Braxton Taylor
On September 22, Dante Piraino of Baldwinsville, New York, was fishing in a B.A.S.S. Nation tournament hosted in Ogdensburg when he reeled in the catch of a lifetime. Fishing in about 30 feet of water in the St. Lawrence River and using a soft plastic lure, Piraino managed to reel in a behemoth nine-pound smallmouth that measured 23.5 inches in length.
A New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) press release just verified that this catch is indeed a new state record, breaking the last by eight ounces. The fish was weighed on a calibrated scale by tournament officials, and the DEC confirmed the accuracy of the weighing process.
According to the New York B.A.S.S. Nation Facebook page, Piranio made the decision to release the fish after securing valid measurements. According to witnesses, the fish immediately swam off. Barb Elliott, who is nationally recognized as a fishcare expert, oversaw the process. She commented on a post about the catch, “It was an ABSOLUTE TANK of a fish…..When I picked it up out of the bag, it was unbelievable the thickness/weight of that fish…I was honored to be there and to be able to handle such a gorgeous specimen!”
“New York provides some of the best bass fishing in the country and Mr. Piraino’s incredible catch is a testament to the outstanding angler opportunities across the state,” Interim Commissioner Mahar said. “There’s nothing better than spending time with family and friends on the water pursuing these exciting sportfish. DEC encourages those fishing in New York’s world class waters to check out the Angler Achievement Awards Program before their next trip.”
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