World Record Fish: 221 Catches Submitted to The IGFA
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Austin Anderson
Lake Fork, Texas
Smallmouth Buffalo (Ictiobus bubalus)
Male Junior Record and 24 kg (50 lb) Line Class Record
Weight: 22.85 kg (50 lb 6 oz)
The Lowdown: Angler Austin Anderson used a dough ball for bait while fishing in Lake Fork, Texas on March 3, 2012. He hooked this 50-pound, 6-ounce smallmouth buffalo, and he needed 40 minutes to land the fish. This smallmouth buffalo qualifies him for both the male Junior record and the 24 kg line class record. The fish was weighed on the riverbank and released alive. The current male Junior record stands at 3.86 kg (8 lb 8 oz) and the 24 kg (50 lb) line class record is 8.77 kg (19 lb 5 oz).
Bait used: Dough ball.
Lake Fork, Texas
Smallmouth Buffalo (Ictiobus bubalus)
Male Junior Record and 24 kg (50 lb) Line Class Record
Weight: 22.85 kg (50 lb 6 oz)
The Lowdown: Angler Austin Anderson used a dough ball for bait while fishing in Lake Fork, Texas on March 3, 2012. He hooked this 50-pound, 6-ounce smallmouth buffalo, and he needed 40 minutes to land the fish. This smallmouth buffalo qualifies him for both the male Junior record and the 24 kg line class record. The fish was weighed on the riverbank and released alive. The current male Junior record stands at 3.86 kg (8 lb 8 oz) and the 24 kg (50 lb) line class record is 8.77 kg (19 lb 5 oz).
Bait used: Dough ball.
Houhora, New Zealand
Pacific Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus orientalis)
Men’s 37 kg (80 lb) Line Class Record
Weight: 335.4 kg (739 lb 6 oz)
The Lowdown: Kiwi angler Nathan Adams was fishing on the “Western Break” on Feb. 17, 2012, when he hooked into this enormous Pacific bluefin tuna. The fish smashed the rigged skipjack tuna he was trolling, and Adams landed the fish after a grueling 40-minute battle. The tuna measured more than eight feet long and surpassed the existing record by more than 200 pounds.
Bait used: Rigged skipjack tuna
Islas Secas, Panama
Bluefin Trevally (Caranx melampygus)
All-Tackle Length Record
Length: 76 cm
The Lowdown: Gregory Tordejeman recently traveled to Panama to fish with local guide Olivier Charpentier. He caught this 76-cm long bluefin trevally on a Sebile Stick Shad off of Islas Secas on Jan. 8, 2012. The fish was measured on an IGFA Official Measuring Device and released alive. The current IGFA record is 70 cm.
Bait used: Sebile Stick Shad
Olbia, Italy
Dentex (Dentex dentex)
Men’s 10 kg (20 lb) Line Class Record
Weight: 11.97 kg (26 lb 6 oz)
The Lowdown: Angler Mauro Marzaduri was fishing with guide Giusepe Galliani on Jan. 1, 2012 when he landed this dentex. He was using live squid for bait and he needed 30 minutes to bring the fish off the bottom. Not a bad way to kick off the New Year.
Bait used: Live squid
Selangor, Malaysia
Snakehead (Channa spp.)
All-Tackle Length Record
Length: 85 cm
The Lowdown: Christopher S.G. Tan was trolling a Halco lure in Selangor, Malaysia on March 28, 2012 when he landed this 85-cm snakehead. He landed the fish in five minutes and quickly measured, photographed and released the fish alive.
Bait used: Halco lure
Hobe Sound, Florida
Crevalle Jack (Caranx hippos)
All-Tackle Length Record
Length: 87 cm
The Lowdown: Peter F. Binaski traveled from his home in California to south Florida to fly fish for near shore game species. Fishing off Hobe Sound with Captain Quintin Hall on March 30, 2012, Binaski fooled this 87-cm crevalle jack with a deceiver fly. The fish was boated after a 35-minute fight. The current IGFA record is 85 cm.
Bait used: Deceiver fly
Ft. Pierce, Florida
Atlantic Snook (Centropomus spp.)
All-Tackle Length Record
Length: 98 cm
The Lowdown: Angler Derek Szczepaniak caught his first snook ever on March 27,2012. He was fishing with Captain Peter Deeks off Ft. Pierce, Fla. This 98-cm Atlantic snook took the live pilchard he was using as bait. Szczepaniak landed the fish after a 15-minute fight. The fish was released after photos and measurements were taken. The current IGFA record is 92 cm.
Bait used: Live pilchard
Hapuku (Polyprion oxygeneios)
All-Tackle Record
Weight: 23.2 kg (51 lb 2 oz)
The Lowdown: Kiwi angler Sue Tindale was fishing aboard “Sue’s Rock” with her husband, Captain Scott Tindale, on Feb. 28, 2012, when she landed this 51-pound, 2-ounce Hapuku. She was using skipjack for bait, and she landed the fish after a 35-minute fight. The current IGFA record is vacant.
Bait used: Skipjack
Tennessee River, Tennessee
Striped bass (Morone saxatilis)
All-Tackle Length Record
Length: 103 cm
The Lowdown: Stan Nabozny caught this trophy striper while fishing the Tennessee River on March 27, 2012 with guide Stever Baker. The 103-cm landlocked striped bass ate the live threadfin Nabozny used for bait. He landed the fish after a 10-minute fight. The catch was documented and the fish was quickly released. The current IGFA record is 84 cm.
Bait used: Live threadfin
Khao Laem Dam, Thailand
Rohu (Labeo rohita)
All-Tackle Record
Weight: 13.35 kg (29 lb 13 oz)
The Lowdown: Australian native Benchawan Thiansungnoen has been spending time in Thailand racking up records on some unique freshwater species. One of her most recent catches is a rohu caught on January 6, 2012. Thiansungnoen’s fish ate a lump of bread mix she was soaking, and after a quick 5 minute fight, the rohu was subdued. After snapping a few photos and getting the necessary measurements, Thiansungnoen released this new potential record fish alive. The existing IGFA record stands at 12.5 kg (27 lb 8 oz).
Bait Used: Lump of bread mix
Lake Tinaroo, Australia
Barramundi (Lates calcarifer)
Female Smallfry Record
Weight: 25.15 kg (55 lb 7 oz)
The Lowdown: Smallfry Aussie angler Charlotte Moller was fishing with her family on February 18, 2012 in Australia’s Lake Tinaroo. Charlotte was able to land her impressive fish in 35 minutes under the watchful eye of her father and guide, Shane Moller. Charlotte’s fish ate a live baitfish under a float. The current IGFA record is 12.2 kg (26 lb 14 oz).
Bait Used: Live baitfish under a float
Cayman Islands
Escolar (Lepidocybium flavobrunneum)
All-Tackle Record
Weight: 78.81 kg (173lb 12oz)
The Lowdown: The Cayman Islands have produced another potential record escolar! This time it was local angler Emil Terry who boated the potential record fish; a monster that he landed in 25 minutes after it hit the strip bait he was drifting with guide Jonathan Ebanks, and current record holder Charles Ebanks, whose current record stands at 72.89 kg (160 lb 11 oz).
Bait Used: Strip bait
Serra da Mesa Lake, Brasil
Blue peacock (Cichla piquiti)
All-Tackle Record
Weight: 4.54 kg (10 lb 0 oz)
The Lowdown: Brazilian angler Fabricio Bigua was fishing with guide Fabricio B. de Camargos on Nov. 12, 2011 when he landed a potential record. After a quick five mintue fight, Bigua was able to photograph, weigh, measure and release the fish alive. The current IGFA record is 4.02 kg (8 lb 13 oz).
Bait Used: Tmakatsu-Trainao
Smith River, California, USA
Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
All-Tackle Length Record
Length: 111 cm
The Lowdown: Angler Bob Gaines of Irvine, California, USA, landed a massive Chinook on Dec. 15, 2011 while fly casting on the Smith River, California with guide Andy Martin. Gaines fought the salmon for 40 minutes before finally bringing it in the boat. As with all potential All-Tackle Length records, the fish was released alive after the necessary photos and measurements were taken. The current IGFA record stands at 84 cm.
Bait Used: Orange shrimp fly
The Bahamas
Red grouper (Epinephelus morio)
Men’s 8 kg (16 lb) Line Class Record
Weight: 10.21 kg (22 lb 8 oz)
The Lowdown: Angler Christopher J. Hudson, of Rockledge, Florida, USA, was bottom fishing in the Bahamas with friend and captain Scott Lehrmann on Jan. 9, 2012, when he landed a red grouper. It took Hudson only 5 minutes to pull from the bottom. The current IGFA record is 8.84 kg (19 lb 8 oz).
Bait Used: Guppy Bucktail Jig
Milwaukee Harbour, Wisconsin, USA
Brown trout (Salmo trutta)
All-Tackle Length Record
Length: 97 cm
The Lowdown: On Dec. 16, 2011, angler Eric Haataja landed a brown trout. After a tough 10 minute fight, Eric boated the brownie to measure and photograph, before releasing it alive. Measuring 97 cm, Haataja’s fish qualifies for the potential new All-Tackle Length record, as the existing record stands at 64 cm.
Bait Used: Skirted Jig
Palm Tree Lagoon, Thailand
Massive catla (Catla catla)
All-Tackle Record
Weight: 18.9 kg (41 lb 10 oz)
The Lowdown: Bangkok native Gerhard Posch traveled to Thailand’s Palm Tree Lagoon to target some of the unique freshwater species found there. While soaking a bread mix on Dec. 23, 2011, Posch hooked into a massive catla that took him 15 minutes to land. The record currently stands at 15.17 kg (33 lb 7 oz).
Bait Used: Bread mix
Chickamauga Lake, Tennessee, USA
Blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus)
37 kg (80lb) Line Class Record
Weight: 37.65 kg (83 lb)
The Lowdown: Angler Eric Maurer landed a potential record for blue catfish – a species for which he has already achieved five world records from the same location, but most on 60 kg (130 lb) line class. Maurer was fishing on Mar. 15, 2012 when the monster hit and after a 15 minute fight, Maurer had the fish subdued. He quickly took the necessary measurements and photos before releasing the fish alive. The current IGFA record stands at 36.28 kg (80 lb) and was set in 1980 – making it the oldest record still standing for the species.
Bait Used: Cut skipjack herring
Delaware Bay, NY, USA
Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis) Women’s All-Tackle Length Record
Length: 108 cm
The Lowdown: Angler Maureen Klause of Ocean City, NJ, was fishing the bottom with Captain Ricky Wheeler on Dec. 4, 2011. After a 12 minute fight she landed the striper. They released it alive. The current IGFA record is 89 cm.
Bait Used: bunker (menhaden) head
Isla Coiba, Panama
Pacific cubera snapper (Lutjanus novemfasciatus)
Men’s All-Tackle Length Record
Length: 115 cm
The Lowdown: French angler Jean Paul Estradere was casting topwater plugs on Nov. 25, 2011 when a massive snapper exploded on the Splaser. With the help of local guide Olivier Charpentier, Estradere was able to boat this potential record fish in 10 minutes. After a few quick photos and measurements, the toothy snapper was released alive to fight another day. The current IGFA record is 107 cm and is held by Estradere’s guide, Olivier Charpentier.
Bait Used: Sebile Splasher
Holmes Reef, Australia
Great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda)
Men’s 10 kg (20lb) Line Class Record
Weight: 29.94 kg (66lb)
The Lowdown: Far from his home in Thayne, Wyoming, USA, angler Doug Bull landed the barracuda on Dec. 1, 2011. Guided by Martin DeBanks, Bull needed only 5 minutes to land the ‘cuda. The current IGFA record stands at 29.5 kg (65 lb 0 oz).
Bait Used: Cut skipjack
St. Lawrence River, Canada
Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy)
Female Junior Record
Weight: 18.63 kg (41lb 1oz)
The Lowdown: Junior angler Lalie Tronel-Peyroz of Saint Sauveur, Canada landed a huge muskellunge on Nov. 21, 2011. After a 15 minute fight, Tronel-Peyroz and guide Mary Thorpe quickly weighed the musky and released it alive. With the current record standing at 12.92 kg (28 lb 8 oz), Lalie’s fish easily qualifies for the potential new Female Junior record.
Bait Used: Depth Raider
Kushimoto, Japan
Japanese seabass (Suzuki) (Lateolabrax japonicus)
Men’s 4 kg (8lb) Line Class Record
Weight: 8.65 kg (19lb 1oz)
The Lowdown: On Nov. 11, 2011, Japanese angler Norifumi Yamamoto traveled from his hometown of Wakayama to fish the shoreline of Kushimoto. Yamamoto was not disappointed, as he landed this impressive Suzuki. After a 25 minute battle from shore, Yamamoto had landed the potential record. The current IGFA record is 8.25 kg (18 lb 3 oz).
Bait Used: Daiwa shiner
Golfito, Costa Rica
Pacific snook (Centropomus spp.)
Women’s 24 kg (50 lb) Line Class Record
Weight: 4.08 kg (9 lb)
The Lowdown: The rich fishing grounds of Golfito, Costa Rica have produced another potential record for angler Roberta G. Arostegui and her captain, IGFA Lifetime Achiever Bobby McGuinness. Arostegui needed 20 minutes to land this impressive Pacific snook on Jan. 4, 2012. The current IGFA record is 2.04 kg (4 lb 8 oz).
Bait Used: Live pilchard
Behinve Island, New Zealand
Snapper (squirefish) (Pagrus auratus)
Men’s 3 kg (6 lb) Tippet Class Record
Weight: 4.75 kg (10 lb 7 oz)
The Lowdown: Kiwi angler Scott Tindale traveled from his home in Auckland to New Zealand in early December to target a variety of bottom species. On Dec. 9, 2011, he landed this gorgeous snapper. Tindale needed 25 minutes to land his potential record, which currently stands at 1.27 kg (2 lb 12 oz).
Bait Used: Bucktail sea habit fly
Whakatane, New Zealand
Southern yellowtail (Seriola lalandi)
All-Tackle Length Record
Length: 131 cm
The Lowdown: Last December, Aussie angler Nicholas Hamilton-Smith traveled south to the neighboring country of New Zealand to do some offshore fishing out of the infamous Whakatane. While vertical jigging on Dec. 4, 2011, Hamilton-Smith hooked into a brute of a southern yellowtail after a tough 20 minute fight. By releasing the fish alive after the proper measuring and documentation on IGFA’s Official Measuring Device, Hamilton-Smith qualifies for the potential record – currently standing at 112 cm.
Bait Used: Vertical jig
Coral Springs, Florida, USA
Great snakehead (Channa marulius)
All-Tackle Record
Weight: 5.44 kg (12 lb)
The Lowdown: Angler Corey E. Nowakowski of Tamarac, Florida, USA, was fishing on February 2, 2012 when he hooked into an enormous great snakehead. After a quick two minute fight, Corey had the potential All-Tackle record fish boated. The current IGFA record is 5.22 kg (11 lb 8 oz).
Bait Used: JD’s Custom Frog
Isla del Muerto, Ecuador
Broomtail grouper (Mycteroperca xenarcha)
New Male Smallfry Record
Weight: 24.95 kg (55 lb)
The Lowdown: Smallfry angler Jaime Alfonso Nebot of Guayaquil, Ecuador was fishing with his father, Jaime Nebot, on January 23, 2012 off of Isla del Muerto when the rod got hit. After a tough 20 minute fight, the younger Nebot had a potential new male Smallfry record. The current IGFA record is 7.48 kg (16 lb 8 oz).
Bait Used: Mirrorlure plug
Kaipara Harbour, New Zealand
Short-tailed stingray (Dasyatis brevicaudatus)
All-Tackle Record
Weight: 50.7 kg (111 lb 12 oz)
The Lowdown: Kiwi angler Sue Tindale continues her onslaught of record submittals with this unique species she caught while fishing on January 10, 2012. Using mullet for bait, Tindale needed 30 minutes to subdue a massive short-tailed stingray. Sue was guided to her potential new All-Tackle record by her husband, IGFA Captain Scott Tindale. The current IGFA record is vacant.
Bait Used: Mullet
Sebastian, Florida, USA
Spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus)
All-Tackle Length Record
Length: 79 cm
The Lowdown: Angler Gary Douglas Beach of Ocean City, Maryland, USA recently took a trip to Sebastian, Florida to target the area’s world-class inshore fishing. Fishing with Capt. Gus Brugger on February 22, 2012, Beach found what he came for. The current IGFA record is 62 cm.
Bait Used: DOA Cal Jerkbait
Isla Puna, Ecuador
Pacific snook (Centropomus spp.)
Women’s 2 kg (4lb) Line Class Record
Weight: 2.27 kg (5 lb)
The Lowdown: Angler Veronica Martinez de Sola of Guayaquil, Ecuador landed this nice Pacific snook on February 18, 2012. After a quick 5 minute fight, Veronica’s catch qualifies her for the potential women’s 02 kg (4 lb) line class record. The current IGFA record is vacant.
Bait Used: Live Shrimp
Boca Chica, Panama
Mullet snapper (Lutjanus aratus)
Men’s 8 kg (16lb) Tippet Class Record
Weight: 5.47 kg (12 lb 1 oz)
The Lowdown: Traveling from his hometown of Hilton Head, South Carolina, USA, angler Raz Reid recently experienced the amazing fishery in Panama. On February 27, 2012, fishing with local guide Juan Martin Spragge, Reid landed a mullet snapper. Reid needed 15 minutes to land his potential record. The current IGFA record is 2.94 kg (9 lb 8 oz).
Bait Used: Clouser Minnow
Concordia, Argentina
Dorado (Salminus brasiliensis)
4 kg (8 lb) Tippet Class Record
Weight: 7.7 kg (17 lb)
The Lowdown: IGFA Representative Peter F. Binaski of Costa Mesa, California, USA, landed a beautiful dorado. Binaski, who currently holds this tippet-class record as well as the 3 kg (6 lb) and 6 kg (12 lb) records for the species, was fishing with local guide Elbio Bordon on Jan. 6, 2012 when his fish ate a well-presented deceiver fly. After a tense 17 minute fight, Binaski landed the fish and quickly released it after completing the necessary documentation. Binaski’s current IGFA record stands at 6.58 kg (14 lb 8 oz).
Bait Used: Deceiver Fly
Key West, Florida, USA
Bonnethead shark (Sphyrna tiburo)
3 kg (6 lb) Tippet Class Record
Weight: 4.2 kg (9 lb 4 oz)
The Lowdown: Judging by this new record submission for bonnethead shark, angler Dotty Ballantyne has been taking advantage of the rich fishing grounds in Key West. Dotty was fishing with local captain Doug Kilpatrick on Mar. 14, 2012. After a 10 minute fight over the flats, Ballantyne was able to successfully catch and release the new potential record. If approved, this will be the 90th tippet-class record for the fly fishing aficionado, 27 of which have been for species of sharks. The current IGFA record is 3.18 kg (7 lb) and was set in McClellanville, South Carolina, USA late last year.
Bait Used: Custom Baitfish Fly
Ocracoke Island, North Carolina, USA
Red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus)
All-Tackle Length Record
Length: 110 cm
The Lowdown: Angler Joshua D. Lee drove south from his hometown of Manassas, Virginia, USA to do some surf fishing on Ocracoke Island, North Carolina on Mar. 23, 2012. After fighting the fish for 13 minutes, Lee was able to land and properly document the fish before releasing it alive, potentially earning him a new record. The current IGFA record is 107 cm and was set on Fisherman’s Island, Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, USA, but seven line class records for this species have also been set along Lee’s hunting ground on Ocracoke.
Bait Used: Fresh chunk of mullet
Caicedonia, Colombia
Tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum)
3 kg (6lb) Line Class Record
Weight: 16.78 kg (37 lb)
The Lowdown: Angler Raymond Heredia Orosco of Highland, Indiana, USA, recently traveled to Colombia for a change of scenery and to do some freshwater fishing. Fishing in a private pond outside of Caicedonia, Colombia on Mar. 7, 2012, Raymond landed a huge tambaqui, and took him for a 17 minute fight. The current IGFA record was set nearly twelve years ago with a 9.97 kg (22 lb) catch made in the Teles Pires River in Brazil.
Bait Used: Guayaba fruit
Luanda, Angola
Atlantic sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus)
Men’s 15 kg (30 lb) Line Class Record
Weight: 60.9 kg (134 lb 4 oz)
The Lowdown: Angler Carlos Moran was fishing with Dr. Iain Nicholson on November 12, 2011 when he hooked into a fish of a lifetime. Moran needed one hour to best this potential record sail. The current IGFA record is 55.2 kg (121 lb 11 oz) and was set by fellow Luandan, Hakan Ekberg, in February of 1996.
Bait Used: Skirted ballyhoo
Guayquil, Ecuador
Pacific snook (Centropomus spp.)
Women’s 2 kg (4 lb) Line Class Record
Weight: 2.49 kg (5 lb 8 oz)
The Lowdown: Guayquil, Ecuador is well known for producing quality IGFA records for broomtail grouper, and more records for this species come from Guayaquil than anywhere else in the world. Veronica had snook on her mind when she went fishing in Isla Puna, Ecuador on November 19, 2011. de Sola landed this beautiful fish in only 10 minutes. The current IGFA line-class record is vacant, but if approved, de Sola’s record will be the fifth world record set for the species this year.
Bait Used: Live shrimp
Belleville-Sur-Mer, France
European bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)
Men’s 2kg (4lb) Line Class Record
Weight: 6.16kg (13lb 9oz)
The Lowdown: French angler Guillaume was fishing off Dieppe, France with local guide Emile Couvrevr on November 15, 2011 when he may have broken the 13 year old standing record for European bass. Fourrier needed 22 minutes to land the fish. The current IGFA record is 5.99 kg (13 lb 3 oz) and if approved, this will be Fourrier’s first fishing world record.
Bait Used: Jackall Dart
Concordia, Argentina
Dorado (Salminus brasiliensis)
All-Tackle Length Record
Length: 97 cm
The Lowdown: Fishing the Uruguay River on November 7, 2011, Lithuanian angler Darius Petrauskas was fishing with local guide Enzo Rico when the massive fish hit, and the angler needed 15 minutes to bring the dorado to the boat. The fish qualifies for the potential new All-Tackle Length record which currently stands at 93 cm. As required with every All-Tackle Length record, the dorado was released alive after being photographed and measured.
Bait Used: Lindy MG Spinnerbait
West Milford, NJ, USA
Northern Pike (Esox lucius)
All-Tackle Length Record
Length: 118 cm
The Lowdown: Angler Mark Hatton recently took a trip to Canada to target some of the fantastic northern pike fishing the country has to offer; Hatton did not leave disappointed. Fishing with guide Chad Beck on September 26, 2011, Hatton landed and released this huge fish while casting on the Taltson River, NW Territories, Canada. The current IGFA record is 90 cm and was set three months prior by Stan Nabozny in the United Kingdom’s Avon River.
Bait Used: Eppinger Husky
Los Angeles, CA, USA
Gulf coney (Epinephelus acanthistius)
All-Tackle record
Weight: 11.2 kg (24lb 11oz)
The Lowdown: While bottom fishing off San Jose del Cabo, Mexico on October 22, 2011, Dr. Bogen challenged his own standing record for the species. Bogen needed 8 minutes to land the fish. The current IGFA record is 5.78 kg (12 lb 12 oz) and was set by Dr. Bogen in the same waters in March of 2008 – and before that with a 5.32 kg (11 lb 12 oz) catch in February of 2006.
Bait Used: Frozen squid
Tavernier, FL, USA
Cobia (Rachycentron canadum)
Women’s 8kg Tippet Class Record
Weight: 19.42kg (42 lb 13oz)
The Lowdown: Four-time tippet class record holder Kate Burke, of Tavernier, FL, USA, landed another potential record for a new (for her) species on October 21, 2011. She caught three tripletail and one Spanish mackerel records in the past two years. She caught the cobia while fishing Lanark Village, Florida, USA with local captain W. Camp Walker. It took the experienced angler five grueling hours to land. The current IGFA record is 14.74 kg (32 lb 8 oz). **
Bait Used:** WCW pilchard pattern fly
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
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
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
Zihuatanejo, Mexico
Pacific Sailfish
The Lowdown: In September of 2009, Wesley Davis, age 10 at the time, became the youngest angler in IGFA history to accomplish the coveted Billfish Royal Slam – a feat that requires catching nine billfish from around the world. The young Davis is making history again; having recently completed his second Billfish Royal Slam with the capture of an Atlantic blue marlin off St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands on August 15, 2011 and a broadbill swordfish taken off Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA, just three days later. While eventually traveling to Venezuela, Panama, both coasts of the USA, and the U.S.V.I., Wesley started his quest towards a second slam with a Pacific sailfish caught off Zihuatanejo, Mexico on January 16, 2008.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Rosegg Austria
Grayling
Weight: 4 lb. 12 oz
The Lowdown: Garhantini caught this fish in the Steinfield River.
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.**
**
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Line-Class Record Yelloweye Rockfish (8lb. test)
Weight: 28 lb.**
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** 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.
_The International Game Fish Association is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to game fish conservation and research. Created in 1939, the IGFA maintains world records for both freshwater and saltwater game fishes. Records are divided by line class, tippet class and all-tackle categories. The IGFA introduced a new all-tackle length category in 2011, keeping separate records for length. Entries in this category must be measured on an official IGFA Measuring device — all fish must also be released alive and unharmed.
To qualify for weight records, a fish must weigh a minimum of one pound. With the exception of all-tackle records, anglers must submit their claim to the IGFA within 60 days of the date of catch for fish caught in U.S. continental waters. Applications for fish caught in other bodies of water must be received within three months of the date of catch.
In order for a fish to qualify for an IGFA record, it must be weighed on a certified scale. Anglers must also submit a completed IGFA form, mandatory length of line and terminal tackle used to catch the fish, plus photographs. For more information, visit the IGFA website._
