The saltwater world is abuzz with news of a potential new All-Tackle record Pacific bluefin tuna caught off the coast of New Zealand.
The Cook Islands, Panama, and Key West and Louisiana in the United States have also produced several potential new World Records, including black and red drum, a black grouper, mullet snapper, and giant trevally. Read on for the latest updates from the IGFA World Records department…
PACIFIC BLUEFIN TUNA
Kiwi angler Kevin Baker potentially set the new All-Tackle record for Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis), with a 352.5 kg (777-pound, 1-ounce) fish he caught on September 14, 2013 while fishing off the coast of Greymouth, New Zealand. This massive tuna hit during the final hours of Baker’s multiple day fishing trip aboard the Cova Rose, captained by Lance Goodhew. After marking fish on the sounder, Baker fed a fresh hoki back through the chum line and almost instantly came tight on the big fish. With the trip nearly at its end, Baker was pressed for time and was forced to put serious tension on the fish – at times bumping the drag on his Shimano 130W up to 37 kg (80 pounds) during the intense 30 minute fight. Baker and the crew were prepared to tag the fish as they had with several previous catches, but once it was boat side the decision was made to take the fish as it was the biggest specimen any of them had ever seen. Tipping the scales at 352.5 kg (777 pounds, 1 ounce), Baker’s fish surpasses the existing record by nearly 20 kg (40 pounds).
MULLET SNAPPER
Over the holidays, angler Kyle Vincent traveled from his home in Florida to Panama, where he took advantage of the world-class fishing available through Tropic Star Lodge in Piñas Bay. While fishing with Capt. Epifano Candelo aboard Miss Australia on December 27, 2013, Vincent landed a 12.6 kg (27 pounds, 12 ounce) mullet snapper (Lutjanus aratus) while slow trolling a live bonito. Ten minutes after hooking up, Vincent had the fish in the boat and the potential new men’s 10 kg (20-pound) line class record. The existing record stands at 7.9 kg (17 pounds, 8 ounces).
GIANT TREVALLY
Australian angler Paul Worsteling caught and released an impressive giant trevally (Caranx ignobilis) on January 8 while casting a popper along the beautiful reefs surrounding the Cook Islands in the Indian Ocean. After the GT crushed Worsteling’s popper, the experienced angler needed 10 minutes to boat the fish. Taping out to 109 cm on the IGFA’s Official Measuring Device, Worsteling’s fish exceeds the existing All-Tackle Length record by 2 cm and could potentially earn him the new record.
BLACK GROUPER
While on a holiday trip to the Key West from her home in New Jersey, angler Brielle Bennett landed a 7.25 kg (16 pound) black grouper (Mycteroperca bonaci) on November 24, 2013 that could potentially earn her the new female Junior record. Bennett was fishing with a live grunt when the grouper engulfed her bait and headed for the bottom. The young angler was able to turn the grouper and bring it to the boat where it was quickly weighed, documented, and then released alive. The existing record stands at 6.12 kg (13 pounds, 8 ounces).
RED DRUM
Robert Cunningham Jr., who holds multiple IGFA records, recently submitted a potential men’s 2 kg (4-pound) tippet class record for a 14.97 kg (33 pound) red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) he caught and released while fishing the marshes of southern Louisiana, USA. Cunningham enticed the redfish to bite with a well-presented fly – tied by his guide Bo Meador Jr. – and skillfully played the fish for 30 minutes. Once subdued, the fish was carefully weighed and documented before it was released alive. The current IGFA record is 13.15 kg (29 pounds).
BLACK DRUM
Japanese angler Ikuko Sakagawa landed the potential new women’s 10 kg (20-pound) tippet class record for black drum (Pogonia cromis) on October 28, 2013, while fishing out of New Orleans, Louisiana, USA with local guide Tristan Daire. Sakagawa, a skilled fly angler, needed 10 minutes to boat the fish after it ate the fly she was casting. Sakagawa’s quality drum weighed in at 15.6 kg (34 pounds, 6 ounces) – less than a pound heavier than the existing claim.
