KATV in Arkansas is now reporting that the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has discovered the potential state record largemought bass for Arkansas was caught illegally. It appears Mr. Crowder has been fishing without a license since April 2011. Now for “forgetting” to pay the $11.50 fee for a state fishing license, he could be forced to pay $1,000 and spend 30 days in jail.
Unfortunately for Arkansas anglers, Crowder killed the fish that would have been the new state record. The record now reverts back to the original holder, the late Aaron Mardis of Memphis who caught his 16-pound, 4-ounce largemouth from Mallard Lake in 1976.
We were somewhat disappointed that he basically caught the fish by accident any way, so we’re okay with it reverting back to Mardis’ record fish. Buy your fishing licenses kids because you never know when the record largemouth bass will bite when you set your rod down.
