IGFA launches additions to Trophy Fish Clubs and Tuna Slams

The IGFA is excited to announce the addition of new eligible fish, and changes to the existing trophy fish programs and tuna slams.

For those of us who mainly fish here in Australia and over in New Zealand, the latest Trophy Fish additions are the most exciting news.

Here in Australia and New Zealand our Yellowtail Kingfish are now eligible.

• California Yellowtail/ Southern Yellowtail - (Seriola lalandi): A popular game fish species in California, Mexico, New Zealand and Australia, the IGFA currently holds two separate record categories for the species, split by region. Therefore, the IGFA has opened two separate Trophy Clubs for both California and Southern yellowtail.
  

• Minimum Length for a Trophy Fish is 127cm (50 Inches)

  
  

• Minimum Weight is 27kg (60 Pounds)

Additions to the Trophy Fish Club Program:

The IGFA is proud to introduce this fish and others (see image below) as species to the trophy fish club program.

The IGFA Trophy Clubs recognise individual trophy game fish catches for certain eligible fresh and saltwater species. To qualify for an IGFA Trophy Club, the newly added fish must meet either the required length or weight, as above. All past and present catches are eligible, provided they can be appropriately documented and were caught per IGFA Angling Rules.

Fish entered by weight must be weighed on a certified scale. If the scale is uncertified at the weigh-in, it may be certified shortly afterward. Fish may be weighed on a boat and are eligible for Trophy Clubs.

Fish entered by their length may be measured on any standard measuring device. The length measurement must be taken from the tip of the snout to the rear centre edge of the tail (fork length). An IGFA official measuring device is not required (as had been in the past).

Additions to the IGFA Tuna Grand Slam Club Program:

The IGFA is making the following changes to the IGFA Tuna Grand Slam Club:

• The addition of albacore (Thunnus alalunga) as a species eligible for the IGFA Tuna Grand Slam Club.

  
  

• The following species, southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii), Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) and Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) under “bluefin” for the IGFA Tuna Grand Slam.

Additions to the Royal Slam Club Program:

The IGFA’s Royal Slam Clubs honour the outstanding accomplishment of catching a collection of different game fish species within an angler’s lifetime.

A “Royal Slam” is defined by an individual angler catching each of the required species within a category (shown below), per IGFA International Angling Rules. All past and present catches are eligible, provided they are properly documented.

The IGFA now differentiates Slam & Trophy Clubs caught on fly tackle versus those caught on conventional gear. To receive distinction for a Slam caught on fly tackle, all of the species must be caught on fly tackle according to IGFA Rules. Fly and conventional tackle Royal Slam Club members are displayed in the World Record Game Fishes book each year. Learn more about IGFA Slam and Trophy clubs here: igfa.org/angler-recognition

• The addition of albacore (Thunnus alalunga) as a species eligible for the IGFA Tuna Royal Slam Club

  
  

• The addition of Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) as a species eligible for the IGFA Tuna Royal Slam Club

  • Southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii), Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) and Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) will remain as separate species for the IGFA Tuna Royal Slam Club.

Support and Advice:

Any member who'd like more advice on IGFA Trophy Fish, IGFA Membership are fishing rules are encouraged to reach out to Tim Simpson, STC Committee Member and Secretary of the IGFA Oceania Council.

More information can also be found about IGFA Slam & Trophy Fish Clubs, on the IGFA website. Please visit: https://igfa.org/trophy-fish-clubs/.

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