2024 IGFA World Record Recap

A look back at some of the most incredible world records approved in 2024

Record keeping has been at the heart of the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) since its founding in 1939. For over eight decades, IGFA World Records have celebrated the pinnacle of achievement in sport fishing, validating some of the most extraordinary feats in the angling world. These records not only honor the skill and perseverance of anglers but also serve as a historical ledger of the sport’s evolution and its most remarkable accomplishments.

The year 2024 was a banner year for record fishing, reflecting the global passion for angling. An impressive 471 IGFA World Records were approved, with anglers hailing from 35 countries showcasing their talent and dedication. Last year was the first full year of the All-Tackle Length Junior category, which garnered significant interest and led to an incredible 77 records being approved—a testament to the enthusiasm of the next generation of anglers.

From vast oceans to serene flats, and from tranquil lakes to rushing rivers and streams, anglers pushed the limits of what’s possible. The records submitted in 2024 spanned all available categories, demonstrating the diverse and dynamic nature of sport fishing.

Join us as we dive into some of the standout achievements from this extraordinary year, celebrating the anglers and their unforgettable catches that etched their names into IGFA’s storied history.

 

 

2024 World Record Highlights

Barreto’s Payara

At just six years old, Nathan “Bibil” Barreto is already making waves in the angling world! While fishing Brazil's iconic Juruena River on July 8, 2024, Nathan landed a jaw-dropping 11.79-kg (26-lb) payara. With this catch, he smashed the IGFA Men’s Smallfry World Record for the species. The young angler was fishing with cut bait when the record-setting payara bit. After verifying the weight on his certified scale, Nathan ensured the safe release of this magnificent fish, proving that conservation is a skill no angler is too young to learn.

 
 
 

Spring’s Atlantic Halibut

On July 22, 2024, IGFA Ambassador Alexandra Spring turned heads in the angling community with her impressive 15.37-kg (33-lb, 14-oz) Atlantic halibut, caught off Orleans, Massachusetts, USA. This catch earned Alex the IGFA Women’s 15-kg (30-lb) Line Class World Record for the species. The halibut hammered a jig and was brought in after a brief but exciting fight. Back at the docks, Alex recorded the fish’s official weight on her certified scale before celebrating a well-earned spot in the record books.

 
 
 

Pickworth’s Narrowbarred Mackerel

On March 6, 2024, Emma Pickworth, fishing out of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, landed an impressive 33-kilogram (72-pound, 12-ounce) narrowbarred mackerel. This catch has earned Emma the IGFA Women’s 15-kg (30 lb) Line Class World Record for the species. The massive mackerel struck while Emma was trolling, and after a 45-minute battle, she successfully brought it boatside. Back at port, Emma weighed the record-setting fish on a certified scale.

 
 
 

Kinai’s Snakehead 

Moriyuki Kinai was fishing Khao Chuk Lake in Thailand on February 28, 2024, when he landed this impressive 97-centimeter snakehead. With this fish, Moriyuki has set the IGFA All-Tackle Length World Record for the species. Moriyuki used a crankbait to entice this massive snakehead. After an 8-minute fight, Moriyuki safely landed the fish, recorded the length on his official IGFA Measuring Device, and was able to release the fish safely. 

 
 

Cronacher's Swordfish

 

On March 9, 2024, IGFA Chairman Roy Cronacher set the IGFA Men’s 10-kg (20-lb) Tippet Class World Record for swordfish by landing a 26.90-kilogram (59-pound, 5-ounce) swordfish on fly. Roy was fishing off South Florida aboard his boat, Gladiator, captained by IGFA Captain Tim Richardson, when the record swordfish took his fly. The fish was teased up to the back of the boat at night, and Cronacher battled it through the darkness. The crew of the Gladiator successfully boated the swordfish and returned to the docks, where its weight was officially recorded on their certified scale.

 
 
 

Morrow’s Permit

John Morrow was fly fishing with guide Tommy Robinson out of Key West, Florida, USA, on February 23, 2024, when he caught-and-released this impressive 90-centimeter permit to set the new IGFA All-Tackle Length Fly World Record for the species. The record permit fell for a crab fly and was boated after a tough fight. The duo then recorded the length on their official IGFA Measuring Device before releasing the fish safely.

 
 
 

Pin’s Giant Borneo Gourami

On October 22, 2023, NG Yam Pin was fishing in Putussibau, Indonesia, when he landed this beautiful 10.21-kilogram (22-pound, 8-ounce) giant Borneo gourami to set the new IGFA All-Tackle World Record for the species. Pin was working a crankbait when this colorful gourami struck, and after a quick fight, he was able to land, document, weigh-and-release the fish safely.

 
 
 
 

Sherbovich’s Snubnose Pompano

On December 17, 2023, Ilya Sherbovich was fishing Poivre Island in the Seychelles when he landed this beautiful 61-centimeter snubnose pompano to set the new IGFA All-Tackle Length Fly World Record for the species. Ilya’s record pompano fell for an Alphlexo crab and was landed after a 15-minute fight. After recording the measurements on his Official IGFA Measuring Device, he released the fish safely.

 

 
 
 

Miles' Brown Trout

On November 11, 2023, Kate Miles was fishing Sandy Creek, New York, USA, when she landed this beautiful 4.05-kilogram (8-pound, 15-ounce) brown trout, setting the new IGFA Women’s 2-kg (4-lb) Tippet Class World Record for the species. Kate landed the record fish on an egg-pattern fly after a short fight and released the fish safely after recording the weight on her certified scale. 

 

 
 
 

Salles' Speckled Peacock

On September 9, 2023, Pamela Wendhausen Salles was fly fishing the Rio Marie in Brazil when she caught and released this incredible 8.73-kilogram (19-pound, 4-ounce) speckled peacock after it crushed her baitfish pattern fly. With this impressive catch, Pamela set the new IGFA Women’s 10-kg (20-lb) Tippet Class World Record for the species, which she released safely into the waters of the Rio Marie after properly documenting the record claim. 

 

 
 
 

Kneer’s Sockeye Salmon

On August 4, 2024, William Kneer IV found himself in the heart of Alaska’s wild Kisaralik River when a fierce sockeye salmon smashed his KVD swimming jig. The fight was brief but electrifying, and when the fish came to hand, it measured an impressive 70 centimeters—enough to tie the IGFA All-Tackle Length World Record. With a quick measure on his IGFA Measuring Device and a safe release, William made sure this salmon lived to swim another day while etching his name in the record books.

 

 
 

Sherbovich’s Atlantic Salmon

 

On June 16, 2024, Sofia Sherbovich set a new IGFA All-Tackle Length Junior World Record for Atlantic salmon while fishing the Ponoi River in Russia. She landed a 78-centimeter salmon that struck a fly and was brought to the boat after an 8-minute fight. Sofia recorded the fish's length using her official IGFA Measuring Device before safely releasing it back into the river.

Wrapping up the Year

While all these anglers may not have originally set out to land an IGFA World Record fish, the opportunity presented itself and their understanding of the IGFA World Record requirements led to them securing an incredible accomplishment. As anglers, we never know what the next cast will bring and that is what drives our passion for the sport. By learning and better understanding the IGFA World Record requirements you can help prepare for when that next cast leads to a fish of a lifetime. We are always available to assist with any questions to help you better understand the IGFA International Angling rules and IGFA World Record requirements.

We look forward to another amazing year of fishing in 2025, filled with incredible catches and memories that will last a lifetime.