ALL-TACKLE LENGTH RULES
General Information
All fish entered for Length Records must be measured by anglers at the site of capture and released so that it swims away on their own and in good condition. Fish should be revived by moving it forward in the water to ensure a healthy release. Fish caught and entered for length records are not eligible for weighing and submission for other record categories.
Rules and Equipment Regulations
All IGFA rules and equipment regulations stipulated for fishing with conventional and fly tackle in fresh and saltwater shall apply with the exceptions below. All angling and equipment regulations shall apply until the fish is measured and released alive.
A. GAFFS & NETS
1. The use of gaffs to land fish is prohibited.
2. Nets used to boat or land a fish must not exceed 8 feet (2.44 meters) in over all length. (When fishing from a bridge, pier or other high stationary structure, this length limitation does not apply.)
3. The use of knotless, rubber coated nets or other similarly designed nets that minimize slime and scale removal is strongly recommended.
B. MEASURING DEVICE
1. All fish must be measured using an official IGFA measuring device. (order yours at http://store.igfa.org/)
2. The measuring device mat may be shortened by cutting it, but it may not be rejoined after it has been shortened.
Angling Regulations
The following acts will disqualify a catch:
1. Failure to comply with IGFA equipment or angling rules.
2. If the fish dies during the documentation process, or does not swim away on its accord after release
Length Record Requirements
All fish entered for Length Records are subject to the same requirements stipulated for other record categories with following additions and exceptions.
A. MEASURING REQUIREMENTS
1. Fish must be measured using an official IGFA measuring device on a flat surface.
2. The fish’s snout must be touching the nose stop with the mouth closed and free of lures or lifting devices.
3. With the fish lying on top of the measuring device, measurements will be taken from the most forward part of the fish’s snout with the mouth closed to the rear center edge of the tail.
4. All measurements will be made in centimeters.
5. Fish that measure between centimeter increments shall be recorded at the lower of the two increments. For example, a fish that measures between 45 and 46 centimeters will have a recorded length of 45 centimeters.
B. MINIMUM LENGTH REQUIREMENTS FOR VACANT RECORDS
Fish entered for vacant record categories must measure within the top half of that species maximum recorded length, as shown in the eligible species list.
C. MINIMUM LENGTH REQUIREMENTS NEEDED TO DEFEAT OR TIE EXISTING RECORDS
1. To defeat an existing record, the fish must measure at least two (2) centimeters longer than the existing record
2. A catch which matches the length of an existing record or exceeds the length by less than 2 centimeters will be considered a tie. In the case of a tie claim involving more than two catches, length must be compared with the original record (first fish to be caught). Nothing measuring less than the original record (first fish to be caught) will be considered.
D. PHOTOGRAPHIC REQUIREMENTS
Photographs included with applications must contain the following information.
1. The full length of the fish on the measuring device clearly showing the position of the mouth and tail. The fish may be held in position, but must be done in a manner that does not obscure the view of the fish on the tape.
2. A close up showing the position of the fish’s nose and tail on the measuring device.
3. The angler with the fish.
4. The rod and reel used to make the catch.
General Best Handling Practices
To remove your fish from the water to document it for record purposes, anglers should use either hands or a knotless, rubberized landing net to minimize slime and scale loss. Lip gripping devices may be used to help subdue fish. However, large fish should not be hoisted vertically out of the water, as this can cause damage to jaw muscle and bone as well as to internal organs. The best method for removing fish from the water by hand is to grip the fish or the lower jaw and support the fish’s underside. Again, the point is always to hold fish horizontally and not vertically.
Documentation
IGFA records require pictures, measurement and/or weighing of the catch. All of this takes time, so you should have the necessary equipment ready before landing the fish. If the documentation process takes longer than several minutes, periodically place the fish back in the water or place in a live well to allow it to breath.
Releasing
Considerable time and care should be exercised when releasing fish. Fish should be placed in the water and held by the base of the tail. If the fish is does not swim away from your grasp on its own, gently move it forward in the water to get water flowing over the gills. For best results, move the fish in the forward direction only instead of back in forth. A fish’s gills somewhat resemble the pages of a book and are designed for water flow in only one direction. Moving the fish in a slow circle or gently towing it behind the boat will accomplish this.
Eligible Species and Minimum Lengths for All-Tackle Length Records
SALTWATER SPECIES
Albacore Thunnus alalunga 61 cm
Amberjack, greater Seriola dumerili 92 cm
Bass, black sea Centropristis striata 33 cm
Bass, European Dicentrarchuslabrax 46 cm
Bass, kelp (calico) Paralabrax clathratus 33 cm
Bass, striped Morone saxatilis 67 cm
Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix 59 cm
Bonefish Albula spp. 50 cm
Bonito, Atlantic Sarda sard 42 cm
Bonito, Pacific Sarda spp 49 cm
Cobia Rachycentron canadum 85 cm
Corbina, California Minticirrhus undulatus 33 cm
Drum, black Pogonias cromis 67 cm
Drum, red Sciaenops ocellatus 72 cm
Grouper, gag Mycteroperca microlepis 66 cm
Grouper, red Epinephelus morio 42 cm
Halibut, California Paralichthys californicus 66 cm
Jack, almaco Seriola rivoliana 80 cm
Jack, crevalle Caranx hippos 57 cm
Jack, horse-eye Caranx latus 50 cm
Jack, Pacific crevalle Caranx caninus 50 cm
Kahawai (Australian salmon) Arripis trutta 41 cm
Kawakawa Euthynnus affinis 47 cm
Ladyfish Elops spp. 39 cm
Leerfish (Garrick) Lichia amia 61 cm
Mackerel, narrowbarred Scomberomorus commerson 100 cm
Mackerel, Pacific sierra Scomberomorus sierra 49 cm
Mackerel, Spanish Scomberomorus maculatus 39 cm
Meagre Argyrosomus spp. 30 cm
Permit Trachinotus falcatus 52 cm
Pollock Pollachius virens 56 cm
Pompano, African Alectis ciliaris 58 cm
Queenfish, talang Scomberoides commersonianus 60 cm
Rockfish, black/blue Sebastes melanops 31 cm
Roosterfish Nematistius pectoralis 81 cm
Samson fish Seriola hippos 75 cm
Seabass, blackfin Lateolabrax latus 47 cm
Seabass, Japanese (suzuki) Lateolabrax japonicus 63 cm
Seabass, white Atractoscion nobilis 83 cm
Seatrout, spotted Cynoscion nebulosus 50 cm
Shark, bonnethead Sphyrna tiburo 50 cm
Skipjack, black Euthynnus lineatus 42 cm
Snapper (squirefish) Pagrus auratus 47 cm
Snapper, cubera Lutjanus cyanopterus 69 cm
Snapper, Guinean Lutjanus agennes 69 cm
Snapper, mullet Lutjanus aratus 58 cm
Snapper, mutton Lutjanus analis 45 cm
Snapper, Pacific cubera Lutjanus novemfasciatus 67 cm
Snapper, red Lutjanus campechanus 48 cm
Snapper, yellowtail Ocyurus chrysurus 34 cm
Snook, Atlantic Centropomus spp. 25 cm
Snook, Pacific Centropomus spp. 25 cm
Tarpon, oxeye Megalops cyprinoides 75 cm
Threadfin, giant African Polydactylus quadrifilis 100 cm
Threadfin, king Polydactylus macrochir 83 cm
Trevally, bigeye Caranx sexfasciatus 44 cm
Trevally, bluefin Caranx melampygus 58 cm
Trevally, giant Caranx ignobilis 76 cm
Trevally, golden Gnathanodon speciosus 48 cm
Tripletail Lobotes surinamensis 48 cm
Tuna, blackfin Thunnus atlanticus 52 cm
Tuna, longtail Thunnus tonggol 72 cm
Tuna, skipjack Katsuwonus pelamis 49 cm
Tunny, little Euthynnus alletteratus 53 cm
Weakfish Cynoscion regalis 48 cm
Yellowtail, California Seriola lalandi dorsalis 80 cm
Yellowtail, southern Seriola lalandi lalandi 78 cm
FRESHWATER SPECIES
Arawana Osteoglossum bicirrhosum 41 cm
Barramundi Lates calcarifer 62 cm
Bass, Australian Macquaria novemaculeata 27 cm
Bass, largemouth Micropterus salmoides 48 cm
Bass, smallmouth Micropterus dolomieu 34 cm
Bass, striped (landlocked) Morone saxatilis 65 cm
Bass, white Morone chrysops 24 cm
Bass, whiterock Morone saxatilis M. chrysops 44 cm
Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus1 19 cm
Bowfin Amia calva 45 cm
Carp, common Cyprinus carpio 55 cm
Carp, grass Ctenopharyngodon idella 66 cm
Catfish, blue Ictalurus furcatus 73 cm
Catfish, channel Ictalurus punctatus 60 cm
Catfish, redtail (pirarara) Phractocephalus hemioliopterus 69 cm
Catfish, sharptooth Clarias gariepinus 85 cm
Char, Arctic Salvelinus alpinus 51 cm
Crappie, black Pomoxis nigromaculatus 24 cm
Crappie, white Pomoxis annularis 24 cm
Dolly varden Salvelinus malma 50 cm
Dorado Salminus maxillosus 55 cm
Gar, Florida Lepisosteus platyrhincus 42 cm
Gar, shortnose Lepisosteus platostomus 38 cm
Grayling Thymallus thymallus 25 cm
Grayling, Arctic Thymallus arcticus 37 cm
Kokanee Oncorhynchus nerka 32 cm
Muskellunge Esox masquinongy 76 cm
Nembwe Serranochromis robustus 27 cm
Oscar Astronotus ocellatus 19 cm
Payara Hydrolicus scomberoides 53 cm
Peacock, blackstriped Cichla intermedia 26 cm
Peacock, butterfly Cichla ocellaris 33 cm
Peacock, speckled Cichla temensis 45 cm
Perch, white Morone Americana 21 cm
Perch, yellow Perca flavescens 18 cm
Pickerel, chain Esox niger 39 cm
Pike, northern Esox lucius 68 cm
Salmon, Atlantic Salmo salar 64 cm
Salmon, Atlantic (landlocked) Salmo salar 46 cm
Salmon, chinook Oncorhynchus tshawytscha 53 cm
Salmon, chum Oncorhynchus keta 48 cm
Salmon, coho Oncorhynchus kisutch 53 cm
Salmon, pink Oncorhynchus gorbuscha 39 cm
Salmon, sockeye Oncorhynchus nerka 35 cm
Shad, American Alosa sapidissima 35 cm
Snakehead Channa spp. 29 cm
Sorubim Pseudoplatystoma spp. 52 cm
Taimen Hucho taimen 78 cm
Tigerfish Hydrocynus vittatus 43 cm
Tigerfish, giant Hydrocynus goliath 64 cm
Trahira, giant Hoplias macrophthalmus 26 cm
Trout, brook Salvelinus fontinalis 34 cm
Trout, brown Salmo trutta 51 cm
Trout, bull Salvelinus confluentus 51 cm
Trout, cutthroat Oncorhynchus clarki 44 cm
Trout, golden Oncorhynchusa guabonita 35 cm
Trout, lake Salvelinus namaycush 74 cm
Trout, rainbow Oncorhynchus mykiss 54 cm
Walleye Stizostedion vitreum 52 cm
Zander Stizostedion lucioperca 43 cm