I wrote a lengthy blog post on George Perry's 22 lb 4-ounce fish. Through my research I wound up crossing paths with Bill Baab, the worlds foremost expert on Perry. I believe it to be the most extensive critical review of the record out there. Some never before evidence around the timing of the catch is also introduced. I'm no Hemingway, but I hope you enjoy the read! Let me know your thoughts, any new skeptics?

(By the way clicks/views are not monetized on the site. I'd post the whole thing here, but it's rather long and the pictures would be out of place.)

The Greatest Whopper Ever Told

www.lunkerlore.com

Outstanding research and editorial, Josh. You've made a non-believer out of me.

Excellent article.

Of note, the second heaviest bass ever caught in Georgia was 18lbs 1 oz Lake Margery 1987
The third heaviest from Georgia 17lbs 14oz Lake Cobb County 1965

Josh - Well written article. I prefer to think of George's catch as more of a legend that provides all of us diehard bass fisherman with the fuel for dreams of catching the next world record every night before a day on the water. I will always believe the catch was legit because I want to believe the story. I have grandsons who are eager to learn the joy of bass fishing and although I am still active in tournament fishing and can't wait to get on the after every chance I get, my dream is for my daughter, son or grandkids to catch the next world record. But I'll be just as happy if they too dream of beating George's record.

The conclusions you reach are likely accurate. I spent a career as a Detective and I know that one cannot dispute the overwhelming facts you present. But I want...no I need to believe that I can catch a fish on my next cast that will beat George's record.

Thanks for the story.

Just looking at the picture above, how many of you would hold your PB, not to mention a possible lake, state or world record, the way he's holding over water? I would have both hands, a stringer, and a net around that sucker. I probably wouldn't even put him the livewell worrying he may slip out through the drain.

Count me as a non-believer.

Something seems fishy

Thanks for the feedback gents. Basser1OH, I agree with your sentiment. Big fish dreaming is half the fun!

when the legend is better than the truth............print the legend

Interesting read. I agree with Fouz.

Very well written Mr. Alwine. Thanks for sharing another great piece of work.

Donald

I also wrote the record keeping house, IGFA and asked about Perry's fish. Their response to me was, "We have limited information on that file." I feel like at a minimum the fish deserves an asterisks. Of course this has no real impact on me personally, but I do feel slightly bad for the guys who have spent sizable chunks of their lives chasing after the record. If you've read Sowbelly you know there are quite a few who fall into that bucket.

Good read thanks for sharing

Great read!

Nice read man!!
Interesting to me is the weight- as it turns out that weight is about the very maximum weight a bass can achieve even with bass all over the world and that number has been an incredible carrot for all giant bass chasing. So the legend becomes so ingrained that it is accepted as truth and the weight remains tied for the record. It's just one of those mystical things I guess.

I've noodled the same thing over quite a bit Doc. It's one of the reasons I think it's likely Perry actually did catch a big fish. If he caught an upper teen it would have been easy to stretch the truth just a bit and arrive at the numbers he did.

There's very old reports of fish in the mid 20's from the late 1800's. Of course those can't be verified either. Dottie's weight at 25 lbs, was 12% heavier than Manabu's bass. What are the odds she's the biggest bass that ever swam?