World Record Striper

[David B]

Anyone have information on the new world record striper caught off Block Island last fall? As I understand it ... the fish was 65-67lbs and caught in 15 - 20ft water somewhere around Block Island. The diver supposedly mounted a small video camera on his gun and filmed the whole event.

[stripey]

Here you go...

http://renepotvin.com/

[biggsy]

Wow, that is a monster. Cool video too!

[Mako993]

Years ago there was a striper caught off Atlantic City NJ not far from where I grew up, and at the time that was the contentious world record. I say because there was much confusion as to the actual live weight at the time, etc. I guess this tops that one, eh?

[Tree Shark]

Mako 993:
The world record on a rod and reel was caught in Atlantic City in the early 1980's by a guy named Al McReynolds(sp?). It weighed close to 79 lbs. I was fishing that night in Brigantine across the inlet from AC in a howling Noreaster. The fishing conditions were horrendous. Ironically it was probably the terrible conditions that made Al decide to fish Vermont Ave., leading him to the world record. I saw the fish mount at the taxidermist and it is a giant. There used to be a replica hanging in the Marine Mammal Stranding center in Brigantine NJ. Don't know if it is still there. I think that the record discussed above is for fish caught by spear.

[mnguy]

Nice video. That's one hell of a shot too! :thumps:

[Mako993]

Tree Shark,

I remember reading an article about the catch and the guy and the controversy, but I've never seen the mount or the replica, but it sounds frickin' huge!

[David B]

Thanks for the info Stripey. I have hunted with Rene Potvin, but never had the opportunity to hunt with Pete. Congratulations to him for a spectacular shot and WR catch. Can't believe how many fish were swimming around . Rene must have had a couple nice fish that day as well!

[Marlinman]

There was another replica of McReynolds 78 lb 8 oz record bass that hung in Campbell marine in Northfield for years. Campbells weighed the fish the morning after it was caught. I used to go in there all the time as a kid and stare at that mount.

Any bass over 60 is just incredible, congrats to the shooter.

[Tree Shark]

Dave B:
Here is a link to a website that I just came across with the whole sad story from the anglers mouth.
www.stripers247.com/seventeighteight.com

[Tree Shark]

Sorry, make that WWW.stripers247.com/seventeighteight.html

[Tree Shark]

Maybe I can get it right this time??? WWW.stripers247.com/seventeighteight.htm

[David B]

Can someone tell me why the bass in the picture on Rene Potvin's website is moving from right to left and the video of the bass shot by Pete was moving from left to right? Which fish is the W/R fish? The fish in the still photo looks bigger to me than the one in the video.

[bruce_s]

Good question David.Has to be another fish.Congrats on the record fish and great video.The fish in the video seemed in the forty pound range but looks can be deceiving.That seventy nine pund fish is something else.It looked very well fed indeed.

[PeterPapaT]

The video on Rene's site is of the world record fish shot.
The picture on Rene's site is of another fish that was about 45 lbs.
The fish in the picture looks large because I was hiding in some kelp
and the fish did not see me until it was right in front of me. When I shot that
fish it was about 1 foot away from me so I got a nice close-up.
peter p

you can view video on www.peterpapat.com

[Asturven]

Hi Peter,

We will be waiting for new pictures of your catchs in your website.

Cheers

Ivan

[bruce_s]

Shot with an old nemrod makes it sweeter.Love the clipper 2 still my favorite gun

[Chauggie]

Pete,
Could you give us the length and girth of that fish?
Chauggie

[PeterPapaT]

The length was 54 inches
The girth was 32 inches
Here are a couple of pics that show lenth and girth.

[PeterPapaT]

Length pic.

[fuzz]

PapaT, awesome fish!

There's one thing that I've wondered ever since I saw the vid... why did you start swimming with the fish dragging behind you? If I shot a WR fish, I'd be bear-hugging it, make sure it's secured, not letting go till I got it in the boat. At the very least, swimming with a fish shot broadside doesn't seem very normal?

Please let me know :D

[PeterPapaT]

Hi fuzz,

The reason I did not get a hold of the fish after shooting it is because I let the boat free drift with no one on board so I have to swim back to it quickly after the dive before it gets away. That is also why I must shoot the fish in the head with a very powerful shot to stone it so that I can swim it back easier.
As soon as I took the shot I realized that there was no way that fish was going to get away so even if it were to recover and take a run I would just hold on to it and keep swimming. I use a heavy-duty line on my reel (not thread) so I can pull much harder than the fish can swim and my line won't break. When I get next to the boat I can safely pull the fish it in the rest of the way.
(I do not recommend diving this way because it is not safe.)

peter p.

[David B]

Pete - I know exactly what you're talking about. Used to drift the SWL by myself and had several nice long swims to catch the boat :-) The sea anchor was good at slowing the boat on windy days... even so.. you could always expect a good swimming workout ! Congratulations on your trophy fish. It seems as though when a bass reaches 53-54 inches they just start getting fatter and fatter. That was a COW for sure.

[bruce_s]

Thanks for sharing the pics with us papa.Just a terific fish!