Does anyone know if it is possible to secure a record for a bass that is within a slot limit (i.e. a 15" fish on a lake with a slot between 14 and 21")? The flyrod LMB record for my "home" lake (Lake Athens) is only 1.29 lbs. I'm by no means driven by catching record holding fish, but it would be nice to have one. I think I've caught fish right at or a little larger than the current record, but I haven't had time to look into the legal aspects of getting them certified and they were of course released unharmed.

This is my understanding of the rules. You can do it if you release the fish. To do this you need the following. Certified scales, measuring tape, camera, and a witness. It's best to print off the procedure from TPW website and keep it with you. You need to take all the measurements and photo's before you release the fish. It's doubtful that you will be releasing a fish that will survive after that much handling.

You can also set a catch and release record. I think all you need is the length and photo for that one. Much better chance for the fish to survive.

Good Luck!

P.S. It would be a lot easier if you just catch one over 21 inches.

What a novel idea

I thought about the catch and release record, but apparently from what I have read on TPWD's website that is a state wide record and not a waterbody record. Also to qualify for a catch and release record a LMB has to be at least 21". Interestingly, there is no current LMB flyrod catch and release record listed on the TPWD website.

Does anyone know what a set of low-end certified scales (that sounds like an oxymoron) would cost?

Yep, the number 21 seems to be the magic spot and I'm no magician.

Might want to contact TPWD, find out what scales can be certified, before spending money on scales. At least that is what
I'm thinking.

If you are not gonna release it then another option is to find a store nearby with 1. the certified scales and 2. the willingness to put your fish on it. Those are my opines on the matter. Now, back to the bunker.

When you find out about the cheapest type you can get away with, let us know. I need to get one too, one of these days. (if they are cheap enough that is)

Apparently any scale can be certified, provided that it passes the certification tests. I'm going to guess that most "cheap" scales lack the repeatability to pass, but who knows.

From TPWD's website:

"Certified scales (electronic or spring type) have been certified as accurate by the Texas Department of Agriculture, the International Game Fish Association (IGFA), or an independent scales calibration company. Certified hand-held scales may be used for verifying the weight of your catch if the weighing is observed by an independent witness. If a scale is certifiable but does not have an up-to-date certification, an angler may submit proof that the scale was certified within 30 days after the weigh date."

Put your fish in a plastic bag and take it to the meat or deli counter of any grocery store, all their scales are certified. Don't worry about the certification date, it is unnecessary. Post offices also have certified scales as does the Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens. The bait shop at Lake Athens used to have a certified scale because I weighed several of my records there.

To be a record your fish cannot be in the slot limit because then it would be an illegal fish to have in your possession. ALL slot limit fish must be returned to the water immediately.

When I lived in Tyler I tried to get a cheap scale at a restaurant supply company, but it couldn't be certified. The TP&WD records are for fun, they are not going to put you in jail if you don't get everything just right on the forms. If you bring the fish to a grocery store, just get the name of the person behind the scale (unless it's a state record, you only need one witness - the person weighing the fish), the store's address and telephone number (not the employee's). The form does not have to be notarized unless it's a state record, lake records do not need to be certified. Remember, the records are for fun, that's all. I have nine state fly fishing records and over 150 lake fly fishing records, but they are simply for fun, a hobby.

Thanks, Cliff. I figured you would know the answer. The real answer is probably the simple one outlined in the first couple of posts: catch bigger fish. I guess I'll have to take one for the team and work on that.

It's timesomeone got Billy Autery's name off that records list.

Doesn't Billy Autrey hold the record on every lake in Texas for the common Minnow?

FYI most scale calibration companies won't even touch a scale unless it can be adjusted manually. Here is a great certifiable scale that can be manually adjusted.
http://www.bigcarptackle.com/store/product.php?productid=16701&cat=376&page=1

just for reference, this scale is unadjustable