IGFA

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

[IGFA @TheIGFA]

37 years ago, Alfred L. Whitehurst caught the landlocked striped bass of a lifetime to set the IGFA Men’s 8-kg (16 lb) Tippet Class World Record. With an official weight of 24.72-kilograms (54-pounds, 8-ounces), this beat his previous best striper by over double the weight and secured a record that still stands to this day.

[IGFA @TheIGFA]

On September 8, 2023, Jorge Polo Navarro of JYG Pro Fishing was fishing off West End in the Bahamas when he landed this 4.35-kilogram (9-pound, 9-ounce) channel scabbardfish. With this fish Jorge has set the IGFA All-Tackle World Record for the species. Jorge was jigging in deep water when this record scabbardfish struck. After boating the fish, he returned to the marina for an official weight on his certified scale. Jorge's fish topped the previous record by a pound!

[IGFA @TheIGFA]

Brent Van Niekerk was fishing the Rio Marie in Brazil on September 7, 2023, when he landed this massive 94-centimeter speckled peacock to set the new IGFA All-Tackle Length World Record for the species. Brent landed the fish after a quick fight and released the fish safely after properly recording the length on his official IGFA Measuring Device. Brent’s fish tops the previous record by just two centimeters and retires a seven-way tie that has stood for nearly three years!

[IGFA @TheIGFA]

Happy birthday to IGFA founder, Michael Lerner!

Michael Lerner's towering contributions to sportfishing rank among the greatest of the early pioneers of big-game angling. In the 1930's and early '40s, Lerner and his wife, IGFA co-founder Helen, fished for blue marlin at Bimini, striped marlin and swordfish off Chile, black marlin in Australia and New Zealand, swordfish off Peru, and tuna off Nova Scotia.

Lerner's distinction among all other greats of angling can be summed up in one word: science. Lerner developed a relationship with the scientists of the American Museum of Natural History, and over the next six years, the Lerners organized, financed, and led expeditions to Cape Breton, Bimini, Australia, New Zealand, Peru, Chile and Ecuador. The expedition parties included museum scientists and provided unprecedented opportunities to study fresh, whole specimens of large game fish. The knowledge gained through these pioneering trips broke new ground in the scientific understanding of saltwater game fish and became an invaluable resource to scholars, anglers, and conservationists around the world.

He was decorated with the highest honors by the governments of Nova Scotia, France, Chile, and the United States. He received an honor, the first Gold Medal Angler's Award, from the International Oceanographic Foundation for being the "sport fisherman who has accomplished the most for marine science.”

From the IGFA’s founding in 1939 to his death in 1978, Michael Lerner was the heart and soul of the IGFA. Without Michael Lerner’s energy, vision, financial capacity, and angling reputation, the IGFA would never have been formed.

Hundreds of photos, videos, and written accounts of Lerner's travels and the early days of the IGFA are now being digitally preserved for the first time as part of the E.K. Harry Digital Archive, a multi-year effort to safeguard the world’s most comprehensive collection of sportfishing history. His letters and millions of assets like them will soon be searchable for the first time.

Click the link to learn more or support the project: https://t.co/lGwwgZtVpD

[IGFA @TheIGFA]

A day that started as fishing a quiet canal in West Palm Beach, Florida, turned into a record-setting adventure for IGFA Ambassador Emily Hanzlik in September of 2024. Using bread as bait, Emily hooked into a massive 15.22-kilogram (33-pound, 9-ounce) grass carp. She landed the fish on her 3-kg (6 lb.) line, securing the IGFA Women’s 3-kg Line Class World Record. After recording the weight on her certified scale, Emily released the fish safely.

[IGFA @TheIGFA]

The Bahamas Kids’ Fishing Camp traveled to Grand Cay this year! The IGFA recently returned from an adventurous week in Grand Cay, teaching local youth through a 4-day fishing camp. Alongside Friends of the Environment & @bonetarpontrust, campers advanced their fishing skills and learned the importance of conservation and stewardship throughout the week. They finished the experience out on a boat with Seafari Charters, with special thanks to Captain Ron for some great fishing!

Thank you to Lyndeisha, Brad, and Lorenz from FRIENDS and Nina from BTT for helping to make this an enjoyable camp for all, especially for these kids. And thank you to our partners at Fishbites, Zebco, and @CostaSunglasses for equipping the kids throughout the week and beyond! We are sure they’ll remain interested and engaged in fishing well beyond those four days. They were already asking when we would be back!

[IGFA @TheIGFA]

A truly unforgettable night!

Last Saturday, anglers from around the world gathered in Springfield, Missouri, to celebrate the 2026 IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Held inside the prestigious IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame at Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium, we honored five extraordinary inductees whose impact on the sport of fishing will be remembered for generations.

This year’s class included IGFA Chairman Roy Cronacher, Bonefish and Tarpon Trust founder Tom Davidson, legendary guide and angling luminary Captain Ralph Delph, President and CEO of Viking Yachts Pat Healey, and the trailblazing Captain Jose Wejebe. Together, they represent the very best of innovation, conservation, and achievement in sportfishing. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us, both in person and virtually, to honor these icons and their incredible contributions to the world of angling.

🥂 Congratulations to the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame Class of 2026!

[IGFA @TheIGFA]

Did you know the IGFA's online Game Fish Database is home to more than 200 species ID guides and profiles? Learn about features, range, similar species, and records for game fish from around the world.

This week we're spotlighting the tripletail (Lobotes surinamensis), also known as the also called buoy fish, buoy bass, blackfish, chobie, triplefin, flasher, lumpfish, snagdrifter, croupia roche, matsudai, dormilona, black perch, jumping cod , tripletail live in tropical and subtropical seas worldwide.

They are deep bodied perch like fish with rounded dorsal and anal fins extending almost to the tail. At first glance they appear to have three tails, hence the most commonly used name, tripletail. Their color varies widely, from shades of yellow brown, to dark brown or black with ill defined spots and mottling.
They are most often found floating on or near the surface, hanging very near buoys (hence buoy fish or buoy bass), pier pilings or floating debris, or drifting along with currents imitating other buoyant objects. They can also be found lurking around bottom structure such as wrecks.

They may look like a lazy, slow fish floating at the surface, but they can move quickly when they strike, and can exhibit surprisingly powerful lunges and occasional jumps when hooked.

The current IGFA All Tackle Record for tripletail stands at 42 lbs 5oz ( 19.2 kg).

Explore this species and 200+ more at https://t.co/ipJReVDqq5.

[IGFA @TheIGFA]

As we close our countdown to the 27th Annual IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame Induction taking place tonight, August 29th, we're proud to feature Captain Jose Wejebe (1958-2012), one of the most influential ambassadors sportfishing has known.

As host and producer of Spanish Fly for 17 seasons, Jose introduced millions of viewers to fishing through storytelling that emphasized conservation, adventure and respect for nature, teaching through experience rather than spectacle. Early in his career he was a successful tournament angler, winning multiple tarpon and bonefish events before expanding his reach through television, including ESPN's Outdoor Saltwater Series. As a guide, he was responsible for several IGFA World Records, including the Men's 2-kg (4-lb) Line Class World Record for a 44-pound, 12-ounce permit. Beyond media, Jose was deeply committed to charitable causes including Make-A-Wish, RedBone Catch a Cure and youth mentorship. Though his life was cut short in 2012, his influence continues through ongoing broadcasts of Spanish Fly and the Jose Wejebe Memorial Foundation.

Join us live at 7:00 pm CT tonight as we honor Jose and this year's full Hall of Fame class: https://t.co/Tt28e5uViL

[IGFA @TheIGFA]

Continuing our countdown to the 27th Annual IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame Induction this Saturday, August 29th, we're proud to feature Patrick Healey, President and CEO of Viking Yacht Company.

Under Patrick's leadership, Viking celebrated its 60th anniversary as a family-owned company while maintaining a steady commitment to conservation-minded angling and access to the water. A longtime advocate for the marine industry, Patrick played a key role in repealing the 1991 Luxury Tax and has been closely involved in policy work including the Magnuson-Stevens Act reauthorization and science-based opposition to unnecessary species listings. He was an early proponent of circle hooks and continues to support research and conservation initiatives. An accomplished angler himself, Patrick is a three-time International Masters Angling Tournament champion and has received the John Rybovich Award, Marlin Magazine's Person of the Year award and the IGFA Gilbert Keech Heavy-Tackle Award.

Learn more about this year's inductees here: https://t.co/Tt28e5uViL

[IGFA @TheIGFA]

Continuing our countdown to the 27th Annual IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame Induction this Saturday, August 29th, we're proud to feature Captain Ralph Delph (1941-2016), one of the most accomplished light tackle guides in the sport's history.

Over decades guiding anglers on the flats and offshore, Ralph was directly responsible for nearly 300 IGFA World Records landed by his clients before his passing in 2016. A master fly fisherman, he perfected techniques for positioning fish within casting range and refining presentations with flies and artificial lures, delivering consistent results across countless species and environments. Ralph balanced his guiding career with a demanding parallel career as a structural engineer overseeing major infrastructure projects, though fishing remained his true calling. He never sought recognition for his work, focusing instead on excellence and on elevating the anglers he guided. His legacy endures through the standard of preparation and skill he brought to the sport.

Learn more about this year's inductees here: https://t.co/Tt28e5uViL

[IGFA @TheIGFA]

Continuing our countdown to the 27th Annual IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame Induction this Saturday, August 29th, we're proud to feature Tom Davidson, founder of Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT).

Tom built BTT into the leading conservation research organization for bonefish, tarpon and permit, guided by the principle of stewardship through science. Under his leadership, BTT has produced the majority of the scientific knowledge on these species, directly shaping management decisions across Florida, The Bahamas and Belize. BTT's research contributed to the creation of six national parks in The Bahamas, wider adoption of catch-and-release regulations and improved fish-handling practices, including research showing that bonefish exposed to air for as little as 60 seconds often perish. Recent milestones include protecting a bonefish pre-spawning site discovered by BTT scientists in 2023 in Florida's Biscayne National Park and leading the largest mangrove restoration project in Bahamian history. Today, BTT operates offices throughout the Caribbean and the Americas and hosts an internationally recognized scientific symposium. Tom's legacy lies in his ability to bring anglers, scientists and policymakers together toward shared conservation goals for the world's flats waters.

Learn more about this year's inductees here: https://t.co/Tt28e5uViL

[IGFA @TheIGFA]

It’s been nearly 50 years since Cecil Browne caught this 170.3 kg (375 lb 8 oz) bigeye tuna while fishing off Ocean City, Maryland, USA on August 26, 1977. Browne caught the men’s 24 kg (50 lb) line-class world record tuna on a trolled mullet, while fishing aboard the Wild Thyme, captained by Eugene Bell.

[IGFA @TheIGFA]

Leading up to the 27th Annual IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame Induction this Saturday, August 29th, we're highlighting the accomplishments of this year's inductees. To kick things off, we're proud to feature Roy Cronacher, the IGFA's 8th Chairman and a longtime advocate for conservation-minded angling.

Roy Cronacher's service to the IGFA spans more than two decades of leadership and organizational stewardship. He began as an IGFA Representative for Southwest Florida in 2003, where he championed circle hooks, release-format tournaments and responsible angling practices. Elected to the Board of Trustees in 2010, Roy served as Treasurer, Vice Chairman and ultimately as the IGFA's 8th Chairman. As Chairman, he oversaw the 2023 sale of the IGFA headquarters, adding $15.5 million to the endowment while securing long-term prepaid occupancy. Together with his wife, Jackie, Roy has led major fundraising initiatives for IGFA's Conservation and Education programs and personally helped generate nearly $500,000 in pledges for the IGFA Billfish Research and Conservation Endowment. An accomplished angler, Roy has achieved eight IGFA Billfish Royal Slams, seven on fly tackle, and holds eight IGFA World Records across five species, including the men's 20-lb tippet swordfish record. He withdrew from kill-format billfish tournaments after witnessing wasteful practices and has worked directly with Bahamian government leaders to promote catch-and-release fishing.

Learn more about this year's inductees here: https://t.co/Tt28e5uViL

[IGFA @TheIGFA]

Enjoy National Park week in celebration of the 110th birthday!

Happy Birthday to our National Parks! We are proud of all the work we have done and will continue to do with the park service team. Also a big thank you to our friends at the National Park Foundation for their continued support. Through their grants we were able to work with the Fish and Feathers Intern training workshop again in Rocky Mountain National Park. The impact from this training can be seen in parks all across the country especially as the IGFA has further supported interns with a Passports to Fishing kit.

One of this year’s Fish and Feathers interns speaks about the impact it has had in her park experience.

“During the program, I taught young anglers about trout stewardship and what it means to fish responsibly. One of the most important lessons we discussed was that being a good angler is about much more than catching the biggest fish. It means respecting wildlife, handling fish carefully, practicing ethical catch-and-release techniques, and helping protect aquatic ecosystems so future generations can enjoy them as well. Experiences like this made me realize how much I enjoy connecting people with my favorite hobby and being able to educate them on it.”

[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 Alexis D'Azevedo. Alexis grew up in Homestead, Florida, where she developed an early love for the outdoors while fishing the waters surrounding the Florida Keys. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in multimedia studies with a minor in Photography from Florida Atlantic University. During her time at FAU, Alexis expanded her creative focus into sports photography as a field photographer for the athletics department.

1.📁 Title: Online Education Specialist
2.⏱ Time with IGFA: 10 months
3.🐟 Favorite Fish: Tarpon
4.🏆 Most memorable catch: Catching her first fish on fly, a brook trout
5.✅ Hobbies: Being outdoors, rock climbing, fishing, photography

[IGFA @TheIGFA]

This shirt has a story behind it. This year's "Every Tag Tells a Story" AFTCO tee is tied to real satellite tagging data collected by anglers just like you.

A blue marlin tagged off Ocean City logged 7,819 nautical miles toward Brazil. Striped marlin tracked across the South Pacific helped launch a genetic study into how these fish should be protected. That's the kind of science your gift supports.

Give $100 or more to the IGFA Great Marlin Race and we'll send you this year's limited-edition shirt, featuring original artwork by Dennis Friel. Gifts of $1,000 or more will also receive their choice of Costa Sunglasses. Right now, IGFA Trustees Bob and Sally Kurz are matching every gift up to $20,000, so your donation goes twice as far.

Get your shirt and back the science: https://t.co/9NPEl23sAT

[IGFA @TheIGFA]

Nearly 40 years ago, angler Steve Hand was fishing in Zululand, South Africa, when this monster tripletail slammed his mullet. After a spirited fight, the fish was brought to hand. It weighed 19.20 kg (42 lb 5 oz) and measured 96.00 cm (37.80 in) with a 82.00 cm (32.28 in) girth. With this fish, Hand set the all-tackle record for the species, a record that still stands today.

[IGFA @TheIGFA]

Are mermaids real? A few centuries ago, the belief in mermaids was widespread enough that they earned a formal entry in natural history books, right alongside fish.

Tucked among the plates in a 17th-century encyclopedia now headed into the E.K. Harry Digital Archive is a description of mermaids, or "Anthropomorphos": cartilage ears folded like a human's, a full row of white teeth, and a fish's tail below the waist, written up with the same clinical seriousness as every other species on the page.

That's the kind of history the EK Harry Digital Archive project is preserving. Not just record catch photos and expedition scrapbooks, but centuries of how people understood the water around them.

Learn more and support the E.K. Harry Digital Archive: https://t.co/N52hvw3l6j

[IGFA @TheIGFA]

Western Atlantic Mackerel species are fast-moving and fast-growing and can be lots of fun to catch, but can sometimes be difficult to tell apart. Check out this Mackerel ID chart for pointers on how to tell which one(s) you’ve caught 🎣.