Big Fish, Bigger Disappointment - KATV - Breaking News, Weather and Razorback Sports

Imagine waiting more than two months on a decision and having a million dollars riding on the ruling.

That is the boat that one Arkansas angler has been in.

The news he's been waiting on was delivered today.

The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) says the fish Rodney Ply pulled out of Bull Shoals Lake is big enough to be a world record.

But the issue isn't the weight.  The issue is the bait.

Back in may Ply proudly showed us the fishing lure that he designed himself…a patent-pending multiple hook rig that he used to catch the fish of a lifetime.

In February Ply hooked and landed a 68 pound striper bass out of Bull Shoals Lake.

Due to the lack of a certified scale and an official game and fish commission witness, the fish did not obtain state record status.

But Ply had hopes for a world record…until Thursday morning.

"Oh I tell you what…it's sickening, it is," Ply told us over the phone from his home in Diamond City.  "I don't know…it's just really sickening Jason.  It is.  I just...I can't get over it really."

The IGFA had never before considered a record catch landed by a lure like Rodney's…also known as an umbrella rig or Alabama lure.  The new lures are very popular.

But the IGFA had considered large salt-water lures known as spreader bars, and it decided that lures like Rodney's…when the line is not directly attached to the bait's snap or other release device…are illegal.

"I'm gonna appeal it," Rodney has decided.  "I am…and just see how far it goes.  It may not go anywhere. But I'm not gonna just, you know, end it on that."

Rodney Ply was also in a contest sponsored by Mustad Hooks.

Had his lure been approved and his world record certified, he was in line for a million dollar prize…another strong reason for him to appeal.

Below is an excerpt from the email sent to Mr. Ply by Jack Vitek, World Records Coordinator for the IGFA:

"After significant review by our Rules Committee, we consider your lure to be a spreader bar arrangement.  IGFA Equipment Regulations state:  "spreader bars are permitted to be used provided that the actual fishing line is attached to the snap or other release device, either directly or with some other material."  Since the angler's line is not attached to a release device so that the hook could be disengaged from the lure arrangement, this lure violated IGFA equipment rules for spreader bars."

Air date:  August 2^nd, 2012