Since the inception of the International Game Fishing Association (IGFA) in 1939, they have managed to record some of the biggest fish to ever be caught on rod and line. We take a look at the IGFA top 8 game fishing world records. Some have been standing for decades. Will they be beaten?

Black Marlin

On August the 4th 1953, Alfred Glassel Jr. put in place a record so solid that it remains the world record to this day. This record was set whilst fishing out of Cabo Planko, Peru, trolling a cero mackerel behind the vessel ‘Petrel’. The vessel was skippered by Stirling Stuart. After a 1 hour 45 minute fight, Glassel secured his position in the history books with the 1,560lb (721 kg) black marlin measuring an astounding 14 feet 6 inches (4.41 metres).

Bluefin Tuna

Nova Scotia in Canada is renowned throughout the fishing world as a go-to hotspot for mega bluefin tuna. It comes as no surprise that the all-tackle world record was set here. On the 26th of November 1979, angler Ken Fraser cemented himself in the history books with a bluefin so large it has held off competition for the last 42 years. Fraser only took 45 minutes to reel in this 1,496lb (678.6 kg) monster. It ate a mackerel they were trolling behind the ‘Lady & Misty’, which is an amazing feat in itself.

Dogtooth Tuna

Fishing in Latham Island on the 20th of November 2015, Jon Patten hooked a solid 234lb (106.20kg) dogtooth tuna. This secured him in the top spot for IGFA’s all-tackle record for a doggie. Jon is a 5-time IGFA record holder over various species and styles. No doubt he will top another record in his lifetime!

Giant Trevally

The all-tackle IGFA record for giant trevally was quite a feat. On 22nd of May 2006 in Japan, Keiki Hamasaki landed this 160lb (72.8 kg) monster GT. It was hooked using a plug that he had been casting from shore. After a 35 minute battle, Keiki secured himself in the record books for the foreseeable future.

Swordfish

On the 7th of May 1953, Louis E. Marron was fishing in In Iquique, Chile, with his wife Genie, when he secured his name in the IGFA history books. They were aboard the vessel ‘Flying Heart’ skippered by Eddie Wall. When trolling a bonito, the bait was struck by a massive swordfish and after a 2 hour fight, Marron was able to boat the 1,182lb (536 kg) swordfish. The overall length with the short bill is 185 inches (4.7m). 68 years later, this fishing world record has not been broken and I’m starting to believe it never will!

Pacific Blue Marlin

Hawaii is well known for its amazing blue marlin fishery. There is no surprise that the pacific blue marlin all-tackle record was set here back in the day. On the 31st of May 1982, Jay De Beaubien was trolling a skirted lure when they managed to hook the 1,376lb (624 kg) monster. It took Beaubien a surprisingly quick 40 minute fight to land the fish and has held this top spot in the record books for the last 40 years.

Yellowfin Tuna

On the 18th of September 2012, fishing 180m south of Cabo, Guy Yocom claimed the all-tackle world record for yellowfin tuna. Not only that, but he was also paid 1 million dollars by mustard hooks who were running the ‘Hook a Million’ promotion. This promotes anglers to get out on the water to try to break world records using mustad hooks. The 427lb (193.68 kg) yellowfin ate one of the baits that were in the chum line and after a 50 minute fight, Yocom had landed a record and a major payday.
Guy Yocom has landed not one, but 2 IGFA records in his time. Will he manage 3 fishing world records?

Wahoo

Trolling skirted lures off the coast of Cabo on the 29th of July 2005, 15 year old Sara Hayward hooked up to a 184lb (83.46 kg) Wahoo. Sara fought the fish for 35 minutes. It was all worth it as she cemented herself into the IGFA record books. This world record is going to be extremely hard to beat!

So there you have it. Eight of the biggest fish ever landed on rod and reel. Will they be broken….well lets wait and see. Once things for sure our readers will be the first to know if they do.

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