I see a lot of folks who catch record fish and never claim the record. The reason normally given is they are not interested in that species or just not interested in records period. But claiming and registering those records from all species helps tpwd keep track of fish growth in lakes. It is your fish and your choice but its really can help out the whole community by reporting! I seen a guy today with the biggest crapie I have ever seen in my life about 3 1\2 pounds and he was not interested in reporting.
oh and Jr records... It always makes a kids day to catch a fish but to have it certified as a record is a really big thing for kids!

Not sure the process of doing it but some places might be hard to get a fish certified if maybe too far out

I never really thought of it from that perspective. Thanks for the info.

I always kind of looked at it as a type of self gratification and attention I really don't want. I don't fault anyone else for wanting to submit for a record. To each their own!

For me fishing is about getting out in the outdoors away from people and the stress of work and life. I personally have no interest in submitting for records. I just found out via another thread that a few of the bass I've caught would hold a record by more than several pounds and inches on A fly rod for a particular river. It does not bother me in the least. If I caught another one even bigger I prob still would not submit for a record. It's just not something I'm at all interested in. At the end of the day paperwork and certified scales it not something I'm interested in.

But I do appreciate the perspective I had not considered. It makes good since!

To me it is just a hobby, that's all. The records don't mean much but it's fun to get them. At one time I had 14 state fly fishing records and over 160 lake fly fishing records, all those and $2.00 will buy me a cup of coffee. But because I have a bunch of records people tend to gravitate to me so that I can help them catch more fish and get some records of their own. That's the real fun part!