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MUSCATINE, Iowa – Few things people hold more dear to American’s hearts than mom, apple pie, Old Glory and holding the world record for largemouth bass.

While the other three are safe for now, the world record bass status is under attack.

Georgia angler George Perry’s 77-year-old world record bass which weighed 22 pounds, four ounces may have been tied by a Japanese angler this week. According to Senior Editor of BASS Publications, Manuba Kurita, Shigs Perfecture of Japan landed a supposed

22-pound, five-ounce bass while fishing on Lake Biwa.

The catch was made on a live bluegill or similar bait fish.

While this giant fish would best Perry’s record by one ounce, the International Game and Fish Association (IGFA) record keepers say the fish would only tie the record because if the catch does not best the old record by at least three ounces, the fish would tie for the largest bass on record.

The huge bass was nearly 29 inches long, but no girth measurements were available. The fish eventually died after photos were taken and will be mounted.

As with most recent possible world record catches, there is some doubt to its authenticity.

Girth would need to be established along with weight from a certified scale with at least one witness. Kurita did certify an

18-pound, eight-ounce bass caught earlier on a swim bait, so he is no stranger to catching out-sized bass. Ironically, Japan is trying to eliminate black bass from Japanese waters, and consider largemouth bass a rough fish. They even sell bass at the Lake Biwa Museum Restaurant. Kurita has officially submitted papers and photos to IGFA for record certification.

Bloggers on the site are not sure what to think of the big bass. One angler said that the fish only looks huge because the angler is holding the fish at arm’s length and the angler is small in stature.

Others believe the fish could weigh as much as 18 pounds, or as little as 15 pounds. Some feel that Photoshop came in handy for the posed photo and wonder how the camera crew got to the site so quick to film the fish and angler. All we can do now is wait to see if the IGFA honors the record or not.

Discovery Park adds shelter and restroomDiscovery Park, 3300 Cedar Street, Muscatine, is adding a new shelter capable of seating up to 100 guests and a new bathroom just east of the Environmental Learning Center. A drinking fountain will also be made available.

The improvements should be completed by

late summer.

Hunter education classes

Hunter Education classes will be offered at the Environmental Learning Center in Muscatine on Aug. 12-13 from 6-9 p.m. and on Aug. 15 from 8 a.m. to noon. West Liberty High School will offer classes on Aug. 19-20 from 6-9 p.m. and Aug. 23 from 8 a.m. to noon.

Anyone born after Jan. 1, 1972 who wants to purchase a hunting license in Iowa must have successfully completed a Hunter Safety Course.

The minimum age for certification is 12.

More from Johnnie CrainMuscatine Journal readers have requested information on what magazines I write for, so here are some. Simm’s Outdoors Magazine, www.simmsoutdoors.com. Click enter, click On-Line Magazine, click fishing sports section, click articles&stories and scroll to Johnnie Crain. Two recent posts include, “Carolina Rig Tricks” and “Different Cover For Different Fish.”

Suite 101, www.suite101.com. Type in “Johnnie Crain” under writer search results. There are 10 articles there.

Adventure Sports Magazine: www.asomagazine.com; Monthly articles.

Midwest Outdoors Magazine: wwwmidwestoutdoors.com; Monthly articles in Iowa/Illinois and Main section.

Fishing Facts Magazine: Available in stores or Fishing Facts.com; Monthly article.

Iowa Sportsman Magazine: www.iowasportsman.com; Monthly articles plus DIY project assignments.

Johnnie Crain is an outdoors writer from Muscatine.

Contact: 563-263-2872

 johnniecrain@machlink.com