<strong>Bob Gaines<br />
Irvine, California, USA<br />
Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka)<br />
All-Tackle Length Record<br />
Length:</strong> 74 cm<br />
<strong>The Lowdown:</strong> Gaines recently took a trip north to take advantage of the fantastic late summer salmon run found in Alaska's Kenai River. Armed with his fly rod and Official IGFA Measuring Device, Gaines hit the river on August 20, 2011 and caught a sockeye salmon that he landed in five minutes. The fish qualifies him for a new All-Tackle Length record for the sockeye species. The current IGFA record is vacant.<br />
<strong>Bait Used:</strong> Red comet fly
Bob Gaines
Irvine, California, USA
Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka)
All-Tackle Length Record
Length:
74 cm
The Lowdown: Gaines recently took a trip north to take advantage of the fantastic late summer salmon run found in Alaska's Kenai River. Armed with his fly rod and Official IGFA Measuring Device, Gaines hit the river on August 20, 2011 and caught a sockeye salmon that he landed in five minutes. The fish qualifies him for a new All-Tackle Length record for the sockeye species. The current IGFA record is vacant.
Bait Used: Red comet fly.
SHARE
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo62609Middleton_Papuan_black_snapper.JPG
Ian Middleton
Cairns, Australia
Papuan Black Snapper (Lutjanus goldei)
3 kg (6 lb) Line Class Record
Weight
: 32 lb
The Lowdown: Endemic only to the island nation of Papua New Guinea, the black snapper is a brutal adversary to anglers brave enough to target them. These fish are found in the freshwater lakes and rivers of Papua. Ian currently holds five line class records for this species. Fishing for barramundi on Lake Murray with guide Trevor Green on July 6, 2011, Middleton needed 42 minutes to land this toothy critter after crushing his plug.
Bait Used: Sebile diving plug
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo62609Shaughnessy_roosterfish.jpg
Margaret Angier Shaughnessy
Medford, Oregon, USA
Roosterfish (Nematistius pectoralis)
Women’s 10 kg (20 lb) Tippet Class Record
Weight:
9.53 kg (21 lb)
The Lowdown: Shaughnessy recently traveled to Bahia de los Sueños, Mexico with hope to add to her current record count for roosterfish, where she already holds records in the women’s 4 kg (8 lb), 6 kg (12 lb) and 8 kg (16 lb) tippet classes. Guided by Marco Antonio Green Lucero, Shaughnesssy landed a spectacular roosterfish on May 29, 2011 from the shore. To make the potential record catch even sweeter, the fish was released alive after being weighed, measured and photographed. The current IGFA record is 8.55 kg (18 lb 13 oz).
Bait Used: Kinky muddler fly
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo62609Kesseler_Atlantic_bigeye_tuna.jpg
Alexander Kesseler
New York, New York, USA
Atlantic Bigeye Tuna (Thunnus obesus)
Male Junior Record
Weight:
84.82 kg (187 lb)
The Lowdown: On August 14, 2011 Kesseler was fishing the Hudson Canyon with his father, Howard Kesseler, Jr. when this Atlantic bigeye tuna hit the lure they were trolling. Having gone 25 hours without a bite, the young angler quickly grabbed the rod and settled in for the hour and twenty minute battle that ensued. With his experienced father at the helm and gaff man at the ready, the team was able to land the fish. The current IGFA record is vacant.
Bait Used: Clone lure
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo62609Lewis_African_red_snapper.JPG
Robert Lewis
London, England, UK
African Red Snapper (Lutjanus agennes)
10 kg (20 lb) Line Class Record
Weight:
7.4 kg (16 lb 5 oz)
The Lowdown: Fishing Angola’s Kwanza River on July 10, 2011, Lewis landed this potential record fish. It took the angler five minutes to land after the toothy snapper crushed his jig. With the current IGFA record at 2.8 kg (6 lb 2 oz), Lewis’s snapper would be the best existing record by more than 4.5 kg (10 lb).
Bait Used: Tyger soft plastic jig
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo62609Ismail_butterfly_peacock.JPG
Mohd Ali Ismail
Kota Bharu, Malaysia
Butterfly Peacock (Cichla ocellaris)
All-Tackle Length Record
Length:
52 cm
The Lowdown: Fishing with guide Moho Fauzi Mustaffa on July 23, 2011 Ismail landed this beautiful butterfly peacock while casting. The fish was released after the two minute fight, and the necessary information was documented. The current IGFA record is 49 cm.
Bait Used: Yozuri lure
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo62609Arostegui_alligator_gar.jpg
Martin Arostegui
Coral Gables, FL, USA
Alligator Gar (Atractosteus spatula)
16 lb tippet class record

Weight: 62 lb 8 oz
The Lowdown: Fly fishing Lake Livingston, Texas, USA on August 22, 2011 with Captain Kirk Kirkland, Arostegui finally hooked up to the fish he describes as “the fish of 10,000 casts” – a 28.35 kg (62 lb 8 oz) alligator gar. Thirty minutes after the fish struck, Arostegui was able to land, weigh and release the fish alive. The current IGFA record is 11.25 kg (24 lb 13 oz).
Bait Used: Custom fly
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo62609Sadar_payara.JPG
Michael Sadar
Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
Payara (Hydrolycus spp.)
All-Tackle Length Records
Length:
88 cm
The Lowdown: On a recent trip to Bolivia, Sadar landed the toothy payara in the San Simon River on July 29, 2011. Sadar needed 23 minutes to subdue his potential record fish, which was released after being photographed. The current IGFA record is vacant.
Bait Used: Custom tied fly
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo62609Shibayama_potato_grouper.jpg
Takayuki Shibayama
Osaka, Japan
Potato Grouper (Epinephelus tukula)
All-Tackle Record

Weight: 77.85 kg (171 lb.)
The Lowdown: Fishing with guide Takashi Nakazato on June 4, 2011 off Miyako Island, Japan, Shibayama battled this bottom-dwelling monster for seven and a half hours. The current IGFA record is vacant.
Bait Used: Live snapper
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo62609Pfleger_white_seabass.jpg
Tom Pleger
Newport Beach, CA
Sea bass (Atractoscion nobilis)
Men’s Line Class Record
Weight:
25.85 kg (57 lb.)
The Lowdown: Pfleger landed his most recent sea bass while fishing south of the border in Ensenada, Mexico on June 22, 2011. Forty-five minutes after the fish sent his Shimano TLD screaming, the skilled angler had the fish subdued and in the boat.
Bait Used: Live squid
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo62609Carlson_muskellunge.jpg
Mark E. Carlson, M.D.
Rockford, IL
Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy)
All-Tackle Length Record
Length:
128 cm
The Lowdown: This past June, angler Mark E. Carlson, M.D. of Rockford, Illinois, took a trip to experience some of the fantastic fishing north of the border in Ottawa, Canada. It was a good thing Mark decided to bring his IGFA Measuring Device because the fish were biting. In Canada’s Ottawa River on June 22, 2011, after a quick five-minute fight, Mark was able to measure, photograph and release the musky. The current IGFA record is vacant.
Bait Used: Buck tail lure
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo62609Rivera_Califonia_halibut.jpg
Francisco J. Rivera
Camarillo, CA
California halibut (Paralichthys californicus)
Men’s Line Class Record
Weight:
30.48 kg (67 lb 53 oz)
The Lowdown: Angler Francisco J. Rivera was fishing for sea bass with Capt. Joe Villareal on July 1, 2011 off the cost of Santa Rosa, California. Rivera had the tasty bottom dweller subdued in 10 minutes. The current IGFA record is 26.58 kg (58 lb 9 oz).
Bait Used: Live squid
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo62609Konop_black-blue_rockfish.jpg
Cody Konop
Anchorage, AK
Black-blue Rockfish
Male Small fry Record
Weight:
3.69 kg (8 lb 2 oz)
The Lowdown: Small fry angler Cody Konop currently holds six junior records for species such as lingcod and black-blue rockfish. Fishing in the Gulf of Alaska on July 11, 2011 with father and captain, Tom Konop, Cody pulled in the black-blue rockfish. Cody needed just seven minutes to land the fish.
Bait Used: Storm Wildeye Shad
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo62609Charpentier_roosterfish.jpg
Olivier Charpentier
Boca Chica, Panama
Roosterfish (Nematistius pectoralis)
All-Tackle Length Record
Length:
130 cm
The Lowdown: Olivier Charpentier went out on July 4, 2011 to target some of the inshore game species that the surrounding water of Boca Chica, Panama has to offer. It took the experienced angler 20 minutes to land the fish. The current IGFA record is 92 cm.
Bait Used: Sebile topwater plug
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo62609Fent_southern_bluefin_tuna.jpg
David Fent
Langwarrin, Victoria
Southern Blue fin
Men’s Tippet Class Record
Weight:
8.48 kg (18 lb 11 oz)
The Lowdown: Australian angler David Fent traveled west to Port MacDonnell, Australia on May 20, 2011 to target some of the southern blue fin tuna found in that area during this time of year. Fent did battle for a grueling 40 minutes before the fish was finally subdued. The current IGFA record is vacant.
Bait Used: Custom fly
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo62609Nabozny_tripletail.jpg
Stan Nabozny
The Woodlands, TX
Tripletail (Lobotes surinamensis)
All Tackle Length Record
Length:
69 cm
The Lowdown: When most anglers are fortunate enough to land a big tripletail, the fish usually finds its way to the icebox and then the frying pan. Angler Stan Nabozny, had an All-Tackle Length record on his mind, while fishing with Capt. Dwayne Newbern on July 8, 2011 in Matagorda Bay, Texas. The fish fought for 10 minutes before being measured, photographed and released. The current IGFA record is vacant.
Bait Used: Shrimp
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo38356Hargen_swordfish.jpg
Eilish Hargen
Christchurch, New Zealand
Swordfish
Female Junior Record
Weight:
179 lb 10 oz
The Lowdown: Angler Eilish Hargen is dwarfed by the swordfish she landed on May 23, 2011 while fishing off Cape Karikari, New Zealand. Hargen’s captain, Jason Wootton, was trolling a Yo-Zuri squid when the fish hit, and the young angler landed her prize in just 20 minutes. The current IGFA record is 155 lb 13 oz.
Bait Used: Yo-Zuri squid
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo38356Anderson_blue_catfish.jpg
Richard Nicholas Anderson
Greenville, NC
Blue Catfish
All-Tackle Record + Men’s 30 lb Line Class Record
Weight:
143 lbs.
The Lowdown: Last summer, Greg Bernal made history and shocked the angling world with his 130 lb. All-Tackle blue catfish that he pulled from the Missouri River. Not more than a year later, on June 18, 2011, Richard Nicholas Anderson pulled a blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) from Kerr Lake, Virginia, USA that tops Bernal’s fish by 13 lb and qualifies for both the new potential All-Tackle and men’s 15 kg (30 lb) line class records. Anderson was fishing with his father and close friend. The fish was subdued 45 minutes later and Anderson was exhausted. Nevertheless, the excited anglers rushed back to the docks to get an official weight on this new potential record fish. Bait Used: chicken livers
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo38356Klause_striped_bass.JPG
Maureen Klause
Ocean City, NJ
Striped Bass
Women’s Line Class Record
Weight:
30 lbs 9 oz
The Lowdown: Angler Maureen Klause took advantage of New Jersey’s early summer striper run by landing the new potential women’s 02 kg (4 lb) line class record on May 31, 2011. Klause was fishing with guide Richard D. Wheeler in the Shark River Inlet, NJ when she hooked this summer striper. After a tense 24-minute fight, Klause landed the fish and was on her way back to the docks. The current IGFA record is 30 lb 6oz.
Bait Used: live menhaden
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo38356Llamozas_speckled_peacock_bass.jpg
Rafael F. Llamozas
Salt Lake City, UT
Peacock Bass
All-Tackle Length Record
Length:
88cm **
The Lowdown:** Rafael F. Llamozas traveled to Colombia in early April to target some of the country’s infamous peacock bass. On April 4, 2011 with a local guide, Llamozas hooked this massive speckled peacock. Rafael released his catch safely after measuring and photographing the potential record fish.
Bait Used: yellow and red peacock jig
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo38356Richardson_yellowfin_tuna.jpg
John E. Richardson
Bellville, TX
Yellowfin Tuna
Men’s 4 lb. Line Class Record
Weight:
64 lb 4 oz
The Lowdown: For years, angler John E. Richardson has been going down to Piñas Bay, Panama to experience it’s world-class fishery; but according to Richardson, this year the fishing was even better than usual, especially for tuna. The abundance of yellowfin tuna schools feeding on the surface made it possible for Richardson to land this 64 lb 4 oz yellowfin on June 9, 2011, to qualify for the men’s 4 lb line class record. This amazing feat was accomplished in just one minute. The current IGFA record is 25 kg (55 lb 1 oz).
Bait Used: live blue runner
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo38356Tan_snakehead.jpg
Christopher S.G. Tan
Kajang, Malaysia
Snakehead
All-Tackle Length Record
Length:
71 cm
The Lowdown: IGFA Representative Christopher S.G. Tan was fishing in Belum, Malaysia with guide Mohd Hafzi on March 6, 2011 when he landed this snakehead. This potential All-Tackle Length record was caught in just one minute. As with every potential All-Tackle Length record, Tan’s fish was released alive after being measured and photographed. The current IGFA record is 69 cm.
Bait Used: Sebile Stick Shad lure
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo38356Arostegui_black_grouper.jpg
Martini Arostegui
Coral Gables, FL
Black Grouper
Men’s 50 lb Line-Class Record (tie)
Weight:
18 lb
The Lowdown: IGFA Lifetime Achiever Martini Arostegui took a break from his college studies to do some grouper fishing with his father and Captain Ralph Delph down in Key West. The group of experienced anglers went out on June 14, 2011 and landed this 18 lb black grouper. After a tough 15 minutes, the fish was boated and on ice. If approved, Arostegui’s catch would tie the existing men’s 24 kg (50 lb) line class record.
Bait Used: live pinfish
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo38356Jacobsen_Pacific_Blue_Marlin.jpg
Eryn Jacobsen
North Cape, New Zealand
Pacific Blue Marlin
Women’s line-class record
Weight: 400 lbs. 12 oz.
The Lowdown:
Jacobsen hooked into this monster pacific blue marlin off the coast of North Cape in Febriary on just 12-pound gear. Five grueling hours after the marlin hit the line, Jacobsen and the crew of the Hookin’ Bull boated this monster that more than doubles the current record of 189 lbs. 8 oz.
Bait Used: trolled dead skipjack
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo38356Hansen_Bill_Royal_Slam.jpg
Trevor Hansen
South Africa
Billfish
Billfish Royal Slam Club
Weight:
NA
The Lowdown: Hansen caught his first billfish, a Pacific sailfish, in February, 1991 off the coast of Comores, Africa. Almost 20 years to the date and eight billfish species later, Hansen became the first South African Member of the IGFA’s Billfish Royal Slam Club. All of his billfish were caught from his native land of South Africa, other than his Pacific sailfish and his Pacific blue marlin, which were caught near Kona, Hawaii on July 26, 2006. Hansen landed his remaining three Atlantic billfish species during a seven-day trip to Brazil last February, a blue marlin, a white marlin and a sailfish.
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo38356Ebanks_Escolar.jpg
Charles F. Ebanks
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Escolar
All-Tackle Record
Weight:
160 lb. 11 oz.
The Lowdown: Ebanks, already the current all-tackle record holder for escolar one-upped himself when he landed this huge on Dec. 15, 2010 while fishing off Grand Cayman after a 25 minute fight.
Bait Used: squid
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo38356Fernandes_Tiger_Sorubim.jpg
Dr. Gilberto Fernandes
Rio Amazonas, Brazil
Tiger Sorubim
All-Tackle record, Line-Class record
Weight:
48 lb. 8 oz.
The Lowdown: Fernandes was fishing his native Rio Amazonas on Feb. 13, 2011 when he hooked into this monster. It replaces his current all-tackle record of 45 lb 10 oz and would also qualify him for the 12-lb line class record.
Bait Used: live bait
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo38356Davids_Cobia.jpg
Laurel David
Hollywood, Florida
Cobia
Female Smallfry record
Weight:
48 lbs.
The Lowdown: Young Laurel David hooked this record-setter on Feb 23, 2011 while fishing off Key Biscayne, Forlida and landed it after a 30-minute battle.
Bait Used: live pinfish
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo38356Warrick_Muskellunge.jpg
Brett Warrick
Westerville, Ohio
Muskellunge
Tippet Class record
Weight:
10 lb. 5 oz.
The Lowdown: Warrick landed this big ‘un while fishing the Alum Creek Spillway in Ohio, qualifying him for the currently vacant muskellunge record.
Bait Used: black fly
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo38356Tong_Southern_Yellowtail.jpg
Bradley Tong
Mount Maunganui, New Zealand
Southern Yellowtail
All-Tackle Length record
Length:
99cm
The Lowdown: Tong was speed jigging off Mayor Island, New Zealand on Feb. 23, 2011 when he hooked into this gorgeous southern yellowtail. The angler and his guide were able to land, document and cleanly release the fish, qualifying if for the all-tackle length record for the species. Tong landed the fish in only six minutes. The record is currently vacant.
Bait Used: River 2 – Sea Knife jig
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo38356Romano_Atlantic_Snook.jpg
Michael Romano
Hudson, Ohio
Atlantic Snook
All-Tackle Length record
Length:
70 cm
The Lowdown: Romano made a trip to Marco Island, Florida on March 21, 2011 and landed this snook fly fishing from a dock. The catch is an example of how the All-Tackle Length program allows anglers to target fish for records even out of season.
Bait Used: white bucktail fly
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo38356Llera_Bonefish.jpg
Dr. J.A. Llera
Miami Lakes, Florida
Bonefish
All-Tackle Length record
Length:
62 cm
The Lowdown: Llera spent the weekend of March 26, 2011 in Key Largo, Florida where he was able to land and release this impressive bonefish after a 15 minute drag-screaming battle.
Bait Used: shrimp fly
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo38356Harrold_barramundi.jpg
Denis Harrold
Bardon, Queensland, Australia
Barramundi
All-Tackle & Men’s Line Class Record (30 lb.)
Weight:
98 lbs 6 oz.
The Lowdown: Harrold was fishing Lake Monduran, Australia on Dec. 12, 2010 when he landed this monstrous barramundi after a grueling 15-minute fight from his kayak.
Bait Used: Squidgies Slick rig
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo38356Linares_turquoise_cichlid.jpg
Alejandro Linares
Medellin, Colombia
Turquoise Cichlid
All-Tackle Record
Weight:
10 lbs. 8 oz.
The Lowdown: Linares was looking to surpass his current all-tackle turquoise cichlid record when he visited Quebrada Yanacue, Colombia on Dec. 31, 2010. He did just that, landing this fish after only three minutes.
Bait Used: Rapala Xrap 10
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo38356Richmond_grouper.JPG
Phillip W. Richmond, Jr.
Los Chagos, Diego Garcia
Eightbar Grouper
All-Tackle Record
Weight:
76 lbs. 6 oz.
The Lowdown: Richmond was fishing with a local guide when he landed this beautiful eightbar grouper while stationed in Los Chagos, Diego Garcia on Dec. 11, 2010.
Bait Used: jighead and scampi lure
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo38356Livingston_yellowfin_tuna.jpg
Mike Livingston
Sunland, California
Yellowfin Tuna
All-Tackle Men’s Line Class (130 lb.)
Weight:
405 lbs.
The Lowdown: Livingston was on a long range boat in San Diego, California when he landed this monster after a 2 hour, 40 minute fight on Nov. 30, 2010 outside Magdalena Bay, Mexico.
Bait Used: sardine
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo38356Ballantyne_cobia.jpg
Dotty Ballantyne
Bozeman, Montana
Cobia
Women’s Tippet Class Record (8 lb.)
Weight:
21 lbs. 8 oz.
The Lowdown: Ballantyne, a veteran fly angler, landed this cobia after a 25 minute fight in Key West, Florida on Dec. 31, 2010.
Bait Used: baitfish fly
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo38356bull_trout_-_36373.jpg
Bo Nelson
Oro Valley, Arizona
Bull Trout
Tippet Class Record
Weight:
12 lbs.
The Lowdown: Nelson, an IGFA representative, was fly fishing the Flathead River in British Columbia, Canada on Aug. 19 when he landed this monster. Nelson currently holds three tippet records for the species.
Bait Used: egg pattern fly
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo38356alfonsino_-_36336.jpg
Kevin Wong **
Virginia Beach, VA
Alfonsino
Brand New IGFA All-Tackle Record**
Weight: 8 lbs. 5 oz.
The Lowdown: Wong was fishing the Norfolk Canyon off the Virginia coastline when he landed this bright deep-water dweller after a 20-minute fight.
Bait Used: squid
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo38356sharptooth_catfish_-_36367.jpg
Gregory Grant
Johannesburg, South Africa
Sharptooth catfish
130-Pound Line Class Record
Weight:
21 lbs.
The Lowdown: Grant was fishing South Africa’s Zoo Lake in September when he landed this sharptooth catfish in 15 minutes.
Bait Used: small carp head
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo38356white-blotched_grouper_-_36393.jpg
Phillip W. Richmond, Jr.
White-blotched grouper
All-Tackle Record
Weight:
18 lbs. 6oz.
The Lowdown: While stationed with the U.S. military at Chagos on the small island of Diego Garcia in the middle of the Indian Ocean, Richmond landed this beast after only two minutes. The current record is vacant.
Bait Used: Yozurki popper
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo38356mullet_snapper_-_36384.jpg
Martin Arostegul
Mullet snapper
Men’s 8-pound Tippet Class Record
Weight:
4 lbs. 8 oz.
The Lowdown: Arostegul landed this possible record-setter while fly fishing in Golfito, Costa Rica.
Bait Used: custom “Arostegul Pilchard” fly
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo38356golden_trevally_-_36390.jpg
Emmanuel C. Flores
Quezon City, Phillipines
Golden trevally
Men’s 6-pound Line Class Record
Weight:
6 lbs. 3 oz.
The Lowdown: Flores landed this golden trevally with a light line off Calatagan, Phillippines on Nov. 22. The record slot is currently vacant.
Bait Used: shrimp
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo38356California_yellowtail_-_36368.jpg
Chloe Marie Salazar
Long Beach, California
California Yellowtail
Female Junior Record
Weight:
25 lbs. 7 oz.
The Lowdown: After a 15 minute fight, young angler, Salazar, landed this huge tuna on Oct. 23 while fishing off Santa Barbara Island, California.
Bait Used: squid
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo38356African_threadfin_-_36302.jpg
James Hodgson
Western Cape, South Africa
African threadfin
Men’s 20-pound Line Class Record

Weight: 100 lbs. 1 oz.
The Lowdown: Hodgson wrested for two hours with this giant while fishin the Barra Do Dande in Angola, Africa with IGFA Representative Iain Nicolson.
Bait Used: plastic shad
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo38356barramundi_-_36295.jpg
Mark Hope
Yungaburra, Queensland, Australia
Barramundi
Line Class Record
Weight:
57 lbs. 5 oz.
The Lowdown: Hope may break a 20-year-old record after landing this barramundi while fishing Lake Tinaroo, Australia on Sept. 28.
Bait Used: live banded grunter
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo38356black_pacu_-_36300.jpg
Gary Roberts
Plantation, Florida
Black Pacu
All-Tackle Record
Weight:
55 lbs.
The Lowdown: While fishing a local canal in Tamarac, Florida on Oct. 5 Roberts pulled this beastly black pacu that may break the 10-year-old IGFA record.
Bait Used: dough bait nuggets
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo38356crevalle_jack_-_36301.jpg
Carlos Alberto Leal Simoes
Luanda, Angola, Africa
Crevalle Jack
All-Tackle Record
Weight:
66 lb. 2 oz.
The Lowdown: Simoes was casting in the waters of the coastal town of Barra Do Dande when this monster exploded on his lure.
Bait Used: top water poppers
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo38356dogtooth_tuna_-_36309.jpg
Samantha Vale
Port Vila, Vanuatu
Dogtooth Tuna
Women’s Line Class Record
Weight:
136 lb. 3 oz.
The Lowdown: Guided by Herve Picarda, Vale was vishing off Shepherd Island Sept. 12 and fought this giant tuna for 40 minutes.
Bait Used: rainbow runner
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo38356shortnose_gar_-_36316.jpg
George F. Pittman, Sr.
Saint Joseph, Missouri
Shortnose Gar
All-Tackle Record
Weight:
8 lb. 3 oz.
The Lowdown: Pittman pulled this potential record breaker while fishing on nearby Lake Contrary on Oct. 12.
Bait Used: dead carp
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo38356whiterock_bass_-_36337.jpg
Clementine Payne-Weeks
Greenbriar, Arkansas
Whiterock Bass
Smallfry Record
Weight:
4 lbs.
The Lowdown: Young Payne-Weeks, guided by Mathew Moran, caught this whiterock bass on Oct. 14 from Greers Ferry Lake, Arkansas.
Bait Used: live minnow
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo38356yellowfin_tuna_-_36317.jpg
Keith Brandner
Tenafly, New Jersey
Yellowfin Tuna
Male Junior Record
Weight:
241 lb. 4 oz.
The Lowdown: Young Brander was fishing off Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in August when this beast hit his line, ending in a brutal battle that lasted for nearly two hours.
Bait Used: live goggle eye
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo38356OctIGFA_1.jpg
Frank Jensen Aabyhoej, Sweden Landlocked Atlantic Salmon All-Tackle Record Weight: 24 lbs. 11 oz. The Lowdown: Jensen battled with this Atlantic salmon for 45 minutes while fishing Klaralv, Sweden. Bait Used: nors flue
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo38356OctIGFA_2.jpg
Jace Heller Seal Beach, California Yelloweye Rockfish Junior Record Weight: 28 lb. The Lowdown: Heller, guided by IFGA Certified Captain Andy Mezirow, landed this yelloweye in Seward, Alaska. Bait Used: Herring
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo38356OctIGFA_3.jpg
Zsedely Attila Ajka, Hungary Wels Catfish All-Tackle Record Weight: 297 lb. 9oz. The Lowdown: Attila, guided by Captain Kiss Jozset, landed this monster wels while fishing Italy’s River Po. He fought the beast for nearly an hour. The River Po has produced three potential IGFA All-Tackle wels records in the past year. Lure Used: Rapala Plug
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo38356OctIGFA_4.JPG
Fiona Stallard Perth, Western Australia Wahoo Women’s 6 lb. Line Class Record Weight: 46 lb. 4oz. The Lowdown: In less than 30 minutes, Stallard landed this toothy critter, guided by Capt. Adrian Watt. Lure Used: Halco Lazer Pro 160
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo38356OctIGFA_5.jpg
Andres Fanjul Palm Beach, Florida Roundscale Spearfish All-Tackle Billfish Record Weight: 70 lb. The Lowdown: Fanjul landed this spear while trolling naked ballyhoo in Baltimore Canyon off Maryland after a 30 minute battle. Lure Used: Naked Ballyhoo
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo38356OctIGFA_6.jpg
Pamela J. Henry Stuart, Florida Blue Tilapia All-Tackle Record Weight: 9 lb. 6 oz. The Lowdown: Henry landed this Talapia in six minutes while fishing Florida’s South Fork River. Bait Used: bread ball
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo38356OctIGFA_7.jpg
Jazmine Olivia Evans Melfa, Virginia Bluefin Tuna Smallfry Record Weight: 53 lb. 6 oz. The Lowdown: Young Jazmine, guided by her father Capt. Wayne Evans, landed this tuna in Sams Hill, Virginia. Lure Used: Seawitch Skirted Ballyhoo
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo38356OctIGFA_8.jpg
Frank Bluch Corio Victoria, Australia Lake Trout Fly Record Weight: 30 lb. 8oz. The Lowdown: Bluch fought this amazing trout for over four hours on Great Bear Lake, Canada using ultra thin 2 lb. tippet. Fly Used: White Dumbell Strip Tease
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo38356OctIGFA_9.jpg
Maximilian Hampl Cartago, Costa Rica Mullet Snapper Men’s Line Class Record & Male Junior Record Weight: 29 lb. 8 oz. The Lowdown: Hampl might claim two IGFA records for this mullet snapper taken in Boca Chica, Panama. Bait Used: Live Blue Runner
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18striped-bass_0.jpg
**Ted Carroll
Chatham, NJ
Striped Bass
Male Junior Record
** Weight: 60 lb. 0 oz. The Lowdown: Carroll hooked this whopper striper during a trip off Fishers Island, Connecticut. Lure Used: Live eel
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18northern-pike.jpg
**Paolo Pacchiarini
Milan, Italy
Northen Pike
16-Pound Tippet Record
** Weight: 36 lb. 0 oz. The Lowdown: Pacchiarini’s catch stands to beat the current pike in this category, caught in Manitoba, by a full 4 pounds. Fly Used: Wiggle Tail
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18southern-bluefin-tuna.jpg
**John Winzel
Leura New South Wales, Australia
Southern Bluefin Tuna
20-Pound Tippet Record
** Weight: 55 lb. 1 oz. The Lowdown: Winzel duked it out with this big tuna for 40 minutes off Pedra Blanca in Australia. Fly Used: Fat Boy
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18roosterfish.jpg
**Margaret Shaughnessy
Medford, OR
Roosterfish
8-Pound Tippet Record
** Weight: 19 lb. 0 oz. The Lowdown: Shaughnessy already holds the 8-pound women’s tippet record for roosterfish, and she landed this new best in the same waters of Bahia de Los Suenos in Mexico. Fly Used: Kinky Muddler
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18cobia.jpg
**Dr. Julie H. Ball
Virginia Beach, VA
Cobia
20-Pound Line-Class Record
** Weight: 74 lb. 0 oz. The Lowdown: If it qualifies, this fish will be the 12th record catch earned by Ball. It took her nearly 2 hours to careful play the brute to the boat successfully. Bait Used: Live eel
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18black-grouper.jpg
**Chuck Redden
Punta Gorda, FL
Black Grouper
50-Pound Line-Class Record
** Weight: 59 lb. 14 oz. The Lowdown: Redden hopes to “decimate” the current grouper in this slot, which weighs on 10 pounds, 12 ounces. Bait Used: Live pinfish
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18greater-amberjack.jpg
**Heather Michelle Harkavy
Coral Springs, FL
Greater Amberjack
20-Pound Tippet Record Record
** Weight: 27 lb. 0 oz. The Lowdown: Harkavy already holds 81 world records despite her young age. The 30-minute battle with this fish might have earned her record number 82. Fly Used: Unknown
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18black-Papuan-snapper-.jpg
**Ian Middleton
Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Black Papuan Snapper
50-Pound Line-Class Record
** Weight: 34 lb. 0 oz. The Lowdown: Believe it or not, this behemoth is a freshwater species Middleton yanked from Lake Murray in Papua New Guinea. Bait/Lure Used: Unknown
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18yellowspotted-trevally.jpg
**Rory Francis Eidelman
Magaliesburg, South Africa
Yellowspotted Trevally
All-Tackle Record
** Weight: 30 lb. 5 oz. The Lowdown: Eidelman hooked this trevally while fishing Sudwana Bay in South Africa. It took him 25 minutes to land. Lure Used: Maria Spoon
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18taimen_0.jpg
**Marles H. Frankman
Golden Valley, MN
Taimen
16-Pound Tippet Record
** Weight: 47 lb. 8 oz. The Lowdown: After the fierce strike, it took Frankman 30 minutes to best this fish. It was released after photo documentation. Fly Used: Dairiki streamer
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18dorado.jpg
**Peter F. Binaski
Costa Mesa, CA
Golden Dorado
6-Pound Tippet Record
** Weight: 16 lb. 8 oz. The Lowdown: Binaski hooked into this fish on Bolivia’s Pluma River and fought it for 15 minutes. Fly Used: Unknown
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18zander.jpg
**P.C. Ouwendijk
Ouderkerk Aan Den Ijssel, Netherlands
Zander
30-Pound Line-Class Record
** Weight: 14 lb. 6 oz. The Lowdown: This European cousin of the walleye fell back in June and will potentially fill a vacant slot in the record book. Lure Used: Culprit Shad
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18tripletail-.jpg
**Brian Vaughn
Hilton Head Island, SC
Tripletail
20-Pound Tippet Record
** Weight: 16 lb. 8 oz. The Lowdown: It took Vaugh seven minutes to beat this fat tripletail after some significant effort in getting it to strike. Fly Used: Lefty’s Deceiver
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18talang-queenfish.jpg
**Craig Oliver
Pinetown, South Africa
Talang Queenfish
50-Pound Line-Class Record
** Weight: 39 lb. 7 oz. The Lowdown: Trolling a lure behind his jet ski, Oliver hooked this beast and fought it for 15 minutes. Lure Used: Rapala X-Rap
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18African-pompano.jpg
**Brielle Bennett
Cinnaminson, NJ
African Pompano
Female Smallfry Record
** Weight: 12 lb. 9 oz. The Lowdown: Bennett caught this trophy while fishing with her uncle off Key West, Florida. Bait Used: Live pinfish
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18barbel.jpg
**Stan Nabozny
The Woodlands, TX
Barbel
20-Pound Line-Class Record
** Weight: 6 lb. 11 oz. The Lowdown: It only took Nabozny five minutes to land this barbel during a fishing trip in the U.K. Bait Used: Marine halibut pellet
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18broomtail-grouper.jpg
**Xavier Casal
Miami, FL
Broomtail Grouper
80-Pound Line-Class Record
** Weight: 51 lb. 0 oz. The Lowdown: This big grouper tested Casal’s muscles for 30 minutes. Lure Used: Rapala X-Rap
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18blue-catfish.jpg
**Greg Bernal
Florissant, MO
Blue Catfish
All-Tackle Record
** Weight: 130 lb. 0 oz. The Lowdown: Bernal hooked into this gigantic cat on a dark and stormy night on the Missouri River. Click here to read the full story and see more photos. Bait Used: Asian carp
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18brown-trout.jpg
**Roger Hellen
Franksville, WS
Brown Trout
All-Tackle Record
** Weight: 41 lb. 8 oz. The Lowdown: Hellen was just trying to win a local fishing tournament when this trout struck. He not only won the tournament, but made history. Click here to read the full story and see more photos. Lure Used: Fishlander spoon
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18almaco-jack.jpg
**Maximilian Hampl
Cartago, Costa Rica
Almaco Jack
Male Junior Record
** Weight: 77 lb. 1.6 oz. The Lowdown: Hampl already holds the Male Junior Record for this species with a near 60-pounder. Now it seems he’s beaten it by more than 17 pounds. It took him 20 minutes to land this jack. Bait Used: Live moonfish
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18kokanee-.jpg
**Ronald A. Campbell
Pendleton, OR
Kokanee Salmon
All-Tackle Record
** Weight: 9 lb. 10 oz. The Lowdown: Campbell best this potential record in about five minutes after the hook up in Oregon’s Wallowa Lake. Lure Used: Shasta Peewee Hoochie
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18southern-yellowtail-.jpg
**Rikki Williams
Auckland, Australia
Southern Yellowtail
80-Pound Line-Class Record
** Weight: 111 lb. 8 oz. The Lowdown: If Williams’s catch is certified, it will beat a 48-year-old record on the books since 1962. Bait Used: Flying fish
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18striped-bass.jpg
**John M. Cole
West Newbury, MA
Striped Bass
4-Pound Tippet Record
** Weight: 23 lb. 0 oz. The Lowdown: Cole carefully fought this bass for 15 minutes off of Cape Cod. Fly Used: Chuleta Blanca
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18white-marlin.jpg
**Stacey G. Parkerson
Coral Springs, FL
White Marlin
12-Pound Tippet Record
** Weight: 46 lb. 10 oz. The Lowdown: The slot for white marlin on 12-pound tippet is currently vacant. Hopefully Parkerson’s 15-minute battle will get her in that space. Fly Used: N/A
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18grass-carp.jpg
**Jason Land
Florence, KY
Grass Carp
2-Pound Line-Class Record
** Weight: 38 lb. 4 oz. The Lowdown: This fish stands to beat the current record held since 2005 by more than 18 pounds. Bait Used: N/A
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18yellowfin-tuna-.jpg
**Toquaiah Jackson Carter
Wormleysburg, PA
Yellowfin Tuna
20-Pound Tippet Record
** Weight: 54 lb. 13 oz. The Lowdown: Carter already holds the record for yellowfin on 20-pound tippet. She landed the first fish in 2007. That fish weighed 53 pounds, 12 ounces. This new catch was beaten in Bermuda. Fly Used: Bad Hair Day
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18silver-redhorse-.jpg
**Michael Romano
Hudson, OH
Silver Redhorse
4-Pound Line-Class Record
** Weight: 8 lb. 4 oz. The Lowdown: Romano pulled this potential record from Michigan’s Muskegon River back in May. Bait Used: Crayfish
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18kitsune-mebaru.jpg
**Masamitsu Okayama
Iwanai-Gun, Japan
Kitsune-Mebaru
All-Tackle Record
** Weight: 6 lb. 2 oz. The Lowdown: It took Okayama only four minutes to beat this strange fish off the coast of Japan. Bait Used: Plastic bait
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18grey-snapper.jpg
**Roberta G. Arostegui
Coral Gables, FL
Grey Snapper
4-Pound Line-Class Record
** Weight: 2 lb. 12 oz. The Lowdown: This catch beats the current record for this line-class by a mere six ounces. Bait Used: Live pilchard
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18flathead.JPG
**Jason Ackerman
Moscow, OH
Flathead Catfish
Male Smallfry Record
** Weight: 37 lb. 12 oz. The Lowdown: Ackerman beat this big cat from South Carolina’s Lake Moultrie in only five minutes. Bait Used: Cut gizzard shad
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18rooster.jpg
**Lance Erik Peterson
Port Angeles, WA
Roosterfish
12-Pound Tippet Record
** Weight: 48 lb. 0 oz. The Lowdown: Peterson stands to break a 12-year-old record with this catch that he battle for 45 minutes in Cabo del Este, Mexico Fly Used: Peterson’s Mona-Lisa
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18lemon.jpg
**Charlotte A. Sampson
Ocean City, MD
Lemon Shark
2-Pound Line-Class Record
** Weight: 51 lb. 0 oz. The Lowdown: After weighing this potential record caught off Florida’s Summerland Key, Sampson released it to fight another day. Bait Used: False albacore strip
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18tarpon.jpg
**Thomas M. Evans Jr
Grafton, VT
Tarpon
12-Pound Tippet Record
** Weight: 194 lb. 8 oz. The Lowdown: It took Evans two hours to subdue this giant of Pine Island, Florida. Fly Used: Tarpon Toad
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18burbot.JPG
**Sean Konrad
Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada
Burbot
All-Tackle Record
** Weight: 25 lb. 2 oz. The Lowdown: Konrad, who already holds the world rcord for rainbow trout and burbot, has broken his previous brubot record by more than 6 pounds. Bait Used: Herring Click here for more F&S coverage of this catch
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18wells.jpg
**Roberto Godi
Arcole Veroma, Italy
Wels Cafish
All-Tackle Record
** Weight: 250 lb. 3 oz. The Lowdown: Caught in Italy’s River Po, which had already given up the previous world-record wels, Godi managed to weigh and photograph this mammoth catch before releasing it in goo health. Click here for more F&S coverage of this catch
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18spotted.jpg
**Ann Louise Voelz
Lafayette, IN
Spotted Bass
Female Smallfry Record
** Weight: 5 lb. 3 oz. The Lowdown: Looking to fill a currently vacant record slot, Voelz stuck it out during the 10-minute fight on Lake Lanier in Georgia to make her mark on IGFA history. Bait Used: Blueback herring
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18goldtrev.jpg
**Rhys Clatworthy
Western Australia
Golden Trevally
6-Pound Line-Class Record
** Weight: 24 lb. 14 oz. The Lowdown: It took Clatworthy an hour to best this fish near his home town of Exmouth. This record slot is currently vacant.
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18meagre.jpg
**Frank Bluch
Corio, Victoria
Meagre
2-Pound Tippet Record
** Weight: 4 lb. 12 oz. The Lowdown: This Australian species caught in the Glenelg River may be the first to fill the currently vacant slot for this saltwater species record. Fly Used: Yellow rabbit streamer
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18nigio.jpg
**Junichi Inada
Amagasaki-Shi Hyodo
Nigoi
All-Tackle Record
** Weight: 6 lb. 9 oz. The Lowdown: Inada caught this nigoi back in April while fishing in Mogawa, Japan. Bait Used: Red swamp crawfish
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18sickle.jpg
**Steven M. Wozniak
San Ramon, CA
Sicklefish
All-Tackle Record
** Weight: 1 lb. 8 oz. The Lowdown: Wozniak hooked this fish while fishing from a dock in Singpore. If it qualifies as a record, it will be the first of the species entered into the IGFA books. Bait Used: Peeled prawn
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18wreckfish.jpg
**Terence Price
Porirua, New Zealand
Wreckfish
All-Tackle Record
** Weight: 190 lb. 0 oz. The Lowdown: Price fought this fish for over 25 minutes, and it stands to beat the current record by ten pounds. Bait Used: Squid
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18sturgeon.jpg
** Martini Arostegui
Coral Gables, FL
Sturgeon
130-pound Line-Class Record
** Weight: 77 lb. 0 oz. The Lowdown: Martini used baitfish to attract the fish and battled it for 40 minutes. After this photo and documenting it he safely released the fish back into the Fraser River in British Columbia, Canada. Bait Used: Baitfish
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18tripletail_.jpg
**Joshua D. Anyzeski
Jupiter, FL
Tripletail
Boy’s Smallfry Record
** Weight: 22 lb. 8 oz. The Lowdown: It took Anyzeski eight minutes to beat this fish. Bait Used: Sardine
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18brook_trout.jpg
**Quinn Nicholas Snyder
Steamboat Springs, CO
Brook Trout
Boy’s Smallfry Record
** Weight: 4 lb. 14 oz. The Lowdown: Snyder hooked this fat brookie in Colorado’s Lower Spring Creek Reservoir. **Bait Used: ** Night Crawler
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18whip_.jpg
**Stan Nabozny
The Woodlands, TX
Whip Stingray
All-Tackle Record
** Weight: 167 lb. 8 oz. The Lowdown: With this catch, Nabozny may be introducing a new IGFA All-Tackle record species to the books. He caught the fish in Gambia. Bait Used: Herring
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18redear.jpg
**George P. Mann
Opelika, AL
Redear Sunfish
8-Pound Tippet Record
** Weight: 2 lb. 12 oz. The Lowdown: Mann hooked this mighty panfish for in Alabama’s Tallapoosa River. Fly Used: Grab-A-Holt
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18ripsaw_catfish_.jpg
**Gilberto Fernandes
Brazil
Ripsaw Catfish
All-Tackle Record
** Weight: 47 lb. 6 oz. The Lowdown: The thorn-like projections on a ripsaw require careful handling. Fernandes fought this fish for 15 minutes near Amazonas, Brazil. Bait Used: Sardine
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18Thai_shark_.jpg
** Jean-Francois Helias
Bangkok, Thailand
Thai Shark Catfish
All-Tackle Record
** Weight: 4 lb. 10 oz. The Lowdown: Helias already holds the All-Tackle Reocrd for this species, but broke it again by 3 ounces with this fish. Bait Used: Bread and rice husk flour
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18cobia_.jpg
**Rick Thomas
Palmetto Bay, FL
Cobia
80-Pound Line-Class Record
** Weight: 121 lb. 2 oz. The Lowdown: Thomas beat this monster cobia in only five minutes. Bait Used: Live Pinfish
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18Amazon.jpg
**Dennis Triana
Homestead, FL
Amazon sailfin catfish
All-Tackle Record
** Weight: 2 lb. 4 oz. The Lowdown: This catch may qualify as a new All-Tackle record species if approved. Bait Used: Power Bait
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18Artic_char_34127.jpg
**Frank Bluch
Corio, Victoria
Arctic Char
2-Pound Tippet Record
** Weight: 7 lb. 12 oz. The Lowdown: Fly fishing in Canada’s Coppermine River, Bluch and took 18 minutes to carefully play the fish that beats the former record by exactly one pound. Fly Used: Sparkle Bugger
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18Asian_yellowtail_-_34436.jpg
**Masakazu Taniwaki
Sanbu-Gun, China
Asian Yellowtail
All-Tackle World-Record
** Weight: 109 lb. 2 oz. The Lowdown: This fish caught off Okinawa, Japan, may best the current all-tackle record by over 50 pounds. Taniwaki beat the yellowtail in 12 minutes. Lure Used: Pencil Bait
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18king_threadfin_-_34447.jpg
**Nicole Lund
Springfield, Queensland
King Threadfin
Female Junior Record
** Weight: 19 lb. 4 oz. The Lowdown: Young Nicole had this king threadfin landed in eight minutes. She hooked it in Australia’s Brisbane River. Bait Used: Live Gar
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18Pacific_yellowfin_tuna_-_34120.jpg
Katherine Randup
Tauranga, New Zealand
Pacific Bluefin Tuna
130-pound Line-Class Record
Weight: 619 lb. 7 oz. The Lowdown: It took Randaup 33 minutes to best this beast of a tuna while fishing over New Zealand’s Hokitika Trench. Bait Used: Hoki
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18sorubim_-_34419.jpg
**James B. Wise M.D
Oklahoma City, OK
Sorubim
80-Pound Line-Class Record
** Weight: 97 lb. 1 oz. The Lowdown: Wise pulled this heavy specimen from Argentina’s Rio Parana, and after a few photographs and documentation, released it to swim another day. Lure Used: Cucu Trolling Lure
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo18striped_bass_-_34445.jpg
**Maureen Klause
Ocean City, NJ
Striped Bass
2-Pound Line-Class Record
** Weight: 23 lb. 8 oz. The Lowdown: It took 45 minutes of careful finesse for Klause to land this striper on such light line in Delaware Bay. Bait Used: Bunker Chunk
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo23igfajan1.jpg
Donna Narcizo
Newport Beach, Calif.
California Corbina
20-Pound Line-Class Record

The Lowdown: With the record currently vacant, Narcizo hopes to step in.
Bait Used: Innkeeper Worm
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo23igfajan2.jpg
Andriano Garhantini
Rosegg Austria
Grayling

Weight: 4 lb. 12 oz
The Lowdown: Garhantini caught this fish in the Steinfield River.
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo23igfafeb1.jpg
******Jorge Massulo de Aguiar** Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil Speckled Peacock 16-pound Tippet Record Weight: 25 lb. 2 oz. The Lowdown: Massulo de Aguiar wrestled with this fish for 12 minutes before finally landing it.
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo23igfafeb2.JPG
Jeff Storm Harkavy
Coral Springs, Fla.
Pacific Barracuda
6-Pound Tippet Record
Weight:
7 lb.**
The Lowdown:** Harkavy landed the fish after eight minutes while fishing Golflito, Costa Rica.**
**
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo23igfafeb3.jpg
Richard C. Keatley
Norfolk, Va.
Striped Bass

20-Pound Tippet Record
Weight:
51 lb. 5 oz.**
The Lowdown:** Keatley, while fishing Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, fought with this fish for 30 minutes before he landed it.**
Fly Used:** Clouser Minnow Fly
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo23igfafeb4.jpg
Dotty Ballantyne
Bozeman, Mont.
Jack Crevalle

2-Pound Tippet Record
Weight:
3 lb. 1 oz.
The Lowdown: After almost an hour Ballantyne brought in this fish, breaking her own record.
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo23igfafeb5.jpg
Stan Nabonzy
The Woodlands, Texas
Comizo Hybrid Barbel
All-Tackle Record

Weight: 15 lb. 5 oz.
The Lowdown: After documenting and photographing the catch, Nabonzy let the fish swim along.
Bait Used: Corn and Halibut Pellets
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo23igfafeb6.jpg
Rhyss Whittred
Landsdale, Wash.
Samsonfish
16-Pound Line-Class Record

Weight: 65 lb. 9 oz.
The Lowdown: Whittred used a jig to attract this fish — after half an hour, it was in the boat.
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo23igfafeb7.jpg
Ashley Stout
Reno, Nev.
Cutthroat Trout
Female Smallfry Record

Weight: 9 lb. 0 oz.
The Lowdown: Stout reeled in this prize in a about five minutes while fishing Pyramid Lake, Nevada.
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo23igfajan3.JPG
Reinhold Schwarzwaelder
Biblis, Germany
Leerfish
50-Pound Class-Line Record

Weight: 48 lb. 8 oz.
The Lowdown: Schwarzwaelder caught this fine specimen while fishing in Spain’s Delta de Ebro.
Bait Used: Mullet
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo23igfajan4.jpg
Emiko Ihara
Chiba, Japan
Japanese Parrotperch
50-Pound Class-Line Record
Weight:
7 lb. 14 oz.**
The Lowdown:** After documenting her catch, Ihara released the fish.
Bait Used: Sea Urchin
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo18Alti_Osman_32603C.jpg
****Iurii Diachenko**, Ukraine.
All-Tackle World Record Alti Osman
Weight: 12 lb. 13 oz.** The Lowdown: Caught in Mongolia’s Hoton Lake, this fish may qualify for the first of its species in the IGFA Record Book. Diachenko landed the alti osman in 15 minutes. He released it after photographing and documenting its weight and measurements. Lure Used: Vibrotail Previous Record: None Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo18California_corbina_-_31933.jpg
****Kathy Pomo**, Anaheim, CA
Women’s Line-Class Record California Corbina (4lb. test)
Weight: 4lb. 2 oz.** The Lowdown: Guided by Richard Pomo, Kathy hooked this corbina near Newport beach.
**
** Bait Used: Ghost Shrimp
**
** Previous Record: 3 pounds, 4 ounces Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo18California_corbina_-_32035.jpg
Dr. Wade Y. Yoshii, Manhattan Beach, CA.
Fly Line-Class Record California Corbina (12 lb. tippet)
Weight: 3 lb., 8 oz.

**
** The Lowdown: Dr. Wade lucked into this corbina while wade-fishing near Long Beach, California. Fly Used: Unknown
**
** Previous Record: 3 pounds, 6 ounces Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo18fallfish_-_32478.jpg
**
Jonathan McNamara, Owego, NY.**
**All-Tackle World Record Fall Fish
Weight: 3 lb., 9 oz.
** The Lowdown: Fishing the Susquehanna River last April, McNamara landed this fall fish while jigging a tube. Lure Used: Mizmo Tube Previous Record: 3 pounds, 8 ounces Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo18giant_pangasius_-_32509.JPG
Alan Boon, West Midlands, UK
All-Tackle World Record Giant Pangasius

Weight: 90 lb., 6 oz. The Lowdown: Stationed at Gillhams Fishing Resort in Krabi, Southern Thailand, Boon bested this catfish species in Bung Sam Lan Lake.
**
** Bait Used: Unknown Previous Record: 65 pounds, 1 ounce Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo18hickory_shad_-_32037.jpg
****Robert L. Jimerson Jr., Glen Allen, VA.
Line-Class Record Hickory Shad (8lb. test)
Weight: 1 lb., 12 oz.

**
** The Lowdown: While swinging shad darts in the James River, Jimerson’s got nailed by this colossal shad, landing him a well-deserved place in fish-record history.
**
** Lure Used: Shad Dart **
Previous Record:** 1 pound, 6 ounces Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo18lingcod_-_32592.jpg
****Jay Wright Jr., Hollywood, FL.
Line-Class Record Lingcod (12lb. test)
Weight: 63 lb., 8 oz.

**
** The Lowdown: Traveling all the way from Florida to fish the Gulf of Alaska, Wright’s trip paid off when he beat this bruiser lingcod. Lure Used: Grubtail Jig Previous Record: 61 pounds Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo18North_African_tigerfish.jpg
****Stan Nabozny, Texas**
All-Tackle World Record North African Tigerfish
Weight: 12 lb., 8 oz.** **
The Lowdown:** With this catch, IGFA will begin a separate category for the North African Tigerfish–one of four tigerfish species. Nabozny hooked the fish in the Gambia River and fought it for 15 minutes. Lure Used: Bunny Magnum Previous Record: None Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo18northern_pike_-_32533.jpg
****Paolo Pacchiarini**, Milan, Italy
Fly Record North Pike (20lb.tippet)
Weight: 30 lb., 13 oz.** The Lowdown: Fly fishing Italy’s Lake of Annone on June 11, Pacchiarini got this giant pike to eat his fly, possibly earning him a spot in the IGFA books by bumping out the current tippet-class leader by 7 ounces. Fly Used: Wiggle tail Previous Record: 30 pounds, 6 ounces Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo18southern_bluefin_tuna.jpg
****Kieran Gilbert**, New Norfolk, Australia
Boy’s Junior IGFA Record Southern Bluefin Tuna
Weight: 198 lb., 13 oz.** The Lowdown: Fishing a spot known as “The Lanterns” off the coast of Tasmania, Gilbert
put in a 15-minute arm-wrenching fight to beat this beauty of a tuna. Bait Used: Squid Previous Record: 174 pounds, 2 ounces
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo18wahoo_-_simpson_324611.JPG
****Tim Simpson**, Coomera Waters QLD, Australia
Line-Class Record Wahoo (8lb. test)
Weight: 69 lb., 10 oz.** The Lowdown: Simpson, the Editor of Australia’s BlueWater magazine, connected with this wahoo while fishing 30 miles off Kadavu Island, Fiji, aboard Captain Adrian Watt’s Bite Me.
**
Lure Used:** Halco Laser Pro 190
**
Previous Record:** 56 pounds, 11 ounces Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo18yelloweye_rockfish_-_32558.jpg
****Steve Kwiat** of Honolulu, HI
Line-Class Record Yelloweye Rockfish (8lb. test)
Weight: 28 lb.**
**
** The Lowdown: Traveling from his home in the 50th U.S. state to visit and fish in the 49th state, Kwiat hooked this heavy rockfish in the depths of the Gulf of Alaska. Lure Used: Rubber Jig
**
** Previous Record: 28 pounds Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo18black_drum__-_31481.JPG
Hot off the press, here are some of the latest potential record catches pending approval from the International Gamefish Association. To kick it off, here’s junior angler Heather Michelle Harkavy of Coral Springs, Florida, with a 66-pound black drum she landed in the Indian River. This is not Harkavy’s first record entry, and she’s hoping this catch knocks off the current 63-pound, 6-ounce drum on the book in the female junior angler division. Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo18black_drum_-_31921.jpg
Fly fishing the South Bay in Texas last March, Bud Rowland hooked this black drum and fought it for about 20 minutes. With a weight of 59 pounds, 8 ounces, the catch stands to beat the current 57-pound, 8-ounce drum holding the lead in the men’s 12-pound fly tippet division. Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo18giant_trevally_-_31953.jpg
Managing to hang on during the fight for over an hour really paid off for angler Audrey Ferrand, who may overtake the 91-pound giant trevally that holds the current 130-pound line-class record in the women’s division. Audrey’s beast tipped the scales at 105 pounds, 13 ounces, and was caught off the remote French island of Reunion in the Indian Ocean. Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo18smallmouth_buffalo1.jpg
Ronnie Eidson of Watauga, Texas, landed this smallmouth buffalo on Grapevine Lake. The fish grabbed a Berkley Honey Worm, and put Eidson in the running for the four-pound line-class record. His fish tipped the scales at 20 pounds, 12 ounces, trumping the former record by more than three pounds. Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo18smallmouth_buffalo2.jpg
Kirk Kirland of Nabozny, Texas, may prove to be an IGFA pioneer if his smallmouth buffalo takes the 12-pound tippet line-class fly record. That’s because it’s currently a vacant spot in the IGFA books. His fish, taken on Livingston Lake with a shrimp fly, was released after Kirkland recorded its weight of ten pounds, eight ounces. Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo18longface_emperor_-_31477.jpg
Now for something you don’t hear about everyday: the longface emperor. Japanese angler Satoshi Touchi landed this one in Amami-Oshima, Japan in March. The pending IGFA All-Tackle record fish weighed 22 pounds, 13 ounces, and took Touchi six minutes to beat. The current IGFA record is 20 pounds, 10 ounces, caught in the same waters two years ago. Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo18meagre_-_31484.jpg
On another odd note, here Australian junior angler Jeremy Athan Siarakas holds a 2-pound, 15-ounce meagre he yanked from Sydney Harbor. The current IGFA male small fry record is vacant, so Jeremy is hoping to be the first to see his name listed for the species. Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo18striped_marlin_-_31832.jpg
Here’s an astonishing catch. With four-pound-test line, New Zealand angler Eryn Jacobsen managed to land this 209-pound, 6-ounce, striped marlin in March. For 40 minutes she finessed the billfish from the waters off the Three Kings Islands, the northernmost point of the North Island of New Zealand, where the South Pacific Ocean and Tasman Sea meet. The current women’s IGFA line class record is 142 pounds, 8 ounces oz caught in Panama’s Pinas Bay in 1991. Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo18tautog_-_31955.jpg
Dr. Julie Ball took time on March 22, to wet a line off her hometown of Virginia Beach, landing a monster of a tautog – a.k.a. blackfish – that pinned the needle at 14 pounds, 13 ounces. Ball used a crab on 16-pound-test line to fool this big ‘tog. She may replace the IGFA women’s line class record for the species, which is currently 13 pounds, 11 ounces, caught in New York State in 1993. Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo18Atlantichalibut.jpg
Chalk up a win for Storm Lures with this catch. Using a Storm jig off the coast of Kvalsunclet, Norway, angler Ulf Hugsen bested this 432-pound, one-ounce** Atlantic halibut**. The battle lasted over and hour and a half, and the fish beat out the current all-tackle world record by more than 12 pounds. Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo18barramundi.jpg
On February 8th, Mark Hope of Queensland, Australia, hooked up this 51-pound barramundi on live bait in Lake Tinaroo. Hope’s fish will knock out the old 80-pound line-class record of 44 pounds, 15 ounces, which he also set back in December of 2008. Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo18orinoco_peacock.jpg
This** orinoco peacock bass** may not be big, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in beauty. Although, it was big enough to make angler Alejandro Linares a contender for the two-pound line-class record for this species. His bass weighed in at two-pounds, eight-pounces, beating the old record of one-pound, eight-ounces set in 2008. Linares’ fish came from Columbia’s Rio Mataven. Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo18smallmouth_buffalo1.jpg
Ronnie Eidson of Watauga, Texas, landed this smallmouth buffalo on Grapevine Lake. The fish grabbed a Berkley Honey Worm, and put Eidson in the running for the four-pound line-class record. His fish tipped the scales at 20 pounds, 12 ounces, trumping the former record by more than three pounds. Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo18smallmouth_buffalo2.jpg
Kirk Kirland of Nabozny, Texas, may prove to be an IGFA pioneer if his smallmouth buffalo takes the 12-pound tippet line-class fly record. That’s because it’s currently a vacant spot in the IGFA books. His fish, taken on Livingston Lake with a shrimp fly, was released after Kirkland recorded its weight of ten pounds, eight ounces. Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo18southernbluefintuna.jpg
Another IGFA first-time contneder is Sangeeta Menon of Spearwood, Australia. She’s hoping her southern bluefin tuna will be the first to fill the record slot in the women’s four-pound line-class category. Menon hooked into this tuna using a trolling lure called a Christmas tree, and fought the eight-pound, six-ounce fish for 42 minutes off Australia’s Rottsnest Island. Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo18taimen.jpg
Fishing Russia’s River Uda near Khabarovsk Krai in the center of the far east section of Siberia, Mikhail Mogutov of Moscow battled and beat this 70-pound taimen. Mogutov has his fingers crossed that his catch will be approved, topping the former 80-pound line-class record of 40 pounds, 14 ounces, on the books since June, 2006. Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
httpswww.fieldandstream.comsitesfieldandstream.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo18whaler_shark.jpg
Here’s an amazing feat for you. Dotty Ballantyne of Bozeman, Montana, who holds many line-class records, may obliterate the former four-pound tippet fly record for whaler shark that is currently 18 pounds, eight ounces. Her whaler, caught in March in the Bahamas is a whopping 75 pounds, eight ounces, and took her nearly an hour to subdue. Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
IGFA
Last week, we took a look at some recent (and still uncertified) world-record catches from the International Game Fish Association. Well, wouldn’t you know it, some new ones just hit my desk. Only this time there’s slightly less weirdness and some sick records worth major pats on the back. Take, for example, this new line-class record Atlantic halibut caught by Knut Nilsen off the coast of Norway. This over-sized flounder weighed in at 30 pounds, 6 ounces, and was bested on only 8-pound-test line. Considering that getting a halibut off the bottom can be like trying to free a safe door stuck in nearly-dry concrete, this is pretty impressive. Nilsen’s ‘but beat the former record by 22 pounds! Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
IGFA
All the way from the waters of Hawaii, here’s Steve Kwiat with a contender for the all-tackle world record 6-pound, 8-ounce Schnieder’s big eye. Kwiat’s fish stands to be the first member of a new all-tackle category for big eye since this species has never been entered before. A day on the water, a few frozen sardines, and you become a pioneer of records. Nice work, Steve. Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
IGFA
But Steve Kwiat’s big eye wasn’t the only recent catch that could be a first for the IGFA. Chris Newport landed this 56-pound, 12-ounce black grouper in Florida. Black grouper were only added to the line-class category in late 2007, and according to the IGFA, the slots are quickly filling. But at the time of this catch, the 50-pound line-class slot remained vacant. Chris is the first to get his name in that box. Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
IGFA
Though this second black grouper caught a few days after Chris Newport’s hog wasn’t quite as weighty, it did earn Ronald P. Glinski a record in the 20-pound line-class slot. This grouper tipped the scales at 21-pounds, shattering the former record by…drum roll…19 pounds! Yeah, that’s right. Because black grouper have not been record-eligible for very long, the previous 20-pound line class record weighed a mere 2 pounds, 8 ounces. Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
IGFA
Here’s a new one for me. This Indochina great leatherback caught by angler Syringa Eade ate an earthworm in Thailand and weighed in at exactly 6-pounds. Apparently this is a new one for the IGFA, too, because they are considering adding this species to their roster and giving Syringa the all-tackle world record. Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
IGFA
Continuing on with the firsts, here’s Sabine Calendini who recently decked this 38-pound, 12-ounce meagre off the coast of Senegal using a live sardine. Though I’ve never heard of this fish, it’s a member of the drum family and looks shockingly similar to a white seabass often caught in Southern California. This fish earned Calendini a 30-pound line-class record, which was a slot previously vacant in the women’s division. Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
IGFA
Is this the all-tackle world record snakehead? Nope. Just the new 80-pound line class record sharptooth catfish. This beauty was caught by angler Martin Hodgkins in Thailand. I know, I know, lots of us have been struggling to fill this record slot. Sorry, we were too late. This cat pinned the needle at 18 pounds, 5 ounces. Anyone else think 80-pound test is overkill for this fish? Keep in mind, the former 80-pound line class record sharptooth only weighed 12 pounds, 7 ounces. Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
IGFA
She may be young, but Heather Michelle Harkavy already holds multiple records. So now she can add this one to this list. Here she is with a 4-pound, 2-ounce Spanish mackerel taken in the Florida Keys on fly gear. This ‘mack beat out the former women’s record of 3 pounds, 12 ounces in the 8-pound fly tippet category. Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
IGFA
To finish with a bang, let’s give junior angler Kyle Vincent a big round of applause for beating this 225-pound, 6-ounce yellowfin tuna off the coast of Panama. Having fought my share of much smaller yellowfin, I don’t envy the struggle young Kyle had on his hands. This catch beat the former boy’s junior IGFA record yellowfin that stood at 190 pounds, 2 ounces, since 2006. Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
IGFA
This list of the most recent world record catch photos popped into my inbox the other day, courtesy of the International Game Fish Association. For those not familiar with the IGFA, they’re the official keeper of fish records (including line-class records) from around the world. Looking at this got me wondering about people that qualify for line-class records without knowing what they’ve caught. Me included. Take that giant bluegill I landed last summer on 4-pound-test mono. Was that fish a record? I’ll probably never know, but I bet lots of you can recall similar catches. Take a look for yourselves by clicking through the photos at left. Maybe you’ll see one and say, “hey, I’ve caught bigger.” Maybe you’ll learn about some gamefish species you never knew existed. Perhaps this will inspire you to keep tabs on the leaderboard so you can find your name on it some day. We’ll start with this All-Tackle World Record arawana captured in November, 2007, by angler Johnny Hoffman in Brazil. It weighed 25 pounds, 5 ounces and came out of the Araca River. Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
IGFA
Records often fall by a matter of ounces. Take this second arawana landed by Gilberto Fernandes in Brazil’s Lago de Reis. It took top honors in the 8-pound line class catagory, weighing in at 9 pounds, 15 ounces. The former 8-pound lince-class record weighed 9 pounds, 11 ounces. If arawana seem like an alien creature, I assure you they’re not as hard to catch in the States as you think. All you need is a tiny piece of shrimp on a tiny hook. Drop this rig in the tank at your local pet shop housing an arawana and you’re all set. That’s right, you’ve seen these fish about 3 inches long in aquarium shops before. They’re usually mixed in with the African chiclids. On the other hand, you can buy one for about $40, let it grow to epic proportions, and take the record that way. Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
IGFA
Here’s Medellin, Columbia, angler Alejandro Linares holding his All-Tackle World Record caranha pacu. These fish are comparable in fight, shape, and habits to permit you find on tropical saltwater flats. This specimen tipped the scales at 22 pounds, 8 ounce, breaking the old record of 21 pounds, 2 ounces. The fish nailed a spinner in the Rio Tarija in Bolivia. It’s a sweet catch, but to be in caranha pacu country means being in panther country. You won’t find many Bolivian guides that don’t pack some serious heat on river trips. Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
IGFA
Catfish on the fly? Yeah, there’s an IGFA catagory for that, too. And apparently, J. Parks Rountrey of Mechanicsville, VA, knew all about it. He pulled this flathead catfish out of the James River using a streamer. Sadly though, Rountrey only tied the record for 4-pound tippet with this fish that weighed 29 pounds, 8 ounces. Oddly, the other 29-pound, 8-ounce flathead wrenched in on 4-pound fly tippet also came from the James River. Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
IGFA
Mullet snapper. Now there’s one you don’t hear too much about. This new women’s 4-pound line-class record was taken off Costa Rica by angler Kamila Hampl. This beast weighed 3 pounds, 13 ounces, crushing the former division leader of 2 pounds, 12 ounces. According to the official IGFA press release on this catch, it took Kamila one hour and fifteen minutes to land this record striped mullet. My money is on typo or pure lack of communication. But If I’m wrong, we either need to get Kamila a BowFlex machine or tighen up her drag a little. Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
IGFA
Ah, red drum…a.k.a. redfish. One of my absolute favorite shallow-water species to chase. Knowing that these fish burn line and run for the hills, I give Fred Baruth of Colorado Springs, CO, a lot of credit for subduing this 29-pounder on only 4-pound fly tippet. Caught in the waters of Bay Long, LA, Baruth trumped the former top-dog 28-pounder to snag the 4-pound fly tippet record. Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
IGFA
This redbreast sunfish caught by Dave Chermanski in Florida weighed 1 pound, 9 ounces. It beat the decade-old 8-pound fly tippet record of 1 pound. See, this is what I’m talking about. I’m almost positive I’ve gotten bigger redbreast on lighter fly gear, but who is thinking about IGFA records when you’re fishing for sunnies (other than Dave Chermanski)? Perhaps it’s time to change my attitude. Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
IGFA
This one I’ve only ever seen in the finest sushi restaurants: the scarlet snapper. A relative of the red snapper found throught the Gulf of Mexico and Southern Atlantic, the scarlet thrives in the depths of the Southwest Pacific. This new 26-pound All-Tackle World Record was bested by Takashi Odagiri in the waters of Japan. It beat out the former record by over three pounds. Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
IGFA
Okay, props to James H. Sheffield, of Midlothian, VA, for taking this 44-pound, 2-ounce striped bass on 4-pound line to grab the new line-class record. He beat the former record of 40 pounds, 8 ounces that held since 1985. But being a striper nut and a Northeast native, no striper record will impress me much until someone beats the current 78-pound, 8-ounce All-Tackle World Record that has stood since 1982. Perhaps I’m a jerk. Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
IGFA
You’ve got to love tiger trout. A mix between and brook and brown trout, these freaks are some of the most gorgeous salmonids that swim, in my opinion. I’ve caught a few and cherished each one, but none came close to Dennis Triana’s 4-pound line-class record for 6-pound test. Triana doubled up on the old 2-pound record holder when he landed this pretty tiger on a chartreuse jig in Wyoming’s Salt River. Courtesy of I.G.F.A.
IGFA
This utsubo was caught in Japan by young angler Yuuma Nishino. At 6 pounds, 11 ounces, it knocked off the current utsubo All-Tackle record by a mere 2 ounces. Considering that the utsubo is one nasty looking bugger, and a fish I didn’t know existed until I saw this photo, there is a very good chance I would have cut the line if I reeled that in for fear of getting injected by it’s poisonous spines or something. Yuuma, you rock, dude! Courtesy of I.G.F.A.