Are line class records a good thing?

[Squidnation]

I know this has been somewhat discussed in the past but I was just talking on the plane with a new friends about line class records. Are they good or bad for the sport. Really isn't there only one record that really needs to be considered. Biggest of them all? or is that even a bad thing. I don't think that the biggest of them all is a bad thing. sure its usually a big female but it is truly an accomplishment. I have tried many a time to beat one line class record or another but I wonder how many fish i killed in the process?

And while we are on the subject why isn't there quantity records kept. I for one am more impressed seeing a crew that was proficient enough to release 20 white marlin or 60 sails then to see some dude hang a 65lb white marlin caught on two lb test.

Lets here it. I am really interest in what the community has to say.

[austin ensor]

my 2 cents... i'd rather raise 20 whites in a day then get one white on 4lb. Also ive watched alot of shows where they go for line class records and it seems like the fish is hooked then backed down on so fast just so the leader is touched and its over.

--austin

[clt_capt]

To me - Saltwater Flyfishing and light line class records are very subjective, often more about boat handling, a captain with big nuts to back down and flood the cockpit, than it is about angling skill...

Catching/raising a large number of fish typically means that the whole team is on their game - Right spot, bait is right, drop backs are right, etc - That to me shows true skill - although with some of the very high numbers, I have to wonder if those fish are revived correctly...

[arthurj]

My thoughts on it...I would rather have the experience of raising a bunch of fish any day than trying for a line class record. I just don't see what people get out of that. I would rather give every fish I encounter the best chance for a healthy release by using appropriate tackle to subdue them as fast as possible.
I am not in any way flaming people who do, that is just the way I feel.

[Roddy Hays]

Oh boy Bill, this is a very large can of worms - but you knew that, right ?

Sensible tackle, challenging tackle and stupid tackle - all are part of the "light" tackle argument, to which there are too many sides.

I've been on the bitter end of this many times - as a captain with clients who want to do it, as a captain with owners who want to do it, as an IGFA rep identifying the fish, as the weighmaster on record claims, and as the IGFA's man on the spot in some cases. It's a really difficult thing to quantify.

No one has any right to deny someone the chance to catch a fish on the lightest tackle they want. As far as I know, no country in the world right now has any laws in place governing the strength of tackle used for fishing. Most anglers fish for what they want to catch with tackle they believe stands the most chance of bringing their quarry to hand, with some enjoyment and skill required. This is the sensible tackle crowd

There are many other sides to fishing, and some people really do fish light tackle for the challenge - they find it fun, they have the right crew and the right technical knowledge to do so, and we should not knock them for this. There truly are some great light tackle anglers out there who release almost all of their fish, and that is the way they enjoy the sport - this is the challenging tackle crowd. Some fish from the boat, some from the shore.

We then have to differentiate between the previous people and the stupid tackle crowd, who fall into two distinct categories : the one party which has no clue and on a whim thinks it's a great idea to try and catch a fish on tackle that is not suitable and with no idea of what is needed; and the other party that fishes light tackle because they feel the need for glory - who have no respect for the animal or they way they fish, who try to attain the same level of competence as the truly skillful ones but will never get there. For these crews the busted lines and the dead fish are a badge of honour, not a steeply priced step in a learning curve.

There are many other aspects to discuss here - the IGFA's role in our sport and the line classes themselves, the need for light tackle in certain situations, the "unfairness" of the line class systems where the vast majority of anglers will never be in a position to even try to fish light tackle in a balanced way, the conservation aspect, the part that luck plays in many a light tackle capture (right down to tournaments where crews find themselves on boats suitable for fishing light tackle and thus winning more points - all down to a boat "draw"), the fluke light tackle capture, and also - the crux of it all - how much part does the angler play in many light tackle captures ?

For me there is one issue - I think the IGFA should look long and hard at the role they play. On the one hand they limit the upper end of the tackle classes for some species, considering it unsporting to catch (for example) spearfish in 130lb gear, but at the other end of the spectrum they allow 2lb tackle to be used on the GBR for giant black marlin, knowing full well that the angler will be little more than a "winder" in these situations (though someone like Raleigh Werking will dispute that in his case ). For me, the IGFA really should reconsider it's line-class structure and limit the lower end of the line-classes for many species and institute minimum line classes for those species that most of its members think would benefit from such a consideration.

Unfortunately, I doubt such a change will ever come to pass.

There is also one other consideration - many countries and clubs actively fish for some species on line classes one might call "light", but which they regularly use and catch fish with - South Africa and Australia in particular. In these countries, almost every tournament is based in a line-class system, and it is something that anglers in those countries will battle long and hard to continue doing - the fact that they are good at it is besides the point. I'd call this challenging tackle, by the way.

Ultimately though, interested parties in this debate will have to remember one thing - there is great participation in this sector of our sport from those that have the most say on making the rules and have the power to change them. Need I say more ?

Good luck.

[Squidnation]

awesome read roddy. some great points by all.

[Anthony of the ARK]

I dont know much about anything. I think that records and line classes have a place in sportfishing just as the release numbers too. I think what ever gets people offshore and enjoying the sport is what matters. Some people want that long tough battle with the fish of a life time and these people will spend the money and time to catch that fish. the sad thing is that truly huge fish of a life time are becoming harder come by no matter how good a team is. This is where the line class comes in to play, people can get that thrill of battling with not as big fish on lighter tackle but it still equals a battle with the fish of a lifetime. Yes some fish will be killed, some small one will die during the fight and some will escape.

On the other hand there are people whose day of a lifetime involves catching a bunch of fish in a day with the right tackle and the right people. this is also good for the sport because fish are released quickly and healthy. it also can take away the luck factor of competitive fishing, like running over some big dumb white marlin on the 50 fathom line. I think in the very near future you will start to see more records of releases kept. I know IN THE BITE Magazine had asked for release records, IMHO that is were the sport is headed.

I guess what im trying to say is everyone has their own reasons to fish, some to relax, some to catch the biggest or the most, or to win money or recognition. But for what ever reason it is that people spent countless amounts of money and time it is good for the our sport and our industry. And as long as people enjoy the ocean responsibly, i say go out and fish for what ever you want how ever you want.