The Special Story Behind New York’s Latest Record-Setting Bass
A New York angler might have just caught the state's largest smallmouth bass... although one tiny detail might keep him out of the record books.
Records, as they say, are meant to be broken, and fishing enthusiasts across the state are always trying to etch their name in the history books (congratulations to the new state record holder for blue crab, by the way). This sportsmen, however, had more on his mind that just a title.
Will a New Smallmouth Bass Record Be Set in New York?
The angler in question, Dante Piraino, was participating in a fishing tournament in upstate New York when he hooked the record-setting fish. One factor, however, could keep him from having his name next to the New York State record.
Fish Welfare Might Negate New York State Record
Contrary to many stereotypes, most hunters and fishing enthusiasts care deeply for the welfare of animals, and Piriano went to great lengths during his fishing tournament to make sure that the smallmouth bass stayed alive and well. It's for this exact reason that his record has a chance of failing state confirmation.
Read More: 8 Amazing Guinness World Records Set in the Hudson Valley
Priano says that when he contacted the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC), they asked him to keep the fish over the weekend until someone was available to confirm its size. Not wanting to kill the bass, Piriano declined.
The nine-pound fish would easily beat the previous smallmouth bass record of eight pounds and six ounces, and while the NYS DEC will not officially weigh Piriano's catch, he hopes that the use of official tournament scales, as well as a crowd of witnesses, could be enough to confirm his achievement. Check out other New York records below.
New York's Most Random World Records
Gallery Credit: Arianne Rogers
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