The One That Didn’t Get Away

“I think I caught a record fish!” Everyone who works in fisheries hears these words, usually from an excited angler and often after a trip that ends at night.

The best situation for official records entry is with a freshly caught trophy. However, some anglers don’t begin the records process until long after the fish was caught. Typically in this situation, some of the information to register a fish is missing. And this angler is about to hear some disappointing news about the ineligibility of his catch.

Registering a catch for the Louisiana record book is not complicated, but it still has to be done right.

Anglers shooting for the Louisiana records should check with the Louisiana Outdoor Writer’s Association. Visit the association’s Web site at http://www.laoutdoorwriters.com/index.asp?pg=fr_choose and you’ll be able to see if your fish is in the Top 10. Categories include: Fly Fishing-Freshwater, Fly Fishing-Saltwater, Pond-Freshwater, Rod & Reel-Freshwater and Rod & Reel-Saltwater.

Print out a copy of the application form or pick one up from a regional Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) office. You will have 60 days after the catch to file the form. Here’s what you’ll need:

1. Keep your form with you! Have the fish weighed on a certified scale (at a fish market, grocery store or a fishing rodeo) and have two witnesses of the weighing sign the form.
2. Have a fish biologist certify the species and make sure the fish shows no sign of illegal gear or mutilation. A biologist from Sea Grant, LDWF or a college will always be willing to help here.
3. Take pictures and measure the fish. See the form for what’s needed.
4. Fill in the rest of the two-page form. Check off each rule listed on the back page, such as “Fish was caught in Louisiana waters…” and “The submitting angler was the only person who handled the rod, reel or line while the fish is being hooked, played or landed; one person may assist by using a net or gaff to land the fish after it has been brought to the side of the boat.” Some folks aren’t aware of this rule, which is similar to the IGFA requirement. If you think you may want to enter a big offshore catch, don’t take turns on the rod!
5. Send your completed application, photographs and $25 application processing fee to the chairman of the Fish Records Committee of the Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association:

   LOWA Fish Records
   P.O. Box 8571
   Clinton, LA 70722-8571

Registering with the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) is more complicated. This is the organization that keeps worldwide gamefish records. You’ve probably heard about the IGFA line-class divisions that are challenging for anglers who are trying to catch the largest possible fish on the lightest possible line. Their record entry requirements can be found at http://www.igfa.org/BookRule2004.pdf.

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