IGFA Hotcatches: May 2012

Photo: Nathan Adams | IGFA

WHILE TROLLING A RIGGED SKIPJACK TUNA off the coast of Houhora, New Zealand on February 17, 2012, kiwi angler Nathan Adams hooked into an enormous Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis). After a grueling 40 minute battle with the brute of a fish, the tuna was landed and the crew of the Western Break headed back to the docks where it tipped the scales at 335.4 kg (739 lb 6 oz). Adams’ catch qualified him for the potential new men’s 37 kg (80 lb) line class record, surpassing the existing record by more than 90.7 kg (200 lb). Even more impressive is that the fish was landed on a 6.6 m (21.5 ft) vessel – not too bad seeing the fish taped out at 2.47 m (~8 ft).

Angler Austin Anderson, of Coppell, Texas, USA landed a 22.85 kg (50 lb 6 oz) smallmouth buffalo (Ictiobus bubalus) while fishing Lake Fork, Texas, USA on March 3, 2012. Using a dough ball for bait, the young angler needed 40 minutes to land the fish that qualifies him for both the male Junior record as well as the 24 kg (50 lb) line class record.  After the fish was weighed on the river bank, it was released alive to grow even bigger. The current male Junior record stands at 3.86 kg (8 lb 8 oz) and the 24 kg (50 lb) line class record is 8.77 kg (19 lb 5 oz).

Of all the world record applications received at International Game Fish Association headquarters, the number of All-Tackle Length (ATL) catches really stands out this month. Five new applications for the category are highlighted in the May IGFA Hot Catch report along with new line class and All-Tackle record applications – including a potential record landed during an angler’s first trip targeting the species! Recreational fishermen in New Zealand, Gabon, Italy, Malaysia, and California, Illinois and Texas in the United States are eagerly waiting to see if the catches submitted here will make their way to the approved category.

- International Game Fish Association