My biggest YFC was an 18.5" one that weighed over 3 pounds. Yep, that would have been a record. I also had the Starry Rockfish record and ate it after weighing and measuring it, never once realizing it was an IGFA ATWR at the time. That looks like it would have been the new record for sure.
Well, I’ll tell you what it did, that I really didn’t know the specifics of before or what exactly had to be done, is it made me prepare a plan of action, just in case it ever happens again, for the next possible state record record fish I might land. I bought a digital scale, printed out the submission form and probably the most important is made a geographical list including store or business hours of the possible government agency certified scales closest to all the stretches of sand I might be fishing at if I get lucky again.
I found that it would be ALOT more difficult if the catch is something that weighs over 50lbs, just in finding available verified scales that have that capacy alone, and then add the fact that it will probably be landed in off hours of business for any scale options left, I see one reason why you opt not to pursue putting big game catches of yours in the record books Tom.
So anyways, I think I’m prepared better now if I should happen to hit the record book fish lottery ever again...
Having went through the process a couple times, is there any first hand advice you could give to any of us that want to try to get a record catch submitted Tom?
I’m just talking about CA DF&W records, I understand IFGA is a whole nother ordeal and don’t really want to go there....