HOT News from the IGFA

 May 2006

 

 By Pete Johnson, Johnson Communications – IGFA PR counsel

 

Chicago/Miami USA defending champs race away with title in Rolex/IGFA Offshore Championship Tournament

Team releases a record 10 marlin in last day of world offshore championship 

 

The defending 2005 Rolex/IGFA Offshore Tournament Champions are now the 2006 Rolex/IGFA Offshore Champions. The USA team with members from Miami, Fla, and the Chicago, Ill., suburbs, caught and released a single day record 10 marlin in the final round of the four day event, considered the world championship of offshore fishing  

              Their boat, among the 64 tournament teams from 33 countries, was the last into the Cabo San Lucas, Mexico port flying only one blue pennant bearing a marlin in white along with a red release flag. But the smiles on the team members’ faces plus the white hand towel flying below with the number10 written in black marker said it all.

“We ran out of the blue pennants so we had to improvise,” said Tom Schramm of Roselle, Ill,. 

With fellow Chicago-land teammate Scott Segal, Libertyville and Ray and Charmain Rosher, Miami, the four brought their point total to 7228.2 points on 24 marlin releases, a new team total record for the seven year annual tournament.  Each marlin release counted 300 points.

The Bermuda Anglers Club ILTT team finished in second place with four marlin in the final round. Despite zeroing out the first day, the Bermuda team of Leslie E.M. Spanswick, David Ross DeSilva, Ron Boys and Richard King fished steady to finish with 4500 points on 15 marlin releases.

Finishing third was a team of California (USA) men, representing its qualifying win at the TAA Eastcape, Mexico Billfish Tournament, with 4267.6 points. The four, Keith Leimbach, San Carlos; Dale Miles, Elk Grove; Bill Evans, Hillsborough and John Jacobi of Dinuba, Calif., led the tournament through the first two days on 10 releases but in the second half caught only four marlin, two each day. 

 The prestigious four day Rolex/IGFA OCT hosted what is believed to be the single largest contingent of international teams ever to compete in a fishing competition.

It attracted many of the world’s best angling teams who had won at least one of 110 IGFA sanctioned qualifying offshore events held in 40 countries across the globe during 2005.  

(For the full story please see the IGFA web site www.igfa.org – home page: “Latest News” — USA team wins on final day)

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Rolex/IGFA Offshore uses IGFA Certified Observers

 

This year the Rolex/IGFA Offshore Championship used 15 trained IGFA Certified Observers and as with other top tournaments their expertise was deemed a huge success.

The 15 included Craig Murphy, Deda Evans, Dick Francis, Bill Ison, Ken Kelley, Grant Larson, Barbara Fox, Gene Armstrong, Robert Collins, Michael Theis, Doug Blanchard, Billy Meyerdirk, Lee Fickinger, Joe Sovinsky, and Eddie Dyer.

“The Certified Observers are a great example of the IGFA’s conservation initiatives,” said tournament director Mike Myatt. “By having observers at the Rolex/IGFA Offshore Championship, the IGFA is providing a universal model for tournaments everywhere. Having observers at an all-release, circle hook tournament completes the necessary triad in billfish conservation as it pertains to tournaments.”

The top 15 teams in each of the final three rounds of the Rolex had a certified observer on-board.

“The observers not only demonstrated true professionalism and dedication to the sport of billfishing, they educated anglers and captains from world wide communities on the value of the certified observer program,” said Ms. Michele Sedge, IGFA COP coordinator  â€œThey communicated rules and regulations and through this communication, several marlin releases were ‘certified’ that might have otherwise been disqualified.”.  

She said the IGFA is convinced that this program will receive the international attention it deserves. “Through the partnership of certified observers and billfish tournaments, we believe the global impact will encourage great sportsmanship and great progress in our worldwide mission to promote conservation.”  

 Added Ms. Lynda Wilson of the IGFA, “We started training programs three years ago and currently over 20 tournaments are making them a standard part of their events including the ‘Rolex,’ which is considered the bluewater fishing championship of the world.”

With classes held throughout the year, the IGFA Certified Observer Program trains and certifies experienced anglers, boat captains and crew members as observers for fishing tournaments held around the world. The program has been a benefit to tournaments by eliminating or reducing rule disputes that sometimes arise. Certified observers can often prevent inadvertent rule infractions before they occur. The other major benefit to using certified observers is that they are trained to identify billfish under tournament conditions, which eliminates the need to bring fish back to the dock for official scoring. A growing number of big money and catch & release tournaments have committed to using IGFA Certified Observers for their tournaments.

“We’ve trained over 600 observers and tournament officials are giving great reviews after having the observers onboard,” Ms. Wilson added. “They say it also raises the prestige level of their tournaments as well as the conservation efforts with the safe release of the fish.”

 

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385 lb shark now in world record books

as heaviest fish caught on fly

Makes headlines across the globe

 

The catch-and-release of a 385 lb lemon shark on fly made headlines across the world after it was officially approved as a world record by the International Game Fish Association (IGFA). 

 Dr. Martin Arostegui, Coral Gables, Florida, U.S.A. caught the heaviest fish ever documented on fly in March, beating out a nearly 40year-old record.  The record was approved by the IGFA on May 16.

It made headlines across the U.S. in hundreds of newspapers, radio stations, TV and web sites and on the Associated Press wire service.

Arostegui has over 100 world records but none of his other catches has ever been as heavy on any tackle, he said.  

Guided by Capt. Ralph Delph, Key West, Fla., and fishing near the Marquesas Keys west of Key West, Florida, Arostegui presented a bright orange seven-inch long feathered fly streamer to the lemon shark and once hooked Arostegui battled the fish for over an hour. 

The previous record for heaviest fish on fly has been on the IGFA record books since March 15, 1967 for a 356 lb 0 oz (161.48 kg) goliath grouper caught by Bart Froth in Islamorada, Fla., USA, on 12 lb tippet. Arostegui also beat his own 257 lb 0 oz IGFA mark for a lemon shark that he recorded two years ago and also the heaviest shark on fly beating out a 353 lb. hammerhead shark caught two years ago, also in the waters near Key West, by Rick Gunion. 

(For more details on this world record shark release please see the IGFA web site www.igfa.org – home page: “Latest News” — 385 lb shark sets new record)

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New Pending World Records

Each month the IGFA highlights documented fish catches from across the globe. A number of applications, among them all-tackle records, have been submitted and are included in the May Hot News provided by IGFA world records coordinator Rebecca Reynolds.  Here are 11 new potential records before the committee: 

 

Harold Rigg of El Segundo, Calif., USA, landed a 9 lb 7 oz (4.28 kg) spotfin croaker (Roncador stearnsii) fishing with a sand crab in Morro Santo Domingo, Mexico.  He’s applied for a potential all-tackle record. The current record for the fish is 7 lb 10 oz that was certified 6/21/02. (Photo: spotfin croaker — 06040008)

 

Another Californian, Marvin Greene, of Porterville, landed a 2 lb 2 oz (.91 kg) calico surfperch (Amphistichus koeliz) while surf fishing with a sand crab, Morro Bay, Calif.  He has applied for a potential new all-tackle record. (Photo: calico surfperch – 06040019)

 

Ian-Arthur de Sulocki, of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, landed an 8 lb oz (3.62 kg) ladyfish (Elops Saurus) in 15 minutes casting an artificial lure, while fishing Sepetiba Bay, Brazil. He’s applied for a potential all-tackle record that may break a tie for the record. The existing mark for a ladyfish stands at 6 lb 0 oz recorded 12/20/97 and tied 6/24/99. (Photo: ladyfish – 06040033)

 

In Japan, Takashi Nishino, of Kanagawa, landed a Japanese bullhead shark (Heterodontus japonicus) weighing 26 lb 9 oz (12.05 kg) using mackerel for bait while fishing in Shizouka, Japan.  The catch is up for a new all-tackle record.  (Photo — Japanese bullhead shark –06040035)

 

Also from Japan, Takehiko Kato, of Chiba, used bait to attract and  boat a black porgy (Acanthopagrus schlegeli) weighing 8 lb 0 oz (3.65 kg) while fishing Sodegaura, Chiba. He has applied for a potential all-tackle record hoping to replace the current mark of 7 lb 7 oz set in 3/20/05. (Photo: black porgy — 06040036)

 

Using a metal jig while fishing in Tokyo, Japan,  Mitsuo Takahashi, of Aomori, caught a speckled blue grouper (Epinephelus cyanopodus) weighing 41 lb 15 oz (19.05 kg).  The current record for the species is 40 lb 3 oz set 9/29/02. (Photo: speckled blue grouper – 06040037)

 

Rob Rennie, Monmouthshire, United Kingdom, made an unusual catch of a 1 lb 10 oz (.76 kg) Atlantic lizardfish (Synodus saurus) while bottom fishing with mackerel in San Eugenio, Tenerife, Spain.  He’s up for a new all-tackle record.  (Photo: Atlantic lizardfish – 06040051)

 

Troy Jean Warren, Virginia Beach, Va., USA boated a blueline tilefish (Caulolatilus microps) weighing 15 lb 11 oz (7.13 kg) in 10 minutes while bottom fishing off Virginia Beach.  He’s up for an all-tackle record with the current year-long mark standing at 15 lb 0 oz set 5/19/05. (Photo: blueline tilefish –06040041)

 

Matthew Pullen of Hampton, N. H. USA, hooked a 49 lb 6 oz (22.39 kg) blackfin tuna (Thunnus atlanticus) in 20 minutes fishing Marathon Key, Fla., using live bait.  He’s up for two potential records, the all-tackle record and men’s 30 lb line class record. Current line class record stands at 41 lb 0 oz set 9/19/90.  The current all-tackle mark is 45 lb 8 oz recorded 5/4/96. (Photo: blackfin tuna – 06040050)

 

And finally a couple of young ladies are up for records.  Manuela Iglesias, 15, of  Montevideo, Uruguay, landed a Pacific Sierra mackerel (Scomberomorus sierra) weighing 3 lb 4 oz  while trolling a Rapala 18 magnum off the coast of Puerto Carrillo, Costa Rica. She has submitted documentation for a female junior record. The current junior mark stands at 2 lb 11 oz recorded 3/11/98. (Photo: Pacific Sierra mackerel – 06040027)

 

Crossing the United States from her home in Anchorage, Alaska, USA, 10 year old Nicole Loffredo, caught a 3 lb 9 oz (1.69 kg) gag grouper (Mycteroperca microlepis) using live bait while fishing off Key West, Fla. She’s up for a potential female smallfry record hoping to beat the current mark which stands at 3 lb 0 oz 8/21/05. (Photo: gag grouper – 06040045)

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Light tackle anglers ready for Rolex/IGFA Inshore Championship

With less than two months away nearly 40 anglers are honing their casting skills as they prepare for this summer’s sixth annual Rolex/IGFA Inshore Championship Tournament, July 9 – 12 in Islamorada, in the Florida Keys.

“Eighteen of the top light-tackle and fly fishermen champions are first timers to the tournament and are coming from as far away as Africa to compete,” said Ms. Denise Hartman, IGFA tournament coordinator. “Most of the anglers will be coming from Canada, the Bahamas and across the U.S.”

 The men and women are expected to compete after their qualifying wins in one of over 55 light tackle IGFA sanctioned tournaments around the world in 2005 held in six countries and 12 states.

Since its inception the tournament has been held in Islamorada, hailed as the “sportfishing capital of the world,” located in the middle of the Keys.

            The celebrated world-class inshore event dubbed the “super bowl of inshore fishing”, features anglers stalking bonefish, tarpon, permit, snook and redfish on Florida Bay guided by different captains over the three-day catch-and-release competition while vying for engraved Rolex timepieces, a long list of prizes and the prestigious grand champion title.

            For the latest details, go to the IGFA web site at www.igfa.org under the fishing tab on the home page and click on “tournaments.” For questions regarding this tournament or the sanctioning of qualifying tournaments for the 2007 Rolex/IGFA ICT, contact Ms. Hartman at 954-924-4243 or DHartman@igfa.org.

 

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IGFA and Make a Difference Fishing Host

Special Anglers Fishing Tournament

 

For the fourth year the IGFA and Make-a-Difference Fishing put together its Special Anglers Tournament for over 70 anglers with special needs. 

“It’s one of the most important and rewarding programs we have here at the IGFA,” said Peter Gaube the IGFA’s Junior Angler Program Coordinator.

             â€œWe have always had a great response, but this year marked our largest turnout ever,” said Charlie Turner of Make-a-Difference Fishing.

“Anglers competed for prizes such as; largest fish, most fish, prettiest fish and ugliest fish,” said Turner.  “We love to give out as many awards as possible, and make sure that we honor every participant at this event.” 

In addition to the fishing tournament, anglers learned the ancient art of Guyotaku (Fish Printing) and were able to participate in other exciting activates such as, alligator feeding and face painting.

Anglers, parents and siblings, numbering over 200 enjoyed a pizza lunch followed by a prize raffle sponsored by Make-a-Difference Fishing. 

“We just went crazy over at Bass Pro Shops, and we were able to award each angler at least one raffle prize, many receiving two or more,” Turner affirmed. 

Gaube said the IGFA would like to thank; Make-a-Difference Fishing, Memorial Healthcare, Florida Foundation for Responsible Angling and the volunteers who made this event possible.

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May 30^th begins IGFA’s nine weekly summer camps

The youngsters who have participated in the past have called the week-long angling and marine camps one of the “coolest” South Florida has to offer.

Registration is still underway for nine weekly day camps for children ages 8 – 13, being held this summer at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum in Dania Beach, Fla., U.S.A.

            The week-long camp sessions take place from May 30 to July 28, 2006. 

            Campers will explore the aquatic environment and participate in many fishing adventures and exciting activities. Camp hours are 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, check out the IGFA website at www.igfa.org/summercamp.asp. A maximum of 45 children are accepted per week.  Register can be made online at www.igfa.org/campform.asp, or by phone at (954) 924-4309 or email reservations@igfa.org .

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Youngsters getting excited about fourth annual

Mercury/IGFA Junior Angler World Championship in June

 

A mix of nearly 40 enthusiastic young anglers from across the nation and several countries will compete June 18-20 in the fourth annual Mercury/IGFA Junior Angler World Championship Tournament in the fishing waters surrounding the lower Florida Keys.

             The girls and boys, ages five to16, qualified for the all-release championship by winning one of the IGFA approved fishing tournaments held in the U.S. and the countries of Jamaica, Turks & Caicos, Papua New Guinea and Senegal, West Africa. Anglers ages five -10 will compete in the smallfry division; ages 11-16 in the junior division.

Spokespersons for the IGFA have said the event — dedicated to young anglers — has been a resounding success since its inception in 2002 and continues to grow worldwide.

  “The goal of the Mercury/IGFA Junior Angler World Championship and the qualifying tournaments is to encourage youngsters under 17 to become involved in fishing, and to keep them interested in the sport,” said Peter Gaube, the IGFA’s Jr. Angler tournament director. “Fishing also promotes closer family relationships, plus these young fishermen are the conservationists of tomorrow.”

Tournament officials said last year 865 fish were caught and released among the 33 young contestants and the eagerness grew with each hookup. Parents were having as much fun, living their love for fishing through each and every fish their youngsters boated and released.

            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.  The local Florida Keys guides are selected by the IGFA. Circle hooks are used with all live and dead bait.

“The Hook the Future TV show will videotape an episode at this year’s tournament both above and below the water from two chase boats,” said Gaube.

The tournament starts Sunday afternoon with a social hour followed by an opening ceremony, dinner and rules meeting at the Double Tree Grand Key Resort the host hotel. Each pair of anglers will draw for their boat and captain that evening.  Fishing on Monday and Tuesday will begin and end out of the Oceanside Marina.

            The young anglers are awarded points depending on species and degree of difficulty.  Easier fish to catch in the five-point category are jacks (crevalle), yellowtail snappers, red grouper, mackerel (cero and Spanish) and ladyfish.  Ten-point fish include barracuda, dolphin fish, grouper (black and gag), king mackerel and mutton snapper.  

Amberjack, cobia and any shark make up fish worth 15 points each. An African pompano and little tunny is good for 20 points each and 25 points will be awarded for a successful catch and release for each sailfish, permit, tarpon, tuna (yellowfin, blackfin) and wahoo. 

There’s no minimum length for eligible species, but a maximum of three fish of each species per day can be counted by each contestant. Any other fish are awarded two points each with a maximum of three per species and a minimum of 12 inches in length.

Overall grand champion titles will go to the top anglers in each division. The boys and girls in each division catching and releasing the most species will also receive awards.  A total of 22 awards will be presented including the top three scoring captains. 

Besides title sponsor Mercury Marine, other sponsors include Boston Whaler, Shimano, Plano, Double Tree Grand Key Resort, Oceanside Marina, Rapala, King Sailfish Mounts, Key West Bait and Tackle, Reel Life Art, Outback Steakhouse,  Publix, Pure Fishing, Pelagic Clothes, FWC, Glenda and Pat Kelley and Gene and Bill DuVal.

The junior championship is the latest addition to the IGFA junior angler program, which recognizes separate world records for boys and girls in over 200 species of salt and freshwater fish. The IGFA has Junior Angler Club members in over 50 countries.

The junior tournament mirrors two other world-class fishing championships.  The Rolex/IGFA Offshore Championship held in Mexico in May, with teams of winners advancing from 110 qualifying tournaments in 4

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