Steve said:

I know that there is a lot of money on the line for a new world record
largemouth, but I don't see how the IGFA can even consider it!

As I recall IGFA has three statuses or categories for world record status,
Pending, Current and Defeated. Also as I recall, IGFA requires a completed
notarized application before they "consider" a record status change. If and
when IGFA believes somebody's application meets enough of their criteria for
world record then they move the application status into "Pending." As I
recall if they find out ANYTHING wrong in the application, it never even
gets into IGFA's Pending category. Also if somebody's Pending is determined
to be the world record, the Current record (if any) is reclassified to
Defeated. Also seems I recall if later on some cheating is discovered, IGFA
may go back and reclassify a Current to Defeated and reinstate the previous
Current record.

And sadly as Steve said "ANYTHING wrong" in IGFA's opinion could mean
something as trivial as four inches instead of 12.

If they do, then the entire process is tainted in my estimation.

Had he made a legal catch, followed ALL the rules as required in the IGFA
submission process,

This is also a good point. A 25 pound bass may be caught legally (say by
legally seining or maybe trot lining) but not being caught as a game fish is
caught.

and then was awarded the World Record, I would be
leading his cheering section.

Me too. But my point was to encourage folks to keep their fish alive and
let the biologists and officials see it and verify that is legitimate. I'm
all for catch and release but these guy's rush to throw her back really
muddied their water and clouded their chances for a legitimate world record
application.

John