Kenya

At the end of January Billy Furnish fished with Peter Ready on Sea Horse based out of Watamu, Kenya.  That area though was suffering from the effects of an earlier severe tropical storm off Madagascar – blue water having been pushed way off shore.   They therefore decided to strike south towards Shimoni and whilst transiting, night time trolling off of Mombassa, Billy had a small 55lb (25kg) Swordfish – his 4^th to date.  Whilst in Shimoni they released a 130lb (60kg) Striped Marlin before returning to Watamu.

Rather than billfish though here they focused on the Giant Trevally and Billy best went 86lbs (39 kg) - a new Club record on 50.

Namibia

This is a note from Bob Carlson regarding a recent trip his wife Vera and he took to the Skeleton coast at the end of January, shore fishing for Sharks.

Just to let you know that the Namibian trip was a great success with Vee getting the best Bronze Whaler Shark at 352 lbs from the beach!  It took her 1 1/2 hours to beach and it was dark by then.  So although we have photos they heven't come out too well.  Because of its weight we couldn`t drag it far up the beach - so the pictures tend to be dark backs on dark sand.  But the size is left in no doubt! The guide thought that it was the largest Shark ever taken by a lady angler from the beach in that country. My best went 287lbs.

Bob Carlson's 287lb Bronze Whaler Shark above, and Vee's 352 pounder below.  To view a full sized image click on the respective thumbnail picture.  You need to be aware that, dependent on the speed of your Internet connection, this may take upto 10 seconds to download.  Remember to then close that window, using the 'X' in the top righthand corner, to return to our site.

Ascension Island – January Update

There was only one report of a big fish from Ascension this month since the boats started fishing around the middle of the month.  It was called 950lb plus, and came to a visiting American sportfisherman – the Valkrie.  The rest of the Marlin reported were in the 5 – 600lb range, with a smattering of smaller males around the 250 – 350lb mark.

Yellowfin Tuna are present in numbers.  And it appears they’ve now re-positioned the moorings in the original positions on the drop-off.  But what’s happened to the Six-Gills?  Matthias reported that it took them all of 5 minutes from the bait touching the bottom to get a bite!  The ‘record’ last year was 38 seconds!

Interestingly, whilst dropping a big bait to avoid the Black Jacks, in 120’ of water – presumably for Grouper – Matthias came up with a 70lb Amberjack.

IGFA – International Angler – January/February edition

Effective from 1^st March the IGFA will expand its list of eligible species for line classes and tippet records for six new species.  The one of most significance to European-based anglers will be the Wels Catfish.  Others species are, from freshwater, the Australian Bass and Papuan Black Snapper and, from Saltwater, the Yellowtail Snapper, Red Grouper and Guinean Barracuda.

The Yellowtail Snapper and Red Grouper are widespread on the ‘States south-western Atlantic seaboard and through the Gulf of Mexico.  Whereas the Guinean Barracuda, which reported grows to over 100lbs in weight, is encountered from Mauritania to Namibia.  I wonder if they’re ever encountered in Ascension?  Time will tell.

I really hadn’t appreciated that Leerfish (Garrick) were encountered in the Mediterranean until Phil Cobham’s capture of a 37 pounder from the Ebro Estuary (Spain) in June 2002.  However the World 8lb line class record has just been broken by an Italian angler with a fish of 40lb 10z fishing out from Pisa, on Italy’s north-west coast.

Finally I’m sure a number of you, like me, would have availed yourself of the Shrimpers’ by-catch of immature fish and crustacea – a cooler full in exchange for a six pack and some cigarettes – out in the Gulf from places like Key West.  Great chum, especially for the Blackfin Tuna and Little Tunny.  But I’m sure you would not have realised just how destructive a method it was.  A statistic from the IGFA’s ‘Did You Know?’ section though really put it into perspective.  The global Shrimp by-catch is estimated at in excess 33% of the total commercial fishing by-catch, with that shrimp by-catch estimated at 9.5 million tons annually.  Such is the profit from ‘Pink Gold’.

Fishing for Records - Superbraids

Whilst superbraids are permissible for World and European record claim purposes the lines obviously have to test within the recognised line classes.  Geoff Flores, who conducts line tests for potential European records, is particularly concerned that several brands he has tested recently break well over their stated breaking strains.  Literally not just the odd couple of pounds, which anyway would still invalidate the claim, but grossly by factors of two or, in one instance, approaching three!  The ‘worse’ result he got was a line nominally rated at 14lbs that tested at 39lbs.

So it’s very much a case of ‘buyers beware’.  Should you require information on the historic tests Geoff has conducted on specific lines could you please contact him through lines@scbi.org.uk. 

Freshwater Fish

Two members – Mark Lloyd and Steven Hill – started the New Year off with a ‘bang’, respectively reporting the captures of a 16lb Barbel and 22lb 8oz Pike.  Mark’s fish was taken on 10lb test from the River Soar in Leicestershire in early January.  And Steven’s fish, on 16lb test, from the canalised stretch of the River Lea at Edmonton, North London – not necessarily a venue you’d associate with large pike!

IGFA Reject Claim for Largemouth Bass Record

The Largemouth Bass is probably the single most angled for freshwater species by ‘Stateside anglers.  There’s a ‘big money’ tournament circuit and, not surprisingly, the sport’s developed its own growing band of professional anglers.  As well look just how much of BassPro’s  - www.basspro.com - online catalogue is devoted to specialised tackle for their pursuit.

That really just puts what follows into context.

A Californian lady recently submitted a claim for the World All-Tackle record for the species, through the IGFA.  This immediately launched a stream of concerned comment in the IGFA’s forum – all expressing doubt over the size of the fish and, generally, the veracity of the claim.  There’s a lot of valid comment and, in some cases, some real ‘Inspector Clouseau’ investigative work!

Any rate, after due deliberation, the IGFA have rejected the claim.  The text of their Press Release follows:

The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) has been the keeper of records for the world’s game fish since 1939. The non-profit association, based in Dania Beach, Florida, takes this responsibility very seriously. When it received a record application for a 22-1/2 lb largemouth bass, the IGFA Record Confirmation Committee examined every aspect of the catch in detail.

Mrs. Leaha Trew was fishing in Spring Lake in California with her son last August 24^th when she caught the huge bass. It stood to beat the existing all-tackle record largemouth of 22-1/4 lb caught by George Perry in Georgia 71 years ago. Perry’s bass record may be the single most recognized record in freshwater gamefishing.

Unfortunately, Mrs. Trew’s catch was not documented to IGFA’s satisfaction, and therefore could not be accepted as a record. Rob Kramer, president of IGFA said, "We don’t enjoy having to reject world record claims, but in this case there were too many unverifiable factors, so we had no other choice."

IGFA requires considerable and accurate documentation for all record submissions, which is just one example of the extreme care with which IGFA maintains world records.