Well this has been online for a few hours now and already the details are getting distorted like a bad game of telephone. Regardless, it sounds like all are in agreement that a really big fish was landed at Dixon this morning. I'm anxious to hear the story direct from whoever landed it (still not sure if it was Mac or Jed) and since the cat is out of the bag, a pic would sure be cool too.

I see lots of people already debating about snagging or foul hooking a bass and whether it's legal or not or whether you could get the record or not, etc. Well, not that it matters because it doesn't sound like they are going to try to get the record anyway, but it really is not hard to find out what the rules are on snagging in regads to the CA Department of Fish and Game and the IGFA.

Here's the IGFA Rule Book, let's check there first since it's the higher standard:
http://www.igfa.org/BookRule2004.pdf

In regards to snagging it says
"The following acts will disqualify a catch"
"10. Intentionally foul-hooking a fish"

Taking in to consideration that you must pass a polygraph to get the IGFA world record bass, then according to their rules as long as you didn't intentionally foul hook the fish and could pass the polygraph saying so, you could claim the record. Jed, Mac, and Mike are way too serious about catching the WRB to be so stupid as to snag it, so I'm sure it was an accident. It almost makes you wonder if the catch would qualify if you only read the IGFA rules but then you have to consider the IGFA rule which states:

The catch must not be at variance with any laws or regulations governing the species or the waters in which it was caught.

In other words, you can't break DFG law and still get a record.

So here's the Freshwater Regs for CA:
http://www.fgc.ca.gov/2006/06freshfishregbook.pdf

The DFG regs are perhaps a little less clear but you have to start with the basics to understand the rules about snagging and you have to start with how DFG defines the words used in the regs.

Chapter 1 - Section 1.05. Angling
To take a fish by hook and line with the line held in the hand, or with the line attached to a pole or rod held in the hand or closely attended in such a manner that the fish voluntarily takes the bait or lure in it's mouth.

Chapter 1 - Section 1.80. Take.
Hunt, pursue, catch, capture or kill fish, amphibians, reptiles, mollusks, crustaceans or invertebrates or attempting to do so.

Chapter 2 - Article 1. Methods and Gear Restrictions
2.00 Fishing Methods - General
All fish may be taken only by angling ... etc

When you see how DFG defines "Angling" and "Take", you can read 2.00 as saying that All fish may be captured only in such a manner that the fish voluntarily takes the bait or lure in it's mouth. If the fish isn't captured that way, then it's not a legal fish. If it's not a legal fish per DFG then it's not going to qualify for IGFA.

And so those guys did the right and legal thing which was to release it!! I just feel bad for all the bass in that lake now, it's going to be a full frontal assault now that people know the fish is in there. Have fun chasing it guys.