The International Game Fish Association confirmed that Japanese angler Manabu Kurita tied the all-tackle record for largemouth bass– the holy grail of bass fishing accomplishments.

Kurita caught a 22 pound 4 ounce bass on July 2 tieing the 77-year-old record set by George Perry of Georgia. Kurita caught the monster fish from Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest, using a live bluegill for bait and 25 pound test line. After seeing a large bass, he cast near a bridge piling and the behemoth took the bait. He landed it after a short three minute fight.

“I knew it was big, but I didn’t know it was that big,” he was quoted as saying.

The big female had a fork length of 27.2 inches and a girth of 26.7 inches.

The IGFA spent six months investigating and confirming the record. During that time the association made sure the catch was legal and happened in water open to fishing. Kurita caught the fish in an area where anchoring or stopping is not allowed and it was determined that he followed those rules. Lastly, Kurita was asked to submit to a polygraph test to make sure the catch was completely legal. He agreed and passed.

The Scrawl of the Wild congratulates Manuba.

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