This month’s hottest potential records have reached IGFA headquarters from as far afield as Brazil , New Zealand , the Cayman Islands, and a slam conquest that spanned from Africa to Hawaii to Brazil – as well as five great catches from Florida and Ohio
Fly fishing aficionado Dotty Ballantyne, of Bozeman , Montana , USA Key West , Florida , USA 08 kg (16 lb ) tippet, Ballantyne hooked up to this 52.05 kg (114 lb 12 oz ) bull shark to potentially qualify for the women’s 08 kg (16 lb ) tippet class record. Dotty landed this toothy critter in 45 minutes, and the current IGFA record is 43.43 kg (95 lb 12 oz ).
A week later on 18-Apr-2011, Dotty was at it again, but this time she was after the silver king on 03 kg (6 lb ) tippet. Still in Key West 7.71 kg (17 lb 0 oz ) tarpon (Megalops atlanticus); a potential women’s 03 kg (6 lb ) tippet class record. The fish was landed after a tense 25 minute fight, and ate a Dark Rabbit strip fly. The current IGFA record is 7.26 kg (16 lb 0 oz ).
Veteran angler Christian Hampl of Cartago , Costa Rica was fishing with his personal captain and guide, Edgar Montero on 08-Apr-2011 off Golfito , Costa Rica 99 cm and was caught in 12 minutes after the fish struck the live snapper being used for bait. As with every All-Tackle (Length) record, this fish was released alive after being measured and photographed. The current IGFA record is vacant.
Venezuelan angler Eduardo Aristeguieta traveled south to the country of Uruguay 11.34 kg (25 lb 0 oz ) dorado to qualify for the new 06 kg (12 lb ) tippet class record. Aristeguieta was throwing a custom gallo-grifo fly, and needed 12 minutes to successfully land and release the fish to fight another day. The current IGFA record is 7.48 kg (16 lb 8 oz ).
Professional angler and guide Capt. Peter Deeks, Jr. of Merritt Island, Florida, USA entered his first world record with this monster 96 cm red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) to qualify for the new All-Tackle (Length) record. Capt. Deeks was fishing his native waters of the Banana River, Florida on 30-Mar-2011 when his potential record redfish hit the mullet he was using for bait. Deeks needed 35 minutes to boat the fish, before safely photographing and releasing the fish alive. The current IGFA record is vacant.
IGFA Representative and Lifetime Achiever, Dr. Martin Arostegui of Coral Gables , Florida , USA , may have added to his ever growing record total with this nice 68 cm permit (Trachinotus falcatus) he caught while fishing with Capt. Bouncer Smith on 04-Apr-2011 off his hometown of Miami , Florida , USA
Angler and US Naval Officer Phillip W. Richmond, Jr. has been quite productive while being stationed in the South Pacific island of Diego Garcia, with his most recent record submittal being this interesting new species, a white-blotched grouper (Epinephelus multinotatus). Richmond 8.65 kg (19 lb 1 oz ) potential All-Tackle record fish; landing it in a quick 5 minutes. The current IGFA record is vacant.
Angler Gregory S. Taite made the catch of a lifetime while fishing his local waters of Long Beach , California , USA 02 kg (4 lb ) mainline, with no leader or double line, Taite landed this potential men’s 02 kg (4 lb ) line class record California halibut (Paralichthys californicus)! Taite’s halibut took him 1 hour and 20 minutes to land, and tipped the scales at 16.33 kg (36 lb 0 oz ). The current IGFA record is 15.78 kg (34 lb 12 oz ).
