IGFA expands record categories

by The IGFA 5 Mar 2022 12:12 PST

The International Game Fish Association © IGFA

The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) is excited to announce the expansion of its record categories, specifically through the addition of eligible species for the All-Tackle Length World Record category and the addition of three new species for the Line Class, Tippet Class, and Junior categories.

"As the IGFA continues to work toward expanding our global footprint, we are excited to attract new anglers to the organization through this expansion of our world record program," stated IGFA President Jason Schratwieser. "With the expansion of the eligible species for the All-Tackle Length record category and the addition of three new species to the Line Class, Tippet Class, and Junior categories, we will continue to make participation in the IGFA's angler recognition programs more accessible to anglers around the world."

Additional details of these recent changes are listed below. For more information or specific questions, please contact IGFA Angler Recognition Coordinator Zack Bellapigna at or 954-924-4247.

IGFA All-Tackle Length Record Program Adds New Species

The IGFA All-Tackle Length Record program was launched in 2011 and requires the safe release of the fish to qualify. There are currently 117 eligible species for this program in both fresh and saltwater, chosen specifically for their ability to be safely handled and released alive. These species are available in both conventional and fly fishing categories.

Due to the popularity of this program and from numerous requests from anglers around the world, IGFA staff completed a review of species currently eligible for Line Class, Tippet Class, and Junior records, that were not eligible for the All-Tackle Length record category. The goal of this review is to expand the current All-Tackle Length record category to all current line class, tippet class and junior record-eligible species that can be safely released.

The complete list of new species added to the IGFA All-Tackle Length record categories are listed below. In summary, there are 27 species new species added which results in the creation of 54 new record opportunities. Following the same template that was used when this record category was created, the minimum length requirements are based off half of the length of the current All-Tackle world record. Current Line and Tippet Class eligible species that exceed the length of the measuring device (200 cm) will not be included in the expansion. The following species and categories will be considered open, effective immediately.

Freshwater Species:

Barbel Barus barbus - 44 cm
Bass, spotted Micropterus punctualtus - 34 cm
Buffalo, bigmouth Ictiobus cyrprinellus - 48 cm
Buffalo, smallmouth Ictiobus bubalus - 50 cm
Catfish, flathead Pylodictis olivaris - 75 cm
Gar, longnose Lepisosteus osseus - 77 cm
Huchen hucho hucho - 72 cm
Inconnu Stenodus leucichtys - 64 cm
Muskellunge, tiger Esox masquinongy x Esox Lucius - 57 cm
Pellona, Amazon Pellona castelnaeana - 37 cm
Tambaqui Colossoma macropomum - 53 cm
Trout, tiger Salmo trutta x Salvelinus fontinalis - 43 cm

Saltwater Species:

Buri (Japanese amberjack) Seriola quinqueradiata - 52 cm
Barracuda, great Sphyraena barracuda - 95 cm
Barracuda, Guinean Sphyraena afra - 95 cm
Barracuda, Mexican Sphyraena ensis - 65 cm
Cod, Atlantic Gadus morhua - 80 cm
Cod, Pacific Gadus macrocephalus - 56 cm
Flounder, summer Parachutes dentatus - 44 cm
Mackerel, king Scomberomorus cavalla - 75 cm
Milkfish Chanos chanos - 60 cm
Pollack, European Pollachius pollachius - 50 cm
Pompano, snubnose Trachinotus blochii - 39 cm
Rockfish, yelloweye Sebastes ruberrimus - 51 cm
Runner, rainbow Elagatis bipinnulata - 60 cm
Seabream, gilthead Sparus aurata - 37 cm
Tautog Tautoga onitis - 44 cm

Expansion of Line Class Eligible Species

In an effort to continue expanding the organization's relevance with anglers around the world, the IGFA has added three new species that will be eligible for Line Class, Tippet Class, and Junior record categories, effective immediately. The newly added species, and additional details about them, are listed below.

Brycon Spp. (lumped species category)

Brycon - Brycon amazonicus - All Tackle - 2.75 kg (6 lb 1 oz) - Colombia
Machaca - Brycon guatemalensis - All Tackle - 4.32 kg (9 lb 8 oz) - Costa Rica
Piabanha - Brycon insignis - All Tackle - 1.81 kg (4 lb 0 oz) - Brazil
Bracanjuva - Brycon orbignyanus - All Tackle - 0.62 kg (1 lb 6 oz) - Brazil
Machaca - Brycon behreae - All Tackle - 2.28kg (5 lb 0 oz) - Costa Rica
Sabaleta - Brycon henni - All Tackle - 1.12 kg (2 lb 7 oz) - Colombia
Sabalo - Brycon melanopterus - All Tackle - 4.35 kg (9 lb 9 oz) - Peru
Paloma - Brycon rubricauda - All Tackle - 0.72 kg (1 lb 9 oz) - Colombia
Matrincha - Brycon falcatus - All Tackle - 3.40 kg (7 lb 8 oz) - Brazil
Piraputanga - Brycon hilarii - All Tackle - 3.36 kg (7 lb 6 oz) - Brazil
Dorada - Brycon moorei - All Tackle - 3.63 kg (8 lb 0 oz) - Colombia
Sardinata - Brycon whitei - All Tackle - 4.08 kg (9 lb 0 oz) - Colombia

The Brycon genus encompasses 43 species between Central and South America. Those listed above have been noted as the most popular among anglers in this region on both fly and conventional gear. Due to the large variety of species under this genus, the IGFA will lump these species together into one singular category, similar to how the records for snakehead, trahira, and snook are currently kept.

Sheepshead Archosargus probatocephalus

All-Tackle - 9.63 kg (21 lb 4 oz) New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Sheepshead are a popular gamefish throughout its range, known for its fighting ability as well as its excellent table fare. The species can be found from Nova Scotia to Brazil with large populations throughout the Gulf of Mexico as well as the American southeast. They are targeted both inshore and offshore, from the backcountry to wrecks. This species will create 36 new line class vacancies including eight new line class records for both men and women, and seven new tippet class records for both men and women. - Maximum Line Class 30 lb.

Blue Peacock Cichla piquiti

All-Tackle - 4.54 kg (10 lb 0 oz) Serra da Mesa Lake, Brazil

The blue peacock is a popular freshwater gamefish throughout the country of Brazil, found throughout most of its river systems and lakes. The behavior of the blue peacock is viewed as being more like largemouth bass rather than the other numerous peacock bass species found in the region. This species will create 32 new vacancies including seven new line class records for both men and women, and seven new tippet class records for both men and women. - Maximum Line Class 20 lb.