Mike Gallops and Jared Raskob had different strategies in accomplishing their goals in winning the light tackle and fly divisions respectively at the Florida Keys Outfitters/ International Game Fish Association Inshore World Championship in Islamorada, Fla., USA, July 7- 9.
In the fly division, Raskob of Key Largo, Fla., held the lead from start to finish focusing his scoring of points of the five targeted species – bonefish, tarpon, permit, snook and redfish. Despite not catching a permit, deemed the hardest fish to entice on a fly, Raskob accumulated a total of 1950 points. With the help of his guide Capt. Dave Borras he had three bountiful days breaking further away from his fly competitors with rounds of scores of 575, 650 and 725 points.
They had correctly predicted that his 15 competitors in the division would have the same trouble he had of getting the slam of five fish, especially the tight-jawed permit. The only contestant to release a permit on fly was Alex Cruz of Miami and it was his only fish of the contest caught on the final day.
For Gallops in the light tackle divsion, who won the championship in 2003, his goal was completing slams by catching all five species, considered just a bit easier using bait. His biggest day came on Day 2 when Capt. Larry Sydnor put him onto catches and releases of seven fish among four species. Now with one slam completed on a permit caught the first day, Gallops needed one more to complete a second slam. He did by catching a permit on Day 3, and added a third permit for added points or a chance at a third slam.
Finishing second by completing one slam in the light tackle division was Tony Pruitt, Naples, Fla., teamed with guide Capt. Rob Fordyce. In third was Nick Cardella, Delray Beach, Fla., guided by Capt. Frank Ortiz.
Two Houston, Texas competitors, Charles Duncan, III and Rand Holstead,
took second and third in the fly division. Duncan was guided by Capt. John Donnell and Holstead by Capt. Andy Thompson.
The field of 32 top anglers– 16 in fly and 16 in light tackle — were invited to compete in the all-release championship after winning in a variety of 36 qualifying tournaments held across the U.S., the Bahamas and Australia in 2008.
From a drawing the champion qualifiers were paired with a premier Keys guide, fishing as a team for the three days.
In an interview with Bill Kelly, host of The Friday Night Radio Show on WKEZ-FM in the Florida Keys, Duncan and Rand emphasized the quality of the guides and how much everyone enjoyed the single guide format as compared to a different one each day.
“It helped in the strategy of the event and the development of the relationship between angler and guide,” said Duncan.
On the same show tournament director Sandy Moret, owner of Florida Keys Outfitters smiled and said, “This ninth annual tournament promised to be one of the most outstanding competitions of the year, and it was. The on-site logistics and hospitality of the staff at the Bayside Marina and Islamorada Fish Co. which is part of World Wide Sportsman was fantastic. We’re looking ahead to next year when we’ll have more international competitors.”
The championship events will be featured on a future ESPN Outdoors Saltwater Series cablecast on ESPN2. Highlights of each day are also featured on ESPNOutdoors.com.
For more information on the FKO/IGFA Inshore World Championship and the event’s qualifying tournaments contact Moret at 305-664-5423 or via e-mail at flkeyout@bellsouth.net or visit the web site at inshoreworldchampionships.com .
Fly Winners
Place
Angler
Guide
1st
Jared Raskob Key Largo, Fla.,
Dave Borras
2nd
Charles Duncan III, Houston, Texas
John Donnell
3rd
Rand Holdstead, Houston Texas
Andy Thompson
Light Tackle Winners
Place
Angler
Guide
1st
Mike Gallops, Naples, Fla.
Larry Sydnor
2nd
Troy Pruitt, Naples, Fla.,
Rob Fordyce
3rd
Nick Cardella, Delray Beach, Fla.,
Frank Ortiz
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Tickets on sale for 11th IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame induction ceremony
Tickets are now on sale for the annual star-studded enshrinement ceremony and dinner which will be held Tuesday, October 27 at 6 p.m. at the International Game Fish Association Fishing Hall of Fame in Dania Beach, Fla. The public is invited.
Five talented men, all who have made significant contributions to the sport of recreational fishing, will be inducted as the 11th class into the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame. The class of 2009 includes Carlos Barrantes, Sr, Jack Erskine, Dr. Guy Harvey, Harlan Major and Stephen Sloan.
Each year the honorees are selected for the significant contributions through angling achievements, literature, the arts, science, education, invention, communication or administration of fishery resources.
For ticket and reservation information please contact Ms. Lesley Arico at 954-924-4222 or LArico@igfa.org
Here’s how to nominate a candidate for the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame
If you have a deserving candidate to nominate for the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame, please send a detailed submission letter to IGFA President Rob Kramer. The letter should describe the nominee’s significant and lasting contributions to the sport of recreational angling.
Nominated individuals can be anglers, captains, scientists, conservationists, writers, or fishing industry leaders. Supporting documentation included with the letter — newspaper articles, biographical information, photographs, etc. – is extremely helpful, and all materials sent will be retained in the E. K. Harry Library archives.
Once a person has been nominated, he or she will remain in consideration. Each year the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame Nominating Committee reviews the information submitted for all potential honorees. Their selections are then submitted to the IGFA Board of Trustees for final approval.
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IGFA Observer Training Course set for August
The next Observer Training Course held by the IGFA is set for Saturday, August 1, at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum in Dania Beach, Fla.
The OTC trains captains, anglers, and mates to participate as observers in national and international billfish tournaments. The half day training class trains potential attendees to identify billfish species and IGFA angling rules. Additional topics covered in the class include observer etiquette and boating safety.
“Over 1000 people have been through the class since we began holding them in 2002,” said IGFA Conservation Director Jason Schratwieser. “The IGFA’s OTC benefits tournaments and our fisheries by promoting billfish conservation through an all-release tournament format.”
The cost of the class is $150.00, which covers the OTC manual, two DVD’s, and a one-year IGFA membership. The class will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call Schratwieser at 954-924-4320 or by email at jschratwieser@igfa.org.
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July Hot Catches
World records coordinator Rebecca Wright of the International Game Fish Association provides highlights of nine selected documented fish catches made across the globe including
Brazil, Ecuador, Japan, Thailand, Mexico, Queensland and the United States, recently submitted for IGFA world records. All are now before the world records committee:
Fishing
Lake Martin, Alabama, USA, junior angler Ashley Cooper, of Elberta, Ala., guided by Ricky Walman, landed a striped bass (landlocked) (Morone saxatilis) on April 11. She used a gizzard shad for bait and after a 10 minute struggle brought it to the scales to weigh in at 15.54 kg (34 lb 4 oz). The current IGFA record for a female smallfry catching a striped bass is 30 lb 0 oz (13.6 kg) caught in 2004 from the Holson River in Tennessee. (Photo – striped bass – 31954)
Angler Federico Hampl, Cartago, Costa Rica, landed a matrincha (Brycon falcatus) on April 12 that weighed 3 kg (6 lb 9 oz) for a potential All-Tackle record. He was using truvira for bait while fishing Brazil’s Rio Sao Benedito. The current IGFA record is 1 lb 0 oz (.45 kg) caught in 2003 from the Rio Tapera in Brazil’s Amazon region. (Photo – matrincha – 31652)
Here’s a record fish species with migratory locations spanning the Pacific Ocean. While fishing Jogashima, Japan, Yoshiki Shirahata, of Kawasaki-Shi, Kanagawa, guided by Kazutoshi Ozaki, landed a Pacific pomfret (Brama japonica) on April 21, weighing 1.6 kg (3 lb 8 oz). For the possible IGFA All-Tackle Shirahata used cut mackerel for bait. The current record is 3 lb 7 oz (1.56 kg) documented in 2001 from San Diego, Calif. USA. (Photo – Pacific pomfret – 31925)
Japan was the site of another potential IGFA All-Tackle record when on April 30 Yukiyo Okuyama, Hamura-Shi, Tokyo, landed an ugui (Tribolodon hakonensis) weighing 1.15 kg (2 lb 8 oz). Her choice of bait was a wooly marabu jig, while fishing Japan’s Tama River. The current IGFA record is 2 lb 3 oz (1 kg).recorded in 2004 from Oya, Motoyoshi Miyagi, Japan. (Photo – ugui – 31926)
Angler Eric Maurer, Cleveland, Tenn., USA, used a threadfin shad to entice a freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) while fishing Guntersville Lake, Tennessee, USA on April 23. The fish weighed 9.98 kg (22 lb 0 oz) and was caught on 24 kg (50 lb) class line. The current IGFA record is 21 lb 10 oz (9.83 kg) recorded in 1987 at Tennessee’s Nickajack Dam. (Photo – freshwater drum – 31593)
While she was guided by IGFA Lifetime Achievement Award winner Jean-Francois Helias, junior angler Natalie Carter, had a thrill by catching a snakehead (Channa spp.) on April 23 weighing in at 3.31 kg (7 lb 4 oz). The Beabroke, Oxfordshire, UK youngster used live baitfish and took five minutes to land it while fishing Ratchaburi, Thailand. The current IGFA female smallfry record is 3 lb 12 oz (1.7 kg) taken from a Broward County Fla. (USA) canal in 2006. (Photo – snakehead – 31368)
Targeting his catch for one of the newest species recently added to the IGFA World Record Game Fishes book, Guayaquil, Ecuador angler Carlos “Charly” Casal, guided by Angel De Rosa, landed a broomtail grouper, (Mycteroperca xenarcha) on April 25. The fish was caught near Ancon, Ecuador, and weighed 5.44 kg (12 lb 0 oz). He was using 15 kg (30 lb), class line with a MirrOlure 111M and took six minutes to land the fish. He’s hoping the catch will make the men’s line class division. (Photo – broomtail grouper – 31472)
Flyfishing Georgia’s (USA) Okefenokee Swamp on May 2, Jim Spencer, of St. Petersburg, Fla., USA, landed a bowfin (Amia calva) weighing 3.63 kg (8 lb 0 oz). He used a clouser minnow to attract the fish on 4 kg (8 lb) tippet and took 10 minutes to wrestle it to the scale. The current IGFA record is 7 lb 8 oz (3.4 kg) caught in Mt. Vernon, Ala., in 1998. (Photo – bowfin – 31486)
Todos Santos, Mexico is a noted surfing hot bed, but Irvine, Calif. USA angler Peter F. Binaski, found it to be a great fishing locale as well. Guided by Guillermo Gomez, Binaski, using ultra thin 1 kg (2 lb) class line baited with an anchovy dart, took 14 minutes to land a Pacific barracuda (Sphyraena argentea) on April 22 weighing 3.29 kg (7 lb 4 oz). If his documentation is approved by the IGFA world records committee he would be the first to hold the 2 lb line class record for the new species that was added April 1 and offers opportunities for fly and junior records as well. (Photo – Pacific barracuda – 31919)
An American may lay claim to a new species entry to the IGFA All-Tackle division. Using a peeled prawn for bait while fishing Australia’s Nomenade River in Queensland, on April 22, Steven M. Wozniak San Ramon, Calif., USA caught a javelin grunter (Pomadasys kaakan). He was guided by Scotty Lyons in his potential IGFA All-Tackle catch that weighed 1.93 kg (4 lb 4 oz). (Photo: – javelin grunter – 31478)
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IGFA Education News
Outreach Program at Palm Beach, Fla., Kid’s Fitness Festival
On July 16-17 the IGFA’s Outreach Program will be among 40 different sports clinics at the Palm Beach County Kid’s Fitness Festival at the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach.
“Each July, over 6,000 South Florida youth gather at the South Florida Fairgrounds for two days of fitness and fun,” said IGFA Education Director David Matagiese.
“The two days are filled with excitement and energy, festival participants have the opportunity to get hands-on experience and develop skills in over 40 different sports clinics.
“The IGFA will have knot tying and spin casting target practice as its activities.
Each clinic is conducted by a professional from that sports area sharing techniques, enhancing skills and providing an introduction to the sport. The weekend event also features mascots, autograph sessions, special guests, demonstrations and a midway with a bounce house, rock-wall and mist tent, and much more,” said Matagiese.
Open to groups and individuals, space at the Kids Fitness Festival is limited so early sign-up reservations are recommended.
For more information please contact George Linley at 561-233-3178 or via email at glinley@palmbeachsports.com. And for more information on the IGFA Outreach Program call Matagiese at 954-924-4247 or via email at dmatagiese@igfa.org.
Weekly IGFA Junior Angler Summer Camps in full fun mode
For hands-on activities and lots of fishing for youngsters, nothing beats the IGFA’s annual Junior Angler Summer Camps and there’s still a chance to sign-up.
Presented in 10 weekly sessions they are now underway till August 14th.
In its 10th year and held at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum in Dania Beach, Fla., the association offers the weeklong camp adventures for children ages 8 – 13.
IGFA Education Director Dave Matagiese said. “We’ve revamped some of the activities so that each camper will spend more time each day fishing both here on-site at the museum and on field trips. In addition the camp instructors are also teaching them about the in-and-outs of fish anatomy through dissections, fish biology, plus conservation techniques and environmentally themed topics.
He said they also learn about tying flies and jigs, how to tie fishing knots and participate in simulated fishing tournaments. And the campers take field trips on a variety of fresh and salt water adventures: drift boat, pier and shore fishing, wetlands exploration and much more.
“These camps give children the opportunity to have fun while being educated on local habitats and ethical practices,” Matagiese said. “During each week-long experience, campers will discover the importance of the different fresh and salt water habitats for sport fishing.”
For much more information, please call Veronica Woods 954-924-4309, email reservations@igfa.org, or visit www.igfa.org/summercamp.asp .
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IGFA’s popular School of Sportfishing resumes in the fall
Hey Adults. Your School of Sportfishing classes retur
ns this fall. After a summer break the IGFA’s School of Sportfishing will resume with its 12th session in September.
The topic list for the popular series of Tuesday night classes is expected be posted in early August on the IGFA ‘s web site with a list of course titles and instructors.
The web site can be found at www.igfa.org/schoolofsportfishing.asp .
IGFA Education Director Dave Matagiese said all classes will continue to be limited to the first 24 anglers to sign up. The Tuesday night classes are held from 7 – 10 p.m. at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum in Dania Beach, Fla. The cost is $100 for IGFA members and $150 for non-members per class.
To sign up or for more information, contact Matagiese at954-924-4247 or via email at dmatagiese@igfa.org. Registration will also be available online at www.igfa.org/sosform.asp.
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Interesting facts from the IGFA — Did You Know?
This month the IGFA features recently released figures from The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Fisheries and Aquaculture Department has just released The State of the World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2008. Some interesting facts from the recent report (all values annual totals for the year 2006):
Catch
Global capture fisheries production was about 92 million tonnes.
Value
Our calculations indicate that is equivalent to the weight of 18.4 million elephants or 46 million SUVs (all these SUVs lined up would stretch five times around the earth at the equator).
Global fish capture production first sale value is estimated at US $91.2 billion.
Countries
Top five countries in world capture production:
• China
• Peru
• United States of America
• Indonesia
• Japan
• Asian countries accounted for 52% of global
capture production.
People
• 43.5 million people are directly engaged, part time or full time, in primary production of fish (including fish capture from the wild and aquaculture) with an additional four million people engaged on an occasional basis.
• For each person employed in the primary sector, it is estimated there are four employed in the secondary sector (fish processing, marketing and service industries), indicating employment of about 170 million people in the industry as a whole.
• If you consider the number of dependants, about 520 million people could be dependent on the sector, that’s about 8% of the world population.
Species/Stocks
The top five marine species for capture production:
• Anchoveta
• Alaska pollock
• Skipjack tuna
• Atlantic herring
• Blue herring
• Overall, 80% of the world fish stocks for which assessment information is available are reported as fully exploited or overexploited.
• Quote from text: “As stated before in The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture, the maximum wild capture fisheries potential from the world’s ocean has probably been reached, and a more closely controlled approach to fisheries management is required, particularly for some highly migratory, straddling and other fishery resources that are exploited solely or partially in the high seas.”
These values do not include data from recreational fisheries, bycatch or illegal, unreported, unregulated catches.
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Free Boaters Safety Course Sept. 19; final class for 2009
Are you new to the great recreational activity of boating? Or would you like for you and members of your family to be safer boaters?
Well, we’ve got a class for you…. and it’s free.
The IGFA and the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission are teaming together to host the next free Boaters Safety Courses beginning on Saturday, Sept. 19, at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, Dania Beach, Fla.
The all day class begins at 8 a.m. and lasts till 4 p.m. It’s the final class offered for 2009.
This course, taught by the law enforcement division of the FFWCC meets the mandatory boating safety education requirements for the State of Florida.
The class is comprised of a six chapter review and a final exam and is limited to 16 people with advance registration. For more information and to register, please call Joanie Tomlin at the IGFA at 954-924-4312 or email her at JTomlin@igfa.org.
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Exhilarating sport fishing photography featured in IGFA Art Gallery
The exciting works of seven of today’s hottest marine photographers is now featured in an exhibit in the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum’s Art Gallery.
Through the end of August more than 70 images will be on display shot through the lenses of Pat Ford , Adrian Gray, Scott Kerrigan, Dave McCleaf, Alistair McGlashan, Ron Modra and Sam Root.
“Visitors to the museum have the opportunity to experience the excitement, emotion, energy and beauty of sport fishing captured by these photographic pros,” said Gray, the IGFA’s resident artist and noted photographer.
Among the noted works are:
Ford’s tarpon release photos and the incredible colors of a live squid;
Kerrigan’s collage of hundreds of photos to make a single 30 x 40 sailfish image;
McCleaf’s heart-stopping tarpon shots and gorgeous photography of a seatrout;
Alistair McGlashan’s exciting 1,000 lb black marlin jump photo taken in Australia;
Modra’s sepia toned images and a daytime image of a jumping swordfish.
Root’s underwater and above water photographs, many from the pages of Salt Water Sportsman and Sport Fishing
Gray’s tarpon jumping, a mutton snapper’s eye plus underwater shots of seatrout, gag grouper and tarpon;
For more information on the exhibit please call Joanie Tomlin at the IGFA at 954-924-4312 or email her at JTomlin@igfa.org.
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Also featured this month at the IGFA Museum
New Interactive “Ocean Today” kiosk popular at IGFA
When visiting the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum look for the new Ocean Today interactive exhibit.
It receives real time data directly from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), helping to educate museum guests on topics such as the current state of the world’s fisheries stocks, endangered species, marine debris and much more. It was originally developed as a major installation in the Sant Ocean Hall at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History.
The kiosk enhances ocean literacy among museum goers through an enticing multi-media experience with a dynamic interface comprised of ocean imagery and video clips, which invites visitors to explore several content areas.
“When a visitor touches the screen, the content areas will be revealed to show the most recent information,” said David Matagiese. “The main content themes are Ocean Science & Technology, Ocean News, Recent Discoveries, and Ocean Life.”
Multiple groups can simultaneously interact with the content on the kiosk which includes a 42-inch, independently-operated, touch-screen display, and a 50-inch plasma echo monitor above It accommodates two specially designed sound areas that envelop museum visitors.
For more information, please contact Matagiese at dmatagiese@igfa.org.
Special Catch & Release Fishing exhibit and video in IGFA Changing Gallery
The Changing Gallery in the IGFA Fishing H
all of Fame & Museum is featuring a special exhibit which highlights the background and progression of “catch and release” fishing.
In the 1950’s and ‘60’s, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., gained the reputation as the “sportfishing capital of the world” with tourists mounting thousands of fish as trophies to adorn their walls each year. Thousands of other fish, particularly sailfish and marlin, were also taken but not mounted as captains earned big commissions only after killing the catches.
This trend was unsustainable to the South Florida fishery and led to the concept we know today as catch and release. The majority of all sailfish caught today are released alive and mounts are produced without the need for the actual fish. Sailfish populations have rebounded and the fishing has improved dramatically as catch and release is a trend here to stay.
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Calendar of upcoming IGFA events
Now — Aug 14, 2009 – Continuation of IGFA’s ten weekly Summer Camps, IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, Dania Beach, Fla. USA – Now in its 10th year the IGFA’s popular weekly camps are held during the summer break for children ages 8 to 13. Campers explore the aquatic environment and participate in many fishing adventures and exciting marine life activities. Each week-long camp session is held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Before and after-care is available from 8 – 9 a.m. and 4 – 6 p.m. Pre-registration is required. For more information, go to the IGFA summer camp website at www.igfa.org/summercamp.asp. There’s a maximum of 45 children per week, so parents are encouraged to reserve early. Registration is available by calling the IGFA education department at 954-924-4309 or via email at reservations@igfa.org.
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August 1, 2009 — IGFA Observer Training Course, IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum. Dania Beach, Fla., USA. – 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. IGFA hosts the Observer Training Course (OTC) which trains participants in species identification, tackle rules, tackle regulations, boating etiquette and boating safety. Observers are used in national and international billfish tournament. For more information, please contact Jason Schratwieser at 954-924-4320 or by email at jschratwieser@igfa.org
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September 19, 2009 — Boaters Safety Course, IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, Dania Beach, Fla., USA. – 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. This free all day course is taught by the Law Enforcement division of the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission and meets the mandatory boating safety education requirements for the State of Florida. It’s comprised of a six chapter review and a final exam. The class is limited to 16 people with advance registration. For more information and to register, please call Joanie Tomlin at the IGFA at 954-924-4312 or email her at JTomlin@igfa.org.
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October 27, 2009 — The 11th Annual IGFA Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, Dania Beach, Fla., USA — This year’s event will celebrate all 75 members and the newest five inductees of the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame. This year’s inductees will be Carlos Barrantes, Sr, Jack Erskine, Dr. Guy Harvey, Harlan Major and Stephen Sloan. The inductees are selected for the important contributions they have made to the sport of fishing through angling achievements, literature, the arts, science, education, invention, communication or administration of fishery resources. The evening includes a cocktail reception, silent auction, the induction ceremony for the 2009 class and dinner. Tickets are $200. For reservation information please contact Ms. Lesley Arico at 954-924-4222 or LArico@igfa.org
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November 8 – 13, 2009 — IGFA Offshore World Championship, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico – This 10th annual event is considered international fishing’s most prestigious billfish tournament hosting nearly 50 winning teams from 19 countries on six continents who have been invited after winning one of over 130 qualifying events held in 2008. It’s also the largest contingent of international teams to compete in a single catch-and-release fishing tournament world wide. For more information on the tournament or to find out more about registering a tournament as a qualifier, contact Lynda Wilson at Lynda.Wilson@Bonniercorp.com or call 407-571-4517, or contact Dan Jacobs, Tournament Director at Dan.Jacobs@Bonniercorp.com or call 407-571-4680.
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