Geo,

I agree that formulas are at best only a guideline. If this weight estimate were being used in some way to set an official record, or receive any sort of prize money, the guidlines woudl not be sufficent to prove anything at all. But for nothing but bragging rights, I'm still fine with letting Shawn have all the bragging he can stand.

I have persoanlly witnessed some 9 and10 lb. bass on scales here, and this one beat any that I have seen. Maybe it was 12; maybe it was 11. Maybe it was 10.6. I would not swear to any of that in an court. But for the same reason that a formula might have it come out over the formula's average, it might also come out under. Might it have been 13? I doubt it but I don't really know that either.

The main point of the story was that the fish was caught by a tournament angler who was fishing for fun at the time, so proof is not really a requirement.