Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/641958
anglers. That of course generated a lot of participation by women, especially in the fly fishing categories. This is a great time for a female angler to catch a record fish." As for the species most likely to land in the record books, that list doesn't include the fish that are typically top of mind. Largemouth bass, blue marlin, and tarpon, for instance, have been sought- after for nearly a century, and those records are tough to topple. On the other hand, for female anglers, species whose records are not so etched in stone include muskie, northern pike, spotted bass, and a variety of trout and salmon. For us guys, the most active categories include various trout and salmon, as well as the spotted bass. "One species we've seen really take off in recent years is the spotted bass," Vitek says. "In California in particular, we've seen quite a few big ones, with a lot of line-class and all-tackle records set. "Also out west," he continues, "we're seeing a lot of big cutthroat trout. Pyramid Lake in Nevada has been producing some really good trout lately." For the kids and grandkids, there are also plenty of records to be had. For youngsters up to ten years of age, there's the Small Fry Category. For the 11 to 16 age group, there's the Junior Angler category. Those in turn are divided between boys and girls, so the odds are definitely reasonable if you can get them on the water and off the internet! No, Pro Bass Fishing on Xbox doesn't count. These days, Vitek spends a lot of time in his office talking to potential record- holders. Upwards of 800 anglers per year contact the IGFA with a possible record and nearly 90 percent are accepted. "Sometimes they call from a boat or a dock and you can hear the excitement in their voices," Vitek says. "That's one of the fun parts of this job." Currently there are 7,394 IGFA world records. And while some may seem to be unbreakable, most are vulnerable. It just takes time, dedication, and lots and lots and lots of luck. n Note: The IGFA introduced a new All- Tackle length category in 2011, providing even more opportunities for world records. Entries in this category must be measured on an official IGFA measuring device, and all fish must be released alive and unharmed. S P O R T I N G C L A S S I C S 8 3