I question the weight of the fish since it was weighed on hand-held scales. Also would there not be some monetary awards for a world record fish?
I'm thinking of the award in excess of $1 million that was alleged to have been offered for the next world record smallmouth. Perhaps, something of that sort was offered for the world record largemouth.
The world record largemouth caught by George Perry on June 2, 1932, at Montgomery Lake in Georgia, weighed 22 lbs. 4 ounces, was 32-1/2 inches long, and had a girth of 28-1/2 inches.
Having caught a 25.1 lb. bass,I cannot believe they didn't pursue it further simply because they wanted to let a 74 year-old record stand. I don't buy their reason.