While fishing with local guide Al Keller in Hopedale, Louisiana, USA on November 3rd, angler Meredith J. McCord caught and released the potential new women’s 6 kg (12 lb) tippet class record for black drum (Pogonias cromis). McCord coerced the drum to eat with a well-placed crab fly, and needed only 10 minutes to land the potential record. Once subdued, the fish was quickly documented, weighed and then released alive. The current IGFA record is 11.56 kg (25 lb 8 oz).
French angler Guillaume Fourrier may have potentially broken the men’s 4 kg (8 lb) line class record for European bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) – a record that has stood for 25 years! Fourrier was casting Daiwa swimbait off Boulogne-sur-Mer, France on September 21st when the 8.63 kg (19 lb) fish struck. After a 10 minute fight, and using no leader, Fourrier skillfully boated the fish. The current IGFA record stands at 7.41 kg (16 lb 5 oz).
While fishing Guntersville, in her home state of Alabama, USA angler Sjon A. Harless caught a 19.22 kg (42 lb 6 oz) flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) that could potentially earn her the new women’s 15 kg (30 lb) line class record. Harless was fishing with local guide Mike Mitchell, and needed only 5 minutes to land the fish after it sucked up the cut bait she was fishing. After being properly documented and weighed, the fish was released alive. The current IGFA record is vacant.
www.igfa.org
