Do you think that is true?

And even if it's true do you think it will make it after being handled, jaw stretched out, people touching and ogling it, etc....???

Great fish and catch, and congrats to the fisherman regardless of bait vs lure.

Me....unless I had wicked faith in a proper livewell, I would have taken a bunch of pics, weighed it if I had a scale (regardless of calibration and quality), taken length and a few different girth measurements, and released it back right away from the boat in the same spot. I get the once in a lifetime catch, and wanting to get a certified scale and all.....and everyone has that right to do so, but a fish like that IMO needs to be respected and immediately released to keep on going vs risking it surviving through all the handling and transport to certify it.

Again, congrats to him on an awesome catch and rightfully his decisions all the way.

I was going to state that as a rightful option also, but didn't want to stir the pot too much.....no....not me.

I really hope that is true.

I agree. A picture and fiberglass replica is all good for me. Just knowing that I released a fish like that is alive would be a great feeling.

Congrats to the angler for a fish of a lifetime catch.