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NEWSLINESApproved at the annual International
GameFishAssociation’sBoardof Trustees
meeting in January, the IGFA recently
announcedchangesto theminimumratio
required for Line Class and Tippet Class
worldrecordsubmissions,andclarifications
to itsWorldRecordRequirements.MINIMUMRATIO
REQUIREMENT
EffectiveMay1, to beeligiblefora world
record,theminimumratioforfishweight
to lineor tippetclassis nowsetat 0.5-to-
1.Inotherwords,theweight of thefish
mustbeat leasthalfasmuchasthelineDaniel Lazarevski
does it again
When it comes to junior anglers, there are few with the public
recognition of Victoria’s Daniel Lazarevski. Even as a 13-year-
old, he has achieved more as an angler than most adults who
have fished a lifetime. Three years ago, at the age of 10,
Daniel single-handedly hauled in a 116kg southern bluefin
tuna that earned him an IGFA Smallfry world record – which
still stands today. Since that catch, Daniel has appeared on
many episodes of the popular Victorian TV show Savage Seas
Adventures and has become an ambassador of the sport
inspiring many junior anglers.
On 21 April this year, Daniel and his father Nick made the
road trip west to Portland, accompanied by close friends Khaled
and Louay Houli, and Jason Tedesco. The following day they
encountered an array of sea life on the inshore tuna grounds,
and just after midday a JAKS luminous bullet-head lure found its
mark, firmly connecting Daniel to another jumbo bluefin.
Much to the crew’s surprise, Daniel made light work of the big
tuna, subduing it in just 35 minutes. From the onset they knew
he had another special fish, but it wasn’t until it was weighed
that they realised just how special. At a whopping 149.4kg,
Daniel now has a pending IGFA Smallfry world record southern
bluefin tuna for the second time in three years. At this rate,
one can only ponder what lies ahead for this little champion.- Richard Abela
Victorian angler, 13-year-old Daniel Lazarevski has another pending IGFA
Smallfry world record for southern bluefin with this 149.4kg tuna he caught off
Portland in April.
Rule changes at the IGFA
or tippet class that it qualifies for – based
on the Imperial measurements (pounds).
For example, a fish applying for a 15kg
(30lb) line class record must now weigh
a minimum of 6.8kg (15lb).
This change eliminates the previous 1:
minimum ratio required for line classes
greater than 10kg (20lb).CHANGES TO WORLD
RECORD REQUIREMENTS
Effective May 1, the IGFA also made
changes to the IGFA’s World Record
Requirements. This was done to ensure
they are consistent with the internal recordreview process, and to reduce its risk and
potential liability in relation to third-party
promotions involving world record catches.
Importantly, these changes include the
elimination of the requirement that to
qualify for an All-Tackle world record, “the
fish must be a species commonly fished
for with rod and reel in the general area
where the catch was made.”
The IGFA has also amended item 3 of its
Record Catch Regulations to clarify that:
“The IGFA will not recognize or approve
any IGFA World Record application where
a financial award is offered for obtaining
the record.”