Post by ghostcomanche©® on Oct 17, 2018 10:03:21 GMT -5
A monster emerged from a Loudon County lake back on May 15, reeled up by Lionel Ferguson. It was a black crappie weighing in at 5 pounds, 7 ounces.
Turns out, that was enough to break a world record. The International Game Fish Association announced recently that Ferguson officially broke the previous record of 5 pounds set in 2006.
Ferguson set the state record back in June after the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency confirmed the fish's size, but the new award will give him international recognition. The previous state record was at 4 pounds, 4 ounces.
Ferguson made the record catch at a private pond in the Philadelphia area.
The TWRA sent a small fin clipping for DNA testing prior to presenting Ferguson with his first award, to ensure the fish was not a hybrid. Crappies can crossbreed across kinds, which could have meant Ferguson's catch, while appearing like a black crappie, may have been a hybrid. This would have explained the abnormal size and Ferguson would not have set the record.
But the DNA test came back in June and proved the catch was indeed a black crappie. After earning the state record, Ferguson applied for a world record with the IGFA.
The IGFA receives 500 world record applications annually, and keeps 1,472 different species records internationally. When Ferguson's catch was confirmed as a world record, he was presented with a certificate from the IGFA certifying that he had set a world record, signed by IGFA President Nehl Horton.
Ferguson could not be reached for comment.
Turns out, that was enough to break a world record. The International Game Fish Association announced recently that Ferguson officially broke the previous record of 5 pounds set in 2006.
Ferguson set the state record back in June after the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency confirmed the fish's size, but the new award will give him international recognition. The previous state record was at 4 pounds, 4 ounces.
Ferguson made the record catch at a private pond in the Philadelphia area.
The TWRA sent a small fin clipping for DNA testing prior to presenting Ferguson with his first award, to ensure the fish was not a hybrid. Crappies can crossbreed across kinds, which could have meant Ferguson's catch, while appearing like a black crappie, may have been a hybrid. This would have explained the abnormal size and Ferguson would not have set the record.
But the DNA test came back in June and proved the catch was indeed a black crappie. After earning the state record, Ferguson applied for a world record with the IGFA.
The IGFA receives 500 world record applications annually, and keeps 1,472 different species records internationally. When Ferguson's catch was confirmed as a world record, he was presented with a certificate from the IGFA certifying that he had set a world record, signed by IGFA President Nehl Horton.
Ferguson could not be reached for comment.
