The IGFA has recently received world record applications for a snubnose pompano from the Seychelles, a rainbow trout from Argentina, a brown marbled grouper from the Maldives, a great barracuda from Kenya, and a short nose sturgeon from Canada.
Kitagawa’s Blackfin Seabass – Japanese angler Mari Kitagawa caught, tagged, and released this 2.22 kg (4 lb 15 oz) blackfin seabass (Lateolabrax latus) on December 30 while fly-fishing Urado Bay, Japan. Kitagawa needed less than a minute to subdue the fish after it ate the streamer patterned fly she was casting. If approved, the catch will earn Kitagawa the new women’s 3 kg (6 lb) tippet class world record, which currently stands at 1.3 kg (2 lb 13 oz).
Andrews’ Shortnose Sturgeon – Canadian angler Samuel Andrews potentially set the new All-Tackle world record for shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) with this 9.92 kg (21 lb 14 oz) specimen that he caught on December 2 while fishing Canada’s St. John River. Andrews needed only a few minutes to land the fish after it ate the earth worm he was fishing on the bottom. If approved, the catch will replace the existing All-Tackle world record of 5.04 kg (11 lb 2 oz).
Sherbovich’s Snubnose Pompano – Russian angler Ilya Sherbovich potentially set the new All-Tackle world record for snubnose pompano (Trachinotis blocheii) with this gorgeous 5.98 kg (13 lb 3 oz) specimen that he caught while fly-fishing the flats of the Seychelles on February 9. Fishing with guide Kyle Simpson, Sherbovich coerced a bite from the notoriously stubborn pompano with a well-placed cast and custom crab-patterned fly. The fish was landed after a 12 minute fight, and was quickly weighed, documented, and released alive. The current All-Tackle world record is 5.08 kg (11 lb 3 oz).
Clarke’s Great Barracuda – Junior angler Rex Clarke – age 12 – recently caught this 29.85 kg (65 lb 12 oz) great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) while trolling a dead mackerel off the coast of Kilifi, Kenya on February 12. Using only 6 kg (12 lb) line, Clarke skillfully played the fish for approximately 30 minutes before it was landed. If approved, the catch will earn Clarke the new Male Junior world record and the men’s 6 kg (12 lb) line class world record, which stand at 23.4 kg (51 lb 9 oz) and 29.03 kg (63 lb 15 oz), respectively.
Reib’s Brown Marbled Grouper – German angler Thorsten Reib caught this impressive 28.45 kg (62 lb 11 oz) brown-marbled grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus) on February 10 while fishing off the island of Badufinolhu in the Maldives. Reib was using a mackerel filet for bait and needed approximately 5 minutes to subdue the potential record grouper. If approved, the catch will become the new All-Tackle record which currently stands at 17 kg (37 lb 7 oz).
McCord’s Rainbow Trout – American angler Meredith McCord potentially set the new women’s 4 kg (8 lb) tippet class world record for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) with this beautiful 4.93 kg (10 lb 14 oz) fish that she caught and released on January 25 while fly-fishing Strobel Lake, Argentina. McCord needed only three minutes to subdue the trout after it ate the nymph she was casting. If approved, the catch will replace the existing world record of 2.55 kg (5 lb 9 oz).