This may not look like a world record fish to you. Paul Dilley didn't think so
either when he reeled it in back in 1971 right here at Stockton Lake.
I just reeled it in, pert near as any fish. But it didn't put up no great big scrap.
It, I think it's too big to do that. Kind of out-growed itself.
I'm not very excitable. I didn't get excited I just thought, well boy that's a big old perch.
If it hadn't been for an old fishing buddy
Dilley's prized fish might have ended up in the frying pan.
The old boy that was with me, he said I don't know, I don't believe I'd eat that fish.
I think I'd have it mounted. I've never seen one like that before.
The taxidermist convinced Dilley to contact the Missouri Department of Conservation
to see if anyone had ever reported such a big green sunfish.
At 2 pounds 2 ounces, the almost 15 inch fish set not only a Missouri record,
but a world record.
A record that's yet to be broken.
I'll tell you what I think.
I think the fish was in one of those farm ponds, and he probably was already big see,
and when he got turned out in that lake that let him grow quick.
It's hard to guess how many record fish did wind up on the dinner table.
We've had some that did as a matter of fact
that were almost good enough or well enough authenticated
that I'm comfortable that they probably were records, but they were never
officially documented and they they were eaten.
The Department of Conservation
currently recognizes almost 50 species of fish for its record program
including several hybrid types.
It can be pretty tough to verify the species in some cases.
We have one now it's been submitted as a hybrid smallmouth bass/
Kentucky bass record, and it's going to have to go to the laboratory for some
really sophisticated testing so that we can find out whether indeed
it is a hybrid or whether it's one of the other two bass.
Paul Dilley is one of only three Missourians who hold world fishing records.
This is the plaque that we give each state record holder. It has a, well it would have a plate on it
with the details of the catch and the ceramic plate in the middle.
Says "Wildlife and Forests are your heritage,
guard them well."
I think maybe we should put another strip on there that says
"please release your catch to fight again",
but we haven't gotten around to that yet.
Although some of the Missouri records date back to the 1950s,
several new plaques are awarded every year.
We probably average anywhere
between four and ten records a year. It's like swimming or like track and field.
You keep thinking well they've come to the end of it, nobody can ever beat that.
And it seems like every year we have four or five new records.
Sooner or later I suppose we'll come to the end of it where nobody can catch a
bigger one, but it hasn't happened yet.
That's a big one, boy (chuckles).
If you land a whopper that's not quite a record,
you might qualify for the Master Angler program.
Master anglers are those that catch fish that aren't records for the species,
but they exceed a minimum weight or a minimum length that's pretty good.
For example, a largemouth bass would be eight pounds minimum.
And I'd be satisfied to catch an eight pound bass anytime in my life.
And that's what it takes minimum
to qualify as a Master Angler.
They receive a certificate
hand-lettered, which as they say is suitable for framing.
If you think you'll never get lucky enough to catch a record fish,
remember Paul Dilley and that day back in 1971
when he landed his world-record green sunfish.
I didn't think it was too big, but
I guess it's been 17 years and nobody hasn't caught a better one. (chuckles)