On July 2, 1961, Leo Barboza set the IGFA Men’s 10-kg (20 lb) Line Class World Record with this massive 52.16-kilogram (115-pound) wahoo. Leo was fishing with live scad off the South Shore of Bermuda and landed this record catch after a 23-minute fight. This incredible record was

On June 23, 2007, Marion Rose set off of Pecan Island, Louisiana, in search of some big tuna on oil rigs. Although the tuna fishing was slow, Marion came back with a catch he will never forget. He dropped down a live Spanish sardine near the garden bank, and after a 45-minute

It's been a busy summer thus far for our education team! In partnership with the @NationalParkFdn, we've been traveling not only to facilitate Learn-to-Fish events but also to film a number of training and educational aids. In Rocky Mountain National Park, the team not only

On August 15, 2024, Murilo Soares Mota was fishing Tres Marias Lake in Brazil when he landed this beautiful 63-centimeter blue peacock. With this fish Murilo has set the IGFA All-Tackle Length World Record for the species. Murilo was casting a lure when this record peacock

Pat Hutchinson was fishing the James River in Virginia on January 5, 2025, when she landed this 13.61-kilogram (30-pound) blue catfish. With this fish, Pat has set the IGFA Women’s 3-kg (6 lb.) Line Class World Record for the species. The record cat struck Pat’s cut bait, and she

Pamela Moss was fishing Lake Lanier in Gainesville, Georgia, on March 13, 2025, when she landed this 1.72-kilogram (3-pound, 13-ounce) Alabama bass. With this fish, Pamela has set the IGFA Women’s 3-kg (6 lb.) Tippet Class World Record for the species. She was fishing with Guide

Leon Mark Weeks was fishing the flats of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Australia, on April 2, 2025, when he landed this beautiful 5.81-kilogram (12-pound, 13-ounce) yellowmargin triggerfish on fly. With this fish, he has set the IGFA All-Tackle World Record for the species. The

On January 16, 2025, Kaitlyn Bui was fishing the flats of Honolulu, Hawaii, when she landed this 2.72-kilogram (6-pound) Pacific Bonefish. With this fish, Kaitlyn has set the IGFA Women’s 6-kg (12 lb.) Line Class World Record for the species. She was fishing with guide Chris

IGFA Chairman Roy Cronacher recently returned from trip to Mallorca, Spain where he released 4 Mediterranean spearfish on fly while fishing with IGFA Captain Vince Riera. With a spearfish release Roy has earned himself an unprecedented 6 IGFA Billfish Royal Slams on fly!

𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐭 𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐑𝐨𝐜𝐤: Conservation is taking center stage. With the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament in full swing, the IGFA would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the Big Rock Foundation for their generous support of the IGFA Great Marlin Race

𝙃𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙮 𝘼𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙖𝙧𝙮, 𝙄𝙂𝙁𝘼!🎣. On this day in 1939, the International Game Fish Association was founded by passionate anglers committed to preserving the integrity of the sport—including visionaries Michael and Helen Lerner. What began as a shared dream has

On June 15, 2020, Emiliana Nebot Jurado caught this massive 23.62-kilogram, (52-pound, 1-ounce) broomtail grouper while fishing in Isla Santa Clara, Ecuador to set the IGFA Female-Smallfry World Record for the species. She was trolling a Bomber CD30 behind her father’s boat, La

This week, we’re celebrating the outdoor experiences that hook us for life—and the public lands and waters that make them possible. Held during the first full week of June in the U.S., National Fishing and Boating Week marks the unofficial start of summer on the water. Across

🎣 The 2025 IGFA Day Online Auction is happening now!. Through Sunday, June 8th at 6:00 p.m. ET, bid to win unforgettable fishing trips, high-end gear, artwork, jewelry, and more—all in support of ethical angling and game fish conservation around the world. Every bid helps

On May 22, 2020, angler McKenzie Turner, who was 16 at the time, caught this incredible 13.79-kilogram (30-pound, 6-ounce) red snapper to set the IGFA Female-Junior World Record and the Women's 24-kg (50 lb) Line Class World Record for the species. She was bottom fishing with

Lou Marron was fishing with Captain Eddie Wall aboard the Flying Heart off the coast of Iquique, Chile on May 7, 1953, when sportfishing history was made. Marron was trolling a bonito when this record-setting sword struck. After a back breaking two-hour fight, Marron was able to

9-year-old angler Tyler Kross was fishing a pond in Southbury, Connecticut on May 20, 2023, when he landed a 16.58-kilogram (36-pound, 9-ounce) common carp. With this fish, Tyler set the IGFA Men’s Smallfry World Record for the species. Tyler bested the potential record carp

🎣𝘏𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦! Eight-year-old Ella Smith recently caught and released her very first blue marlin—all by herself! . When the crew asked if she wanted to hand over the rod, she had one answer: “NO!”. The IGFA is proud to recognize Ella’s incredible accomplishment

HISTORIC WORLD RECORD: On May 19, 1998, angler Ken Paulie set the IGFA All-Tackle world record for flathead catfish with this 55.79 kg (123 lb, 0 oz) behemoth from the Elk City Reservoir in Independence, Kansas. Paulie was fishing a live minnow on a jig head while using a Zebco

FORTY-YEAR RECORD: On May 17th, 1985, Les Anderson was drift fishing the Kenai River when something took his spin glow lure. After an amazing 40-minute battle, Les hauled in the massive 44.11-kilogram (97-pound, 4-ounce) chinook salmon. To this day, the catch still stands as both