THE BASS COLLEGE

The rest of the story

By James Hall

Editor, Bassmaster Magazine

Manabu Kurita told me the truth today about how, when and where hecaught the pending world record bass. Every detail. How do I know it’sthe truth? I know because Mr. Kurita doesn’t care if his fish iscertified as a world record or not.

Manabu Kurita fishes in the area where he caught the 22-5 largemouth.

Shy and unassuming, the 33-year-old Kasugai native became hooked on bass fishing 18 years ago.

“I saw a photo of a largemouth bass in a magazine and I was very impressed with how it looked. So, I tried fishing for bass and I became passionate about catching them,” Kurita explained.

Kurita’s passion takes him to the lake more than 150 times a year. According to his estimations — and those close to him consider the estimates conservative — Kurita annually catches more than 100 bass greater than 8 pounds.

On July 2, 2009, he landed his biggest fish ever (although not thebiggest he has hooked). The 22-pound, 5-ounce behemoth ate a live sunfish he had rigged on a 5/0 Fina Power Finesse bait hook.

“I had noticed this big fish swimming around the bridge piling, andI was pretty sure she would eat a bluegill. So, about 11:30 a.m., I went to the bridge piling and cast the bait to the north side. I twitched it a couple of times and the big bass ate it. It was my first cast,” Kurita explained.

Kurita showed me the exact spot on the bridge, made the exact cast and explained how surprised he was once he landed the fish.

“I knew it was big, but I did not think it was that big,” he admitted.

Using the same techniques as when he caught the potential worldrecord, Kurita landed this 8 1/2-pounder while showing the area to Bassmaster Magazine editor James Hall.

The IGFA has not yet certified Kurita’s catch as a world record because of a rule that states a record fish cannot come from a sanctuary or no-fishing zone. The remaining question has been about whether the three marked bridge pilings where he was rumored to have caught the fish are no-fishing zones, and, if they are, was Kurita actually fishing near these three pilings? (The other bridge pilings are not marked, so fishing, anchoring and tying to them is totally legal.)

When I asked Kurita to take me to the exact spot where he caught the bass. He did not hesitate. We drove directly to one of the three marked pilings, confirming the rumors that he caught the fish in an area that was marked: “Do not stop.” He could just as easily have taken me to another bridge support, one that would have completely negated the naysayers.

His honesty was refreshing. His motives seemed pure.

However, this supported those who questioned the legality of hiscatch. Does the “Do not stop” sign suggest, and thereby give authorities, the ability to ticket anglers fishing the marked pilings?

This determination is left to the local police and, ultimately, theJapanese Game Fish Association and the International Game Fish Association.

After my meeting with Kurita, I met with Yoichiro Oguri, president and owner of Popeye, a very popular tackle store chain (Japan’s version of Bass Pro Shops). Mr. Oguri is a very well-connected and respected icon in the Japanese fishing industry. During our conversation, I asked if he had a contact within the JGFA, and, if so, could he find out the status of the Kurita world record application.

Mr. Oguri contacted JGFA and found out the delay was because of the fact that they were unsure of the local laws surrounding Biwa’sno-fishing zones. Mr. Oguri then contacted the Shiga-Ken Police Department (enforcers of Lake Biwa laws). He asked them if fishing was allowed near the three marked bridge pilings. The answer was “yes.” It is illegal to anchor or tie to the bridge pilings, but fishing next to or around them is completely legal.

Kurita broke no laws in the catching of the 22-5.

Mr. Oguri then contacted the chairman of the JGFA and informed him of his findings.

Moments later, the JGFA gave Kurita’s catch the thumbs up and sent a letter of support to the IGFA. As of this writing, the IGFA has not yet commented on the status of the record. However, it seems all concerns about the legality of this catch have been answered. It is likely Mr.Kurita’s bass will be recognized as the biggest largemouth ever caught.

And if for some reason the IGFA still does not recognize Kurita’s accomplishment?

“That’s OK,” Kurita replied with a shy grin. “I think I might be able to catch a bigger one next year.”

You can talk with Manabu Kurita LIVE in the forums here

Here is the latest audio report from BASSMASTER as of NOVEMBER 2009.

RADIO SHOW WORLD RECORD UPDATE

Great article and congrats! WE FINALLY HAVE A LEGIT NEW WORLD RECORD!!! To top it all off the angler who caught the fish is humble,knowledgeable and loves the sport!! WIN WIN

:cool:And is our new member and my friend!!

WOW what a story.  It sounds like Manabu Kurita is a great guy.  I'm proud to call him a bass fisherman. 

I'm not a great guy...

Yes you are.. and a good father as well.:cool:

and a good rhinass angler too

YOUR A GREAT FISHERMAN AND YOU LOVE THE SPORT - AWESOME GUY PROUD TO CALL U A FRIEND

I think the fish will be certified but from the sound of things it may not last very long because you may catch an even bigger one this year.    Biwa must be AWESOME. Ive travelled all over the country to catch jumbo bass and was planning a trip to mexico soon but I may have to change that to Japan and Lake Biwa. Maybe you can guide?:DLOL   Seriously Id love to hear some updates on how your fishing is going on Biwa. I have a feeling this wont be the last GIANT BASS  we see from Lake Biwa or MR. KURITA

Delawarebass<Thank you, I want be good father.

Mr.giraff<rhinass...What does it mean?

biggsteve <My honor too!! thank you.

BassmanKVB<Of course,  I will guide you. But My fishing can't fish a lot.you might be trivial.

rhinass is your big specimen fish, hybrid between a rhino and a bass

Mr.Giraffe< you're Genius!

I wish I known about the great bass fishing in Japan when I was there.  I was on the USS Midway in Japan from 1977 to 1979.  I would of fished every spare minute I had.

RADIO SHOW BASS REPORTERS ON WORLD RECORD BASS

CLICK THE TEXT ABOVE TO LISTEN TO THE SHOW

I may take you up on that guided Lake Biwa trip!

ust when I had finished my rant on the instantaneous (and fleeting) nature of so many bass fishing topics, I have learned of an episode that shows a much longer perspective. Lake Montgomery, on the Georgia border with Florida, will be hosting a visitor who has a unique relationship with this body of water.

Montgomery, if you recall, produced George Perry’s long-standing world record largemouth catch, that for more than 75 years withstood all honest angling attempts (and all other kinds of attempts) in an uninterrupted run.

Of course, that all changed in 2009.

Japanese angler Manabu Kurita, caught a largemouth in his homeland that barely edged the record you and I grew up with at 22 pounds, 4 ounces. Kurita’s catch (22 pounds, 4.97 ounces) was so narrowly heavier, in fact, the International Game Fish Association recognized the two catches as sharing the standard.

Yet the significance of the American record and the site where the then 19-year old Perry caught it has not been lost on Kurita. In fact, in just weeks when he comes to visit yet another iconic bass fishing event–the Bassmasters Classic– Kurita will actually be escorted to Lake Montgomery, according to George Perry biographer Bill Baab.

“After learning that Kurita was to attend the Bassmaster Classic in New Orleans, I thought it would be neat if he could make a side trip to Georgia,” Bill wrote. With the help of  Skeeter boats and Martin Peters at Yamaha in Kennesaw, Georgia, the visit was aranged for Feb. 24.  

Baab, who wrote Remembering George W. Perry (available here) also mused, ” As you know, Kurita caught his fish July 2, 2009 in Lake Biwa in Japan. That lake reaches 300 feet in some locations. Montgomery Lake may reach three feet deep in some locations (it has silted in over the years) so it will be interesting to see Kurita’s reaction.”

Yes, Kurita’s reaction may be interesting (and fleeting). Yet his perspective will be one for the ages.