Bass angler Joshua Buller landed a jaw-dropping 9.3-pound spotted bass—one of the heaviest ever caught in Oregon—but it won’t make the record books because the state doesn’t officially recognize spotted bass as a game fish, most likely because this type of fish was illegally introduced. Even though Buller had the measurements, witnesses, and photos to back it up, the fish was disqualified simply because of its species. It’s a tough reminder that not all record-breaking catches become official records—especially when state rules, not size, make the call.
“Oregon does recognize two other non-native bass species — largemouth and smallmouth bass — as game fish. But both of those species were introduced intentionally by state officials to provide more opportunities for anglers. Spotted bass were also introduced legally in California, where the species is classified as a game fish. Interestingly, spotted bass are not listed on ODFW’s bass guide. Nor are they included in the state’s list of invasive species.”
Read the full story at Outdoor Life here.
Feature photo credit: Joshua Buller via Outdoor Life
