By Pete
Johnson, Johnson Communications – IGFA PR Counsel

 

Going, going, gone; online bidding ends
soon for gala IGFA Auction         

 

The online bidding has been fast and
furious for some great bargains in one of the most popular and anticipated
events preceding the IGFA’s 24th Annual International Auction and Banquet at
The Breakers in
Palm Beach, Florida, January 25.

But the online auction now underway on
the IGFA web site at www.igfa.org for over
250 live and silent auction items in all price ranges will end on January 21.

            Now in its sixth year, the active
global-wide online bidding builds awareness for the IGFA, its conservation
programs, its worldwide representatives and sponsors.

            Over the past three years on-line
bidders have had winning bids 25% of the time an IGFA spokeswoman reported

“Since the new year we’ve had some
spirited bidding on the IGFA web site,” added Lesley Arico, IGFA corporate relations manager. “New donations have
been added on a weekly basis making it more fun to go back often and discover
some new items to bid on. Check it often before the online portion of the
auction ends at
9 a.m. ET on January 21.”

             The highest bid on each item will be the
starting bid at the silent auction on the 25th. All online winners will be
notified by
5 p.m. on January 28.

Beginning with the evening’s silent
auction, which starts at
6 p.m., is a cocktail party, followed
by an exquisite dinner and the highly anticipated “live” auction conducted by Ed Phillips of
Houston, Texas

            The
highlight of
this year’s live auction is a
2008 Mako 284 Express powered with twin 250 Mercury Verado super charged
four-stroke engines.  

            “It’s a perfect
boat for a fishing trip that turns into an overnighter, or even a full weekend
excursion with a large, comfortable cabin that easily sleeps four adults,
spacious decks for casting and all the offshore fishing features you could
imagine,” said Arico.  

            The event also features renowned
marine artist Dave Baroncelli whose fine
art has graced the walls of famous sportfishing institutions and the covers of
prestigious tournament publications for over 20 years. His original artwork and
#1 limited edition “Walk the Line” of a tail-walking black marlin is one of the
highlights at the auction and all guests will receive a signed and numbered
limited edition of Dave’s featured piece. 

            Among the more than 40 items
featured in the live auction are:

  • the ultimate fishing
    vacation at the home of Don Tyson
    in Cabo San Lucas,
  • an original 34”  David
    Wirth
    swordfish sculpture cut from navel orange wood
  • an original 52” x
    36” Guy Harvey acrylic on
    canvas of a majestic marlin,
  • a limited edition
    bronze sculpture of a tarpon by Kent
    Ullberg,
  • a fishing and quail
    hunting package at Hacienda Las Palmas in
    Mexico,
  • fishing trips to
    Guinea Bissau, Guatemala,
    Australia and the Canary Islands,
  • an original bronze
    sculpture by Bill McGlaun,
  • a week for two at
    the fantastic Tropic Star Lodge,
  • a top of the line
    teak Murray Fighting Chair,
  • a float fishing trip
    in the Indian Himalayas,
  • rods and reels,
    tackle, jewelry, international resorts, fishing charters galore and
    more. 

 
          “The list of items is
simply amazing,” said Arico.  “We have
something for everyone.”

            The night will also feature the
presentation of the IGFA Conservation Awards.

            Tickets are $175 per person.

            For reservations, for further
information or if you would like to donate to the 24th Annual International
Auction & Banquet, please contact Ms. Arico at (954) 924-4222 or email LArico@igfa.org. (For more details on the upcoming
IGFA auction please see the IGFA web site www.igfa.org
– home page: “Latest News” or directly link to it and the auction items at  http://www.igfa.org/24thauction.asp
)

###

 

Fishing’s most valued reference book
is now here

 

            The annual book, described by
serious recreational fishermen and the world’s fishing writers alike as “the
most comprehensive piece of fishing information available anywhere,” is now
available.

            The IGFA’s 2008 World Record Game Fishes, the largest ever at 424 pages, is the
mainstay reference book in recreational fishing and continues its legacy as one
of the most reliable and complete sources of worldwide fishing records and
fishing-related reference materials.

            In early January IGFA members
received their copies as just one of the many benefits of joining the IGFA.

                The popular guide
includes 167 updated pages of saltwater and freshwater catches – for nearly 400
species around the world — in all-tackle, line class, fly, men’s, women’s,
junior angler and U.S. state records.

            Anglers will be pleased to see they
have more chances to claim a world record since the addition of more new fish species
by the IGFA World Records department.

The eight new species added to the
line-class, fly rod and junior record categories include: the barbel (Barbus barbus), blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus); black grouper (Mycteroperca bonaci), buri also known as
a Japanese amberjack (Seriola
quinqueradiata
), gilthead seabream (Sparus
aurata
), gray snapper (Lutjanus
griseus
), hickory shad (Alosa
mediocris
), and the
Orinoco peacock (Cichla orinocensis).

            The book also features entertaining
and in-depth articles that include:

·        
Richard Stone and National Geographic researcher Zeb
Hogan
examining the plight of some of the world largest freshwater fish, in
Megafishes.

·        
Outdoor writer/editor Charlie
Levine
exploring the magnificent diversity of offshore big game and
interior freshwater fishing in
New Zealand: An Angler’s Paradise.

·        
Northeast U. S. Captain Al Ristori’s review of a fish that has gone
through bad times but has recovered through proper fisheries management in Metropolitan Striped Bass.

·        
With amazing photography, Patrick Ford, in No Rules in
the Seychelles
gives us a taste for fly fishing for one of the world’s
hardest fighting inshore game fish, the trevally.   

·        
In Marlin and
Sailfish: It’s What’s Not for Dinner
, IGFA Conservation Director Jason Schratwieser analyses the billfish
trade and how the IGFA is working with other conservation groups to reduce the
landings and sale of commercially caught billfish.

·        
 In E.K. Harry Library of Fishes: A Library
Unlike Any Other
, author Mike Rivkin
explores the IGFA’s historical materials and artifacts in its one-of-a-kind
library.

      The pages also contain
listings of IGFA Certified Captains, Weigh Stations, and IGFA Member Discount
Program all useful when planning fishing travels. 

            To receive your copy of
2008 World Record Game Fishes, go to www.igfa.org and sign up to become a member of
the IGFA today.

###

 

Limited edition of IGFA WRGF cover
art is now available

 

            A very small number of
signed, limited editions of this year’s cover art on the IGFA’s 2008 World Record Game Fishes book titled “On the Rocks” by marine artist Adrian E. Gray are now available.   

            The original oil on canvas depicts
two striped bass feeding in a rocky inter-tidal setting.     While living in
New York, Gray said the striped
bass was a fish that filled his early years with countless happy memories when fishing
Long Island Sound, the
Hudson River and Montauk.

            Helping to add to the inspiration
needed to make the painting a reality Gray also credits the writings on striped
bass by captains like Al Ristori and
Bill Magglione that furthered his knowledge
on pursuing the species.

            To find out how you can own a
limited edition print contact the International Hall of Fame gift shop at
mstore@igfa.org or call 954-924-4370.  To
see more of Gray’s artwork visit www.adrianegray.com or for inquiries about his
artwork please email adrianegray@aol.com or call 305-773-6912.

###

 

IGFA School of Sportfishing adds classes for February and March

 

          With its appealing
curriculums, limited class sizes, expert instructors listening to the needs of
the attending anglers — all in the conducive setting of the IGFA Fishing Hall
of Fame and Museum Learning Center – the IGFA School of Sportfishing has added
more classes to begin its sixth session in February.   

            The nightly three-hour sessions from
7 to 10 p.m., will feature many of the most popular classes previously offered
along with two new classes that participants have expressed strong interest in
adding.
 

            “One of the keys to the School of Sportfishing‘s success is that we
really take into account what our attendees have to say,” said IGFA Adult Education Coordinator David Matagiese. “The class participants
rate everything from the instructors to the program content and educational
value. They’ve provided suggestions that have made the program better with
input for new topics they’d like to see offered.  Based on what they tell us, we go to the
drawing board for the next session to provide the best classes and program
possible.” 

Matagiese said the session will
begin with two new classes:

·        
“Four Fundamentals Every Sportfisherman Should
Know” taught by Capt. Tony
DiGiulian
on February 5

·        
“Fishing Bridges and
Beaches” with Capt. Mark Zasky,
on February 19

      Back by popular demand will be the following four classes:

·        
“Successful Swordfishing,” with Capt. Josh Brown , February 26

·        
“Learning to Kitefish,” taught by Capt. Bouncer Smith, March 4

·        
“Bottom Fishing Wrecks and Reefs,” Capt. Bouncer
Smith,  on March 18

·        
“Back Country Fishing: Mangroves and Flats,” with
Capt. Mark Zasky, March 25

      The
IGFA will soon announce the schedule for the
School of Sportfishing into the

national
spotlight with stops in
California, Texas, New Jersey and Minnesota. 

“We’re working with IGFA reps and
local captains in those states who are not only knowledgeable about the
surrounding waters but who also have a knack for teaching others what their
years on the water have taught them,” said Matagiese. “This outreach
School of Sportfishing program will allow
interested anglers in different parts of the country to experience what has
become so popular here in
South Florida.”

             For more details go to the IGFA web site
at www.igfa.org/schoolofsportfishing.aspor contact Matagiese at 954-924-4247 or dmatagiese@igfa.org,
or contact Veronica
Woods
at 954-924-4334 or reservations@igfa.org

###

 

–At
the Museum–

IGFA and Fla. Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission host four free
Boaters Safety Courses in 2008

 

            The IGFA and the Florida Fish &
Wildlife Conservation Commission will host four free Boaters Safety Courses beginning
on Saturday, January 19, at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum,
Dania Beach, Fla.

            Additional classes in 2008 will be
offered on May 10, August 2 and November 8.

            The all day class will begin at 8
a.m.
and last 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.  

###

 

From the IGFA — Did You Know? 

ü     
The top 5 marine fisheries in 2004:

  • Anchoveta—10.7
    million tons
  • Alaska pollock—2.7 million
    tons
  • Blue whiting—2.4
    million tons
  • Skipjack tuna—2.1
    million tons
  • Atlantic herring—2.0
    million tons

ü     
The United States consumed a total of 4.9
billion pounds of seafood in 2006,

  • 16.5 lb per person
    per year
  • The U.S. imports roughly 83%
    and is the world’s third largest global consumer of seafood behind
    China and Japan

·        
Believe it or not the U. S. is the number one
importer of commercially caught billfish

ü     
Overfishing is defined as a harvest rate above a targeted
management objective

ü     
Overfished is defined as a stock size below a targeted
management objective

ü     
The US National Marine Fisheries Service reviewed 530
individual stocks and stock complexes in 2006

  • Only 242 stocks have
    enough information to determine if overfishing is occurring

o       
48 (20%) are experiencing overfishing

  • Only 187 have enough
    information to determine if the stock is overfished

o       
47 (25%) are currently overfished

###

 

January Hot Catches

 

Each
month the world records department of the International Game Fish Association
provides highlights of selected documented fish catches made across the globe
submitted for world records. IGFA world records coordinator Rebecca Wright provided the following
information on these 11 recent submissions now before the world records
committee.

 

Fishing
the
Zambezi River and using ultra thin
line angler Bradley Kidd,
Nelspruit, South Africa, landed a nembwe (Serranochromis robustus)
on Sept. 25, weighing 2.81 kg (6 lb 3 oz).  Kidd took five minutes to land the fish using1 kg (2 lb) class line for the vacant
record. Kidd currently holds a year-old record for the same species in the 2 kg
(4 lb) line class. (Photo: nembwe – 07120008)

 

Fly
fishing
Raritan Bay, New York, USA while using 10 kg (20
lb) class tippet, Joan Sharrott of
Staten Island, N.Y., landed a striped bass,
(Moronesaxatilis) this past November
17.  Enticed
by a Cowen’s Magnum baitfish patern the fish
weighed 12.45 kg (27 lb 7 oz) and took her 15 minutes to land. She was guided by Dale Beacham
for the potential women’s tippet record that is currently 1 lb 2 oz, caught
June 18, 2006 off Catalina Island, Calif. (Photo: striped bass – 07120016)

 

Using
a Rapala CD14 for bait while fishing Uruguay River, Argentina,George
Bogen
, of Los Angeles, CA, USA,
landed a 6.8 kg (15 lb  0 oz) dorado
(Salminusbrasiliensis). Guided by Hector Bradanini, Bogen made the catch on Nov. 19,
using 3 
kg (6 lb)
class line and taking 12
minutes to land.
  The current
record for the freshwater specie is 11 lb 7 oz recorded in October 2004 from
the Rio Parana also in
Argentina. (Photo: dorado – 07120020)

 

Light
line fishing nearby Port Canaveral, Scott
Lehrmann
of
West
Melbourne
, Fla., USA
, used a Spro 4 oz jig to land a red grouper
(Epinephelusmorio).  The Nov. 29 catch of the 11.57 kg (25 lb 8 oz) fish on 2 kg (4 lb) class line, took him four minutes to land. Lehrmann is going for a
men’s line class record and is hoping to see his name on what is now a vacant
record. (Photo: red grouper — 07120021)

 

With 60 kg (130 lb) class line and a sea cock jig for bait, Mercier
Christian
, St Marie, on the
French Island of Reunion in the Indian Ocean,
guided by Colas Yann, landed a dogtooth
tuna
(Gymnosarda unicolor) on
October 25 while fishing Rodrigues Island, Mauritius. The fish weighed 104.5 kg
(230 lb 6 oz)
and took him 30 minutes to
wrestle to the boat.
Christian is hoping to break the men’s current line
class record of 230 lb caught off La Morne,
Mauritius, January 18, 1993. (Photo: dogtooth tuna – 07120025)

 

Two new potential species additions to the World Record Game
Fishes book may soon be decided by the IGFA committee after recent fish
catches, both in
Japan. Fishing Toshima, and using a kneading baitTakashi
Nishino
, of
Kanagawa-Ken, Japan, landed a brassy chub (Isuzumi) (Kyphosus vaigiensis) on November 24,
weighing 1.3 kg (2 lb 13 oz).  He’s sent in his documentation for a newAll-Tackle class record.  (Photo: brassy chub – 07120042)

 

The second new potential specie was caught by Chiba, Japan angler Takashi Odagiri, guided by Kazushi
Kinjo
while fishing
Yonaguni Island, Japan, when he landed a frame snapper, (Hamadai) (Etelis coruscans) on Nov. 16. He was using cut tuna for bait to
attract the potential All-Tackle class fish that weighed 7.6 kg (16 lb 12 oz).   (Photo: frame snapper – 07120044)

 

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