International Angling Rules

The following angling rules have been formulated by the International Game Fish Association to promote ethical and sporting angling practices, to establish uniform regulations for the compilation of world game fish records, and to provide basic angling guidelines for use in fishing tournaments and any other group angling activities.
The word “angling” is defined as catching or attempting to catch fish with a rod, reel, line, and hook as outlined in the international angling rules. There are some aspects of angling that cannot be controlled through rule making, however. Angling regulations cannot insure an outstanding performance from each fish, and world records cannot indicate the amount of difficulty in catching the fish. Captures in which the fish has not fought or has not had a chance to fight do not reflect credit on the fisherman, and only the angler can properly evaluate the degree of
achievement in establishing the record.
Only fish caught in accordance with IGFA international angling rules, and within the intent of these rules, will be considered for world records.

Following are the rules for freshwater and saltwater Fly Fishing

RULES FOR FLY FISHING

Equipment Regulations

A. LINE

Any type of fly line and backing may be used. The breaking
strength of the fly line and backing are not restricted.

B. LEADER

Leaders must conform to generally accepted fly fishing customs. A leader includes a class tippet and, optionally, a shock tippet. A butt or taper section between the fly line and the class tippet shall also be considered part of the leader and there are no limits on its length, material, or strength.
A class tippet must be made of nonmetallic material and either attached directly to the fly or to the shock tippet if one is used. The class tippet must be at least 15 inches (38.10 cm) long (measured inside connecting knots). With respect to knotless, tapered leaders, the terminal 15 inches (38.10 cm) will also determine tippet class. There is no maximum length limitation. A shock tippet, not to exceed 12 inches (30.48 cm) in length, may be added to the class tippet and tied to the lure. It can be made of any type of material, and there is no limit on its breaking strength.
The shock tippet is measured from the eye of the hook to the single strand of class tippet and includes any knots used to connect the shock tippet to the class tippet. In the case of a tandem hook fly, the shock tippet shall be measured from the eye of the leading hook.

C. ROD

Regardless of material used or number of sections, rods must conform to generally accepted fly fishing customs and practices. A rod shall not measure less than 6 feet (1.82 meters) in overall length. Any rod that gives the angler an unsporting advantage will be disqualified. Extension butts are limited to 6 inches (15.24 cm).

D. REEL

The reel must be designed expressly for fly fishing. There are no restrictions on gear ratio or type of drag employed except where the angler would gain an unfair advantage. Electric or electronically operated reels are prohibited.

E. HOOKS

A conventional fly may be dressed on a single or double hook or two single hooks in tandem. The second hook in any tandem fly must not extend beyond the wing material. The eyes of the hooks shall be no farther than 6 inches (15.24 cm) apart. Treble hooks are prohibited.

F. LURES

The lure must be a recognized type of artificial fly, which
includes streamer, bucktail, tube fly, wet fly, dry fly, nymph, popper and bug. The use of any other type of lure or natural or preserved bait, either singularly or attached to the fly, is expressly prohibited. Only a single fly is allowed. Dropper flies are prohibited. The fact that a lure can be cast with a fly rod is not evidence in itself that it fits the definition of a fly. The use of any lure designed to entangle or foul-hook a fish is prohibited. No scent, either natural or artificial is allowed on flies. The use of scented material in a fly is prohibited.

G. GAFFS & NETS

Gaffs and nets used to boat or land a fish must not exceed 8 feet (2.44 meters) in overall length. (When fishing from a bridge, pier or other high stationary structure, this length limitation does not apply.) The use of a flying gaff is not permitted. Only a single hook is permitted on any gaff. Harpoon or lance attachments are prohibited. A rope or any extension cannot be attached to the gaff.

Angling Regulations

1. The angler must cast, hook, fight, and bring the fish to gaff or net unaided by any other person. No other person may touch any part of the tackle during the playing of the fish or give aid other than taking the leader for gaffing or netting purposes.
2. Casting and retrieving must be carried out in accordance with normal customs and generally accepted practices. The major criterion in casting is that the weight of the line must carry the fly rather than the weight of the fly carrying the line. Trolling a fly behind a moving water craft is not permitted. The craft must be completely out of gear both at the time the fly is presented to the fish and during the retrieve. The maximum amount of line that can be stripped off the reel is 120 feet (36.57 meters) from the fly.
3. Once a fish is hooked, the tackle may not be altered in any way, with the exception of adding an extension butt. A harness cannot be attached to the fly rod.
4. Fish must be hooked on the fly in use. If a small fish takes
the fly and a larger fish swallows the smaller fish, the catch will be disallowed.
5. One or more people may assist in gaffing or netting the fish.
6. The angling and equipment regulations shall apply until the fish is weighed.

The following acts will disqualify a catch:

1. Failure to comply with equipment or angling regulations.
2. The act of persons other than the angler in touching any part of the rod, reel, or line either bodily or with any device during the playing of the fish, or in giving any aid other than that allowed in the rules and regulations. If an obstacle to the passage of the line through the rod guides has to be removed from the line, then the obstacle shall be held and cut free. Under no circumstances should the line be held
or touched by anyone other than the angler during this process.
3. Resting the rod on any part of the boat, or on any other object while playing the fish.
4. Handlining or using a handline or rope attached in any
manner to the angler's line or leader for the purpose of holding or lifting the fish.
5. Intentionally foul-hooking or snagging a fish.
6. Shooting, harpooning, or lancing any fish (including sharks and halibut) at any stage of the catch.
7. Chumming with the flesh, blood, skin, or any part of
mammals.
8. Using a boat or device to beach or drive a fish into shallow
water in order to deprive the fish of its normal ability to swim.
9. Attaching the angler's line or leader to part of a boat or other object for the purpose of holding or lifting the fish.
10. If a fish escapes before gaffing or netting and is recaptured by any method other than as outlined in the angling rules.
11. When a rod breaks (while the fish is being played) in a
manner that reduces its length below minimum dimensions or severely impairs its angling characteristics.
12. When a fish is hooked or entangled on more than one line.
13. Mutilation to the fish, prior to landing or boating the catch, caused by sharks, other fish, mammals, or propellers that remove or penetrate the flesh. (Injuries caused by leader or line, scratches, old healed scars or regeneration deformities are not considered to be disqualifying injuries.) Any mutilation on the fish must be shown in a photograph and fully explained in a separate report accompanying the
record application.

LINE TESTING

IGFA tests all line and tippet samples submitted with world record claims in accordance with the metric line class designations, which vary slightly from the standard U.S. customary designations. For example, the U.S. customary equivalent of 4 kilograms is 8.81 pounds. Thus, line
designated by the manufacturer as 8 lb class line may test up to 8.81 pounds (4 kg) to qualify for an 8 lb line class record. The U.S. customary equivalents in pounds for the metric line classes are as follows:

Metric U.S. Equivalent

1 kg 2.20 lb
2 kg 4.40 lb
3 kg 6.61 lb
4 kg 8.81 lb
6 kg 13.22 lb
8 kg 17.63 lb
10 kg 22.04 lb
15 kg 33.06 lb
24 kg 52.91 lb
37 kg 81.57 lb
60 kg 132.27 lb

Line and tippet samples submitted with record claims are uniformly tested in accordance with Government specifications, which have been modified and supplemented by IGFA.

Note: IGFA offers a line and tippet testing service for members only.

Record Catch Regulations
GENERAL INFORMATION
1. Protested applications or disputed existing records will be
referred to the IGFA Executive Committee for review. Its decisions will be final. IGFA reserves the right to refuse to consider an application or grant a claim for a record application. All IGFA decisions will be based
upon the intent of the regulations.
2. When a substantial award is specifically offered for a world
record catch in any line or tippet class, only a claim for an all-tackle record will be considered.
3. In some instances, an IGFA officer or member of the
International Committee or a deputy from a local IGFA member club may be asked to recheck information supplied on a claim. Such action is not to be regarded as doubt of the formal affidavit, but rather as evidence of the extreme care with which IGFA investigates and maintains its records.

SPECIES IDENTIFICATION

1. Photographs must be submitted by which positive identification of the exact species can be made. Read the rules on photographs at the end of this section, and refer to the Species Identification section in the World Record Game Fishes book to determine which features must show to identify your fish. Applications without photographs will not be accepted.
2. If there is the slightest doubt that the fish cannot be properly identified from the photographs and other data submitted, the fish should be examined by an ichthyologist or qualified fishery biologist before a record application is submitted to IGFA. The scientist's signature and title (or qualifications) should appear on the IGFA application form or
on a separate document confirming the identification of the species.
3. If a scientist is not available, the fish should be retained in a preserved or frozen condition until a qualified authority can verify the species or until notified by IGFA that the fish need no longer be retained.
4. If no decision can be made from the photographs and the angler can provide no further proof of the identification of the species, the record claim will not be considered.

WITNESSES TO CATCH

On all record claims, witnesses to the catch are highly desirable if at all possible. Unwitnessed catches may be disallowed if questions arise regarding their authenticity. It is important that the witnesses can attest to the angler's compliance with the IGFA International Angling Rules
and Equipment Regulations.

MINIMUM WEIGHT REQUIREMENTS: VACANT RECORDS

The minimum acceptance weight for any record catch claim is 1 pound (.453 kg).

WEIGHTS NEEDED TO DEFEAT OR TIE EXISTING RECORDS

1. To replace a record for a fish weighing less than 25 pounds (11.33 kg), the replacement must weigh at least 2 ounces (56.69 gm) more than the existing record.
2. To replace a record fish weighing 25 pounds (11.33 kg) or
more, the replacement must weigh at least one half of 1 percent more than the existing record. Ex: At 100 pounds (45.35 kg) the additional weight required would be 8 ounces (226.7 gm); at 200 pounds (90.71 kg) the additional weight required would be 1 pound (.453 kg).
3. A catch which matches the weight of an existing record or
exceeds the weight by less than the amount required to defeat the record will be considered a tie. In case of a tie claim involving more than two catches, weight must be compared with the original record (first fish to be caught). Nothing weighing less than the original record will be
considered.
4. Estimated weights will not be accepted. (See Weighing
Requirements.) Fractions of ounces or their metric equivalents will not be considered.

TIME LIMIT ON CLAIMS

With the exception of all-tackle records only, claims for record fish caught in U.S. continental waters must be received by IGFA within 60 days of the date of catch. Claims for record fish caught in other waters must be received by IGFA within three months of the date of catch. Claims for all-tackle records only are considered for catches made in past years if (1) acceptable photographs are submitted, (2) the weight of the fish can be positively verified, and (3) the method of catch can be substantiated. For catches made in the past, as much information as possible must be submitted on an IGFA world record application form
with any additional substantiating data. If an incomplete record claim is submitted, it must be accompanied
by an explanation of why certain portions are incomplete. An
incomplete claim will be considered for a record if the following conditions are met:
1. The incomplete claim with explanations of why portions are incomplete must be received by IGFA within the time limits specified above.
2. Missing data must be due to circumstances beyond the control of the angler making the record claim.
3. All missing data must be supplied within a period of time
considered to be reasonable in view of the particular circumstances. IGFA’s Executive Committee will make final decisions on incomplete claims.

WEIGHING REQUIREMENTS

1. The fish must be weighed by an official weighmaster (if one is available) or by an IGFA official or by a recognized local person familiar with the scale. Disinterested witnesses to the weight should be used whenever possible.
2. The weight of the sling, platform, or rope (if one is used to secure the fish on the scales) must be determined and deducted from the total weight.
3. At the time of weighing, the actual tackle used by the angler to catch the fish must be exhibited to the weighmaster and weight witness.
4. No estimated weights will be accepted. Fish weighed only at sea or on other bodies of water will not be accepted.
5. Only weights indicated by the graduations on the scale will be accepted. Visual fractionalizing of these graduations is not allowed. Any weights that fall between two graduations on the scale must be rounded to the lower of the two.
6. All record fish should be weighed on scales that have been
checked and certified for accuracy by government agencies or other qualified and accredited organizations. All scales must be regularly
checked for accuracy and certified in accordance with applicable government regulations at least once every twelve months. If at the time of weighing the fish the scale has not been properly certified within twelve months, it should be checked and certified for accuracy as quickly as possible. An official report stating the findings of the inspection prior to any adjustment of the scale must be included with the
record application.

SCALE CERTIFICATION

1. If there is no official government inspector or accredited
commercial scales representative available in the area where the fish is weighed, the scales must be checked by weighing objects of recognized and proven weight. Objects weighed must be at least equal to the weight of the fish. Substantiation of the correct weight of these objects must be submitted to IGFA along with the names and complete addresses of accredited witnesses to the entire procedure.
2. In extremely remote areas where no weighing scales are
available, it will be permissible for the angler to use his own scales providing that they are of a quality type and have been properly certified both before and after returning from the fishing trip.
3. IGFA reserves the right to require any scale to be re-certified for accuracy if there are any indications that the scale might not have weighed correctly.

Note: IGFA offers a scale testing service for members only.

Preparation of Claims

To apply for a world record, the angler must submit a completed IGFA application form, the mandatory length of line and terminal tackle (described below) used to catch the fish, and acceptable photographs of the fish, the tackle used to catch the fish, the scale used to weigh the fish, and the angler with the fish.

APPLICATION FORM

The official IGFA world record application form or a reproduction must be used for record claims. This form may be reproduced as long as all items are included.
The angler must fill in the application personally. IGFA also
recommends that the angler personally mail the application, line sample or fly leader and photographs. When making any record claim, the angler must indicate the specified strength of the line or tippet used to catch the fish. In the cases
of line class and tippet class records, this will place the claim in an IGFA line or tippet class category (see World Record Categories). All lines will be examined by IGFA to verify the specified strength of the line. If the line or tippet over tests its particular category, the application will be considered in the next highest category; if it under tests into a lower line or tippet class category, the application will not be considered for the lower line class. The heaviest line class permitted for both freshwater and saltwater records is 60 kg (130 lb) class. The heaviest tippet class permitted for fly fishing records is 10 kg (20 lb). If the line or tippet over tests these maximum strengths, the claim will be disallowed.
Extreme care should be exercised in measuring the fish, as the measurements are often important for weight verification and scientific studies. See the measurement diagram on the record application to be sure you have measured correctly.
The angler is responsible for seeing that the necessary signatures and correct addresses of the boat captain, weighmaster and witnesses are on the application. If an IGFA officer or representative, or an officer or member of an IGFA club is available, he or she should be asked to witness the claim. The name of a boatman, guide, or weighmaster repeated as witness is not acceptable. The angler must appear in person to have his application notarized. In territories where notarization is not possible or customary, the signature of a government commissioner or resident, a member of an embassy, legation or consular staff or an IGFA officer or International Committee member may replace notarization. Any deliberate falsification of an application will disqualify the applicant for any future IGFA world record and any existing records will be nullified.

LINE OR TIPPET SAMPLE

All applications for fly fishing records must be accompanied by the lure, the entire tippet, and the entire leader along with one inch of the fly line beyond the attachment to the leader. These components must be intact and connected.
All applications for freshwater and saltwater line class records must be accompanied by the entire leader, the double line and at least 50 feet (15.24 meters) of the single line closest to the double line, leader or hook. All line samples and the leader (if one is used) must be submitted
in one piece. If a lure is used with the leader, the leader should be cut at the eye attachment to the lure.
Each line sample must be in one piece. It must be submitted in a manner that it can be easily unwound without damage to the line. A recommended method is to take a rectangular piece of stiff cardboard and cut notches in two opposite ends. Secure one end of the line to the cardboard and wind the line around the cardboard through the notched
areas. Secure the other end, and write your name and the specified strength of the line on the cardboard. Any line sample submitted that is tangled or cannot be easily unwound will not be accepted.

PHOTOGRAPHS

Photographs showing the full length of the fish, the rod and reel used to make the catch, and the scale used to weigh the fish must accompany each record application. A photograph of the angler with the fish is also required. For species identification, the clearest possible photos should be
submitted. This is especially important in the cases of hybrids and fishes that may be confused with similar species. Shark applications should include a photograph of the shark's teeth, and of the head and back taken from above in addition to the photographs taken from the side. Whether
the shark has or does not have a ridge between the dorsal fins should be clearly evident in this photograph. In all cases, photographs should be taken of the fish in a hanging position and also lying on a flat surface on its side. The fish should be broadside to the camera and no part of the fish should be obscured. The fins must be fully extended and not obscured with the hands, and the jaw or bill clearly shown. Avoid obscuring the keels of sharks and tunas with a tail rope. When photographing a fish lying on its side, the surface beneath the fish should be smooth and a ruler or marked tape place beside the fish if possible. Photographs from various angles are most helpful. An additional photograph of the fish on the scale with actual weight
visible helps to expedite the application. Photos taken by daylight with a reproducible-type negative film are
highly recommended if at all possible.

Note: IGFA's bimonthly newsletter International Angler keeps anglers up to date on world record catches. It is important that we have clear, publishable photographs of the fish and the angler. If you have action shots of the catch, we would like to see them also.

Conversion Formulas for Weights & Measures

Persons submitting world record claims are required to provide the weights and measurements of the fish in the units in which they were taken. The following formulas are provided for your information.

WEIGHTS

Ounces x 28.349 = Grams
Ounces x 0.02835 = Kilograms
Pounds x 453.59 = Grams
Pounds x 0.45359 = Kilograms
Grams x 0.0353 = Ounces
Grams x 0.002 = Pounds
Kilograms x 35.2736 = Ounces
Kilograms x 2.2046 = Pound

MEASURES

Inches x 25.4 = Millimeters
Inches x 2.54 = Centimeters
Feet x 30.48 = Centimeters
Feet x 0.3048 = Meters
Millimeters x 0.03937 = Inches
Centimeters x 0.3937 = Inches
Centimeters x 0.0328 = Feet
Meters x 39.37 = Inches

MISCELLANEOUS

1 pound force x 4.448 = Newtons
1 kilogram force x 9.806 = Newtons
1 fathom x 6 = Feet