ALASKA: Biggest halibut of the year

With her busy work schedule, Annette Gutierrez doesn’t get many free days. She works 12-hour days, seven days a week. “We had a few days off and we almost never have days off so we decided to go fishing,” Gutierrez told the Fairbanks News-Miner. Gutierrez had never gone fishing in her life. Not once, even though when she’s not working in Alaska she hails from the tiny southwestern New Mexico

SPAIN: huge albino wels catfish

Great Britain’s The Sun newspaper reports that last week Chris Grimmer (left) landed the largest albino catfish ever (the paper cleverly nicknamed the monster Fin Kong). He caught the freak fish on the River Ebro in Spain. Who knew there was such a category? Albino catfish? Really?
Grimmer’s spooky cat was 8 feet long and weighed 194 pounds. Grimmer told reporters that his 30-minute fight

ICELAND: Angler's Record Halibut 485 pounds

This halibut, which tipped the scales at 485 pounds, is the largest ever caught by a sea angler.



Warning: The following contains place names that will be unpronounceable to most readers. In fact, the author can’t pronounce them. It was confirmed this week that a halibut caught by German angler Gunther Hansel off Bolungarvík in the West Fjords of Iceland in August is officially the

IGFA Hot Catches December 2011

What a month for breaking records! This month’s report shares the fish that may break a 13 year old standing record from France; the third All-Tackle record for a species set by the same man; and potential records for two of the most popular fresh and salt water species - northern pike and Atlantic sailfish. These catches in Angola, Argentina, Canada, Ecuador, France, Mexico and in Florida, USA

ECUADOR: Manta Marlin Fishing Report December

The color of the water has remained dark blue and temperature has been a constant 73 F average. Winds have calmed down greatly making most days a very nice ride. Boats have been experiencing 2 to 8 striped marlin raises per day on average and a blue about every other day. Local artisanal fishermen troll on their 28 foot skiffs at 13-15 knots with teasers and switching to baits when the marlin

IGFA: 2012 edition of World Record Game Fishes

The most anticipated book of the sport fishing world is on its way! The 2012 edition of the IGFA's annual World Record Game Fishes book is due in mailboxes in early January and contains articles for the technique-minded, nostalgic, and record-seeking angler alike. This year's reference book offers new ideas for spinning tackle and big game fly methods, destination essays, a bit from the bosses of

IGFA Expedition: Costa Rica

Between the Sabalo River and Pacific Ocean lies one of Costa Rica’s top fishing destinations: the Zancudo Lodge. With more than 70 records set for sailfish, roosterfish, mahi and barracuda, Zancudo’s fully-equipped fleet and passionate and experienced captains make for the perfect trip for adventurous anglers.
This new IGFA Expedition trip will explore the waters of Golfito, Costa Rica for