2022 IGFA World Record Recap
A look back at some of the most incredible world records approved in 2022
Record keeping has been at the foundation of the IGFA since its inception in 1939. IGFA World Records are a vital component of sport fishing and validate some of the most outstanding accomplishments achieved in the world of angling.
2022 was one of the most impressive "record years" in recent history with 541 World Records approved for over 212 individual anglers, from an incredible 43 different countries.
Join us as we look back on some amazing records from 2022, breakdown the stats, and highlight some of the most memorable catches that were approved as new IGFA World Records.
2022 World Record Highlights
Art Weston's Golden Dorado
Art Weston set several impressive records this year, including this beautiful 21.09-kilogram (46-pound, 8-ounce) dorado that he caught while fishing La Zona, Argentina, on January 3, 2022. Art was casting a topwater plug in the Uruguay River when this massive dorado struck. After a 10-minute fight he landed the dorado to set the IGFA Men’s 24-kg (50-lb) Line Class World Record for the species. After recording the proper documentation, Art released the dorado safely back into the river. Congratulations, Art on a beautiful fish and an amazing record.
Marcio Cerri e Silva's Speckled Peacock Bass
On January 30, 2022, Marcio Cerri e Silva landed this beautiful 91-centimeter speckled peacock to tie the IGFA All-Tackle Length World Record for the species. He was fishing the Mataven River in Colombia when this colorful peacock struck his jig. After a short battle Marcio landed the record peacock, quickly measured and documented it, and released it alive back into the river. Congratulations, Marcio on a beautiful fish!
Kupu-John Amoamo's Snapper (Squirefish)
New Zealand angler, Kupu-John Amoamo, age 11, set the IGFA Men’s Junior World Record for snapper (squirefish) with this 15.60-kilogram (34-pound, 6-ouce) fish that he caught on October 23, 2021, while fishing off Te Kaha, New Zealand. The young angler was fishing aboard the Darkhorse captained by Ngawai Amoamo when this record snapper struck his cut bait. This impressive squirefish bested the previous record by more than five pounds.
George Beckwith's Pacific Snook
On July 3, 2022, Captain George Hughes Beckwith, Jr., was fishing off Quepos, Costa Rica, when he landed this massive Pacific snook. George was fishing with Captain Roy Zapata Calderon when this 19.73-kilogram (43-pound, 8-ounce) Pacific snook ate his live sardine. After a 20-minute fight he landed the record snook, setting the new IGFA Men's 3-kg (6-lb) Line Class World Record for the species. Congratulations, George on an remarkable fish and an incredible record!
Lisa Kitagawa's California Yellowtail
On July 19, 2022, Lisa Kitagawa landed this 16.58-kilogram (36-pound, 10-ounce) California yellowtail on a live sardine, setting the IGFA Women’s 6-kg (12-lb) Line Class World Record for the species. Kitagawa was fishing with Captain Daron Muratyan aboard the Peruz and needed 25 minutes to land the record fish. Lisa’s yellowtail topped the previous record, which had stood for nearly 34 years, by over seven pounds!
Eduardo Monteiro's Trahira
On July 5, 2022, Eduardo Monteiro landed this impressive 97-centimeter trahira to tie the existing IGFA All-Tackle Length World Record for the species. Monteiro was fishing the Rio Curua in Brazil when this fish exploded on his topwater “maddog” lure. After a short battle he landed the record fish, recorded the length on his official IGFA Measuring Device, and released the fish safely back into the river.
Kathryn Vallilee's Permit
Kathryn Vallilee, who currently holds both the IGFA Women’s 2-kg (4-lb) and 3-kg (6-lb) Tippet Class World Records for permit, also broke the IGFA Women’s 4-kg (8-lb) Tippet Class World Record last year with this impressive 12.02-kilogram (26-pound, 8-ounce) fish that she landed on August 31, 2022. Kathryn was fishing the flats off Key West, Florida, USA, with IGFA Captain Brandon Cyr when this permit fell for a shrimp-pattern fly. After a 20-minute fight, Kathryn landed the fish and quickly documented the catch before releasing it alive. Something tells us that Kathryn isn’t done yet with permit records!
Dr. Jan Forszpaniak's Inconnu
IGFA Representative Dr. Jan Forszpaniak was fly fishing the Hunt River in northern Alaska, USA, on August 10, 2022, when he caught-and-released several impressive inconnu. While on the trip, the largest inconnu Jan caught measured a whopping 90 centimeters on his official IGFA Measuring Device. The catch earned him the IGFA All-Tackle Length Fly World Record for the species. Congratulations, Jan on a fabulous trip and an incredible record!
Meredith McCord's Musky
This past August, Meredith McCord fished Lake of the Woods in Ontario, Canada, where she earned several IGFA World Records including the IGFA Women’s 8-kg (16-lb) Line Class World Record for muskellunge. McCord set the record on August 17, 2022, by fooling this beautiful 7.97-kilogram (17-pound, 9-ounce) musky to strike her Mepps lure. She quickly landed the fish, weighed it on her IGFA-certified Boga Grip and safely released it to fight another day.
Dennis Triana's Pacific Bonefish
On September 5, 2022, Dennis Triana landed this beautiful 62-centimeter Pacific bonefish to set the IGFA All-Tackle Length World Record for the species. Dennis was fishing with Captain Chris Wright on the flats of Honolulu, Hawaii, US, when the record bonefish ate his live crab. After an intense five-minute battle, Dennis landed the record bonefish, and quickly released it after properly documenting the catch. Congratulations, Dennis on another great record you’ve added to your amazing collection!
Wrapping up the Year
The beauty of fishing is that every angler has the opportunity, whether planned or not, to score an IGFA World Record fish. Just about any body of water, whether it be a lake, river or ocean, has the potential to yield an IGFA World Record. That said, prior planning in understanding the IGFA’s International Angling Rules and World Record Requirements, will help up your chances of getting your name in the record book.
We look forward to 2023 being filled with more incredible catches, shattered records, and new species. After all, records were made to be broken!
