HOT News from the IGFA
August 2006
By Pete Johnson, Johnson Communications – IGFA PR counsel
Newest Pending World Records
Fish catches made by several junior anglers leads off the August Hot News of pending records before the IGFA. Rebecca Reynolds, the IGFA world records coordinator, provided information on the following 11 potential records before the records committee:
Emilee Dize, 11 yrs, Ononcock, Va. U.S.A., landed a 63 lb 6 oz ( 28.74 kg) black drum (Pogonias cromis) fishing the eastern shore of Virginia, taking 40 minutes to pull the catch in. The current female junior record is 63 lb 0 oz March 19, 2004. (Photo: black drum – 06060052)
Bigger than he is 10 year old Dean Vetere of Staten Island, New York, U.S.A., landed a striped bass (Morone saxatilis) weighing 48 lb 11 oz (22.08 kg) in 15 minutes while bait fishing Staten Island for a potential new male smallfry record. The current record is 47 lb 9 oz caught Nov. 9, 2004. (Photo: striped bass – 06070001)
Almost three times more than his own current record *Trevor Rothstein, 15, of Lemont, Ill., U.S.A., boated a goliath grouper (Epinephelus itajara) weighing 180 lb (81.64 kg) in just five minutes while fishing Key West, Florida, U.S.A., for a potential new male junior record. The current mark is 64 lb 0 oz which Rothstein caught Dec. 24, 2004 in the nearby Marquesas Keys. (Photo: goliath grouper – 06070003)
Mark T. Masicampo, Oceano, California, U.S.A., landed a 12 lb 15 oz (5.87 kg) largemouth bass
(Micropterus salmoides) in six minutes on 6 kg (12 lb) tippet while fishing Santa Margarita Lake, California. He hopes to beat the current 22 year-old record of 12 lb 9 oz set March 25, 1984. (Photo: largemouth bass – 06070010)
Juan Jose Mestre Portabella, Barcelona, Spain, landed a Leerfish (Garrick), (Lichia Amia) weighing 55 lb (25 kg) in 50 minutes, trolling a lure at Bahia De A’ Ampolla, Spain for a potential new men’s 10 kg (20 lb) line class. He’s hoping to best the current mark of 45 lb 4 oz (20.55 kg) caught last year in Riomar, Spain. (Photo: leerfish – 06070020)
Hajime Murata, Ibaraki, Japan, landed a whitespotted char (Salvelinus leucomaenis) weighing 17 lb 8 oz (7.96 kg) in eight minutes while casting a plug, fishing Urbyeyah River, Okhotsk, Russia. The current 16 lb 4 oz 12 year old record was also caught in Russia on the Samarga River. (Photo: whitespotted char – 06070030)
Fellow countryman Keiki Hamasaki, Kagoshima, Japan may have two records on one catch after landing a giant trevally (Caranx ignoblis) weighing 160 lb 7 oz (72.8 kg) in 35 minutes while casting a lure at Tokara, near Kagoshima. He hopes to capture the all tackle and 130 lb line class records. The current 60 kg (130 lb) line class is132 lb 4 oz caught last year at St. Gilles, Reunion Island, and the current all tackle record Hamasaki hopes to also beat is 145 lb 8 oz recorded March 28, 1991 in Maui, Hawaii, U.S.A. (Photo: giant trevally – 06070041)
While bottom fishing the Srinakarin dam in Thailand, Anongnat Sungwichien-Helias, Bangkok, landed a giant featherback (Chitala lopias) weighing 6 lb 12 oz (3.08 kg) for a potential new all tackle record category. (Photo: giant featherback – 06070087)
Also from Thailand, Lootijirot Panphrapat, Bangkok may have a new all tackle record after landing a blotched porcupinefish (Diodon Liturosus) weighing 2 lb 5 oz (1.05 kg) while bottom fishing Koh Kut Island. (Photo: blotched procupinefish – 06070090)
Fernando De Almeida, Sao Paulo, Brazil landed a redtail catfish (Pirarara) (Phractocephalus hemioliopterus) weighing 42 lb 1 oz (19.1 kg) while bottom fishing Thaimaco, Brazil. He hopes to fill in his name in the previously vacant 8 kg (16 lb) line class record. (Photo: redtail catfish – 06070100)
A nice catch that warrants hot news was made by Billy Lucas Jr., Wilson, N.C., U.S.A. who landed a 116 lb 8 oz ( 52.84 kg) cobia (Rachycentron canadum) while sight casting off the Oregon Inlet, N.C., U.S.A. Using a lure he landed the fish in 45 minutes. The catch was made on 24 kg (50 lb) but over tested so Lucas’s pending record has been placed in the 37 kg (80 lb) line class. The current men’s record of 108 lb 0 oz. caught in Kenya has been standing since Sept. 20, 1980. Lucas’ catch was featured in North Carolina Sportsman magazine. (Photo: cobia – 06070070)
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Over 60 new world fishing records approved in July and featured on IGFA web site
Check out a new popular feature to the IGFA web site at www.igfa.org.
Throughout the year the IGFA’s World Records Department processes hundreds of applications for world records and now each month the latest approved records are highlighted on the IGFA web site.
For the month of July over 60 new world records were approved and displayed.
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IGFA Hall of Famer Alfred Glassell named to IGFA Board of Trustees
Considered one of the world’s foremost big game anglers of all time, Alfred C. Glassell, Jr., has been elected to join the IGFA Board of Trustees as its newest member. Glassell has spent his life pursuing his passions and excelling in many fields, including the petroleum industry, marine biology research and the collecting of fine art.
Glassell, who lives in Houston, Texas with his wife Clare, was born on Cuba Plantation, Louisiana, and is a graduate of Louisiana State University. He has a tremendous interest in the oceans and the study of marine biology and his contributions to oceanography are outstanding. He is a member of the American Society of Oceanography, a trustee of the International Oceanographic Foundation and Associate of Woods Hole Institute.
Glassell’s 1,560 pound black marlin caught 53 years ago is the All-Tackle and 130-pound line class record for the species. It remains the ultimate measure of the sport for every serious marlin fisherman.
Inducted into the IGFA’s Fishing Hall of Fame in 2001, Glassell’s contributions to sport fishing go well beyond that celebrated world record. Although he appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1956, few of today’s billfishermen know much about him and his other accomplishments. Glassell was the first to boat a black marlin over 1,000 pounds according to IGFA rules and when he lost the record within a few days he regained it for the second time in a month with a 1,090 pound catch.
Although Glassell traveled the world hunting marlin, bluefin tuna and swordfish, his research convinced him he would find his giant quarry in the bait-rich waters off Cabo Blanco, Peru. On August 4, 1953 he landed the 1,560 pound record fish that would withstand the test of nearly a half-century of tackle and boat improvements. Breathtaking film footage of Glassell’s jumping, tail-walking and greyhounding granders was used in the movie version of Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea. His record game fish, the world’s largest, resides in the “Hall of Sea Life” in the Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C.
Glassell is or has been a member of a host of fishing clubs and seafaring clubs throughout the world. He pioneered the waters off the west coast of South America resulting in the discovery of the abundant Cabo Blanco area. He was a member of the U.S. Team in the International Tuna Cup Matches for seven years, serving as captain of the 1952 second-place team.
A great proponent of the outdoors, Mr. Glassell is vitally interested in the conservation of all wildlife and is a staunch supporter of organizations such as Ducks Unlimited, Quail Unlimited and the IGFA.
As a member of the IGFA Board of Trustees, Glassell intends to extend to the organization decades of successful experience as both an angler and businessman.
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Texas/IGFA Banquet and Auction Sept. 29 in Houston
A huge night of fishing related fun is planned at the Texas/IGFA Banquet and Auction to be held at the Junior League of Houston, 1811 Briar Oaks Lane, Houston, Texas, U.S.A., Saturday, Sept. 29th from 7 – 11 p.m.
This fifth annual event benefits the IGFA Junior Angler Program with a dinner, open bar, silent and live auctions, raffles and much more.
One of the premier auction items will be a dinner for two couples with IGFA Hall of Fame members and fishing conservation legends Walter Fondren and Alfred Glassell.
Tickets are $100 per person. For more information please call IGFA Trustee Pam Basco at 713-542-1843 or e-mail Filobas@aol.com.
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Seychelles using its IGFA fishing records to attract tourism
Using one of its top recreational resources, the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) has added recent IGFA world fishing records caught in the Seychelles islands to its website and news letter.
Faizal Suleman, the IGFA Representative for the Seychelles said three recent catches of giant trevally and bluefin trevally have brought the total number of IGFA records in Seychelles’ waters to 11.
With a 1.4 million-square-kilometre expanse of ocean territory, Seychelles’ waters are loaded with the potential for expert and novice fishermen alike to reel in prized catches including tuna, kingfish, sailfish and marlin.
The African republic of 115 islands is in the Indian Ocean about 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) east of the African mainland. About 85 percent of its 83,000 people live on the largest island Mahe.
Suleman reported that earlier this year its tourism board in collaboration with the IGFA and local partners including Mason’s Travel, also launched the country’s first-ever International Fishing Competition to better highlight the Seychelles excellent fishing opportunities.
A write-up on the fishing opportunities appeared in the local newspaper: http://news.seychelles.com/newsletter/section.asp?sid=187&iid=34
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Curt Gowdy tribute and exhibit coming to the IGFA
Curt Gowdy, the man who was known by millions of North American fishermen and hunters as The American Sportsman from the ABC-TV network show he hosted and produced for over 20 years, will be honored this fall with a tribute and exhibit at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum.
Through the cooperation of Gowdy International, the exhibit will feature a collection of Gowdy’s fly fishing, sportscasting and sportswriting memorabilia. Gowdy, who was equally comfortable behind the microphone, typewriter and with a fly rod, passed away in February at the age of 86. Curt had been on the IGFA Board of Trustees since 1985.
Over a span of seven decades Gowdy brought a warmth and smooth delivery to his national TV, radio and cable sportscasts on four networks comprising more major sports events than anyone in broadcasting history. It included coverage of an astounding 16 World Series, 12 Rose Bowls, nine Super Bowls (including the first one in 1967), 16 MLB All-Star Games, eight Olympic Games and 24 NCAA Final Fours of collegiate basketball. Gowdy was inducted into an amazing total of 20 sports, broadcasting, conservation and fishing halls of fame, among them, and one of his favorites, the IGFA in 2003.
The opening of the exhibit is expected to coincide with the celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Day, Saturday, September 23. For more information please call the IGFA at 954-927-2628 or check back to the home page of the IGFA web site at www.igfa@org.
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Marine art collection of late IGFA rep Jim Edmiston up for auction
The IGFA is accepting bids on the entire marine art collection of long time IGFA representative Jim Edmiston who passed away in April. The art work is presently on display at the IGFA and on-line at the IGFA web site.
Prior to his death, Edmiston donated his entire collection to the IGFA to benefit its conservation efforts.
Jim traveled the world on his mother ship El Zorro in search of a 2,000 pound marlin. During this those years Edmiston purchased numerous pieces of original marine artwork from various fundraising events.
“It was important to him that the sale of these pieces benefits the IGFA,†said Jordyan Edmiston, Jim’s daughter. “This collection represents the respect man has for the strength, beauty and sheer will of fish,â€
Jim’s collection is on display at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum through October 31st and includes notable original art works from Guy Harvey, Be Forbes, Al Barnes and Russ Smiley and beautiful bronze sculptures by Kent Ullberg and Joseph Francis Quillian.
The entire collection can also be viewed at igfa.org. For more information, or to set an appointment to view the collection, contact Eric Combast, IGFA director of philanthropy at 954-924-4325 or email ecombast@igfa.org.
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IGFA offers advanced Junior Angler Fishing Clinic during Raymarine weekend
Youngsters and teenagers wanting to improve their fishing skills will have the opportunity to learn from the experts at an IGFA Advanced Junior Angler Fishing Clinic, Saturday Sept. 2, from 10 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum in Dania Beach, Fla.
Anglers through the age of 16 will learn bait and lure rigging techniques, basic and advanced knots, current regulations, new practices in catch and release fishing, fly casting and fly tying along with angler’s first aid. The day will also offer juniors free ice cream, door prizes and alligator feeding demonstrations.
It’s part of a three day weekend (Sept. 1 – 3) sponsored by Raymarine which will have a new on-site exhibit. Featured all three days from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. will be Raymarine’s interactive exhibit, Ray-4 tech trailer tours, a fly fishing casting analyzer and Bass Pro Shops’ fishing equipment demo area.
The cost is free and all junior anglers will receive a free Junior Angler Membership, a $20 value, or a renewal by attending the clinic. At least one adult must attend per family and entire families are encouraged.
Throughout the morning and afternoon fishing experts like Gary Waingrow (freshwater), Capt. Bouncer Smith and Capt. Tony DeGiulian (saltwater) and Blair “Mogan Man†Wiggins (inshore) host of FOX TV Sports Network’s Addictive Fishing, will lead seminars sharing their knowledge of the most productive fishing lures, rods, reels and lines that are best for different fishing situations and where to target game fish in the South Florida area.
Experts from the South Florida Fly Fishing Club will also be giving hands-on casting lessons and demonstrating fly tying lessons.
The IGFA will offer 2-for-1 museum admissions with a coupon or Bass Pro Shops receipt. One of the favorite interactive activities for youngsters and adults is the virtual fishing simulators for fighting marlin, sailfish, tarpon, bass and trout.
Youngsters will also be able to test their skills around the IGFA’s front ponds targeting a variety of fish such as largemouth and peacock bass, cichlids, catfish, tarpon, pacu, and sunfish.
Live bait will be provided, however anglers are encouraged to bring their favorite fishing lures. For the schedule information of the clinics and seminars please call the IGFA offices at 954-927-2628 or visit www.igfa.org/jaclinic.asp at the IGFA web site.
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Tenth annual IGFA Dania Beach Junior Angler Tournament scheduled in Sept.
Hundreds of youngsters are expected to compete in one of the most popular South Florida fishing competitions, the 10th annual IGFA Dania Beach Junior Angler Tournament on September 15 -16, 2006.
The tournament is for children 16 and under beginning with a 6 p.m. rules meeting and kick-off party on Friday, September 15, 2006 at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum and concluding there on Saturday with a silent auction, raffle and award ceremony starting at 2 p.m. All anglers must be present at the rules meeting to pick up the official score sheets.
This tournament is a qualifying event for the 2007 Mercury/IGFA Junior Angler World Championship next summer, and this year both the highest scoring freshwater and saltwater anglers will qualify. The tournament has been modified to be all catch-and-release, but the rules remain simple: lines in the water at 7 a.m. and lines out at 1 p.m. There is no Bimini start, anglers can fish anywhere they like and catches do not have to be radioed in. Score sheets must be turned in by 2 p.m. at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum.
Junior anglers may choose to fish in one of the following four divisions; freshwater, saltwater shore, saltwater boat or saltwater drift boat. They’ll be awarded points depending on species and degree of difficulty for a variety of eligible five to 20 point fresh and saltwater species.
There’s no minimum length for eligible species, but a maximum of five fish of each species can be counted by each contestant. Any other fish are awarded two points each with a maximum of five other fish counting towards points and a minimum of 12 inches in length.
Merchandise and trophy awards will go to the top scoring junior (through the age of 16) and smallfry anglers through the age of 10 in each of the divisions. In addition stringer awards will be given to an angler in each division who catches the most different eligible species (not including other).
Pre-registration is required. Visit http://www.igfa.org/daniabeach2006.asp for more information and to register contact Peter Gaube at the IGFA, 300 Gulf Stream Way, Dania Beach, Florida 33004, phone 954-924-4247, fax 954-924-4333, or e-mail at pgaube@igfa.org.
Deadline to register is at the kick-off party on Friday, September 15th at the IGFA. The registration fee is $30 per angler, and includes lunch and refreshments during the awards ceremony, one free drawing ticket and a one year Junior Angler membership into the IGFA. The one year membership includes a Pelagic gear hat with IGFA’s new Junior Angler logo, membership decal, membership card, a subscription to the quarterly International Junior Angler newsletter, periodic junior world record updates and free admission to the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum.
This tournament is made possible through the generous support of sponsors including; Mercury, Boston Whaler, Tarpon Bend Restaurants, Bass Pro Shops, Rapala, Shimano, Star Lures and Plano.
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World Cup Blue Marlin champion honored at the IGFA
It was a trip to the United States that Christopher Brand of Portugal would love to make again and again.
Brand was presented with a check for $375,000 during an awards luncheon at the IGFA headquarters after winning the 22nd annual World Cup Blue Marlin Championship held worldwide July 4th.
Out of a record 150 boats entered in the tournament, World Cup commissioner Jim Hardie said the winning marlin was caught near Cape Verde an archipelago off the western coast of Africa. The marlin weighed 850 lb, 9 oz.
The World Cup is one of the 100 plus qualifying tournament events for the Rolex/IGFA Offshore Championship Tournament (OCT) attracting winning teams from more than 40 countries. IGFA President Rob Kramer was on hand to present Brand with an invitation for his winning team, which included Berno Neibuhr of Germany, the owner of the Happy Hooker on which Brand caught the marlin, to participate in the eight annual Rolex/IGFA OCT in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico next May.
The one-day global marlin tournament was started by Hardie and the late Tex Schramm of the NFL Dallas Cowboys. Teams from around the globe fish in areas like Bermuda, the Bahamas, the Hawaiian Islands, New Zealand, Australia, Vanuatu, Fiji and the Canary Islands.
Hardie and Lynda Wilson of the IGFA said Brand was excited to travel to the IGFA for the awards presentation and to have a chance to tour the huge and prestigious Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum. Dom Siano of Ft. Pierce, Fla., who won the World Cup in 1991 in Costa Rica, was also at the ceremony.
Hardie said he hopes to make the awards ceremony at the IGFA an annual event. He added he plans to cap the 2007 tournament to the first 200 boats entered and if so present a check for $500,000 to next year’s winner.
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Calendar of future IGFA events
September 1 – 3, 2006 — Raymarine Weekend and Junior Angler Advanced Fishing Clinic at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum in Dania Beach, Fla., USA. Raymarine will have numerous activities Friday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The IGFA will be hosting the clinic on Saturday Sept. 2, from 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. for anglers through the age of 16 with tips from experts on bait and lure rigging techniques, basic and advanced knots, current regulations, new practices in catch and release fishing, fly casting and anglers first aid. Also a fly tying demonstration will be held in the museum. All anglers will receive a free Junior Angler Membership or a renewal by attending this event. One adult must attend per family. For time schedule information of the numerous events, clinics and seminars please call the IGFA offices at 954-927-2628 or visit the www.igfa.org/jaclinic.asp at the IGFA web site.
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September 9, 2006 — Boy Scout Fishing Merit Badge Day IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum in Dania Beach, Fla., USA, at 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. This annual event gives scouts the opportunity to complete eight of the nine requirements for their fishing merit badge and have fun doing it. Scouts will learn knot tying, equipment and maintenance, rules and regulations and much more. Cost is $8 per scout and lunch is included. Pre-registration is due by Sept. 1. For more information and to reserve a spot please call “reservations†in the IGFA education department at 954-924-4309.
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September 15 – 16, 2006 — 10th Annual IGFA Dania Beach Junior Angler Tournament, Dania Beach, Fla., and South Florida fresh and saltwater fishing areas. The tournament is for children 16 and under. It begins with a rules meeting and kick-off party on Friday, September 15, at 6 p.m. at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum and concludes there with a silent auction, raffle and awards ceremony on Saturday starting at 2 p.m. All anglers must be present at the rules meeting to pick up the official score sheets. This tournament is a qualifying event for the 2007 Mercury/IGFA Junior Angler World Championship next summer, and this year both a freshwater and saltwater angler will qualify. Visit http://www.igfa.org/daniabeach2006.asp for more information and to register please contact Peter Gaube at the IGFA, 300 Gulf Stream Way, Dania Beach, Florida 33004, phone 954-924-4247, fax 954-924-4333, or e-mail at pgaube@igfa.org
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September 20 – 22, 2006 — Mediterranean Congress of Sea Game Fishing, Palma de Mallorca, Spain — Esteban Graupera, the IGFA Representative for Spain and President, Federacion Mediterranea Para Una Pesca Responsible, is organizing the First Mediterranean Congress of Sea Game Fishing. Among the objectives of the Congress will be to define the recreational fishing activity in the Mediterranean and determine relative economic, social and environmental policies; evaluate the applications of recreational fishing and how to apply them to sustainable tourism; responsible fishing and self regulation; socioeconomic monitoring; along with possible alternatives for the commercial fishing sector. Preceding the conference on September 19th, the IGFA will host a workshop and meeting for IGFA International Committee Representatives from Europe. For more information email Graupera at e.g@mediterranea-fpr.org or go to http://www.mediterranea-fpr.org/principal.html.
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September 29, 2006 — Texas/IGFA Banquet and Auction at the Junior League of Houston, 1811 Briar Oaks Lane, Houston, Texas, U.S.A. from 7 to 11 p.m. This fifth annual event benefits the IGFA Junior Angler Program with a dinner, open bar, silent and live auctions, raffles and more. Tickets are $100 per person. For more information please call IGFA Trustee Pam Basco at 713-542-1843 or e-mail Filobas@aol.com.
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October 24, 2006 — Eighth annual IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, sponsored by Rolex, at the IGFA headquarters in Dania Beach, Fla., USA, — Honorees are annually selected for their 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 2006 class of inductees includes John W. Anderson II, Charles Alma Baker, Bill Dance, Hidenori Onishi and Milton C. Shedd. The evening includes a cocktail reception, silent auction, the induction ceremony for the 2006 class and dinner. For reservation information please call Ms. Lesley Arico at 954-924-4222.
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October 25, 2006 — IGFA Certified Observer Program (COP) training class, at the IGFA headquarters in Dania Beach, Fla., USA, at 9 a.m. — The class trains and certifies experienced anglers, boat captains and crew members as observers for fishing tournaments held around the world. The course includes species Identification, IGFA saltwater fishing rules & regulations, safety at sea and boating etiquette. The IGFA COP applications are available at the IGFA website www.igfa.org and at the IGFA headquarters. For additional information, please contact Ms. Michelle Sedge at 954-924-4317 email: MSedge@igfa.org
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December 2, 2006 — IGFA Certified Observer Program (COP) training class, at 9 a.m. at the West Palm Beach Fishing Club, on the corner of 5th Street and North Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach, Fla., USA, -– The COP class trains and certifies experienced anglers, boat captains and crew members as observers for fishing tournaments held around the world. The course includes species Identification, IGFA saltwater fishing rules & regulations, safety at sea and boating etiquette. The IGFA COP applications are available at the IGFA website www.igfa.org and at the IGFA headquarters. For additional information, please contact Ms. Michelle Sedge at 954-924-4317 email: MSedge@igfa.org.
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January 26, 2007 — 23rd Annual IGFA International Auction & Banquet, The Breakers, Palm Beach, Fla., USA, — A wide range of more than 250 live and silent auction items are featured in the premier fundraising event of the year for the nonprofit, worldwide membership-supported conservation and record-keeping organization. For reservation information for the auction and banquet please call Ms. Lesley Arico at 954-924-4222 or via email LArico@igfa.org.
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February 18, 2007— IGFA Certified Observer Program (COP) training class, Miami Boat Show, Miami Convention Center, Miami Beach, Fla. USA, at 9 a.m. — The class trains and certifies experienced anglers, boat captains and crew members as observers for fishing tournaments held around the world. The course includes species Identification, IGFA saltwater fishing rules & regulations, safety at sea and boating etiquette. The IGFA COP applications are available at the IGFA website www.igfa.org and at the IGFA headquarters. For additional information, please contact Ms. Michelle Sedge at 954-924-4317 email: MSedge@igfa.org.
