WORLD RECORDS: top catches of February 2016

This massive dogtooth tuna (Gymnosarda unicolor) is one of two potential All-Tackle world records recently submitted to the IGFA. Angler Leopoldo Tomas Zapata Gazquez of Almeria, Spain caught this enormous 106.2 kg (234 lb 2 oz) doggy while slow trolling a live rainbow runner off Tanzania with IGFA Representative Capt. Jason Alexiou on December 4, 2014. Despite catching the fish more than a year ago, there is no time limit on All-Tackle record claims, as long as all the necessary documentation can be provided. The other pending claim for the All-Tackle dogtooth tuna was caught last November and if approved, will replace this record by about 1 kg (2 lb).

While fishing the infamous Hannibal Bank off the Pacific coast of Panama on November 26th, Costa Rican angler Christian Hampl caught what could become the new men’s 6 kg (12 lb) line class world record for mullet snapper (Lutjanus aratus). Hampl needed nearly 30 minutes to land the 10.35 kg (22 lb 13 oz) fish, after it hit the live blue runner he was fishing near the bottom. The current IGFA world record is 9.66 kg (21 lb 5 oz).

Japanese angler Isamu Kinoshita caught what could become the new All-Tackle Japanese Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus niphonius) on December 27th, while fishing off Japan’s Goto Islands. Kinoshita needed only 15 minutes to land the 10.57 kg (23 lb 4 oz) mackerel, after it crushed the butterfly jig he was working. If approved, the catch will replace the existing All-Tackle record of 9.35 kg (20 lb 10 oz).

Source: www.igfa.org