5 1/2 lb Redear Caught!

[Jeff Soto]

Marisa's correct!...  I just got off the phone from talking to "Tom" at Angler's Pro Shop in Havasu, Az and it has been confirmed.  A  5.55 lb,  Redear has been caught at Lake Havasu today by Robert Lawler of Havasu while fishing a plastic worm for bass.  The fish measured 16.75 inches long and had a girth of 19 inched.  The Arizona State Game and Fish Dept measured and confirmed the catch and have determined that it is a Line-Class World Record Redear Sunfish.  The fish is to be mounted....   Now I want to see the photos!  Anyone want to go to Havasu with me?

[J. B. Hillard]

One can only wonder about the thrill of the tug-of-war that must have occurred with this catch.  Man o Man - what an accomplishment.

[Johnny]

Monsterous !

[Jeff Soto]

Since I was a fish taxidermist for many years, I got to thinking about this potential World Record Redear Sunfish and which taxidermy service that Mr. Lawler chooses to mount his big fish.  I sure hope he has a top-quality fiberglass replica made of it.  This way a master mold will be made from the original fish, so duplicate castings can be made, so other sportsmen and tackle shops, marinas, (me too!) etc., can purchase a replica mount of this truly great fish.  Artist Tim Overbaugh would be fantastic!  (I'm really serious here) Tim, have you contacted Robert Lawler in Havasu City yet?  I really hope this guy DOES NOT get a "skin mount" made of the trophy sunfish.

[Tim Overbaugh]

That would be nice if I was the one to do it.  It would be an honor.  This is truly a great fish and that would be the draw for me, the size, beauty and rarity of such a fine specimen.

My personal thoughts would not be for money or exploiting it for gain but to do the fish justice and mount it the very best I can.   

[jason grimm]

That guy did a awesome job Jeff & Marisa, we should but our boats together this summer & tag team lake havasu, what do you say.

[Dennis]

This big Bluegill is an awwsome catch of a lifetime but I will tell you, living in Lake Havasu that 2 and 3 pound Bluegill here are common. If you get into a school of them there will be some lunker Gills in there. These are the bigges Bluegill I have ever seen anywhere consistently. We had an explosion of the Quagra(SP???) mussels a few years ago and the Gills and Red Ear have exploded in population and size and no one fishes for them as this is mostly a bass or catfish lake. I love catch em and personally have caught over a dozen of them in the 2 to 3 pound range.