New Sportfishing World Records for July
In March, the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) introduced three new species to be opened for Length, Junior, Line Class, and Tippet Class world-record categories. Among the three introduced was the species brycon, which has been opened as a “lumped” category where several different species are eligible for records under this genus.
Enderlin’s All-Tackle Length Fly World Record Brycon
The response from anglers has been amazing, with several record fish caught including this quality 18.5” (47 cm) brycon landed on May 31, 2022, by Tom Enderlin, earning him the IGFA All-Tackle Length Fly World Record for the species. Enderlin was floating the Rio Sarapiqui in Costa Rica when this brycon struck his fly. After a brief fight he landed this record fish, which he quickly documented and released alive.
Gary Jennings’ Tautog (Blackfish) on Fly
On June 4, 2022, Gary Jennings was fly fishing the flats around Fisher’s Island, New York, when he landed this uncommon sought species on fly, a 6-lb. (2.72-kg) tautog. Jennings was fishing aboard Finaddict Fishing with captain Craig Cantelmo and they purposefully set out to catch the fish with a crab fly tied by Cantelmo and on 8-lb. (4-kg) tippet. The documented the proper measurements and weight of the tautog before releasing the fish safely. Jennings earned the IGFA Men’s 8-lb. (4-kg) Tippet Class World Record for the species.
Cronacher’s 10-kg (20-lb.) Line Class World Record Black Grouper
IGFA Chairman Roy Cronacher was fishing out of Green Turtle Cay in The Bahamas on May 7, 2022, when he landed this 41-lb., 12-oz. (18.96 kg) black grouper. With this fish, Cronacher set the IGFA Men’s 20-lb (10-kg) Line Class World Record for the species. He was fishing aboard Empty Pockets and landed his record grouper after a 23-minute battle. Roy then returned to Manjack Cay for an official weight on his certified scale.
Novotny’s All-Tackle Length Whiterock Bass World Record
Lee Novotny submitted this impressive 24.8” (63-cm) whiterock bass to set the IGFA All-Tackle Length Fly World Record for the species. On May 11, 2022, Novotny was fishing Lake McConaughy, Nebraska, when this record fish struck his “sparkle minnow” fly. After a 13-minute fight, he landed this beautiful bass that he quickly documented and released back into the lake.
Sherrell Carter’s 6-kg (12-lb.) Line Class World Record for Dorado
On March 13, 2022, Sherrell Carter landed this 31-lb. (14.06 kg) dorado to set the IGFA Women’s 6-kg (12-lb) Line Class World Record for the species. Carter was fishing with guide Elbio Bordon aboard the La Zona V, in the Uruguay River, Argentina, when she landed this impressive dorado. After recording the weight on a certified scale, she released the fish safely back into the river. In addition to this fish, Carter set two more IGFA Women’s Line Class World Records for dorado on the same trip.
Mackesey’s All-Tackle Length Fly World Record for Tiger Muskellunge
On June 5, 2022, Rob Mackesey was fishing the Newton Reservoir, Utah, when he landed this 31.1” (79 cm) tiger muskellunge. With this fish, Novotny set the IGFA All-Tackle Length Fly World Record for the species. He was using a “musky streamer” when this fish struck and he landed the record tiger musky after a short fight. After recording the proper measurements on his official IGFA measuring device, he released the fish safely back into the reservoir.
Felkins 8-kg (16-lb) Tippet Class World Record Cutthroat Trout
On April 18, 2022, Jennifer Felkins caught this gorgeous 9 lb. 5-oz. (4.24-kg) cutthroat trout to set the IGFA Women’s 8-kg (16-lb) Tippet Class World Record for the species. She was fishing Pyramid Lake in Nevada, US, when this fish struck her popcorn beetle fly. Felkins landed this record trout after a four-minute fight and released the fish after recording the weight and properly documenting the catch.