HOT News from the IGFA – May 2009

By Pete Johnson, Johnson Communications – IGFA PR Counsel

Five talented men, all who have made significant contributions to the sport of recreational fishing, will be inducted as the 11th class into the International Game Fish Association Fishing Hall of Fame this fall. The announcement of the class of 2009 includes Carlos Barrantes, Sr, Jack Erskine, Dr. Guy Harvey, Harlan Major and Stephen Sloan.

The annual star-studded enshrinement ceremony and dinner will be held Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at 6 p.m. at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame in Dania Beach, Fla. The public is invited.

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.

            The five inductees and their contributions are:

·       Carlos Barrantes, Sr. – A proactive angler and conservationist Barrantes opened up Costa Rica and Central America to sportfishing and served as the IGFA’s Costa Rican Representative. He founded and was also president of Costa Rica’s National Fishing Federation.  In 1982, Barrantes was presented the Sportsman’s Honor Medal by the president of Costa Rica. Carlos was also a writer and in 1987 he was elected Lifetime Honorary Member of the Costa Rica Journalist’s Society.  From 1987 – 1990 he was president of the Conservation Association of Sportfishing in Costa Rica.  Barrantes also developed hatchery programs for freshwater game fish in Costa Rica and established the first fishing store in the country, Gilca Ltd.; established the first fishing lodge on the Atlantic side – the Parismina Tarpon Rancho, and was the first angler to be inducted into the Costa Rica Hall of Fame in 2003. Barrantes died in 2004.  His son, Carlos Jr. is now the IGFA’s Representative in Costa Rica.

·       Jack Erskine – For more than 30 years, Jack’s name has been synonymous with cutting edge tackle innovations, light-tackle fishing records and many important contributions not only in his home fishing waters of Cairns, Australia, but globally as well.  Widely known by his clients and anglers as “Erko,” Erskine has been a longtime technical consultant for AFTCO, Penn Tackle, Fin-Nor and Bass Pro Shops.  He is particularly noted for his expertise in drag systems, especially for the giant black marlin that roamed the northeastern waters of the continent. Erko’s skills as a consummate light tackle angler and his Cairns captures of marlin on super light lines — i.e. eight black marlin on 2 kg line in a single day setting four consecutive world records — is legendary. He’s been a long time advocate of saltwater spinning tackle for billfish and other gamefish. He and his wife run a small, personal but highly technical reel-tuning business plus assorted, specialty equipment in Cairns, far north Queensland. He was inducted into the Cairns Fishing Hall of Fame in 2008.

·       Dr. Guy Harvey – Renowned marine wildlife artist, Guy became entranced by Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea while at boarding school.  With no formal art training but with a scientist’s eye for detail, he began sketching fish.  Praise for the 119 illustrations in Guy’s 1983 doctoral thesis convinced him to put on a one-man show of his work, and within three years Harvey had become a full-time artist.  Guy is a vocal proponent of catch-and-release and generously donates artwork, time and funds for numerous institutions and conservation groups, including the Guy Harvey Research Institute established at Nova Southeastern University in 1999. He shares his knowledge and art in books, TV shows, and DVDs.  Harvey beca
me an IGFA Representative in 1986 and has been a member of the IGFA Board of Trustees since 1993. In 2008 Dr. Harvey created the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation. He and his family live in
Grand Cayman.

·       Harlan Major – One of saltwater angling’s first historians, Major was an early outdoor writer and a superb tackle technician.   Always experimenting with new ideas and techniques, Major, who was from Detroit, Mich., was known for bringing West Coast angling ideas to the East.  His Salt Water Fishing Tackle (1939) remains a classic reference.  Major was the first American outdoor writer to go to Chile to investigate reports of giant swordfish being caught (1935), pioneering the way for the Lerners, Farringtons and Marrons.  He saw saltwater angling as the sport of everyman, and in 1933 persuaded railway execs to run special fishermen’s trains from Penn Station to Montauk Point in New York City.  Major convinced Pan Am that a big-game sport fishery could be developed in the Pacific islands, which would attract affluent anglers/travelers to their new “clipper ship” service.  During World War II, Major set up a tackle clearing house in New York City and enlisted scores of volunteers who sifted through discarded line, lures and hooks to make up 200,000 usable angling kits to send to servicemen. Major died in 1968.

·       Stephen Sloan – Sloan has a history to be envied in several phases of recreational angling, fresh and saltwater. He held 44 IGFA world records; authored three books, Fly Fishing is Spoken Here, Thanatopfish and Ocean Bankruptcy;  produced and hosted syndicated radio show, “The Fishing Zone” which discussed the problems and challenges that our ocean and fishing resources face; was a former adjunct professor at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science; Chairman of the Fisheries Defense Fund, Trustee of the IGFA; former director of the National Coalition for Marine Conservation and Trustee Emeritus of the American Museum of Fly Fishing. Sloan died in April of 2005 after battling cancer.

There are currently 75 men and women enshrined in the Hall of Fame including Zane Grey, Ernest Hemingway, Curt Gowdy, Ted Williams, Lee Wulff, Michael and Helen Lerner, Philip Wylie, Bill Dance, Roland Martin, Johnny Morris, Don Tyson and Stu Apte.

            Tickets are $200 and include the cocktail reception beginning at 6 p.m., silent auction, dinner and the induction ceremony beginning at 7:30 p.m. Special sponsorships and sponsor tables are available.  For reservation information please call Lesley Arico at 954-924-4222 or email: larico@igfa.org.  

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Charles Duncan named to IGFA Board of Trustees

 

The International Game Fish Association’s Board of Trustees executive committee has selected Charles W. Duncan, III of Houston, Texas as the newest trustee of the IGFA.

The announcement was made by Rob Kramer, President of the IGFA.

President of Duncan Interests, a private investment firm located in Houston, Duncan, (who is known as “Carlos” by his fishing friends), is an avid fly fisherman and conservationist and will be a great asset to the IGFA Board.

Carlos has fished all his life.  As a youngster in the 1960s, he fished off the dock at the family’s bay house in Galveston, Texas.  At age 12 the family acquired a ranch property in Wyomin
g
fly fishing for the first time.

“My dad was never an avid fly fisherman, so my casting and knots were self-taught out of books,” said Duncan. “I probably read Joe Brooks’ book 50 times.” 

When the family vacationed in Islamorada, Florida, Carlos learned the tricks of saltwater angling from Carl Navarre Sr., a close friend of the family.  Billy Knowles, Cecil Keith, Bill Curtis and Hal Chittum were some of the greats that Carlos fished with in his youth.

Duncan put his passion for fishing aside in the 1980s while he finished graduate school and earned his MBA from Harvard University. He married his wife, Leslie, and started a family.  They have two daughters, Sarah, 16, and Annie, 14.

In 1995, Carlos was introduced to well-known South Fla., guides Rob Fordyce and Flip Pallot.  Rob has become his modern teacher of fly fishing – particularly tarpon fishing.  They fish in many inshore tournaments and have won several, including the Golden Fly Tarpon Tournament.  His wife, Leslie, is a two-time winner of the Women’s Tarpon Fly Tournament.
Carlos is active with various non-profits in
Houston and is Chairman of the CCA-Texas Foundation, the financial arm of the Coastal Conservation Association in Texas

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Anglers and Manufacturers honored at IGFA’s sixth World Record Achievement Awards

            In April’s IGFA Hot News, we highlighted Jodie L. Johnson, Rebecca Wright and Martini Arostegui, three outstanding anglers who were honored April 18 – each for logging over 100 world records — with Lifetime Achievement Awards at the IGFA’s sixth annual World Record Achievement Awards (WRAA) celebration, presented by Mercury Marine.    

   The awards ceremony also recognized the men, women, juniors, and professional captains for the most world records in 2008 compiled from the Top 10 list recently published in the IGFA’s 2009 World Record Game Fishes book. During 2008 the IGFA received 930 record applications and of those 743 were granted record status. The ceremony was held at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame in Dania Beach, Florida.

Besides her Lifetime Achievement Award, Ms. Johnson, Peterborough, N.H., also won this year’s top honors in the women’s fly division with 30 new records. Fellow award winner Ms. Wright, Hollywood, Fla., was the top female with 28 saltwater world records plus tied for first with Maureen Klause, Ocean City, N. J., for freshwater records.

On the men’s side Dr. Martin Arostegui, Coral Springs, Fla. won firsts in two categories; fly with 40 new records and 20 new ones in saltwater in 2008. Gilberto Fernandes of Brazil won the freshwater category with 19 records.

Among top junior anglers Martini Arostegui was the top male with 12 new male junior records; Heather Harkavy, Coral Springs, Fla., the top female with six junior records ; United Kingdom’s Lydia Nicolson with three female small fry and Justin Banks, Henderson, Nev. and Norman B. Wood, Key West, Fla., both tied for male small fry with two new records.

Capt. Chris Morrison, Marathon Fla., was the top guide leading his client anglers to 61 new records last year.

            Along with the anglers and guides, tackle, scale, lure and line manufacturers were also honored based on the number of computer printouts of the anglers using their products in setting the new records in 2008. 

            Ande, Shimano and Rapala were among the top line, tackle, and lure manufacturers to be honored. Ande scored triple firsts in
fly tippet, saltwater and freshwater lines totaling 347 records. Shimano picked up firsts in saltwater rods and reels along with freshwater reels for a combined 330 records. Rapala scored with their freshwater and saltwater lures for 22 records.

            Scale maker Boga Grip were used for 276 records.

            Other manufacturers scoring firsts were G. Loomis for fly rods, Tibor/Billy Pate for fly reels and Fenwick for most records on its freshwater rods.

            All first place winners received King Sailfish Mounts.

             

Top Three winners of IGFA’s 2008 Top 10

Top Female SW

  1. Rebecca Wright: 28 – Hollywood, Fla
  2. Roberta Arostegui: 11 – Coral Gables, FLa
  3. Theda Little: 7 – Baton Rouge, LA

 

Top Male SW

  1. Martin Arostegui: 20 – Coral Springs, FL
  2. Stan Nabozny: 18 – The Woodlands, TX
  3. Martini Arostegui: 14 – Coral Springs, FL

 

Top Female FW

1.      Maureen Klause: 2– Ocean City, N. J.

1t. Rebecca Wright: 2– Hollywood, Fla

3t. Jackie Johnson: 1 – Kenai, Alaska

3t. Pamela Ramsden: 1 – Deer Park, Wash.

 

Top Male FW

  1. Gilberto Fernandes: 19 – Mao, AM Brazil
  2. Jean-Francois Helias: 9 – Bangkok, Thailand
  3. Jorge Aguiar: 6 – Manaus, Brazil

3t.  Martin Arostegui: 6

3t.  Russell Jensen: 6 – Bronx, NY

 

Top Female Fly

  1. Jodie Johnson: 30 – Peterborough, NH
  2. Dotty Ballantyne: 8 – Bozeman, MT
  3. Joan Sharrott: 4 – Staten Island, NY

3t.  Pamela Marmin: 4 – Miami Shores, FL

3t.  Stacey Parkerson: 4

 

Top Male Fly

  1. Martin Arostegui: 40
  2. Dave Chermanski: 18 – Merritt Island, Fla.
  3. Stan Nabozny: 17 – The Woodlands, Texas

 

Top Junior Anglers

      Female Small Fry: Lydia Nicolson: 3 – United Kingdom

      Male Small Fry: Justin Banks – Henderson, NV & Norman B. Wood: 2 – Key West, FL

      Female Junior: Heather Harkavy, Coral Springs, Fla.: 6

      Male Junior: Martini Arostegui: 12

 

Top Guides

  1. Capt. Chris Morrison: 61 – Marathon, Fla.
  2. Andrew Parsons: 46 – Peterborough, N.H.
  3. Capt. Jay Wright Jr. :33 – Hollywood, Fla

 

Top Fly Rods

  1. G Loomis: 101
  2. Sage: 47
  3. Orvis: 23
  4.  

    Top Fly Reels

    1. Tibor/Billy Pate: 104
    2. Abel: 23
    3. Orvis: 18

    3t.  Ross: 18

     

    Top FW Rod

    1. Fenwick: 18
    2. Daiwa: 13
    3. Shimano: 12

     

    Top FW Reel

    1. Shimano: 79
    2. Daiwa: 21
    3. Pfleuger: 13

     

    Top SW Rod

    1. Shimano: 57
    2. Penn: 25
    3. St. Croix: 20

     

    Top SW Reel

    1. Shimano: 182
    2. Penn: 87
    3. Daiwa: 54

     

    Top FW Line

    1. Ande: 57
    2. Berkley: 21

    3t. PowerPro: 7

    3t. Stren: 7

     

    Top SW Line

    1. Ande: 181
    2. Momoi: 34
    3. Berkley: 22

     

    Top Fly Tippet

    1. Ande: 109
    2. Rio: 73
    3. Orvis: 22

     

    Top Scales

    1. Boga Grip: 276
    2. Chatillion: 113
    3. Salter: 38

     

      Top Lures

    1. Rapala: 22
    2. Berkley: 5
    3. Mepps, Storm, Yo-Zuri and Zoom tied with 4

     

    (caption) Jodie L. Johnson, Martini Arostegui and Rebecca Wright were honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards at the IGFA’s Sixth Annual World Record Achievement Awards (WRAA) celebration. Each received a David Wirth limited edition bronzeLava” Hawaiian circle hook sculpture. 

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    IGFA Offshore World Championship rescheduled due to flu outbreak

    With the rising reports of swine flu in Mexico, and the potential of it turning epidemic in late April, officials of the IGFA Offshore World Championship elected to postpone the annual early May event in Cabo San Lucas to November. 

    The decision was announced on April 30 by tournament director Dan Jacobs of the Bonnier Marine Group to give the 50 teams from 19 countries on six continents a chance to alter their travel plans. Bonnier is the publisher of recreational boating and fishing’s most respected and well-known titles such as Marlin, Sport Fishing and Salt Water Sportsman, and is in partnership with the IGFA to manage the prestigious international offshore billfish event.

                “The safety of our participants and staff came first,” said tournament director Dan Jacobs in announcing the decision. “Our hearts and prayers go out to the citizens of Mexico who will be most affected by this virus. We hope everyone stays safe and healthy and that the epidemic passes quickly.”

                The new dates for the catch-and-release tournament are Nov. 8-13, 2009 with four days of on-the-water action. It had been scheduled for May 10 – 15. 

                “These new dates put the championship in the heart of Cabo’s fall run of striped, blue and black marlin as well as giant dorado, tuna and wahoo,” added the IGFA’s chief operating officer Mike Myatt of one of fishing’s most heralded and competitive global events.

                Jacobs reported the Finisterra the tournament’s host hotel was helping to make reservation changes, and he added that most of the airlines were not charging change fees.

                “We have a fantastic lineup of fun events and an incredible amount of gifts and awards for the participants,” he added.

                Teams winning one of over 130 qualifying events held worldwide in 2008 were sent invitations to compete. The prestigious event also hosts the largest contingent of international teams to compete in a single catch-and-release fishing tournament.

     For more information on the tournament or to find out more about registering a tournament as a 2009 qualifier, contact Lynda Wilson at Lynda.Wilson@Bonniercorp.com or call 407-571-4517, or Jacobs, at Dan.Jacobs@Bonniercorp.com or call 407-571-4680.

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    Hundreds participate at Mercury/IGFA Free Family Fishing Clinic  

     

    More than 600 adults and youngsters from South Fla., joined in as Mercury Marine along with the IGFA, 99.9 KISS Country, SeaVee Boats, Bass Pro Shops and Fish Florida hosted a day of fishing and fun activities for the whole family at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum in Dania Beach.

    IGFA Education Director David Matagiese said the quarterly event was a huge success and included fishing instruction, tips on throwing a cast net, face painting, seminars from the Mercury Marine Pro Team, knot tying stations, free hot dogs and thousands of dollars of free giveaways. A raffle at the end of the day included a half day charter trip with the KISS Country fishing team aboard their 34’ SeaVee boat,
    Country Cookin’. Rod and reel combos, IGFA memberships, artwork, CDs and T-shirts were also included as prizes.

                For more information on the next Mercury family day, please contact Matagiese at 954-924-4247 or via email at dmatagiese@igfa.org. Registration is not required but all children must be accompanied by an adult for the day of education and fun outdoors.

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    IGFA Outreach Program Awarded Grant from RBFF 

    The IGFA Outreach and Education program was recently awarded a grant in the amount of $88,732 as part of the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation’s 2009 National Youth Fishing and Boating Initiative.

    “This grant will fund many of the IGFA’s Outreach Programs,” said David Matagiese the IGFA’s Education Director. “They include hands-on lab programs which are brought to classrooms across South Florida, on-the-water fishing clinics that will teach young anglers boat handling and fishing techniques, as well as a mobile touch tank and outreach fishing clinics that the IGFA is hoping to expand across the state.”

    With this funding, the RBFF has provided the IGFA the opportunity to reach thousands of new children who would not typically have the chance to participate in these marine education programs.

    “The grant will also allow us to start new initiatives that will help the IGFA fulfill its mission of educating the public, especially our youth who are the future of our industry, on how to become better anglers and stewards of our environment at the same time,” he added.

    For more information regarding the IGFA Outreach Program, please contact Veronica Woods at vwoods@igfa.org.

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    New species added to IGFA record categories

                 There’s good news for anglers around the world for opportunities to achieve an IGFA World Record. Four new species are now available for IGFA Line Class, Fly Rod and Junior Angler record categories which became effective on April 1.

                IGFA Conservation Director Jason Schratwieser gave details of the four new species that have been added:

     

    Pacific Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus orientalis)

                Worldwide there are three species of bluefin tuna.  Two of which, the Pacific and southern bluefin (Until the late 1990s scientists thought that Pacific bluefin were a subspecies of Atlantic bluefin (Thunnus thynnus) because of their similar appearance.  Scientists also thought that Pacific bluefin were restricted to the northern hemisphere, but the old adage that the ocean has no fences appears to be true as there are more and more substantiated reports of Pacific bluefin making deep forays down under.  In fact the last several years has seen impressive runs of Pacific bluefin off of New Zealand, and several All-Tackle records have been caught there recently including the current record of 716 lb 8 oz.  Oftentimes Pacific bluefin tuna may be distinguished from southern bluefin by the dark color of their caudal keels at the base of the tail.  Southern bluefin tuna generally have a yellow or yellowish coloration on the caudal keel, but this may not be a 100% accurate means of differentiating between species. Schratwieser noted, because Pacific bluefin may be difficult to distinguish from southern bluefin, the IGFA will require a genetic analysis accompany the application for any Pacific bluefin caught in the southern hemisphere that weighs less than the current southern bluefin All-Tackle record of 348 lb.  The maximum line class for this species will be 60 kg (130 lb).

    Samson Fish (Seriola hippos)

                This member of the jack family is a deeper bodied cousin of the amberjack and yellowtail, and just like the rest of the family it has reputation of a brutal fighter.  Endemic to the southern half of Australia, Norfolk Island and New Zealand, the samson fish has a cult following with anglers that like a good workout when fishing.  Though superficially similar in appearance to the amberjack and yellowtail, samson fish can be differentiated by their slightly deeper bodies, steeper head profile and by the extremely broad rear corner of the upper jaw.  In addition, unlike amberjack and yellow tail, samson fish have a band of teeth in the upper and lower jaws, which can give the teeth a red appearance.  The maximum line class for this species will be 60 kg (130 lb).

    Pacific Barracuda (Sphyraena argentea)

                Pacific barracuda are easily recognized by their long silvery bodies, widely spaced dorsal fins and a mouth full of sharp, pointed teeth.  They are found from Central America to as far north as Alaska during extreme warm water episodes however, they are generally rare north of Point Conception, California.  Like other barracudas, they are highly active piscivores that consume a variety of smaller fish species.  They are typically found near shore in small groups and often around reefs, kelp and other structure.  The current All-Tackle record is 26 lb 8 oz and was caught in Costa Rica.  The maximum line class for this species will be 15 kg (30 lb).

    Broomtail Grouper (Mycteroperca xenarcha)

                The Broomtail grouper can be distinguished from other eastern Pacific grouper by the exerted ray on the tail, giving the fish its namesake broomtail appearance.  Broomtail have broad distribution stretching from southern California south to Peru. They are savage ambush predators that must be quickly turned once hooked before they can retreat into structure.  This is a large grouper with an All-Tackle record of 114 lb 6 oz and was caught in Cedros Island, Baja California.  The maximum line class for this species will be 60 kg (130 lb). 

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    May Hot Catches

    International Game Fish Association world records coordinator Rebecca Wright provides monthly highlights of selected documented fish catches made from across the globe and submitted for world records. The IGFA provided the following information on these 13 recent submissions from Australia, Brazil, Ecuador, Maldives, Japan, Gambia and the United States, now before the world records committee.

     

    Fishing the Norfolk Canyon off the coast of Virginia, USA, angler David H. Akridge Jr. of Virginia Beach, guided by Max King, landed a blueline tilefish, (Caulolatilus microps) on March 19, weighing 9.19 kg (20 lb 4 oz).  He used a Williamson Butterfly jig and hopes his catch and documentation beats the current IGFA All-Tackle record of 19 lb 14 oz (9.02 kg) caught off Virginia Beach two years ago. (Photo: blueline tilefish – 30490)

    Margot Vincent, Tequesta, Fla., USA, may have a new tippet record while fly fishing Pinas Bay, Panama. Guided by Epipano Candelo, she landed a skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) on April 1 that weighed 4.25 kg (9 lb 6 oz) using 6 kg (12 lb) tippet. The current IGFA women’s 12 lb tippet record is 4 lb 0 oz (1.81 kg) caught off Fajardo, Puerto Rico, Sept. 21, 2002. (Photo: skipjack tuna – 31038)

    A proponent of catch-and-release fishing George P. Mann, Opelika, Ala., USA, landed a bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) weighing 1.13 kg (2 lb 8 oz) on 1 kg (2 lb) tippet while fly fishing on March 26.  Mann was using a Grab-a-Holt fly, fishing near Auburn, Ala. The current IGFA record is 2 lb 4oz ( 1.02 kg) caught in Miami, Fla., 10 years ago. Mann safely released the fish following photography and documentation.  (Photo: bluegill – 31039)

    A new species of fish may be added to the nearly 1100 listed in the All-Tackle section of the IGFA World Record Game Fishes book after the documentation of a blackbarred morwong (Goniistius quadricornis) was received at the association’s headquarters. While fishing Suou-Oshima, Japan, Yukio Takata of Totori, Japan, landed the .5kg (1 lb 1 oz) fish on March 10 using a jighead with soft bait. (Photo: blackbarred morwong – 31057)

    While fishing Boduhithi, Maldives, junior angler Bill Francois, Paris, France, landed a kawakawa (Euthynnus affinis) on Dec. 26 weighing 2.32 kg (5 lb 2 oz). Caught on Rapala’s X- Rap Magnum, Francois is hoping to be the first to see his name filled-in the currently vacant junior boy’s category for the species. (Photo: kawakawa 31071)

    The Rapala X-Rap was also the lure of choice for multi-record holder Stan Nabozny, of The Woodlands, Texas, USA, in his landing of a Guinean barracuda (Sphyraena afra) fishing Banjul, Gambia. The species was officially added on April 1 by the IGFA for line, fly and junior class records and that’s the day Nabozny caught his. Guided by Bala Moses, he took 20 minutes to land the 7 kg (15 lb 7 oz) fish on 3 kg (6 lb) class line. He’s the first to enter documentation        for the men’s line class record.  (Photo: Guinean barracuda – 31278)

     One of the most exciting billfish to catch is an Atlantic blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) and to do it on fly is more thrilling.  Culebra, Puerto Rican angler Bonnie M. Anderson, was fishing off Casa del Carpo, in the Dominican Republic, April 4, when she caught the 68.49kg (151 lb 0 oz) blue on 8 kg (16 lb) tippet. Guided by Bruno Larcia, Ms. Anderson used a popper fly and took 25 minutes to fight the fish. The women’s tippet class record is currently vacant. (Photo: blue marlin – 31072)

    Using a sardine for bait while fishing Cancun, Mexico, Martin T. Gnad, Selden, NY, USA, guided by Carl Mizuel, landed a queen triggerfish (Balistes vetula) on January 26.  Gnad has applied for an IGFA All-Tackle record for the fish which weighed 6.44 kg (14 lb 3 oz). The current IGFA record is 9 lb 4 oz (4.2 kg) caught in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina in 2006. (Photo: queen triggerfish – 31102

    While fishing near Ancon, in his home country of Ecuador, Carlos "Charly" Casal of Guayaquil, guided by Angel De Rosa, landed a broomtail grouper (Mycteroperca xenarcha) one of the newest species added April 1 to the IGFA World Record Game Fishes list.  Casal made his catch on April 25, using a MirrOlure 111. He’s hoping to be the first to capture the currently vacant IGFA men’s 15 kg (30 lb) line class record for the fish that weighed 5.44 kg (12 lb 0 oz).  (Photo: broomtail grouper – 31472)

    On a trip to Papua New Guinea, Shane Gellard, of Hamilton Central QLD, Australia, used a Predatek Viper150 lure tied to 24 kg (50 lb) class line to attract a Papuan black snapper (Lutjanus goldiei) on March 15. Guided by Paul Harris and fishing Kwima Creek it took Gellard 10 minutes to fight the fish which weighed 14kg (30 lb 13 oz). The current IGFA line class record for the freshwater species is 26 lb 8 oz (12.02 kg) caught last November from Papau New Guinea’s Herbert River. (Photo: Papuan black snapper – 31280)

    Junior angler Christopher Hampl, of Cartago, Costa Rica, landed a payara (Hydrolicus scomberoides) on April 12 weighing 4.2 kg (9 lb 4 oz) while fishing Brazil’s Rio Sao Benedito. He used live truvira and hopes to beat the current IGFA junior boys record of 9 lb 0 oz (4.08 kg) caught in 1995 from the Rio Orinoco in Columbia.  (Photo: payara 31424)           


While fishing Mexico’s Baja California peninsula on April 1, Peter F. Binaski, Irvine, Calif., USA, landed a Pacific barracuda (Sphyraena argentea) in 10 minutes weighing 2.95 kg (6 lb 8 oz) on 2 kg (4 lb) class line. He was guided by Lee Moreno in hopes of capturing the currently vacant IGFA men’s line class record. (Photo: Pacific barracuda – 31035)

Corpus Christi, Texas, USA, angler Scott Lindner is waiting to hear if he has a new IGFA All-Tackle record after landing a striped mullet (Mugil cephalus) on March 13, weighing in at 4.71kg (10 lb 6 oz). Using a Bass Assassin it took him six minutes to land while fishing Upper Laguna Madre, Texas. The current IGFA record is 7 lb 10 oz (3.45 kg) caught in 2004 from California’s Buena Vista Lagoon. (Photo: striped mullet – 31040)

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Three classes left in IGFA School of Sportfishing spring session

 There are three classes remaining in the spring session of the IGFA’s School of Sportfishing..

  Jeff Mackin of the IGFA Education Department said because of the continued quality of the information and skills presented many of the classes have been sold out this year.

 Limited to 24 anglers the IGFA School of Sportfishing classes are held on Tuesday nights from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum in Dania Beach, Florida.

The remaining three dates, classes and captains include:

·         May 19 — Conquering Dolphin, Capt. Josh Brown

·         May 26 — Successful Swordfishing, Capt. Bouncer Smith

·         June 2 — Advanced Big Game Trolling, Capt. Josh Brown

Pre-registration is required. The cost is $100 per class for IGFA members and $150 per class for non-members. The fee covers the cost of the training class, course materials and fishing equipment relevant to each topic. For more information, please contact Mackin at 954-924-4340 or visit www.igfa.org/schoolofsportfishing.asp.  You may also sign up online at www.igfa.org/sosform.asp.

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 Open House May 16 for IGFA Junior Angler Summer Camps

            For hands-on activities for youngsters, nothing beats the IGFA annual Junior Angler Summer Camps presented in 10 weekly sessions beginning in June.

            The IGFA is giving parents and their youngsters a chance to experience the exciting activities in store for them at a Summer Camp Open House, Saturday, May 16th from 10 a.m. to noon. Children who are signed up on site will also receive the early registration discount of $25.

            Now in its 10th year and held at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum in Dania Beach, Fla., the association will be offering the weeklong summer camp adventures for children ages 8 – 13 running from June 8 – August 14th. 

            Campers spend time in the museum where they learn about fishing techniques, conservation, marine biology, tying flies & jigs, and participate in simulated fishing tournaments. Field trips take the campers 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. 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 954-924-4309, email reservations@igfa.org, or visit www.igfa.org/camps.asp.

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From the IGFA — Did You Know?

• There are over 31,000 species of fish.• There are less than 6,000 species of mammals.• The world’s biggest fish is the whale shark (Rhincodon typicus) which can grow to over 20 meters in length, weigh over 34,000 kg and live as old as 70 years.

Paedocypris progenetica is the world’s smallest fish and only grows to roughly 8 millimeters in length.

• Bigger specimens of a given species have a smaller gill area to body weight than smaller specimens.  This means that big fish will tend to run out of oxygen faster than smaller fish of a given species.

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Free Boaters Safety Course May 16 

If you’re new to boating or would like for you and members of your family to be safer boaters, we’ve got a class for you.

The IGFA and the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission are teaming together to host the next free Boaters Safety Courses beginning on Saturday, May 16, at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, Dania Beach, Fla.

Two other additional classes for 2009 will be offered July 18 and September 19. The all day class begins at 8 a.m. and lasts till 4 p.m. 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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San Diego Native Honored by IGFA

           

            IGFA Representative Catherine Miller not only celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Port of San Diego’s “Day at the Docks” which she annually produces each April to honor the local sportfishing fleet, but she in turn was honored. 

            IGFA Trustee Michael Farrior presented the San Diego native and event organizer with a Special Achievement Award for her efforts in promoting sportfishing in what has become California’s largest and most significant one-day sport-fishing event.  < /span>

            Captains were on board many of the 70 renowned, modernized sportfishers docked at the landing, eager to share their vast fishing knowledge as were leading manufacturers displaying the latest in fishing tackle. Marine artists, local fishing clubs and food vendors also lined the docks with their exhibits.

            Many of West Coast’s well-known experts and manufacturers’ reps presented seminars throughout the day including boating safety, fishing techniques, rod selection, rigging, knot tying, kayaking, cooking and sushi preparation. Local clubs, including the San Diego Rod and Reel Club and San Diego Anglers, provided expert assistance at the Kid’s Fishing Adventure, helping youngsters enjoy an opportunity to fish for free from the docks. 

            The Kid’s Fishing Adventure was sponsored by West Marine, Okuma Fishing Tackle and Bioline Fishing Line.  Live entertainment on three stages, tackle and trip giveaways, casting and knot tying contests entertained visitors throughout the day. Proceeds from the event’s numerous activities benefited the San Diego Burn Institute, Monarch School, and Friends of Rollo.

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 —At the IGFA Museum—

Exciting sport fishing photography featured in IGFA Art Gallery

The works of eight of today’s hottest marine photographers are featured in an exhibit in the Art Gallery of the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum. Through this August more than 70 images will be on display from Pat Ford, Adrian Gray, Scott Kerrigan, Charlie Levine, Dave McCleaf, Al McGlashan, Ron Modra and Sam Root.

All visitors to the museum will have the opportunity to experience the excitement, emotion, energy and beauty of sport fishing as seen through the lenses of these masters. For more information please call Joanie Tomlin at the IGFA at 954-924-4312 or email her at JTomlin@igfa.org.  

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Interactive “Ocean Today” kiosk now featured at IGFA

If you’re visiting the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum later this month look for the newest interactive exhibit of the Ocean Today kiosk.

“It was originally developed as a major installation in the Sant Ocean Hall at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History,” said IGFA Education Director David Matagiese. “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.

The kiosk enhances ocean literacy among museum goers through an enticing multi-media experience. A dynamic interface comprised of ocean imagery and video clips, 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. The main content themes are Ocean Science & Technology, Ocean News, Recent Discoveries, and Ocean Life.

Matagiese said multiple groups can simultaneously interact with 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 will envelop visitors. 

For more information on the kiosk, please contact Matagiese at dmatagiese@igfa.org.

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"Finding Wild Florida" showing daily in IGFA’s Journey’s Theater
 
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Part road movie, part fishing trip, "Finding Wild Florida" is a love letter to the
Sunshine State. Filmmaker Stephen Mick, photographer Chris Ross and a cast of guides, surfers and conservation experts spent 30 days,  exploring Florida’s waters and highways, trying to discover whether any part of the state is still truly "wild."

            They followed adventure from the Everglades to the remote Dry Tortugas, finding new definitions of "wild" every step of the way.

            This exciting film is shown daily at 3:30 p.m. in the IGFA’s Journey’s Theater.

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Special Catch & Release Fishing exhibit and video in IGFA Changing Gallery         

The Changing Gallery in the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum is featuring a special exhibit which highlights the background and progression of “catch and release” fishing.

Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., in the 1950’s and ‘60’s, 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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In June IGFA members can get more “bang” with BAMM

If you hold a membership to the IGFA, you’ve also got a membership to 20 participating museums and attractions throughout Broward County during the entire month of June.

IGFA members can use their cards for reciprocal benefits in all of the BAMM (Broward Attractions and Museum Month) member sites. The theme for the month is “Join one, experience them all.”  Each institution will define exactly what benefits will be eligible but at the very least it will be free admission at same member level.

            Participating institutions include:

 

·         African-American Research Library

·         Art and Culture Center of Hollywood

·         Bonnet House Museum & Gardens

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Cinema Paradiso

·         Coral Springs Museum of Art

·         Flamingo Gardens

·         Fort Lauderdale History Center

·         IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum

·         International Swimming Hall of Fame Museum

·         Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale

·         My Jewish Discovery Place Children’s Museum

·         Old Davie School Historical Museum

·         Old Dillard Museum

·         Plantation Historical Museum

·         Seminole Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum

·         Stranahan House Museum

·         The Children’s Museum Boca Raton

           

            The IGFA will honor admission as well as 10% off in the gift shop. For more information please call Joanie Tomlin at the IGFA at 954-924-4312 or email her at JTomlin@igfa.org.  Additional information can be found on the BAMM web site at www.bamminfo.org.

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Calendar of upcoming IGFA events

May 16, 2009 Boaters Safety Course, IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, Dania Beach, Fla., USA.8:00 a.m. – 4:00 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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May 16, 2009 – IGFA Summer Camp Open House, IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, Dania Beach, Fla. USA.  10 a.m.- noon. This event gives parents and their youngsters ages 8 to 13 a chance to experience some of the exciting activities in store for them during the IGFA’s ten weekly Summer Camps which begin June 8 to Aug 14, 2009.  For more information, please call 954-924-4309, email reservations@igfa.org, or visit www.igfa.org/camps.asp.

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May 19, 2009 — IGFA School of Sportfishing; Conquering Dolphin, IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, Dania Beach, Fla. USA. – 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. Conquering Dolphin: The definitive class on catching this exciting game fish.  Anglers can learn from Capt. Josh Brown how to increase the size and quantity of the dolphin you catch. Gain inside knowledge on the best strategies and techniques and learn to make the best rigs to catch more fish. The class is limited to 24 anglers, featuring hands-on instruction letting students interact and learn from some of the best anglers and captains sharing knowledge in their respective discipline. Pre-registration is required. The cost is $100 per class for IGFA members and $150 per class for non-members. The fee covers the cost of the training class, course materials and fishing equipment relevant to each topic. For more details go to the IGFA web site at www.igfa.org/schoolofsportfishing.asp or contact Jeff Mackin at 954-924-4340. You can also sign up online at www.igfa.org/sosform.asp.

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May 26, 2009 IGFA School of Sportfishing; “Successful Swordfishing,” IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, Dania Beach, Fla. USA. – 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. From tackle to location, find out everything you need to know to make your next swordfish trip a huge success with hands-on squid rigging and inside information from Capt. Bouncer Smith one of Fort Lauderdale‘s best guide and swordfishermen. This class is limited to only 24 anglers, letting students interact and learn from some of the best anglers and captains sharing knowledge in their respective discipline. Pre-registration is required. The cost is $100 per class for IGFA members and $150 per class for non-members. The fee covers the cost of the training class, course materials and fishing equipment relevant to each topic. For additional details go to the IGFA web site at www.igfa.org/schoolofsportfishing.asp or contact Jeff Mackin at 954-924-4340. You may also sign up online at www.igfa.org/sosform.asp.

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June 1 – 30, 2009BAMM (Broward Attractions and Museum Month) is Back — During the month of June anyone with a membership in the IGFA or one of 20 participating museums and attractions in Broward County will be able to use that for reciprocal benefits in all.  The theme for the month is “Join one, experience them all.”  Each institution defines what benefits will be eligible but at the very least it will be free admission at same member level. The IGFA will honor admission as well as 10% off in the gift shop. For more information please call Joanie Tomlin at the IGFA at 954-924-4312 or email her at JTomlin@igfa.org,  visit www.igfa.org or www.bamminfo.org for the variety of participating institutions.

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 June 2, 2009 — IGFA School of Sportfishing; “Advanced Big Game Trolling Techniques” — IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, Dania Beach, Fla. USA.7 p.m. – 10 p.m.  Ever wonder why some boats catch more big game fish like blue marlin than others? This is for the serious big game fisherman to get inside knowledge on how to get the most out of your trolling time. Learn many secrets from Capt. Josh Brown that took years of trial and error to perfect. This is not your regular fishing seminar series. Each class is limited to only 24 anglers, featuring hands-on instruction letting students interact and learn from some of the best anglers and captains sharing knowledge in their respective discipline. Pre-registration is required.  The cost is $100 per class for IGFA members and $150 per class for non-members. The fee covers the cost of the training class, course materials, and fishing equipment relevant to each topic.  For more details go to the IGFA web site at www.igfa.org/schoolofsportfishing.asp or contact Jeff Mackin at 954-924-4340. You may also sign up online at www.igfa.org/sosform.asp.

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June 6, 2009 — The Old Reel Collectors Association (ORCA) annual national convention, IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, Dania Beach, Fla. USA — ORCA is a voluntary non-profit organization whose membership is dedicated to preserving the history and technology of antique fishing reels and all vintage fishing tackle.  ORCA members from across the country will be in attendance bringing with them their displays of historic antique fishing reels, rods and all types of fishing memorabilia.  The event is open to the public with lots of antique fishing tackle for sale. ORCA members will be on hand to give free appraisals plus history and value of old reels, rods and lures brought to the event.  ORCA will also provide an on the spot auction service for those who wish to sell their antique tackle for the highest prices.  For more information about this upcoming event please contact Ed Pritchard at 561-748-7508.

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June 8 — Aug 14, 2009IGFA’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 will 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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July 7 – July 9, 2009 — Ninth annual Florida Keys Outfitters/IGFA Inshore World Championship, Islamorada, Fla., USA – Described by anglers and the media as the “super bowl” of fly and light tackle fishing, invitations are sent to the winners of over 35 qualifying tournaments held in 2008 to compete in this three day all-release championship. From a drawing the qualifiers are paired with a premier Keys guide to team for three days of fishing for tarpon, bonefish, permit, snook and redfish in fly and light tackle divisions with the grand champion crowned in each. For more information on the FKO/IGFA Inshore World Championship and qualifying tournaments contact Sandy Moret 305-664-5423 or flkeyout@bellsouth.net or visit inshoreworldchampionships.com .

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July 18, 2009Boaters Safety Course, IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, Dania Beach, Fla., USA.8:00 a.m. – 4:00 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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September 19, 2009 Boaters Safety Course, IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, Dania Beach, Fla., USA.8:00 a.m. – 4:00 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, 2009The 11th Annual IGFA Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, Dania Beach, Fla., USA This year’s event will be the highlight of a celebration in honor of all 75 members and the n
ewest 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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