless it is over 10 pounds. Serious to the max. All fish, including the Japan record 19.4 were successfully released. I do not want to get into politics, but the Japanese gov. did not impose a 'catch and kill' policy. There are some lakes, less than .01 % (a tenth of one percent) that have some limited restictions. Maybe I will address this topic in some of my seminars in the future in the USA, as there seems to be a lot of interest/concern/mis-information.
Sorry for the crappy English, I am used to writing and speaking in Japanese. Guess this boy from Cali has been in the land of the rising sun too long (going on 14 years).
Capt. G, doin it G-Style

bamf