Join the IGFA
This great organization
does a lot to promote
fishing and record keeping.
Join today by clicking this
link.
|
About the International Game Fish Association (IGFA)
World Record Keeping
IGFA maintains and publishes world records for saltwater, freshwater, fly fishing catches, U.S. state freshwater records, and junior angler records, awarding certificates of recognition to each record holder. The IGFA has been recognized as the official keeper of world saltwater fishing records since 1939.
International Angling Regulations
The equipment and fishing regulations adopted worldwide are formulated, updated, and published by IGFA to promote sporting angling practices, to establish uniform rules for world record catches, and to provide angling guidelines for use in tournaments and other group fishing activities. |
Junior Angler World Records
The IGFA keeps two categories of age records for kids. These categories are Small Fry (age 8 and under) and Junior Angler (age 9-16). The IGFA keeps both world records and state records for kids. Separate records are kept for boys and girls for both Junior Angler World Records and State Records. Junior Angler World Records are kept for all species, but Junior Angler State Records are only kept for certain species in each state (not all species). The walleye I caught in 2006 on Lake Erie is the current IGFA Ohio Jr Angler State Record for males and was the IGFA Junior Angler World Record for males from April 2006 until July 2007 - a kid beat my world record with a fish he caught in Canada but I have a plan to get it back! My fish weighed 9 lbs 12 oz.
Check out the rules listed on this page to make sure your fish will count as a new Junior Angler record! |
Line Class Records
The IGFA keeps two types of line class records - state records and world records. Line class records are kept for 4lb test, 12lb test, and 20lb test lines. World line class records are kept for every species of fish but state line class records are only kept for certain fish in each state. Kids and adults compete against each other for world and state line class records. Michigan has line class records for species such as walleye, smallmouth bass, salmon, and trout but not perch or largemouth bass. The current Michigan 12lb line class record for walleye is 15lbs 4ozs!
Use the Right Line
The IGFA will test a sample of the line you used to catch your line class record fish. They need to make sure the line breaks at the specified weight. If you caught your potential line class world record fish on 12lb test line and it breaks at 14lbs of weight in the IGFA test your record would not count. There are certain brands of line that are made for world record fishing. We use Ande Tournamament Line which is constantly tested to meet IGFA standards and break at the weight listed on the package. |
Rules, Rules, Rules....
The IGFA has lots of very specific rules to make sure nobody has an unfair advantage catching fish. Here are a few of the rules that I had to follow to make sure my fish would qualify as a new record.
Open Water Fishing Rules
Inline Planner Boards are not allowed
Stinger hooks are not allowed
Treble hooks with live bait are not allowed
No one is allowed to touch the line once the fish is hooked
Fish must be weighed on scale certified by the state in the past 12 months
Names, address and phone number to witnesses weighing the fish
Ice Fishing Rules
Rods must be a minimum of 40 inches from tip to center of reel seat
Gaff is acceptable and can be used
Line Class Rules (does not apply to Junior Angler Records)
Line sample must break at the specified strength (eg 4lb test) when the IGFA certifies your catch
Leaders are acceptable and can be a heavier test than main line but must be less than 6 feet including the lure
If you use line backing (filler line) on the spool it can't be attached to the main fishing line
If I'm out fishing for fun we use planner boards and in that case a new record fish wouldn't count. Just make sure you follow the rules if you want the IGFA to certify your catch as a new Junior Angler or Line Class record.
Here is a link to the full set of IGFA Rules.
|
|
