After two months of deliberating over the evidence, the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) has officially approved Greg Myerson's 81-pound, 14 ounce striped bass as the new all-tackle world record.
Myserson was fishing in his home state of Connecticut near Westbrook when the monster striper struck.
"After a 15 minute fight on my St. Croix rod and Quantum reel, I got the striped bass close enough to the boat for netting,” Myerson shared in the testimony accompanying his world record application. “The fish was bigger than I thought. I slipped on eel slime and banged my ribs against the gunwale of the boat. But it didn't matter. The monster fish was mine. At this point it was about 8 pm, I put the fish into the hold and fished the rest of the tide. As I fished, I repeatedly peered into the hold and asked myself ‘is this striper really that big?’
"The following morning, I brought the striped bass to Jack’s Shoreline Bait and Tackle to be weighed. The fish measured 54 inches in length and tipped Jack’s digital scale at 81.88 pounds. It really was that big."
Myserson's catch breaks Albert McReynolds' 29-year hold on one of fishing's most prestigious world records. McReynolds' 78-pound, 8 ounce striper was caught way back in September of 1982 near Atlantic City, New Jersey.
In addition to the all-tackle record, Myerson now holds the new men's 37 kg (80 lb) line class record, which previously stood at 70 lb.
Click here to take a look at other potential world records on the waiting list for IGFA to approve!
