Potential Record Carp Caught With Leaf As Bait

Here are some of the recent submissions to the International Game Fish Association for record-book consideration. (info, photos courtesy of IGFA):

Pacific Bonito off Catalina Island

Kesley Gallagher caught this 7-pound Pacific bonito (Sarda chiliensis) on September 30, 2018, while fly fishing off Catalina Island, California. Gallagher needed 10 minutes to land the fish and if approved, it will become the new women's 12-pound tippet class world record, which currently stands at 6 pounds, 1 ounce.

Grass Carp With Leaf for Bait!

Japanese angler Mitsuru Ichikawa potentially set the new men's 6-pound line class world record for grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) with this impressive 53-pound, 12-ounce fish that he caught and released on August 19, 2018 while fishing in Motoarakawa, Japan. Ichikawa needed nearly an hour to land the fish after it ate the leaf he was using for bait! If approved, the catch will replace the existing world record of 53 pounds, 4 ounces.

Dorado Added to Angler’s Record List

Angler Dotty Ballantyne potentially added another world record catch to her impressive angling resume with this 23-pound dorado (Salminus maxillosus) that she caught and released on October 5, 2018 while fishing out of Bolivia's Puma Lodge. Ballantyne needed approximately 30 minutes to subdue the dorado after it hit the black baitfish pattern fly she was casting. If approved, the catch will become the new women's 8-pound tippet class world record, which currently stands at 4 pounds, 11 ounces.

All-Tackle Taimen

Russian angler Gleb Varzin potentially set the new All-Tackle Length world record for taimen (Hucho taimen) with this massive 140-centimeter fish that he caught and released while fishing Russia's Tugar River on September 6, 2018. The current world record stands at 132 centimeters.

See more of IGFA's Hot Catches galleries