HOT News from the IGFA
January 2006
By Pete Johnson, Johnson Communications – IGFA PR counsel
Fishing’s most valued reference book, the IGFA World Record Game Fishes annual is now available
It’s the mainstay reference book described by serious fishermen and fishing writers alike as “the most comprehensive piece of fishing information available anywhere.â€
The IGFA’s 2006 World Record Game Fishes book continues its legacy as one of the most reliable and complete source books of international fishing records and fishing-related reference materials.
Members of the IGFA began receiving their copy in mid January.
The popular annual is the official guide to saltwater and freshwater catches – for nearly 400 species around the world — in all-tackle, line class, fly, junior angler and U.S. state records.
One outdoor editor wrote: “The IGFA’s (WRGF) book is an encyclopedia on fishing and fishes of the world, second to none. If ever there were a textbook on the up-to-date status of fishes and fishing, IGFA’s annual publication would be it.â€
Recognized as the official keeper of world saltwater fishing records since its founding in 1939, the IGFA entered the field of freshwater record keeping when Field & Stream transferred its 68 years of records to the association in 1978.
In 2005 a record total 1,234 applications were received and reviewed by the IGFA world records department and of those 864 were approved with 144 still pending. The total number of fish record categories stands at 8,950 with nearly 100,000 files.
The 2006 edition of World Record Game Fishes features a great deal more than a listing of the thousands of world records, international angling rules and the protocol for documenting a world record submission. It’s also a guide to species identification and drawings, illustrated articles, tag and release information, and offers a worldwide network of fishing stakeholders communicating and acting upon their passion for fisheries research and conservation.
Loaded with facts and features
The new mission for the IGFA is the theme of this book; conservation, education, science, history and IGFA rule-making elements appear in several feature articles. IGFA historian Mike Farrior has a feature on the firsts in the history of fishing; Dr. Keith Jones on fish sensory studies at the Berkley Fish Research Center that can help in every-day fishing; Dean Butler on extreme fly fishing and Raleigh Werking on breaking hard-to-beat world records on light line. New Zealander Sam Mossman is also featured on the longest running striped marlin IGFA record streak; IGFA Conservation Director Jason Schratwieser on the scientific evaluation of circle hooks; a photo spread by Pat Ford along with listings of IGFA’s certified captains, weigh stations, certified observers and the IGFA’s member discount program and much more.
WRGF annual only available with IGFA membership
The 2006 World Record Game Fishes book is only available from the IGFA with a $35 annual IGFA membership. The membership also includes on-line access to the most current updated world records on the IGFA web site, six issues of the International Angler bi-monthly news magazine, unlimited admission to the IGFA’s interactive Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum in Dania Beach, Fla., plus much more.
To join, or to renew your IGFA membership, go on-line to www.igfa.org or call the IGFA headquarters at 954-927-2628.
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(photo caption: The IGFA’s 2006 World Record Games Fishes annual, which contains 384 pages, features cover art by renowned marine artist Don Ray entitled Mako Moon.)
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New Pending World Records
Among the monthly highlights from the International Game Fish Association are these documented fish catches – including an increasing number of releases — made on five continents. IGFA world records coordinator Rebecca Reynolds provided the information on these new potential records:
In particular are the catches and releases of two huge dorado in Argentina topping the latest record submissions. While helping in a scientific study of the Rio Uruguay in Concordia Andre De Botton of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, landed a 53 lb 2 oz (24.11 kg) dorado (Salminus brasiliensis) in 15 minutes. Dr. De Botton and other biologists were assisting in the local fishery research by examining, measuring, weighing and tagging every fish before it was released when he made the spectacular catch which may be a new all-tackle record. If it stands it may break the current 21 year old record of 51 lb 5 oz caught at Toledo (Corrientes) Argentina 9-27-84. (Photo: dorado –05120048R)
While fly fishing on the Rio Uruguay in Concordia and on the same day, Rodrigo M. Salles of Sao Paulo, Brazil landed his dorado ( Salminus brasiliensis) in 30 minutes weighing 50 lb 10 oz (22.97 kg) with 20 lb tippet. His catch is more than 40 lbs over the current 10 lb 8 oz record in 10-26-04 He also released the huge fish moments later after documenting and photographing. (Photo: dorado –05120047R)
In Brazil while fishing the Unini River, Gonzalo Arostegui of Miami, Fla., USA landed an acara papagailo (Hoplarchus psittacus) weighing 1 lb 4 oz (0.56 kg). Arostegui enticed the fish with a Yo-Zuri lure and landed it in 2 minutes. He could find his name and fish leading off the All-Tackle section adding a new species to the 2007 edition of the World Record Games Fishes book next year. (Photo: acara papagailo – 05110091)
A junior division smallfry record is pending for 9 year old Montanna Baldwin of Darwin, NT, Australia. While fishing the Dunder Wide in Darwin, she landed a narrowbarred mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) in 1 hour 15 minutes weighing 20 lb 15 oz (9.5 kg). The current record is18 lb 11 oz caught two years ago in Papua New Guinea. (Photo: narrowbarred mackerel – 05120001)
Takashi Nishino of Kanagawa, Japan, sent in documentation for a vacant all tackle record after catching a fanray (Platyrikina sinensis) weighing 3 lb 11 oz (1.70 kg). He landed it in one minute, while fishing Akazawa, Ito, Shizuoka, Japan. After recording the measurements and a quick photo he released it. (Photo: Fanray — 05120026R)
Using sweet corn for bait England’s Paul Metcalf-Bennett, of Bedfordshire, tempted a tench (Tinca tinca) weighing 5 lb 9 oz (2.52 kg) fishing the Stanwick Lakes using 8 lb class line. He released the fish after measuring and photographing. The current record is 3 lb 4 oz caught early last year. (Photo: tench — 05120049R)
At Venezuela‘s Lake Masparro, Facundo Cano of Valencia, Venezuela landed a Orinoco peacock bass (Cichla orinocensis) weighing 10 lb 8 oz (4.76 kg). Using an Excalibur bomber lure on 16 lb line class, it took him two minutes to land the beautiful golden yellow colored fish. It was released after being photographed. The current record is 8 lb 7 oz. (Photo: butterfly peacock — 05120031R)
In the USA, Ron Mazzarella of Livingston, NJ, landed a 19 lb (8.61 kg) striped bass (Morone saxatillis) using 2 lb tippet in 10 min. while fly fishing Montauk, New York. The current record is 14 lb 4 oz. caught 11-13-00. The striper was documented, photographed and released. (Photo: striped bass — 05120005R)
While fly fishing in Key West, Florida, Mrs. Carol Chermanski, of Merritt Island, landed an 8 lb 0 oz cero mackerel (Scomberomorus regalis). Using her “Chermanski sea minnow†fly she landed the fish in 15 minutes using 12 lb tippet. The current record is 5 lb 4 oz caught 1-13-02. (Photo: cero mackerel – 05120052)
The big news from the US west coast was the landing of a 28 lb 1 oz (12.70 kg) rainbow trout may also land 15 year old Michael Lopez two world and two state records. The Paramount, California, USA, teenager took 15 minutes to net the huge rainbow (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fishing the Santa Ana River Lakes in California, while casting a green/white jig. He’s up for a potential 4 lb line class record (current 27 lb 8 oz 12-24-03) taken on the same waters, and a male junior record (current 11 lb 8 oz 7/14/01). He also awaits state line class and state male junior records. (Photo: rainbow trout – 05120042)
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Rolex/IGFA Offshore Championship field is filling fast
The list of qualified winning teams registered for the world’s most prestigious billfish competition — the Rolex/IGFA Offshore Championship Tournament (OCT) — continues to grow.
By mid-January more than 40 teams from 16 countries on five continents had signed up to compete in the mid-May classic. Twenty of the teams pre-registered are from the U.S., including two past champions.
The seventh annual world championship of blue water angling, May 7 – 12, is expected to host the single largest contingent of international teams ever to compete in a fishing tournament. Tournament officials feel last year’s mark of 70 teams from 30 countries could be broken. Teams for the 2006 championship had previously qualified by winning one of 110 IGFA sanctioned events held in 40 countries worldwide during 2005.
For the fifth straight year Cabo San Lucas, Mexico will be the location for the four-day catch-and-release event.
At the Rolex/IGFA OCT, the teams will fish on a different boat each of the four days for marlin and other billfish, all guided by local captains.
For the latest details, look on the IGFA web site at www.igfa.org under the fishing tab on the home page and click on “tournaments.†For questions regarding the Rolex/IGFA OCT, contact tournament coordinator Lynda Wilson at lwilson@igfa.org, or 954-927-2628.
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Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee to meet at IGFA, Feb. 14-16; Open to public
The Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC) will hold its first meeting of the 2006 at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum in Dania Beach, Fla. USA, February 14-16, 2006. The meeting is open to the public.
The MAFAC advises the Secretary of Commerce of the United States on all living marine resource matters that are the responsibility of the Department of Commerce, said Rob Kramer, President of IGFA, who is a two year member of the Committee.
Vice Chair of the MAFAC and Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, Dr. Bill Hogarth will preside over the meeting, which will be open for public comment. Items to be discussed include the Offshore Aquaculture Act, Seafood Health and Safety, Hurricane Impacts and Recovery and Recreational Fisheries. The Committee functions solely as an advisory body, complying with the Federal Advisory Committee Act.
MAFAC members will use their expertise and other sources, such as the National Marine Fisheries Service, to review and propose priorities and necessary changes in national programs which include the ongoing reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens, the Endangered Species and the Marine Mammal Protection Acts.
The 21 members of the Committee represent a wide spectrum of fisheries interests, environmental, academic, state, tribal, consumer and other related national interests.
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IGFA’s 22nd Annual International Auction & Banquet
The bidding for over 250 featured items has been brisk since the launch of the IGFA’s on-line auction in December.
“Our internet auction on the IGFA web site (www.igfa.org) has been very busy and the members and visitors to the site are bidding up a storm,†said Ms. Lesley Arico,
Among the featured items is a luxurious one week trip for 12 on a private yacht, a Chevrolet Avalanche and a 19.75 kt., diamond necklace. They are just three on the growing list of items in all price ranges up for bid at the IGFA’s 22nd Annual International Auction & Banquet at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Fla., on January 27.
It’s the fifth year the on-line bidding has been presented and according to Arico about 25% of the on-line submissions were winning bids.
The premier fundraising event for the nonprofit IGFA will highlight more than 40 live auction items plus well over 200 silent auction items.
For auction and banquet reservations please call Ms. Lesley Arico at 954-924-4222 or via email LArico@igfa.org.
(For more information please see the IGFA web site www.igfa.org – home page: “Latest News†– IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame induction)
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Symposium Gets Serious About Bones & Poons
The Second International Bonefish & Tarpon Symposium on Jan. 9 wasn’t your typical gathering of marine researchers. Sprinkled among the Ph.D’s were fishing guides, professional anglers and others with on-the-water experience, all sharing stories, observations and ideas on how to best enhance future generations of those species.
Held at the IGFA headquarters in Dania Beach, Fla. and co-hosted by Bonefish & Tarpon Unlimited, the Fisheries Conservation Foundation, IGFA, the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, Outback Steakhouse, Bacardi and Bass Pro Shops, the event drew 150-plus attendees and featured 19 researchers from around the world involved in bonefish or tarpon studies. PowerPoint and poster presentations provided details about habits of bonefish and tarpon, and objectives were set for ongoing collaboration.
“BTU recognizes the importance of a partnership between science and the recreational angling sector,” says Doug Kelly, BTU Executive Director. “This Symposium, like the first held three years ago, is starting to fill in the missing gaps of information. Even so, we’re still in the silent-movie era of knowledge about bonefish and tarpon behavior.”
For information on BTU, visit www.tarbone.org or email dkelly@tarbone.org.
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Calendar of future IGFA events:
January 27, 2006 — 22nd Annual IGFA International Auction & Banquet, The Breakers, Palm Beach, Fla., USA, — A wide range of more than 250 live and silent auction items including a luxurious one week trip for 12 on a private 166 ft. yacht, a Chevrolet Avalanche and a 19.75 kt., diamond necklace are featured in the premier fundraising event of the year for the nonprofit, worldwide membership-supported conservation and record-keeping organization. Wood sculptor, David Wirth will be the featured artist. For the fifth year, an on-line auction of the continuously growing list is underway at the IGFA’s website www.igfa.org 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 14-16, 2006 –– The Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC), IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, Dania Beach, Fla. USA. The MAFAC advises the Secretary of Commerce of the United States on all living marine resource matters that are the responsibility of the Department of Commerce. This is the first of two meetings in 2006. The two-and-a-half-day meeting is open to the public Tuesday and Wednesday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. in the IGFA Events Hall. For more information, please contact MAFAC Executive Director Laurel Bryant, NOAA Fisheries Office of Constituent Serves at laurel.bryant@noaa.gov or (301)713-2379. (http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ocs/mafac/index.htm)
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February 19, 2006 — 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. The applications must be completed, mailed or faxed (954-924-4220) to the IGFA accompanied with a $125 fee (payable to IGFA) no later than February 10. This fee covers the cost of the training class, course materials, and a one-year membership in the IGFA. For more information, please contact Ms. Lynda Wilson at 954-924-4233 email: LWilson@igfa.org.
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March 18, 2006 — Third Annual IGFA World Record Achievement Awards, IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, Dania Beach, Fla. USA. – This celebration marks the 2005 records by men, women, juniors, professional captains and tackle manufacturers. For reservations and tickets ($75) for the ceremony please call Ms. Lesley Arico at 954-924-4222 or via email LArico@igfa.org.
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May 7 – 12, 2006 — Seventh Annual Rolex/IGFA Offshore Championship Tournament, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. — Fishing’s most prestigious billfish tournament hosts more than 70 winning teams from 40 countries on six continents who have qualified by winning one of 110 IGFA sanctioned events held in 2005. This tournament is the largest contingent of international teams ever to compete in a single catch-and-release fishing tournament world wide. Contact IGFA tournament coordinator Ms. Denise Hartman 954-927-2628 or dhartman@igfa.org; or Rolex/IGFA PR counsel Pete Johnson at 480-951-3654 or johnsoncom@aol.com
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June 18 – 20, 2006 — Fourth Annual Mercury/IGFA Junior Angler World Championship Tournament, Key West, Fla., USA — This event hosts girls and boys, ages five to 16, who have advanced to this all-release championship by winning one of over 30 qualifying fishing tournaments held in the U.S. and several countries in 2005. Anglers ages five -10 compete in the smallfry division; ages 11-16 in the junior division. The youngsters caught and released 920 fish in the 2005 championship. The young contestants are accompanied by a parent and fish in pairs with another junior or small fry angler over two days for a variety of 23 eligible five-to-25 point species, guided by local IGFA approved Florida Keys captains. Contact Peter Gaube, IGFA Junior Angler coordinator 954-927-2628 or pgaube@igfa.org or Pete Johnson, IGFA PR counsel at 480-951-3654 or johnsoncom@aol.com
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July 9 – 12, 2006 — Sixth Annual Rolex/IGFA Inshore Championship Tournament, Islamorada, Fla., USA — The winners of more than 55 IGFA qualifying tournaments held in 2005 on four continents are invited to compete in this three day all release championship. They are paired with a different premier Keys guide each day fishing for tarpon, bonefish, permit, snook and redfish using fly or light tackle equipment while vying for Rolex timepieces, prizes and the prestigious title. Contact: tournament coordinator Ms. Denise Hartman 954-927-2628 or dhartman@igfa.org; or Pete Johnson, Rolex/IGFA PR counsel at 480-951-3654 or johnsoncom@aol.com
