Sea Wolf's Tuna may be big but..........

[Squidnation]

Its not a record. I just spoke to Marston and he seemed a bit down in the dumps. He said that eventhough the fish was caught according to IGFA rules and beat the current NC state record by over 100lbs it will not be a record. Apparently NC said that since he sold the fish, he is not eligible for any state records. Seems like BS to me. If the fish was caught according to IGFA rules and the intention was to catch it as a sportfish as per the owners request, who cares what is done with the fish after it is dead. Seems like a silly rule if you ask me. Would love to know what you guys think.

[BrothaBob]

smells like BS to me.....

[whitey]

If the fish was caught according to IGFA rules then whats the differance if the fish was sold or not?

[JD5652]

Definitely TOTAL BS!! Still a great lifetime catch no matter how you what title you put on it.

[chum1up]

That is crap... A very good friend of mine set the bluefin record up here in New Hampshire, he not only sold the fish but also took a few chunks out of the fish with his probs. NC is wrong. He should have the record.

[Glenn W]

I didn't know wether he sold the fish are not, but was wondering about any record myself as there was a similar situation in Virginia last year or year before last involving a potential Striped Bass record caught by a commercial guy using legit rod and reel in Virginia.
I know this won't be popular around here and do feel sorry for one of our own, but I agree that recreational records should not go to commercial fish. Commercial fishermen are (at least should be) professionals trying to make or suppliment their income. On the other hand, recreational records were established to recognize outstanding recreational caught fish. IMO, the two should not mix, regardless of similar or "legal" tackle and technique.
Can you imagine all the whinning that would go on if they opened up fish records to commercially caught fish. (I know, very few commercially caught fish would qualify under the IGFA rules for tackle, but you get my drift.)
Let professionals be professionals, and let recs that care about keeping track of big fish caught as "sport" be kept as records.

[fightinglady]

the igfa stinks! people should stop donating money to them, maybe they will be more considerate. that fish is the real deal!

[Capt. Brian Daley]

Thats why the IGFA are a bunch of BUTT lickers

[Squidnation]

Glenn -you make a great point. and as far as the IGFA goes.... I don't think they have anything to do with this. This seems like a North Carolina Decision. But Glenn - Look at the scenario here. The owner comes down for a weekend of fun fishing. Rod and reel igfa legal blah blah blah. Trust me, you know this not how they do it when the big guy is not in town. quite frankly he doesn't care if the fish is sold, eaten or fed to the crabs. All he likes to do is catch big tuna. they land the fish and the captain sells it. But that angler is no more a commercial fisherman then he is an astronaut. I guess the key word in my opinion is intention. The intention of the angler and crew was to catch a big fish according to sportfishing rules as is always when the owner is on the boat. It just seems to me that it is narrow minded to not at least review the circumstance then to stand behind the rule to the letter.

[gottaflylee]

In North Carolina they consider it a commercial catch caught on commercial gear because it was sold and commercial catches are not recognized. I also hate it for them.