By Pete Johnson, Johnson Communications – IGFA PR Counsel
June Hot Catches
Several very large fish – among them a wels and a tarpon — lead off the IGFA Hot Catches report for July with potential new records from Italy, Australia, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, Canada and across the U.S. International Game Fish Association World Records Coordinator Jack Vitek updates us with these 11 recent recreational fish catches now before the world records committee.
Guided by IGFA Certified Captain Alberto Bartoli and using shrimp for bait, Roberto Godi of Arcole Veroma, Italy landed a potential IGFA All-Tackle record after catching a wels (Silurus glanis) on February 5. The giant fish weighed 113.5 kg (250 lb 3 oz) which Godi caught while fishing Italy’s River Po. He said the fish fought for 45 minutes before he was able to pull it to shore onto a smooth surfaced mat where it was weighed, photographed and released alive. The current IGFA record is 242 lb 8 oz (110 kg) caught February 2009 also from the River Po.
Thomas M. Evans Jr. of Grafton, Vermont, USA, guided by Al Dopirak, landed a huge tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) on May 10 while fishing a brown toad fly off Pine Island, Florida, USA near Ft. Myers. This potential men’s 6 kg (12 lb) tippet record took two hours and ten minutes to land and weighed in at 88.22 kg (194 lb 8 oz). The current IGFA record is 177 lbs (80.28 kg) recorded off Homosassa, Florida in May, 1994.
Multi-IGFA world record holder Sean Konrad of Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada, landed a burbot (Lota lota) in 20 minutes on March 27 while fishing Lake Diefenbaker, Saskatchewan, Canada. His potential IGFA All-Tackle record fish weighed in at 11.4 kg (25 lb 2 oz) and was caught using herring as bait. Konrad is hoping to beat his own current IGFA record after recording a 19 lb 1 oz burbot in March 2008 from the same lake.
Using very thin tippet while fly fishing near Nelson, Australia, a border town located at the mouth of the Glenelg River in the south western corner of the state of Victoria, fly caster Frank Bluch of Corio, Victoria, landed a 2.15 kg (4 lb 12 oz) meagre (Argyrosomus spp.) on April 25. Bluch was using a yellow rabbit streamer tied to 1 kg (2 lb) tippet to catch a potential men’s saltwater flyfishing record. The current IGFA record is vacant for the recently added species.
From Western Australia, Rhys Clatworthy landed a golden trevally (Gnathanodon speciosus) on March 26 while fishing out of his home town of Exmouth. This potential men’s IGFA 3 kg (6 lb) line class record, which is currently vacant, took one hour to land and weighed in at 11.3 kg (24 lb 14 oz).
A new record species might be added to the IGFA record books after avid world traveling angler Steven M. Wozniak of San Ramon, Calif., USA, landed a sicklefish (Drepane punctuata) on April 18 while fishing Ponggol Marina, Singapore. The potential IGFA All-Tackle record was caught on a peeled prawn and weighed in at .68 kg (1 lb 8 oz).
Junior angler Ann Louise Voelz of Lafayette, Indiana, USA, guided by Captain Kevin Wright, landed a spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus) on March 24, while fishing blueback herring on Lake Lanier, Georgia, USA. The fish weighed 2.35 kg (5 lb 3 oz) after a 10 minute fight, and qualifies as the potential IGFA female smallfry record. The current IGFA record is vacant.
Japanese angler Junichi Inada of Amagasaki-Shi Hyodo, may have landed a potential All-Tackle record nigoi (Hemibarbus barbus) during a fishing trip on April 26 in Mogawa, Japan. He caught the fish which weighed 3 kg (6 lb 9 oz) after a six minute fight, using red swamp crawfish for bait. The current record is 5 lb 5 oz (2.7 kg) documented in May 2007 from the Tone River in Gunma, Japan.
Lance Erik Peterson of Port Angeles, Washington, USA, may break a 12-year old IGFA fly rod record after landing a 22 kg (48 lb 8 oz) roosterfish (Nematistius pectoralis) on May 16 while fishing from the shore of Cabo del Este, Mexico. His fish put up a 45 minute fight after hitting Peterson’s Mona-Lisa fly, and qualifies for the men’s 6 kg (12 lb) tippet world record. The current IGFA tippet record is 41 lb 8 oz (18.82 kg) taken from the waters off Morro Del Potosi in Zihuatanejo, Mexico in April 1998.
Using very light line and lots of finesse while fishing in the Florida Keys, USA, Charlotte A. Sampson of Ocean City, Maryland, USA, landed a lemon shark (Carcharhinidae family) a member of the whaler shark family. She made the catch on April 10 while fishing Summerland Key. Her potential women’s 1 kg (2 lb) line class record weighed in at 31.75 kg (51 lb 0 oz). The shark hit a piece of false albacore and took 40 minutes to land. After documenting and photographing she released the fish alive. The current IGFA record is 11.11 kg (24 lb 8 oz) recorded in May 2007 from the Content Keys.
Smallfry angler Jason Ackerman of Moscow, Ohio, USA, guided by Captain Darryl Smith, landed a 17.12 kg (37 lb 12 oz) flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) on March 31, while fishing Lake Moultrie, South Carolina, USA. This potential male smallfry record fish took five minutes to land after hitting a cut gizzard shad the youngster was using for bait. The current IGFA record is 16.1 kg (35 lb 8 oz) taken from the same lake two years ago.
###
Reaching for 1,000
Like this month Steven Wozniak’s name has appeared on several Hot Catch reports for IGFA world records, but his main focus is rather exceptional and that’s to catch and document over 1000 different species of fish worldwide.
Wozniak of San Ramon, Calif., USA was first highlighted in an IGFA International Angler Magazine feature in November 2007, and at that stage he had caught 660 different species on his adventures through 48 countries. Recently, the International Angler editors caught up with Steve for an update on his unique quest.
The Updated Numbers
A little more than two years have passed since that article, and Steve has been a very busy angler. The species count has jumped to a stunning 898, and the quest for 1000 now seems within reach. Steve has also raised his country total count to 61, managing to catch fish in some spots outside the regular travel fishing destinations – places like Cambodia, Jordan, and Liechtenstein. (Yes, Liechtenstein. It’s in the Alps – we had to look it up.)
The Big Trips
We asked him where he had added all these fish, and he said “I’ve had some great trips in the last couple of years – Weipa in northern Australia, the Red Sea, Kona, and, of all the places, Monaco. But I also added a bunch of new ones the hard way – by hitting the books and figuring out all of the ‘mystery fish’ I’ve gotten over the years.”
Steve also told us that he has worked with quite a few ichthyologists on figuring out some of his exotic catches. “These guys have been incredibly generous with their time.” he said. “We’re talking scientists from some of the big museums and aquariums, and they always seem to respond to emails as fast as I can send them out. To a fish geek like me, it’s like getting golf advice from Jack Nicklaus.”
Most Exciting Catch
What were the really exciting catches over the past few years? “They’re all exciting,” responds Wozniak. “But the most adrenaline had to be a mahseer in the Cauvery River in India – what a strike – or a 200 plus pound grouper in the middle of the night in Weipa. I woke up the other six guys on the boat, which turned out well, because they kept me from being dragged overboard. I’m not sure they’d do it again.”
And what was the hardest one? “Gotta be the tench. It’s a European still-water fish I have put in days and days on, and I finally stumbled into one last summer in England. I think the guide, Roger Barnes, was even happier than I was – we’ve been chasing one of these for seven years.”
When Will # 1000 Happen?
So when does Steve think he will hit his magic number – 1000? “That’s the question,” he said. “A couple of exotic trips should put me in shouting distance. I’m hoping to get to Egypt and to the Anaman Islands this year, so I have a pretty good shot in 2010. If not, 2011 is the year, baby. It’s getting close.” We asked if it’s getting harder to find new species. He said, “I knew it was getting tough when I flew two days to get to Mozambique and my first four fish were things I already had. Antarctica is really the last untouched place I can go – hey, there’s an idea.”
Life After 1000?
And what will he do afterward? Take up golf? The response – “Not a chance – my golf game is a danger to society. I’ll keep fishing. I’d like to say I’ll be a bit less obsessive about it, but that just isn’t true.” (We’re guessing that we’ll be doing an article on the “Chase for 2000” one of these years.)
Steve promises to keep the IGFA posted as he heads toward the milestone. Steve can be reached at S_Wozniak10@yahoo.com, and he loves to hear from other species hunters. He told us “We should form a support group.”
###
International angler lands 600th fish species on Sebile Lures
There’s another international angler on a quest and that’s to catch hundreds of different species of fish using his designs of fishing lures.
“My next goal is 700,” says Patrick Sebile, an international angler who recently landed his 600th species, a vermillion rockfish while fishing off Catalina Island, California. Since 1984, Sebile has meticulously kept his own records of species caught while traveling the globe to fish in fresh and salt water in 63 countries.
Sebile says he’s fascinated by the ingenious diversity and differences between fish species, including the varying habitats and conditions under which fish thrive across the planet.
“Practically everywhere there is water, there are fascinating fish,” says the 40-year old Sebile who plans to continue to explore and to document as many diverse waters and different species as possible in his lifetime.
An IGFA International Representative and dedicated conservationist of fish and their habitats, Sebile has written seven books on fishing including one titled Les Poissons a Pecher dans Toutes les Mers du Monde (Sportfish of All the World’s Seas) and hundreds of articles. His photos have graced over 150 fishing magazine covers and at one time or another, Sebile has held 300 French, European and IGFA fishing records.
He’s the CEO, founder and lure designer of his namesake tackle company, SEBILE Innovative Fishing, which he started in 2006. Sebile is the IGFA Representative at Large for the West African nation of Guinea-Bissau and on every package of SEBILE lures they sell, they include the IGFA official logo and text “SEBILE strongly supports the IGFA”.
He currently lives in Colorado where his company is headquartered, but Sebile spends most of his time at large touring the world’s waters with outdoor journalists, professional guides and renowned anglers worldwide.
For additional information, visit www.SEBILEUSA.com or contact SEBILE COO Russell Gray by phone: (325) 437-8103.
###
27 elite anglers prepare for FKO/IGFA Inshore World Championship (w/logo)
They are among the top fly and light tackle “sight-casting” champion anglers from as far away as Sweden and Australia who will converge on the Florida Keys island chain from July 13 – 15, to compete in the 10th annual Florida Keys Outfitters / IGFA Inshore World Championship in Islamorada.
It’s an event described by anglers and the media as the “super bowl” of inshore fishing.
Selected from a variety of nearly 40 qualifying tournaments held in 2009 across the U.S., the Bahamas, Belize, Sweden and Australia, is a field of 27 top anglers — 12 in fly and 15 in light tackle. They quickly responded to the invitations of managing partner Florida Keys Outfitters to compete in this three day all-release championship.
From a drawing each of the champion qualifiers will be paired with a premier Keys guide fishing as a team for tarpon, bonefish, permit, snook and redfish in the fly and light tackle divisions. A grand champion will be crowned in each division.
Three-time winner Robert Collins of Naples and Islamorada, who won his titles with a spinning reel will be focusing his skills for the second year in a row solely casting fly. He’ll have worthy competition including IGFA Trustee Carlos Duncan from Houston who earlier this month won the Don Hawley Invitational Tarpon Tournament.
The international field, which includes 19 men and eight women, will also hightlight Australian Peter Politis winner for the past two years of the Northern Territory’s Barramundi Classic; Michael De Freitas who won the Trinidad Tarpon Thunder Tournament, fishing the island of Trinidad and Nils Zackrisson winner of the Pike Challenge in Sweden
“Last year the anglers and guides wholeheartedly embraced the new and separate light tackle and fly tackle formats,” said tournament director Sandy Moret, owner of Florida Keys Outfitters.
“Fishing right now is off the charts and this tournament promises to be one of the most outstanding competitions of the year,” he added. “And looking ahead to next year we’re hoping to have more international competitors.”
Fishing and daily scorekeeping takes place from the World Wide Sportsman’s Bayside Marina with The Islander Resort serving as the event’s headquarters. Both are located near mile marker 82.
The IGFA remains the inshore championships’ sole nonprofit benefactor. A fundraiser and auction for the IGFA will be held at the event.
The championship will again be partnering with ESPN Outdoors and its televised Saltwater Series to be presented on other ESPN Outdoors multimedia platforms. Daily tournament coverage will appear on ESPNOutdoors.com and on IGFA.org among others.
For more information on the FKO/IGFA Inshore World Championship and the event’s qualifying tournaments contact Moret 305-664-5423, or via e-mail at flkeyout@bellsouth.net
A complete list of the champions, hometowns and tournaments they qualified is also posted on the tournament website at www.inshoreworldchampionships.com.
###
Defending champs win 11th IGFA Offshore World Championship (w/logp)
The defending champions from Mexico once again became the reigning champions by winning the 11th annual IGFA Offshore World Championship, during the week of May 9-14, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
The prestigious event brings together the largest contingent of international teams to compete in a single catch-and-release billfish tournament worldwide. A total of 178 anglers on 38 teams traveled from 19 countries, representing over 120 qualifying tournaments competed for the title of IGFA offshore world champion. The striped marlin was their main quarry.
The winning team members taking their second title included Oscar Daccarett, Rafael Garcia, Hernando Gonzalez, Jobe Villavicencio and Javier Villavicencio. Over the four days of the tournament they collected 2,196 points off seven striped marlin releases along with extra points for weight fish such as yellowfin tuna and wahoo.
In second place with 1,500 points on five releases of marlin was a team representing the Harbourside Marine Bahamas Rotary Tuna Classic.
For more on the tournament or to register as a 2011 tournament qualifier, call Lynda Wilson at 407-571-4517 or visit igfaoffshorechampionship.com.
Top finishing teams in 11th IGFA Offshore World Championship
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico May 9-13, 2010
-
1st Place: 2,196 points; 2009 IGFA OWC Champions (Mexico) anglers: Jobe Villavicencio, Javier Villavicencio, Hernando Gonzalez, Rafael Garcia and Oscar Daccarett.
-
2nd Place: 1,500 points; Harbourside Marine Bahamas Rotary Tuna Classic (Bahamas) anglers: Paul King, Adam Dann, R. Kristian Kwiecinski, Keith Kelty and Jim Bernard.
-
3rd Place: 1,200 points; El Pescado Billfish Tournament (United States) anglers: Sammy Vaughn, Cody Moore, Tyson Moore, Ronnie Bledsoe and Ralph Schoenherr.
###
IGFA’s Expedition Series is returning to Panama August 30th
Looking for a great fishing trip to “billfish nirvana?” If you missed the IGFA’s recent spring Expedition to Guatemala you still have a chance for another grand adventure August 30 – Sept. 5, to the Tropic Star Lodge on Piñas Bay, Panama.
The waters of Piñas Bay, surrounding legendary Zane Grey Reef, have yielded more than 70 blue marlins in the six days of previous IGFA Panama Expeditions. Combined with the plentiful black marlin, sailfish, yellowfin tuna, and other top game fish in this tropical paradise, the species count alone makes for a fishing trip that’s sure to satisfy any true sportsman’s quest for adventure.
“This expedition follows in the footsteps of the early game fish pioneers exploring the abundant waters of Piñas Bay for the world’s greatest game fish,” said IGFA Development Director Eric Combast. “Adding the expertise of our Expedition Leaders to the trips makes each day on the water feel like we’re continuing the tradition of truly excellent game fishing.”
This year’s Panama Expedition Leaders include outdoor writer and offshore expert Capt. Karl Anderson, light-tackle marlin expert Capt. Thomas “Bark” Garnsey, IGFA President Rob Kramer, and world record holder and Piñas Bay expert Raleigh Werking. These experienced and exceptional anglers will provide an action-packed excursion with valuable fishing tips and guidance.
For more information on this all-inclusive expedition and exciting opportunity, please call Eric Combast at 954-924-4325 or email ecombast@igfa.org.
###
IGFA Education Department News:
First of IGFA Junior Angler Summer Camps now underway
If you live or plan to be near the Ft. Lauderdale area this summer and are looking for some hands-on and fun activities for your youngsters, nothing beats the IGFA’s annual Junior Angler Summer Camps with 10 weekly sessions through mid-August.
Now in its 11th year the camps are held at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum in Dania Beach, Fla., offering weeklong summer adventures for children ages eight – 13, from June 14 through August 20th.
Campers spend time in the museum where they learn about fishing techniques, conservation, marine biology, the ins-and-outs of fish anatomy through dissections, biological adaptations, tying flies & jigs, fish habitats and participate in simulated fishing tournaments.
Field trips include snorkeling, water parks and pier fishing with every Friday spent deep sea fishing from a 70’ party boat off the coast of Miami.
Camp registration includes a free rod and reel combo, T-shirt, tackle box and camp goody bag. For more information about the IGFA Summer Camp, please contact Veronica Woods at vwoods@igfa.org or visit http://www.igfa.org/Education/Youth-Camps.aspx .
————————
IGFA Outreach Program Visits New Smyrna Beach, Florida
More than 450 Central Florida youngsters had the opportunity to learn more about fish and fishing when the IGFA’s Outreach Program again held 10 clinics during the annual FishStock celebration over the Memorial Day weekend in New Smyrna Beach.
The young anglers learned about fishing basics including how to cast and how to tie a clinch knot, said IGFA Education Director David Matagiese
“After successfully completing the clinic, each youngster was given a free rod and reel combo compliments of Fish Florida (www.fishfloridatag.org) to take home and continue practicing their newly acquired skills,” he said. “Immediately after the clinics, many of them put their new rods to use finding some quality fishing spots along the pier at Riverside Park.”
For more information about the IGFA Outreach Program, contact Matagiese at dmatagiese@igfa.org.
————————
A new look for the IGFA Outreach Education Program
The IGFA’s Outreach Education program recently received a brand new enclosed cargo trailer to transport all of its hands-on marine education programs to schools, fishing derbies and community events around the southeastern United States.
Through a longtime partnership with Critter Control (www.crittercontrol.com) and Mercury Marine (www.mercurymarine.com), the IGFA is able to travel more efficiently when carrying a mobile touch tank to fishing events and clinics or bringing any one of its 14 marine education programs to hundreds of different schools.
The eye catching trailer began as a blank canvas but was very generously covered with a vinyl wrap by the team at Image Graphics 2000 (www.IGX2000.com) using beautiful underwater scenes captured by the IGFA’s art director Adrian Gray.
For more on the IGFA Outreach Education Program, please contact IGFA Education Director, David Matagiese at dmatagiese@igfa.org.
###
Conservationists honor Congressman Doc Hastings
The Center for Coastal Conservation has presented U.S. Rep. Doc Hastings (R-WA) with its Conservationist of the Year Award, which annually goes to a public official for work in support of good stewardship of America’s marine resources.
“Doc Hastings has been a stalwart for anglers across the country – and a real steward of the resource,” said Jeff Angers, president of the Center for Coastal Conservation. “His leadership is making a difference.”
Hastings is the ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee. The Committee has jurisdiction over most federal land use and water policies, including national forests, national parks and monuments, wilderness areas, national scenic areas, Indian reservations and BLM lands.
In accepting the award at the Center’s annual conference in Washington on May 5, Hastings emphasized the importance of protecting the nation’s natural resources.
“As the top Republican on the House Committee on Natural Resources, I support marine conservation policies based on sound science and good data. Recreational fishermen must remain a vital part of marine conservation efforts,” said Hastings.
“America’s anglers have worked for generations to conserve the resources where they live, work and recreate every day. Keeping anglers in that leadership role – rather than ‘top-down,’ directives from Washington, DC – ensures good stewardship of our resources,” he said.
Hastings’ colleague, Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo (D-Guam), was honored with the award in 2009. She chairs the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife.
The Center for Coastal Conservation brings under a single umbrella the leading advocates for marine recreational fishing and boating including the IGFA. The organization promotes sound conservation and use of ocean resources and backs federal legislators who support its goals.
For more go to the coalition’s website at www.coastalconservation.us/
###
—Now at the IGFA Museum—
Fun, Funky Fish Art of David Roehm Now at the Art Gallery
The IGFA Art Gallery is featuring the whimsical works of artist David Roehm, who is inspired by his fishing and snorkeling adventures off his hometown of Fort Lauderdale, along with Chokoloskee Island, and the flats of Islamorada. Many of the quaint old bars, hangouts and fishing spots now gone are depicted in Dave’s artistry, but they are not all done on the usual canvas. He specializes in decorating unusual items such as fire hydrants and wood sculptures.
Roehm’s colorful and humorous FunkyFishArt will be on display till October
For a preview visit www.funkyfishart.com.
————————
Guy Harvey’s early works showing in IGFA’s Changing Gallery until July 5th
As a young boy, Guy Harvey was entranced by Ernest Hemingway’s story The Old Man and the Sea. In the early 1970’s, with no formal art training but with a scientist’s eye for detail, Guy began sketching his favorite parts. These rarely-viewed series of 59 pen-and-ink sketches from the private collection of Cheryl and Dave Copham comprised Guy’s first art show in 1985. These highly acclaimed early marine artworks of Dr. Guy Harvey are now being shown at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum presented in its Changing Gallery exhibition room.
They are on display through July 5 along with photos of Bill Boyce and sculptures of Kent Ullberg.
###
Young Anglers Tournament July 31 in San Diego
Young anglers ages six through 15 are invited to compete July 31 in the free Eighth Annual Young Anglers’ Tournament at the Shelter Island Pier in San Diego. This saltwater event is sponsored by the International Game Fish Association, the San Diego Sportfishing Council and the Port of San Diego
The tournament features a points system to allow for catch and releases with winners, one in each age category, determined by adding up points for various fish caught. The angler with the most points overall will be recognized on the tournament’s perpetual trophy.
IGFA representatives and volunteers from the United Pier and Shore Anglers Club will be there to assist young anglers and to tally points.
Young anglers in the competition are encouraged to bring their own gear, although a limited number of loaner rods will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Small quantities of bait will be provided each angler while supplies last.
Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. at the pier located at 1776 Shelter Island Drive. Fishing starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m. Prizes will be awarded by 2 p.m. Hot dogs, chips, and sodas will be served to all registered anglers. Lunch is provided courtesy of Stump’s Village Market of Rancho Santa Fe.
Prizes and raffle items, donated by local businesses and sportfishing companies, include rods, reels, hats, T-shirts, fishing gear and deep sea fishing trips. Loaner gear, bait, and tackle are provided by Okuma Fishing Tackle, Anglers Distributing, and Friends of Rollo three of the sponsors along with West Marine, De-Fishing Soap, Point Loma Sportfishing and H&M Landing.
The San Diego Sportfishing Council is a California non-profit corporation established in 1979 to represent San Diego’s sportfishing industry. Their mission is to promote San Diego sportfishing as an attractive marine recreational activity, to increase awareness of sportfishing opportunities from San Diego Bay, to increase the availability of “how, when and where” information and access to sportfishing opportunities.
For more information, please call the San Diego Sportfishing Council at 619-234-8793 or log onto the website at www.sportfishing.org.
###
California’s Bob Fletcher honored by IGFA
For his leadership efforts on numerous fronts Bob Fletcher, retired President of the Sportfishing Association of California and Recreational Fisheries, was presented an International Game Fish Association Certificate of Appreciation at the Day at the Dock’s event held in April.
IGFA Trustee Michael Farrior made the presentation saying it was given in appreciation of Fletcher’s dedication to conservation of marine resources, his leadership role in Southern California’s Sportfishing passenger fleet and his position as a highly respected advocate for recreational anglers. IGFA representative Gary Graham said Fletcher thanked the IGFA for the honor of being recognized for his passion and lifetime of working on behalf of the recreational angling community.
###
BAMM month ends June 30
If you have an IGFA membership you can benefit in a big way…. in fact 20 ways during BAMM month till the end of June.
Your current IGFA membership will allow you into more than 20 participating museums and attractions throughout Broward County during June.
The theme for the month is “Join one, experience them all.” IGFA members can use their cards for reciprocal benefits in all of the BAMM (Broward Attractions and Museum Month) participating institutions.
Each institution defines exactly what benefits are eligible but at the very least it’s free admission at the same member level. The IGFA will honor admission as well as 10% off in the gift shop. For more information please call Joanie Tomlin at the IGFA at 954-924-4312 or email her at JTomlin@igfa.org. Additional information can be found on the BAMM web site at www.bamminfo.org
###
IGFA’s popular School of Sportfishing resumes in the fall
After a summer break the IGFA’s School of Sportfishing will resume this fall with its 16th session of its popular series of Tuesday night classes.
The topic list is expected to be posted in early August on the IGFA web site with course titles, descriptions and instructors.
The web site can be found at http://www.igfa.org/education/School-Of-Sportfishing.aspx
“This past spring session, was one of the best received with a number of sold out classes,” said IGFA Education Director Dave Matagiese. “Along with the more popular classes new topics were introduced.”
He added that angling students from previous classes continue to report fantastic fishing with greatly improved catch ratios after putting their newly gained knowledge to practice on the water.
“We’ve heard from anglers who attended the program who have given us great feedback saying they’ve become more efficient in finding fish faster and making each strike count.”
Matagiese said all classes are limited to the first 24 anglers to sign up and held Tuesday nights from 7 – 10 p.m. at the IGFA Headquarters in Dania Beach, Fla. The cost is $100 for IGFA members and $150 for non-members per class. For more information or to sign up please contact Jeff Mackin at 954-924-4340 or via JMackin@igfa.org.
###
“Did You Know?” – Interesting facts from the IGFA
This month the IGFA features some facts from the IGFA’s 2010 World Record Game Fishes book:
-
The oldest standing IGFA record is the All-Tackle yellow perch, which weighed 4 lb 3 oz and was caught in 1865.
-
The biggest IGFA record for a member of the jack family (Carangidae) is the All-Tackle giant trevally record which weighed 160 lb 7 oz and was caught by an angler fishing from shore.
-
The IGFA has All-Tackle records for 36 different species of snapper.
-
The smallest All-Tackle record for a shark species was for a 1 lb 13 oz velvet belly lantern shark (Etmopterus spinax).
###
Calendar of upcoming IGFA events for 2010
June 1 – 30, 2010 — BAMM (Broward Attractions and Museum Month) is Back — During the month of June anyone with a membership in the IGFA or one of more than 20 participating museums and attractions in Broward County will be able to use that for reciprocal benefits in all. The theme for the month is “Join one, experience them all.” Each institution defines what benefits will be eligible but at the very least it will be free admission at same member level. The IGFA will honor admission as well as 10% off in the gift shop. For more information please call Joanie Tomlin at the IGFA at 954-924-4312 or email her at JTomlin@igfa.org, visit www.igfa.org or www.bamminfo.org for the variety of participating institutions.
————————
June 14 — Aug 20, 2010 — IGFA’s ten weekly Summer Camps, IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, Dania Beach, Fla. USA – Now in its 11th year the IGFA’s popular weekly camps are held during the summer break for children ages 8 to 13. Campers will explore the aquatic environment and participate in many fishing adventures and exciting marine life activities. Each week-long camp session is held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pre-registration is required. Camp registration includes a free rod and reel combo, T-shirt, tackle box and camp goody bag. For more information about the IGFA Summer Camp, please contact Veronica Woods at vwoods@igfa.org or visit http://www.igfa.org/Education/Youth-Camps.aspx .
————————
July 13 – 15, 2010 – 10th annual Florida Keys Outfitters/IGFA Inshore World Championship, Islamorada, Fla., USA – Described by anglers and the media as the “super bowl” of fly and light tackle fishing, invitations are sent to the winners of nearly 40 qualifying tournaments around the world held in 2009 to compete in this three day all-release championship. From a drawing the qualifiers are paired with a premier Keys guide to team for three days of fishing for tarpon, bonefish, permit, snook and redfish in fly and light tackle divisions with the grand champion crowned in each. For more information on the FKO/IGFA Inshore World Championship and qualifying tournaments contact Sandy Moret 305-664-5423 or flkeyout@bellsouth.net or visit inshoreworldchampionships.com.
————————
October 26, 2010 — The 12th Annual IGFA Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, Dania Beach, Fla., USA — This year’s event will celebrate all 80 members and the five newest inductees of the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame who include Yoshiro Hattori, Capt. Steve Huff, George G. Mathews, John Wilson and Forrest Wood. The inductees are selected for the important contributions they have made to the sport of fishing through angling achievements, literature, the arts, science, education, invention, communication or administration of fishery resources. The evening includes a cocktail reception, silent auction, the induction ceremony for the 2010 class and dinner. Tickets are $200. For reservation information please contact Ms. Lesley Arico at 954-924-4222 or LArico@igfa.org.
###
