IGFA

Committed to the conservation of gamefish and the promotion of ethical angling practices through science, education, rulemaking, and record-keeping.

[IGFA @TheIGFA]

On May 9, 2026, Will Hefley landed this massive 32.19-kilogram (72-pound, 9-ounce) Pacific black snook while fishing out of Marina Pez Vela in Quepos, Costa Rica. The incredible snook can potentially set both the IGFA All-Tackle Record for the species as well as the Men's 24-kg (50 lb) Line Class World Record. The snook struck a live sardine and was boated after an intense fight. Will then returned to Marina Pez Vela, an Official IGFA Weigh Station, to weigh on a certified scale. This record is currently pending and under review.

[IGFA @TheIGFA]

Have you ever seen this species? Martini Arostegui landed this snubnose grouper on June 1st, 2013, to set the all-tackle record for the species which still stands today. This fish was landed on Kiritimati Island, Kiribati on cut bait.

[IGFA @TheIGFA]

The IGFA Day Online Auction starts right now! Place your bids on gear, apparel, artwork and more. The auction runs through Sunday, June 7 at 6:00 pm EDT. Bid now: https://t.co/PwXdwRAGNf

All proceeds directly support the IGFA's mission to promote ethical angling practices, educate the next generation of anglers, and advance gamefish conservation worldwide.

[IGFA @TheIGFA]

Seven years ago this month, IGFA Representative Kelvin Ng set the new IGFA Men's 8 kg (16 lb) Tippet Class World Record for ladyfish with a massive 12-pound, 4-ounce fish that he caught while fly fishing the inshore waters of Langkawi, Malaysia.

[IGFA @TheIGFA]

In May of 2021, Thomas Farchione landed this enormous 2.83-kilogram (6-pound, 4-ounce) redear sunfish out of Lake Havasu, Arizona, to set the IGFA All-Tackle World Record for the species - the same lake where the previous redear sunfish All-Tackle World Record was also caught.

[IGFA @TheIGFA]

Meet the IGFA Team 🙌🏼! Over the next few months, we would like to shine a spotlight on the great people who make up the IGFA. Today, we are excited to introduce Zachary Bellapigna. Zack has managed the IGFA records department for the past five years and serves as IGFA's Tournament Director.

1.📁 Title: Angler Recognition Manager

2.⏱ Time with IGFA: 5 years

3.🐟 Favorite Fish: Dolphinfish for saltwater and brown trout for freshwater

4.🏆 Most memorable catch: Landing a 47-inch cobia on a 3000-size reel in 1000 feet of water off of a piece of debris

5.✅ Hobbies: Fishing, hunting, guitar, cooking, and football.

[IGFA @TheIGFA]

The School of Sportfishing at Pier Sixty-Six is an immersive, sportfishing educational program for anglers of all skill levels hosted by the IGFA and Pier Sixty-Six. After learning the fundamentals in a classroom setting, participants test their skills on the water aboard the HammerCatch, a 35-foot catamaran by HammerYachts. This week Captain Peter Weirmesa had the students fishing goggle eyes and pilchards deployed under kites for dolphin and sailfish action - check it out!

[IGFA @TheIGFA]

Thank you, Big Rock Foundation!

Since 2021, the IGFA Great Marlin Race has partnered with The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament to deploy satellite tags on blue marlin, generating critical data on one of the ocean's most iconic species. For the past two years, The Big Rock Foundation has generously sponsored tags for deployment during the Tournament, and we are deeply grateful that The Big Rock Foundation is doing so again in 2026. Their commitment doesn't stop there: the Foundation previously made a gift to the IGFA Billfish Research and Conservation Endowment, further supporting the long-term future of billfish science in perpetuity. Through their support of the IGFA Great Marlin Race and the Billfish Research and Conservation Endowment, The Big Rock Foundation lives out its commitment to conservation, innovation, and charitable giving, and IGFA is honored to be part of that vision.

Why this work matters:

Every tag deployed is a window into a world we are only beginning to understand. In five years of deploying tags during the tournament, a total of 15 tags have reported data back, generating 2,308 days’ worth of tracking information, 17,961 nautical miles of deployment to pop-off distance, and an incredible 40,064 nautical miles of total estimated distance. The map shows all of the tag results collected by tags sponsored during The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, including some that have been brought to other locations such as the Bahamas and the Eastern Atlantic. Every mile and every data point sharpens our understanding of blue marlin movement, habitat use, and the threats they face — knowledge that drives smarter conservation decisions for the species we all love to pursue.

Join us in 2026:

This year, three tags are sponsored through the Big Rock Foundation, and two additional tags are available through the IGFA for sponsorship at $4,500 each. Sponsoring a tag puts your name on the next chapter of blue marlin science and directly funds research that protects the future of the sport.

To claim a tag or learn more, contact Dr. Bruce Pohlot at [email protected]

[IGFA @TheIGFA]

Seventy-three years ago this month, IGFA Fishing Hall of Famer Lou Marron set the All-Tackle world record swordfish – the heaviest swordfish ever recorded in the history of the IGFA. Marron landed the historic 1,182-pound broadbill on May 7, 1953, while trolling a bonito off Iquique, Chile.

[IGFA @TheIGFA]

With more than 100 different species of snappers around the world, identifying your catch can be tricky. Here's a guide to help you differentiate between some commonly confused species.

[IGFA @TheIGFA]

The IGFA is proud to announce Dr. Martin "Marty" Arostegui and Roberta G. Arostegui as the first recipients of the IGFA Master Angler Award. Each earned this recognition independently, on the strength of a lifetime of individual achievement across the full breadth of IGFA angler recognition programs.

Marty achieved Gold Tier status across five categories: All-Tackle World Records, All-Tackle Length World Records, Line Class World Records, Tippet Class World Records, and Trophy Fish Clubs. Over his career, he has set 438 IGFA World Records and completed nine IGFA Trophy Fish Clubs.

Roberta achieved Gold Tier status across five categories: All-Tackle Length World Records, Line Class World Records, Tippet Class World Records, Trophy Fish Clubs, and Royal Slams. Over her career, she has set 297 IGFA World Records, completed nine IGFA Trophy Fish Clubs, and nine IGFA Royal Slams.

The IGFA Master Angler Award is the highest distinction within the IGFA Master Angler Program, reserved for anglers who reach Gold Tier status in five or more of the program's seven categories. Congratulations to the Arosteguis on this remarkable accomplishment!

Read the full announcement: https://t.co/5fCp1GxdAi

[IGFA @TheIGFA]

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 33 reel and 12-pound Berkley Fishing Trilene line when he caught the fish.

[IGFA @TheIGFA]

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. Forty-one years later, the catch still stands as both the IGFA All-Tackle and the IGFA Men’s 15-kg (30 lb) Line Class World Records.

There’s always more where that came from — follow the IGFA for the stories behind the stats.

[IGFA @TheIGFA]

Back in May of 2018, angler Lionel Ferguson was fishing Richeison Pond, Tennessee, when he landed this 2.47 kg (5 lb, 7 oz) black crappie to set the IGFA All-Tackle World Record for the species. Following genetic testing to confirm the species, this monster crappie officially replaced the previous record of 5 pounds, which was set back in 2006.

[IGFA @TheIGFA]

🚨🚨Attention recreational boaters: In 2022, NOAA proposed expanding the North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Speed Rule, requiring many small recreational boats along the East Coast to travel at 10 knots for up to seven months a year. The proposal failed to distinguish between large commercial vessels and smaller recreational boats, ignored modern technology, and threatened manufacturers, marinas, charter operators, anglers, and coastal communities.

After strong public opposition, NOAA withdrew the expansion in 2024 and is now reviewing the original 2008 rule for larger vessels through a public comment process. As courts evaluate the legality of the rule and NOAA’s authority, the agency is seeking input on updated science, new technology, and vessel-specific risk assessments.

Click the link below to support a modern, technology-driven approach that protects whales while preserving boating access, safe navigation, and coastal jobs.

https://t.co/JQyJkOB60c

[IGFA @TheIGFA]

The IGFA is proud to announce the South American Royal Slam — a new addition to its suite of internationally recognized Angler Recognition Programs.

Developed in collaboration with the IGFA South American Regional Council, the program challenges anglers to catch seven of South America's most iconic freshwater species in accordance with IGFA International Angling Rules: Dorado, Peacock Bass, Payara, Arawana, Redtail Catfish, Sorubim, and Trahira. Only fish caught within the continent of South America will count.

Qualifying achievements also count toward the Royal Slams category within the IGFA Master Angler Program, meaning you may already be building toward lifetime recognition.

Read the full announcement: https://t.co/F8l7tMjghI

[IGFA @TheIGFA]

Forage fish play a key role not only in the food web and marine ecosystems, but also in the American economy as well, and the future of these important species is in our hands. Read IGFA President Jason Schratwieser's piece, published today in "@InsideSourcesDC" to learn more.

Link to article: https://t.co/8ZIHeMeMBW

[IGFA @TheIGFA]

Salt marshes protect our coastlines, reduce flooding, and support wildlife, seafood, and local economies. A new set of state action plans for North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida lay out strategies to conserve and restore these critical habitats. This is a major step toward safeguarding 1 million acres of Southeast salt marshes for the future. As members of the Florida State Implementation Team and the SASMI Partnership Council, we look forward to our continued engagement in this important initiative. Visit the South Atlantic Salt Marsh Initiative website for more info!

https://t.co/aXLg4ftpON

[IGFA @TheIGFA]

𝑯𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒚 𝑩𝒊𝒓𝒕𝒉𝒅𝒂𝒚, 𝑺𝒕𝒖 𝑨𝒑𝒕𝒆

Before saltwater fly fishing had a proven blueprint, Stu Apte was writing one cast by cast, from the flats of the Florida Keys to the open waters of the Pacific.

Born in Miami, Florida in 1930, Apte came of age at a time when catching big game fish on a fly rod wasn't just uncommon, it was widely considered impossible. He disagreed. After landing his first tarpon at age 12, he began guiding anglers in the Florida Keys by the mid-1950s. Apte spent decades proving that light tackle and a fly rod were more than capable of handling the ocean's most powerful fish.

The results were extraordinary. Over the course of his career, Apte set more than 40 saltwater records, including two of the longest-standing saltwater fly rod records in IGFA history: a 58-pound dolphin taken in 1964 and a 136-pound Pacific sailfish in 1965, both on 12-pound tippet. He became synonymous with tarpon on the fly, developing the "down and dirty" fighting technique still referenced by serious anglers today.

Apte's true impact extended well beyond his own records. He freely shared his methods, his knots, his fly patterns, and his hard-won knowledge with anyone willing to learn. In doing so, he helped open saltwater fly fishing to a generation of anglers who followed in his wake.

In 2003, Stu Apte was inducted into the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame, joining a legacy that reflects the best of what this sport can be. Today, we celebrate 96 years of one of angling's true originals.

[IGFA @TheIGFA]

The IGFA Great Marlin Race event at the 2025 Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament saw three satellite tags deployed in June 2025 off the coast of North Carolina. These three tags, deployed aboard Full Cry (Fish 1-Blue), Sea Striker (Fish 2-White), and Weldor’s Ark (Fish 3-Green), produced some amazing results. The event winner was Fish 2 (white track), with the tag popping up 1,304nm from where it was deployed after 181 days on the fish. In second place was Fish 1 (blue track) at 1,183nm after 181 days, and in third was Fish 3 (green track) at 825nm after 145 days. We would like to thank the Big Rock Foundation for generously sponsoring these satellite tags for the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament and look forward to deploying three more tags for the 2026 event.