Want to catch a world-record fish? It might be easier than you think. That is if you think it’s impossible. No, it’s not necessarily an effort-less accomplishment, but it doesn’t have to be ‘one-in-ten-million casts’ either.
The International Game Fish Association maintains the list of world records for all those finny creatures that breathe through gills.
The IGFA was created in 1939 as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to gamefish con-servation and research. Its records include an extensive range of categories for both saltwater and freshwater fish. So while there are tens of thousands of largemouth bass anglers with hearts aching for a 24-pounder, there are a lot of other world records swimming around relatively unnoticed.
From the Acara paragaio to the Volga Zander, there’s a fish out there waiting for you to snatch it up from its watery environs and establish your place in the annals of angling. And while there are records from Andorra to Zimbabwe and all points in between, you don’t have to go around the world to find one.
For instance, the current world-record Alfonsino was caught off Norfolk, Virginia. You may have caught an Alfonsino larger than the current record of 8 pounds 5 ounces, but you just didn’t know it. You may not have even known that you were holding an Alfonsino.
To try to get a grasp of the breadth of opportunities to catch a world record, I chatted with IGFA World Records Coordinator Jack Vitek. Jack grew up in central Florida, before moving to South Florida. This exposed him to some of the best freshwater and saltwater fishing in the country. These days, he spends most days at the IGFA headquarters in Dania Beach, near Fort Lauderdale, helping anglers get into the record book.
“The All Tackle category is the largest and most inclusive,” Vitek says. “It includes 1,372 species, with popular species like the largemouth bass and blue marlin, down to the most obscure ones.
“The All Tackle category includes the heaviest fish,” Vitek continues, “regardless of line weight. As long as the fishing line is two pound to 130 pound, its considered within the guidelines.”
On the other hand, the Game Fish category includes 231 fresh and saltwater species, and is divided into sub-categories based on line and tippet weights, as well as gender and age.
“The allowed weight of a line is based on the species,” explains Vitek. “For instance, a blue marlin might be caught using the maximum 130-pound line, while a bluegill is on the lower end of the line scale.”
When asked what records are most often broken, Vitek says it fluctuates. “Occasionally, we’ll add a new species to the Game Fish Category,” he explains, “and that stirs an increase in participation for that particular fish, because it’s wide open with a ton of vacancies.”
So what kind of angler has the best odds of entering a world-record fish these days?
“In 2014, we separated the Freshwater Game Fish category—men’s and women’s,” Vitek says. “Until that point, most of the records were held by males. So what that did was create a whole lot of openings for female anglers. That of course generated a lot of participation by women, especially in the fly fishing categories. This is a great time for a female angler to catch a record fish.”
As for the species most likely to land in the record books, that list doesn’t include the fish that are typically top of mind. Largemouth bass, blue marlin, and tarpon, for instance, have been sought-after for nearly a century, and those records are tough to topple. On the other hand, for female anglers, species whose records are not so etched in stone include muskie, northern pike, spotted bass, and a variety of trout and salmon.
For us guys, the most active categories include various trout and salmon, as well as the spotted bass.
“One species we’ve seen really take off in recent years is the spotted bass,” Vitek says. “In California in particular, we’ve seen quite a few big ones, with a lot of line-class and all-tackle records set.
“Also out west,” he continues, “we’re seeing a lot of big cutthroat trout. Pyramid Lake in Nevada has been producing some really good trout lately.”
For the kids and grandkids, there are also plenty of records to be had. For youngsters up to ten years of age, there’s the Small Fry Category. For the 11 to 16 age group, there’s the Junior Angler category. Those in turn are divided between boys and girls, so the odds are definitely reasonable if you can get them on the water and off the internet! No, Pro Bass Fishing on Xbox doesn’t count.
These days, Vitek spends a lot of time in his office talking to potential record-holders. Upwards of 800 anglers per year contact the IGFA with a possible record and nearly 90 percent are accepted.
“Sometimes they call from a boat or a dock and you can hear the excitement in their voices,” Vitek says. “That’s one of the fun parts of this job.”
Currently there are 7,394 IGFA world records. And while some may seem to be unbreakable, most are vulnerable. It just takes time, dedication, and lots and lots and lots of luck.
Note: The IGFA introduced a new All-Tackle length category in 2011, providing even more opportunities for world records. Entries in this category must be measured on an official IGFA measuring device, and all fish must be released alive and unharmed.
From Sporting Classics March April 2016. Get your subscription to Sporting Classics and start enjoying the heritage, the romance, the art of hunting & fishing. Visit sportingclassics.com.