WORLDS RECORD: all records approved in March 2017

Malaysian angler Ng Yam Pin caught and released this impressive 13.6 kg (30 lb) freshwater snapper (Lutjanus fuscencens) on August 10, 2016 while fishing Sugai Transkobe, Indonesia. Equipped with heavy spinning tackle and 37 kg (80 lb) braided line, Pin needed only a few minutes to wrestle the hard-fighting snapper to the shore after it hit the Duo Realis Fangbait lure he was casting. Once landed, the fish was quickly weighed, documented, and released alive. If approved, the catch will replace the existing All-Tackle record which stands at 12 kg (26 lb 7 oz).

While fly fishing out of Port Canaveral, Florida, USA with local guide Troy Perez on February 18th, angler Zella Helton caught and released this 19.19 kg (42 lb 5 oz) black drum (Pogonias cromis) that could earn her a new tippet class world record. Helton needed nearly an hour to subdue the stubborn drum, after it ate the shrimp pattern fly she was casting. Once landed, the fish was properly weighed, documented, and then released alive. If approved, the catch will become the new women’s 10 kg (20 lb) tippet class world record, which currently stands at 17.01 kg (37 lb 8 oz).

Kiwi angler and light tackle aficionado Guy Jacobsen potentially set the new men’s 2 kg (4 lb) line class world record for mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) with this 156.2 kg (344 lb 6 oz) specimen that he caught on February 14th while fishing off the Cavalli Islands in New Zealand. Jacobsen was fishing aboard the Hookin’ Bull, captained by John Batterton, and skillfully played the mako on his light tackle set up for nearly 30 minutes after it ate the skipjack he was using for bait. The current IGFA world record is 80.8 kg (178 lb 2 oz).

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