“New York fisherman Dante Piraino caught a 9-pound smallmouth bass from the St. Lawrence River, but decided against putting it on ice for an official inspection.
Piraino’s bass weighed an even 9 pounds, with an 18.25-inch girth, a 23.12-inch length. His bass easily tops the current New York smallie record, an 8-pound 6-ounce fish caught in 2022.
Proper paperwork and official verification of Piraino’s catch is required before it’s certified as a New York state record. Since it was weighed on the same certified scales used by BASS Nation judges, it’s almost certain that will happen. But even if the record doesn’t pan out, Piraino has earned the respect of the local bass fishing community, with countless anglers applauding his decision to keep fish alive — even if it meant potentially sacrificing the record, and all the clout that comes with it.”
Posted by sexy_shad