Newly Approved IGFA World Records
To see all newly approved IGFA World Records since April, 2023, please click here.
Oleg Bartenev's Atlantic Cod
Oleg Bartenev was fishing the icy waters of the Norwegian Sea off the coast of Hasvik, Norway, on March 17, 2023, when he landed this 127-centimeter Atlantic cod, setting the new IGFA All-Tackle Length World Record for the species. The massive cod struck a swimbait while Oleg was jigging just off the bottom, and he landed the catch after a short fight. After taking the necessary measurements and photographs, Oleg released the fish safely back into the chilly waters of the Norwegian Sea. Oleg’s cod tops the previous IGFA All-Tackle Length record by 12 centimeters!
Cathy Kallberg's Spotted Seatout
On January 19, 2023, Cathy Kallberg landed this 2.30-kilogram (5-pound, 1-ounce) spotted seatrout to set the IGFA Women’s 2-kg (4-lb) Tippet Class World Record for the species. Cathy was fishing the Elizabeth River in Virginia, USA, alongside IGFA Captain Wayne MacMasters when this record seatrout struck her baitfish imitation fly. She fought the fish for several minutes on the light tippet before Wayne was able to net the trout. After returning to the dock the duo recorded the weight on a certified scale and properly documented the catch before releasing it safely.
Frank Bluch's Barramundi
Aussie angler Frank Bluch was fishing Lake Proserpine in Queensland, Australia, on February 2, 2023, when he landed this 9.15-kg (20-pound, 2-ounce) barramundi, setting the IGFA Men’s 2-kg (4-lb) Tippet Class World Record for the species. Frank was fishing with guide Lindsay Dobe aboard his boat O’fishal Business when the record fish struck, and he needed only seven minutes to land the record barra. Congratulation, Frank, on another incredible IGFA World Record.
Matsumoto’s White Horsehead
On January 5, 2023, Japanese angler Osamu Matsumoto landed this 3.38-kilogram (7-pound, 7-ounce) white horsehead while fishing Beppu Bay, Japan, setting the new IGFA All-Tackle World Record for the species. The record fish struck the shrimp Osamu’s was using for bait, and he needed only four minutes to bring the fish aboard the Soyamaru captained by Shojiro Deguchi. Matsumoto’s horsehead tops the previous IGFA All-Tackle record caught in November of 2022 by 14 ounces.
Emily Hanzlik’s Grass Carp
On January 28, 2023, while fishing a local canal in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA, Emily Rose Hanzlik landed an 11.71-kilogram (25-pound, 12-ounce) grass carp to set the IGFA Women’s 4-kg (8-lb) Line Class World Record. Emily went back to the same canal the following day and landed a 14.54-kilogram (32-pound, 1-ounce) grass carp to retire the fish from the day prior and set the new IGFA Women’s 4-kg (8-lb) Line Class World Record yet again. After recording the weights on a certified scale and properly documenting the catches, both fish were safely released.