Standing records for swordfish, whiterock bass, largemouth bass, Atlantic halibut and more are being challenged in this month’s edition of the IGFA Hot Catches. This selection of the latest potential records from Australia, the Clipperton Atoll, Germany, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, and Florida and Nebraska in the United States is on its way to the IGFA Record Committee to see if they set a new bar for anglers around the world!
Swordfish(Xiphiasgladius) are considered by many anglers to be among the toughest fighting gamefish in the sea, but that reputation did not deter female junior angler Jessie Wright. Fishing out of Garden Patch, New Zealand on April 9, 2012, the 16 year old angler landed a quality 165.2 kg (364 lb 3 oz) broadbill in just over four hours after it took the rigged squid they were drifting. This potential female junior record was landed on the Western Break, captained by Nathan Adams who also has a pending men’s 37 kg (80 lb) line class record for Pacific bluefin tuna. The current female Junior record stands at 81.5 kg (179 lb 10 oz) and was also caught in New Zealand.
South African angler Hennie Moller landed a sharptooth catfish (Clariasgariepinus) on April 17, 2012 while fishing Kakamas, South Africa. Tipping the scales at 18.26 kg (40 lb 4 oz), Moller’s fish qualifies for the new potential 24 kg (50 lb) line class record. After the catfish ate a live mudfish, this potential record catch was landed in 10 minutes and released alive after the necessary documentation was taken. The current IGFA record is 15.1 kg (33 lb 4 oz).
Angler Matthew Nadeau of Lafayette, Colorado,USA landed a 5.36 kg (11 lb 12 oz) whiterock bass (Moronesaxatilis x M. chrysops) on June 9, 2012 while fishing Lake McConaughy, Nebraska. Nadeau landed the fish in three minutes after it ate the streamer fly he was casting. If approved, Nadeau’s fish will replace the existing 8 kg (16 lb) tippet class record which stands at 4.98 kg (11 lb).
California native Kathleen J. Rounds recently traveled to the ClippertonAttoll to target the variety of game fish species found around this eastern Pacific Ocean island. While casting a Salas 7x spoon on April 13, 2012 with guide Jonathan Yamate, Rounds needed 20 minutes to land a bluefin trevally (Caranxmelampygus) that tipped the scales at a whopping 13.24 kg (29 lb 3 oz), qualifying her for the potential All-Tackle record as well as the women’s 15 kg (30 lb) line class record. The current IGFA record is 11.99 kg (26 lb 7 oz).
Angler Patrick Sebile was fishing with local guide Jeff Brooks on May 6, 2012 when he pulled a largemouth bass (Micropterussalmoides) from Lake Okeechobee, Florida, USA. Sebile landed the fish in a minute after it ate the SebileProppler Buzz lure he was casting. Sebile’s catch measured out to 61 cm and was released alive, qualifying him for the potential new All-Tackle Length record. The existing record stands at 59 cm.
German angler Rainer Korn,was fishing off of Skjerstadfjord, Norway on May 13, 2012 when he landed a 15.9 kg (35 lb) Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossushippoglossus). Korn was using a shad for bait and needed 15 minutes to boat the potential men’s 10 kg (20 lb) line class record. The current record stands at 6.04 kg (13 lb 5 oz).
Heather Michelle Harkavy is no stranger to the record books, and at age 17 she has accumulated nearly 100 records. Harvkavy’s recent 14.51 kg (32 lb ) permit (Trachinotusfalcatus) could add to that total, as it qualifies for the potential Female Junior record. Harvkavy was fishing with Capt. Mike Holliday on June 8, 2012, and got the permit to eat a live crab. Fifteen minutes after Harvkavy boated the fish,she had obtained an accurate weight reading and releasedher catch alive. If approved, Harvkavy’s fish will best the existing record by 2 lb.
Aussie angler Cassandra Murphy was fishing with Jim Maguire out of Morten Island, Australia on June 19, 2012 when she landed an impressive longtail tuna (Thunnustonggol). Using a slimy mackerel for bait, Murphy needed 40 minutes to land this potential All-Tackle Length fish that measured out to 110 cm. As with every All-Tackle Length record, this fish was released alive after the necessary documentation. This record is currently vacant.
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