IGFA and TackleWebs Announce Partnership to Promote Sustainable Fishing Practices

TackleWebs x IGFA Proper Support Weigh Bag Revolutionizes Safe Weighing

May 2, 2024

As global leaders in the promotion of ethical, responsible angling practices, the IGFA is thrilled to announce a new partnership with , the innovators behind the . The revolutionary new product was designed with the conservation of game fish at its core and marks a significant step forward in promoting sustainable fishing practices among anglers worldwide. In turn, each bag sold supports the IGFA鈥檚 game fish conservation initiatives.

The TackleWebs & IGFA Proper Support Weigh Bag provides a safe, stress-reducing alternative to traditional fish weighing methods. By employing a porous bag that offers gentle support, this product ensures the well-being of the fish, reducing injury and stress during the catch-and-release process. Additionally, the TackleWebs Proper Support Weigh Bag allows anglers to easily and safely weigh their catches without compromising the fish's health, aligning perfectly with the IGFA鈥檚 push for anglers to document, weigh, and release the potential record catches whenever possible.

"Partnering with TackleWebs represents yet another example of our ongoing commitment to promote ethical angling practices," said Jason Schratwieser, IGFA President. "The TackleWebs Proper Support Weigh Bag is not just an innovative product鈥攊t's a reflection of our collective responsibility to the environment and the ethical stewardship of our aquatic ecosystems. By supporting the adoption of such practices, we are not only enhancing the fishing experience but also ensuring the health and vitality of game fish populations for future generations."

To further demonstrate their commitment to conservation, TackleWebs has generously agreed to donate a portion of the proceeds from every weigh bag sold to support the IGFA鈥檚 Conservation Programs, aiding efforts to ensure the sustainability of game fish populations worldwide.

The IGFA and TackleWebs will collaborate on various educational initiatives to raise awareness about the importance of sustainable fishing practices among the angling community.

鈥淭eaming up with the IGFA allows us to further our commitment to ethical angling,鈥� said Captain Mike Ortego, TackleWebs founder. 鈥淭he Proper Support Weigh Bag is just the beginning, and we are proud to support the vital conservation work done by the IGFA.鈥�

For more information about the partnership or to purchase the TackleWebs & IGFA Proper Support Weigh Bag, .

For press inquires, contact Shelby Stephenson at sstephenson@igfa.org or 954-414-9952.

Mediterranean Swordfish on Fly

By David Lewis

Marina Alcudia was bathed beneath an unbroken blue sky, courtesy of the high-pressure system dominating the Balearic Island of Majorca. It was a stunning day, with temperatures in the comfortable low 70s. At 3 o鈥檆lock in the afternoon, the place should have been bustling with tourists enjoying the dockside restaurants and bars. However, aside from the occasional boat owner carrying out routine maintenance, the place was deserted. This was not surprising, as it was the last Thursday of January, mid-winter in the Mediterranean. Aside from a handful of local cafes and eateries, most of Majorca was in hibernation. It would be at least a month or two before the first tourists started to return.

I had no intention of visiting so early in the season, that is until the Monday of that week when I received a phone call from IGFA Capt. Vince Riera: 鈥淒ave, drop whatever you are doing and get yourself on a flight out here now,鈥� Riera pleaded down the phone line. My diary was clear, and a few clicks of a mouse confirmed suitable flights were available. A few days later, I arrived at Palma.

This was the opportunity we had been waiting for, for several years. Ever since we first kicked around the idea of trying to catch a swordfish on fly, swords have been plentiful in the rich seas around Majorca. Each season, Riera catches a lot of them. He has tagged as many as six in a single night fishing conventional tackle. The winter months were the most prolific, he explained, notably around the period of a full moon. So each year, we patiently watched and waited for a suitable window of opportunity to present itself. With a full moon and exceptionally calm conditions forecast for at least the next three to four days, this was the opportunity we had been waiting for.

For our first attempt, Riera had selected a deep canyon to the north of the island. A deep fissure in the seabed against which the prevailing currents collided, forcing cold, nutrient-rich water up to the surface. It was a place where he knew that at night, squid ascended the water column to feed, along with the swordfish that, in turn, feed upon them.

As Mad Max headed towards the tight cluster of waypoints on the chart plotter screen, each marking the exact location of a previous capture, the sun eased its way down towards the horizon. I started to assemble my fly rod, selecting a squid fly that, to my eyes at least, appeared as close to the real thing as you could get without getting covered in ink! Riera and his crew were kept busy preparing the hookless teasers, skipjack tuna bellies rigged inside rubber squid skirts, that hopefully would draw a fish close enough to the transom for me to cast. These were deployed ahead of a chemical light stick which, in addition to an extra level of attraction, would provide me with an accurate indication of the position of the bait and consequently a fish when, or if, I got a chance to cast. One teaser was deployed off a planner working at about 30-45ft beneath the surface, a second skipped through our wake fishing as a flat line.

Just as the sun disappeared beneath the horizon, the glowing orb of a full moon ascended into the sky in the east. Earlier I had mentioned to Riera that in East Africa where all my previous nighttime fishing for swordfish has taken place, captains are insistent that the blacker the night the better. Certainly, they would never fish at night during a full moon for swordfish? Riera鈥檚 reply made sense. 鈥淭here are a lot of sharks in that part of the world and moonlight greatly assists them hunting near the surface, hence swords only feed high up in the water column on the blackest of nights. The Mediterranean is almost completely devoid of sharks so swordfish can feed at the surface in safety, even on the brightest of moonlit nights.鈥�

We had our first strike at around seven o鈥檆lock. The small bell clipped to the rod tip fishing the planer bait tinkled into life, and a quick glance confirmed something was hitting the bait. Oliver Kaufer, Riera鈥檚 crewman, grabbed the rod just as the line broke free from the planer, and shouted out in excitement that he could feel the bait being hit by what appeared to be a swordfish. I positioned myself in the port corner ready to cast, watching as the glow of the light stick confirmed the fish was getting ever closer.

I had assumed that as on previous night trips I would not be able to see anything other than a nightstick, but this was far from the case. The moon had bathed the surface of the ocean in silvery light, which allowed me to clearly see the incredible sight of the fish slashing and tearing at the teaser. Riera put the boat in neutral and as the fish was teased into what I considered to be my casting range; I cast. The fly landed in the right zone a few feet away from the last point the teaser had been, before being pulled free from the water. I allowed it to sink for a second or two giving it a few short tugs, before allowing it to sink further. Nothing happened so I retrieved the fly with long slow pulls, recast, and repeated the drill, full of anticipation of a strike, but again, nothing.

While my fly had been a very realistic imitation of a squid, we determined that perhaps it was on the small side? Certainly, it was tiny when compared to the teaser that the fish had clearly found so much to its liking. A quick rummage in my fly box produced a fly I had picked up many years previously, I believe it was called a Fat Albert. The thinking was that its greater size and bulbous head would create more of a presence in the water. About an hour later I had my chance to test this theory but unlike the first fish, the second sword we raised was not nearly so aggressive, and very quickly faded away. We fished for another couple of hours, but no further fish were raised.

Day two, Friday, January 26, Riera was disappointed with the comparative lack of action the previous night, and he was determined to do something about it. We left the marina a couple of hours earlier, the game plan being to troll our way to an area he was confident would produce a lot more strikes. The journey passed without interruption, then once again as the sun started to set we prepared to fly fish. It was still twilight when the first hookless teasers were deployed, the western skyline alight in a deep orange glow. It had been another cloudless day and soon enough the first stars started to appear, closely followed by the rising moon.

We had been trolling for barely ten minutes when the bell on the planer rod sounded. At first, I don鈥檛 think any of us thought it was anything other than a false alarm, but no, seconds later it sounded again as the rod tip rattled violently. Kaufer grabbed the rod and excitedly shouted out that it was indeed a fish, as he started to draw the clearly enraged billfish towards us. I stood by ready to cast, eagerly watching the progress of the light stick, looking for some sign of the fish behind it. Then I saw it, a sizeable broken wake that appeared all the more impressive given the ultra-calm surface of the sea, which glowed in the remaining ambient light.

Clearly, this was another very aggressive fish, but would it switch from teaser to fly? Kaufer pulled the teaser free of the water, Riera put the engines into neutral, I cast. The fly landed exactly where I had intended, about six feet to the right of where the wake from the fish was still clearly visible, and I watched in awe as that wake immediately altered course and swam directly towards the fly. Seconds later I felt a hard knock on the end of my line, and in my mind鈥檚 eye, I saw the fish strike the fly with its bill. I allowed the fly to continue to sink giving it just the slightest of tugs to try and retain the fish鈥檚 interest, then everything locked up solid.

And so began the most stressful hour I have ever endured with a fishing rod in my life! I set the hook firmly with two or three tugs, and a moment later my fish was in the air barely twenty feet behind us. The image of that magnificent animal silhouetted against the still comparatively light western sky, looking for all the world like a reversed fish arch on a sonar screen, its sabre-like bill all but the length of its chunky body, is indelibly etched into my memory.

Following the jump, the fish set off on its first run, slowly at first, but gradually increasing in speed until my reel was screaming. Eventually, the run started to ease, then once again the fish started stripping line at high at speed, as it ripped ever more backing from the spool. At this stage, there was nothing I could do other than hold on while trying to maintain as much smooth pressure on the fish as I could, terrified that the hook would fall out or the bill cut the flimsy tippet. Eventually, the angle of my line confirmed the fish was diving deep, so I settled in a position at the open transom door where I could maintain maximum pressure on the fish using the lower third of the rod. But for what seemed like a lifetime, there was nothing I could do, other than watch as even more backing disappeared out through the rod rings.

Eventually, the fish did stop, and I started retrieving line as and when I could, inch by inch, foot by foot. Riera informed me that he could see my fish on the sonar 300 feet beneath us, confirming this was not going to be a quick fight. For maybe forty minutes I went through a process during which I鈥檇 recover maybe 30 feet of line, only to have to relinquish it again when the fish bored back into deeper water. Finally, I could feel that I had started to gain something of an upper hand, and slowly but ever so surely I was able to start pulling my fish towards the surface.

After about an hour I had the fly line back on the reel, and from that moment, things went quickly. By this stage the fish was coming comparatively easily and I thought it was going to jump but no, when finally the fish broke the surface it just swam very slowly, its high dorsal cutting the surface film. Minutes later Kaufer with a gloved hand reached down and grabbed its bill.

The fish was tagged and released, as is the law with all billfish caught in Spanish waters. Just how heavy that fish was we鈥檒l never really know, but everyone onboard agreed it weighed in the region of 50-60 pounds. Certainly, as we posed for a couple of quick trophy shots it felt every ounce of that!

To the best of our and IGFA鈥檚 knowledge, the catch was the first swordfish caught in the Mediterranean with IGFA compliant fly fishing tackle.

To contact Capt. Vince Riera Telephone numbers are: +34 667 93 09 02 and +34 675 44 73 05, email: capt.vinceriera@gmail.com web:

Newly Approved IGFA World Records

To see all newly approved IGFA World Records since March 2024,  please click here.

Newly Approved Slam & Trophy Fish Clubs

To see all newly approved IGFA Slams & Trophy Fish clubs since March 2024 please view this PDF.

Tongue鈥檚 Inshore Super Grand Slam

On March 11, 2024, Thomas Tongue has an incredible day of fly fishing while visiting the Blue Horizon Lodge in Belize. Thomas and his guide started the day casting along the mangrove-laden shoreline where he checked off his tarpon and an impressive snook. Being well on his way to the slam, Thomas and his guide then focused on the flats where they were successful in finding both the permit and the bonefish to cap off the IGFA Inshore Super Grand Slam!

Arackal鈥檚 Snapper (Squirefish) Trophy Club

Kiwi angler Sabin Arackal recently became the first member of the newly introduced IGFA Trophy Snapper (squirefish) Club with the submittal of this impressive 11.85-kilogram (26-pound, 2-ounce) snapper (squirefish) that she landed on October 3, 2020. The minimum size requirements for the IGFA Trophy Snapper (Squirefish) Club are 11.3 kilograms (25 pounds) or 85 centimeters (33.4 inches). Per the program regulations, past catches are eligible for the IGFA Trophy Fish Clubs as long as the proper documentation can be provided.

To learn more about the newly added IGFA Slam & Trophy Clubs, please click here.

Cronacher's Fifth Billfish Royal Slam

IGFA Chairman Roy Cronacher recently landed this beautiful blue marlin on fly while fishing in the Dominican Republic to complete his incredible 5th IGFA Billfish Royal Slam on fly! To complete this slam, Roy traveled to eight different countries over the course of 30 years. To give you an idea how elite the IGFA Billfish Royal Slam is on fly, only three other people have ever accomplished just one!

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IGFA's Conservation Update for April 2024

The IGFA continues to work on an international scale to ensure the rights of recreational anglers are maintained and the fisheries and habitats we hold dear are protected. Over the past quarter, the IGFA Conservation Department has been hard at work; please read the conservation update below for more information.

IGFA Great Marlin Race

From January to March 2024, seven tags were deployed on striped marlin (3), white marlin (3), and blue marlin (1). The three striped marlin tags were deployed as part of the inaugural SoCal IGMR Event, the 2024 New Zealand event, and the final tag of the Kona Stripey event. The white marlin tags were all deployed as part of the grant with Bass Pro Shops and Cabela鈥檚 Outdoor Fund, and the blue marlin was tagged independently by IGFA Trustee Bob Kurz on behalf of John Colligan. Over the same timeframe, ten tags popped up with some incredible results. The IGFA Great Marlin Race, presented by , is a research collaboration between IGFA and  and is sponsored by , and .

7th 王中王六合彩特码 Billfish Symposium

Preparation for the 7^th 王中王六合彩特码 Billfish Symposium is kicking into high gear. The event will take place in San Diego, California, US, on October 8-10, 2024, at Hubbs SeaWorld Research Institute and will be hosted by IGFA and Wild Oceans. Registration for the Symposium is now open and can be found on the website here: .

Abstract submission is also now open for scientists to upload their proposed oral and poster presentations. Abstracts are due by June 7, 2024. Both scientists and the angling community are invited to participate in the Symposium as there will be both scientific presentation sessions as well as technical and panel discussions on tagging, management, and recreational fisheries.

Logistics for the meeting have been planned by Wild Ocean鈥檚 President, Rob Kramer, IGFA Development Director, Eric Combast, and IGFA Conservation Director, Dr. Bruce Pohlot, who will also co-chair the symposium with Dr. Gerard DiNardo. The steering committee has been created and consists of numerous top scientists who will assist in the organization of scientific sessions and abstract review as well as participate during the symposium. These include multiple IGFA Scientific Affiliates who have been instrumental in recent efforts. This is a major opportunity for IGFA to continue operating as a top authority on billfish research.

Ocklawaha River Restoration: Recreational Fishing Learning and Discussion Forum

On March 20, 2024, the IGFA hosted a forum at the University of Florida that brought together recreational fishing stakeholders, industry/community representatives, and scientists to learn about and discuss the current science and options for the restoration of the Ocklawaha River in North Central Florida, US.

The goal of the forum was to build a better understanding of the potential impacts and opportunities that restoration could have on recreational fishing, the local ecology, and other river-based outdoor activities from the headwaters of the Ocklawaha downriver into the St John鈥檚 River Estuary. Scientific presentations were provided by leading experts from the University of Florida, the U.S. Geologic Survey, and Jacksonville University. Following the scientific presentations, a roundtable discussion was held where the pros and cons of removing the Rodman Dam were discussed relative to the benefits downstream to the St. Johns River as well as the potential impacts to the trophy largemouth bass fishery of the Rodman Reservoir.

The IGFA will continue to remain involved in this discussion and will advocate for the most up-to-date information to allow for the proper decision-making capability in directed restoration efforts.

Advocacy/Policy Work 

Since January, the IGFA has provided input into ongoing legislative efforts relevant to recreational anglers. A sampling of the most significant of these efforts can be found on the IGFA website here: /fisheries-policy/.

1. Supported amending regulations for the Louisiana menhaden fishery
2. Endorsed candidate for fishery council seat
3. Signed on to letter supporting two appropriations requests regarding menhaden research and management
4. Signed on to letter recommending striped marlin conservation
5. Supported

IGFA Releases
2024 IGFA World Record Game Fishes Book

Recreational angling鈥檚 most anticipated annual publication 

April 12, 2024

Angling鈥檚 most anticipated annual publication is now available with the release of the 2024 IGFA World Record Game Fishes. Published by the 王中王六合彩特码 Game Fish Association (IGFA), a global nonprofit organization committed to the conservation of game fish and the promotion of responsible, ethical angling practices, the IGFA is the world鈥檚 leading authority on sport fishing and maintains the global database of game fish world records and angling rules.

As the world鈥檚 definitive publication of recreational angling records and the organization鈥檚 signature membership benefit, the 2024 edition of IGFA World Record Game Fishes includes comprehensive information on all freshwater, saltwater and fly fishing world records for All-Tackle, Line Class, Tippet Class, Junior & Smallfry and All-Tackle Length categories, including new world records set within the last year.

The 2024 edition of the IGFA World Record Game Fishes is graced with an eye-catching cover by renowned marine artist Dennis Friel depicting stealthy snook hunting in the mangroves. Known for his vibrant marine life depictions, Friel's globally celebrated work embodies the ocean's dynamic nature and its game fish. Through his studio, Friel鈥檚 commitment to conservation has continually influenced the marine industry, capturing the spirit of the IGFA and its historic IGFA World Record Game Fishes annual publication.

Beyond the cover, readers will find the comprehensive listing of IGFA World Records and Slam & Trophy Clubs as well as five feature articles by industry authorities including an exploration of trophy bass from Texas鈥� O.H. Ivie Lake in Jurassic Bass by Matt Williams, insights on achieving the coveted IGFA Inshore Grand Slam in Grand Slam D茅j脿 Vu by Matt Harris, game-changing Omni Sonar technology in Full Circle Imaging by Charlie Levine, the journey to find record-breaking snook in Quest for a World Record Snook by Captain George Beckwith Jr., and discovering the untouched fishing paradise of Australia鈥檚 northwest coast in Exploring Uncharted Australia by Doug Olander.

The 2024 IGFA World Record Game Fishes book also includes an updated version of the IGFA鈥檚 王中王六合彩特码 Angling Rules, valuable information on IGFA Clubs, Captains, Weigh Stations, and more. 

鈥淭he 2024 edition of the IGFA World Record Game Fishes not only celebrates more than 80 years of remarkable angling achievements but also reflects our longstanding commitment to fostering a passionate global community of anglers dedicated to the conservation of our shared aquatic planet,鈥� said IGFA President Jason Schratwieser. "This edition, enriched with historical insights and the latest records, underscores the inspiring role that responsible, ethical anglers have always played in game fish conservation, and the bright future ahead for our beloved sport."

The IGFA World Record Game Fishes is an annual publication and a signature benefit of IGFA membership, which also includes access to the monthly 王中王六合彩特码 Angler digital publication and an official membership packet including an IGFA membership card and decals. The IGFA World Record Game Fishes publication is mailed annually to all current members at the Individual Membership level or higher, which begins at $50 per year. Digital Memberships are available for $20 per year and include online access to all past and present IGFA publications. Lifetime Membership, which never expires, is available for $1,750.

2024 El Gouna IGFA Red Sea Championship Recap

The inaugural El Gouna IGFA Red Sea Championship was hosted from February 14-17, 2024, out of the coastal city of El Gouna located in northeastern Egypt on the Red Sea. This event was a major milestone achieved by the IGFA鈥檚 passionate and dedicated network of supporters in the region.

The tournament began on Wednesday, February 14^th with the captain鈥檚 meeting and kick-off celebration held at the beautiful facilities at the El Gouna Marina, and welcomed guests from seven different countries including Scotland, South Africa, Lebanon, Italy, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, and the host country of Egypt.

Fishing began on the morning of Thursday, February 15^th, with boats departing the marina and heading north to the fishing grounds. Despite windy conditions, teams fished for two and a half days, experiencing consistent action on dolphinfish, mackerel, barracuda, trevally, amberjack, and other species.

The inaugural event concluded on Saturday, February 17^th with the weigh-in, luncheon, and awards ceremony which were also held at the El Gouna Marina. Egyptian team Makadi Heights took the honors of First Place Team, with a total of 96.55 total points, anchored by a strong performance from team member Ahmed Hussein El Helw who personally contributed 72.4 points to the team, and took home the First Place Angler award. 

The IGFA would like to thank Red Sea Anglers and IGFA Representative and Tournament Director Ahmed Mitkees for the execution and planning of this world-class event. Additionally, the IGFA would like to thank IGFA Trustee and President of the Egyptian Angling Federation Mohamed Kaddah, and IGFA Representatives Omar Khalifa, Karim Sherif, and Hany Sadek for their leadership and support in executing this inaugural tournament. Please stay tuned for announcements regarding the 2025 dates!

The full team and individual scoring is outlined below.

In Memoriam:  IGFA Representative and Barry M. Fitzpatrick Conservation Awardee, Todd Staley

The IGFA joins the sport fishing community in mourning the recent loss of IGFA Representative and Barry M. Fitzpatrick Conservation Awardee, Todd Staley, a beloved figure in the world of fisheries conservation. In 2015, Todd also received the IGFA Chester H. Wolfe Outstanding Sportsmanship Award. 

For over 30 years, Todd dedicated his life to working with Costa Rican fishermen, where he worked ardently to transition the local commercial fishing operators into successful sport fishing captains through education and instilling a respect for the sea and its resources in his pupils. Simply put, few have had as profound an impact on the sport fishing industry in Costa Rica as Todd Staley.

Todd was also a prolific writer, using his editorials to raise awareness about critical issues in Costa Rica, such as the capture of dolphins in the tuna industry and other bycatch, as well as illegal fishing practices of longline fishermen. His articles in Sport Fishing and Marlin Magazine not only informed the public but also supported the IGFA youth education programs through donations of the proceeds.

Yet despite his many talents, perhaps the most impactful of Todd鈥檚 talents was his ability to unite different groups for the benefit of conservation, and there is no better example of that than when Toddy successfully facilitated collaborations between MarViva, the Latin America Sea Turtle Foundation, and the Federaci贸n Costarricense De Pesca (FECOP) to co-author a report on the longline industry in Costa Rica to promote conservation efforts.

In 2014, Todd was nominated by Gary and Susan Ellis for the Redbone @ Large Crocodile Bay Osa Classic tournament, recognizing his commitment to fisheries conservation and ethical fishing practices in the Osa Peninsula. As the Fishing Director of Crocodile Bay Resort, Todd worked tirelessly to preserve the marine ecosystem of Costa Rica.  In 2022, he was awarded the IGFA Barry M. Fitzpatrick Award for his extensive conservation work in Costa Rica.

Todd was a charter member and past President of FECOP, a non-profit group representing tourist and sportfishing groups in Costa Rica. His efforts led to the ban of sailfish exportation from the country and the establishment of the Golfo Dulce as the largest area of responsible fishing in Central America.

Todd Staley's passing is a profound loss for Costa Rica and the conservation community. He was not only a dedicated conservationist but also a cherished friend, father, and husband. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations to protect our oceans and marine life.

The FECOP team and the broader community express their heartfelt love and respect for Todd, grateful to have been a part of his remarkable journey. Though Todd is no longer with us, his impact will be felt for years to come, reminding us all of the importance of preserving our natural resources.

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