The following angling rules have been
formulated by the International Game Fish Association to promote
ethical and sporting angling practices, to establish uniform
regulations for the compilation of world game fish records,
and to provide basic angling guidelines for use in fishing
tournaments and any other group angling activities.
The word "angling" is defined
as catching or attempting to catch fish with a rod, reel,
line, and hook as outlined in the international angling rules.
There are some aspects of angling that cannot be controlled
through rule making, however. Angling regulations cannot insure
an outstanding performance from each fish, and world records
cannot indicate the amount of difficulty in catching the fish.
Captures in which the fish has not fought or has not had a
chance to fight do not reflect credit on the fisherman, and
only the angler can properly evaluate the degree of achievement
in establishing the record.
Only fish caught in accordance with
IGFA international angling rules, and within the intent of
these rules, will be considered for world records. Following
are the rules for freshwater and saltwater fishing.
1) Monofilament, multifilament, and lead core multifilament
lines may be used. For line classes, see World Record
Requirements.
2) Wire lines are prohibited.
B. LINE BACKING
1) Backing not attached to the fishing line is permissible
with no restrictions as to size or material.
2) If the fishing line is attached to the backing,
the catch shall be classified under the heavier of the
two lines. The backing may not exceed the 130 lb (60
kg) line class and must be of a type of line approved
for use in these angling rules.
C. DOUBLE LINE
The use of a double line is not required. If one is
used, it must meet the following specifications:
1) A double line must consist of the actual line used
to catch the fish.
2) Double lines are measured from the start of the
knot, braid, roll or splice making the double to the
farthermost end of the knot, splice, snap, swivel or
other device used for securing the trace, leader, lure
or hook to the double line.
Saltwater species: In all line classes
up to and including 20 lb (10 kg), the double line
shall be limited to 15 feet (4.57 meters). The combined
length of the double line and leader shall not exceed
20 feet (6.1 meters).
The double line on all classes of tackle over 20
lb (10kg) shall be limited to 30 feet (9.14 meters).
The combined length of the double line and leader
shall not exceed 40 feet (12.19 meters).
Freshwater species: The double line
on all classes of tackle shall not exceed 6 feet (1.82
meters). The combined length of the double line and
the leader shall not exceed 10 feet (3.04 meters).Now
here are the IGFA regulations that are of most interest
to us in the area of leader construction.
D. LEADER
The use of a leader is not required. If one is used,
it must meet the following specifications: The length
of the leader is the overall length including any lure,
hook arrangement or other device. The leader must be
connected to the line with a snap, knot, splice, swivel
or other device. Holding devices are prohibited. There
are no regulations regarding the material or strength
of the leader.
Saltwater species: In all line classes
up to and including 20 lb (10 kg), the leader shall
be limited to 15 feet (4.57 meters). The combined
length of the double line and leader shall not exceed
20 feet (6.1 meters).
The leader on all classes of tackle over 20 lb (10
kg) shall be limited to 30 feet (9.14 meters). The
combined length of the double line and leader shall
be limited to 40 feet (12.19 meters).
Freshwater species: The leader on
all classes of tackle shall be limited to 6 feet (1.82
meters). The combined length of the double line and
leader shall not exceed 10 feet (3.04 meters).
Double lines are measured
from the start of the knot, braid, roll or splice making
the double to the farthermost end of the knot, splice,
snap, swivel or other device used for securing the trace,
leader, lure or hook to the double line. For saltwater
species the double line shall be limited to 15 feet
(4.57 meters ) for all line classes up to and including
20 lb (10 kg ); and shall be limited to 30 feet (9.14
meters ) for line classes over 20 lb (10 kg ). For freshwater
species the double line on all classes of tackle shall
not exceed 6 feet (1.82 meters ).
The leader shall be limited to 15 feet
(4.57 meters ) for saltwater species in line classes
up to and including 20 lb (10 kg ), and 30 feet (9.14
meters ) for all line classes over 20 lb (10 kg ). For
freshwater species the leader on all line classes of
tackle shall be limited to 6 feet (1.82 meters ).
The length of the leader is the overall
length, including any lure, hook arrangements or other
device.
The combined length of the double line and leader
shall not exceed 20 feet (6.1 meters ) in line classes
up to and including 20 lb (10 kg ), and 40 feet (12.19
meters ) in line classes over 20 lb (10 kg ) for saltwater
species. The combined length of the double line and
leader shall not exceed 10 feet (3.04 meters ) for freshwater
species.
E. ROD
1) Rods must comply with sporting ethics and customs.
Considerable latitude is allowed in the choice of a
rod, but rods giving the angler an unfair advantage
will be disqualified. This rule is intended to eliminate
the use of unconventional rods.
2) The rod tip must be a minimum of 40 inches (101.6
cm) in length. The rod butt cannot exceed 27 inches
(68.58 cm) in length. These measurements must be made
from a point directly beneath the center of the reel.
A curved butt is measured in a straight line. (The above
measurements do not apply to surf casting rods.)
F. REEL
1) Reels must comply with sporting ethics and customs.
2) Power driven reels of any kind are prohibited. This
includes motor, hydraulic, or electrically driven reels,
and any device which gives the angler an unfair advantage.
3) Ratchet handle reels are prohibited.
4) Reels designed to be cranked with both hands at
the same time are prohibited.
G. HOOKS FOR BAIT FISHING
1) For live or dead bait fishing no more than two single
hooks my be used. Both must be firmly imbedded in or
securely attached to the bait. The eyes of the hooks
must be no less than a hook's length (the length of
the largest hook used) apart and no more than 18 inches
(45.72 cm) apart. The only exception is that the point
of one hook may be passed through the eye of the other
hook.
2) The use of a dangling or swinging hook is prohibited.
Double or treble hooks are prohibited.
3) A two-hook rig for bottom fishing is acceptable
if it consists of two single hooks on separate leaders
or drops. Both hooks must be imbedded in the respective
baits and separated sufficiently so that a fish caught
on one hook cannot be foul-hooked by the other.
4) A photograph or sketch of the hook arrangement most
accompany all record applications made for fish caught
on two-hook tackle.
NOT LEGAL
as back hook is not firmly imbedded in or securely
attached to the bait, and is a dangling or swinging
hook.
LEGAL as
both hooks are firmly imbedded or securely attached
to the bait. Would not be legal if eyes of hooks
were more than 18 inches (45.72 cm) apart
H. HOOKS AND LURES
1) When using an artificial lure with a skirt or trailing
material, no more than two single hooks my be attached
to the line, leader, or trace. The hooks need not be
attached separately. The eyes of the hooks must be no
less than an overall hook's length (the overall length
of the largest hook used) apart and no more than 12
inches (30.48 cm) apart. The only exception is that
the point of one hook may be passed through the eye
of the other hook. The trailing hook may not extend
more than a hook's length beyond the skirt of the lure.
A photograph or sketch showing the hook arrangement
must accompany a record application.
2) Gang hooks are permitted when attached to plugs
and other artificial lures that are specifically designed
for this use. Gang hooks must be free swinging and shall
be limited to a maximum of three hooks (either single,
double, or treble, or a combination of any three). Baits
may not be used with gang hooks. A photograph or sketch
of the plug or lure must be submitted with record applications.
LEGAL
if eyes of hooks no more than 18 inches (45.72 cm)
apart in baits, and no more than 12 inches (30.45
cm) apart in lures. NOT LEGAL if eyes further apart
than these distances.
NOT
LEGAL as the second trailing hook extends more than
the hook's length beyond the skirt. See also two
hook rigs.
NOT
LEGAL in bait or lures as eyes of hooks are less
than hook's length (the length of the largest hook)
apart.
LEGAL
as eyes of hooks are no less than a hook's length
apart, and no more than 18 inches (45.72 cm) apart
in baits, and no more than 12 inches (30.45 cm)
apart in lures.
LEGAL
in baits and lures. The point of one hook is passed
through the eye of the other hook
LEGAL
as eyes of hooks are no less than a hook's length
apart and no more than 12 inches (30.45 cm) apart,
and the trailing hook does not extend more than
a hook's length beyond the skirt.
LEGAL
as hook is contained within the skirt.
NOT LEGAL
as the single hook extends more than its length
beyond the skirt.
I. OTHER EQUIPMENT
1) Fighting chairs may not have any mechanically propelled
devices which aid the angler in fighting a fish.
2) Gimbals must be free swinging, which includes gimbals
that swing in a vertical plane only. Any gimbal that
allows the angler to reduce strain or to rest while
fighting the fish is prohibited.
3) Gaffs and nets used to boat or land a fish must
not exceed 8 feet (2.44 meters) in overall length. In
using a flying or detachable gaff the rope may not exceed
30 feet (9.14 meters). The gaff rope must be measured
from the point where it is secured to the detachable
head to the other end. Only the effective length will
be considered. If a fixed head gaff is used, the same
limitations shall apply and the gaff rope shall be measured
from the same location on the gaff hook. Only a single
hook is permitted on any gaff. Harpoon or lance attachments
are prohibited. Tail ropes are limited to 30 feet (9.14
meters). (When fishing from a bridge, pier, or other
high platform or structure, this length limitation does
not apply.)
LEGAL on boats if effective length does
not exceed 30 feet (9.15 meters ).
LEGAL on boats if overall length does
not exceed 8 feet (2.44 meters ).
4) Entangling devices, either with or without a hook,
are prohibited and may not be used for any purpose including
baiting, hooking, fighting, or landing the fish.
5) Outriggers, downriggers, spreader bars and kites
are permitted be used provided that the actual fishing
line is attached to the snap or other release device,
either directly or with some other material. The leader
or double line may not be connected to the release mechanism
or with the use of a connecting device. Spreader bars
are also acceptable when used strictly as a teaser.
6) Daisy chains, birds, floats and similar devices
may only be used if they do not unfairly hamper or inhibit
the normal swimming or fighting ability of the fish,
thereby giving the angler or crew an unfair advantage
in fighting, landing or boating the fish.
7) A Safety line may be attached to the rod provided
that it does my way assist the angler in fighting the
fish.
:: Angling Regulations ::
1) From the time that a fish strikes
or takes a bait or lure, the angler must hook, fight,
and land or boat the fish without the aid of any other
person, except as provided in these regulations.
2) If a rod holder is used and
a fish strikes or takes the bait or lure, the angler
must remove the rod from the holder as quickly as possible.
The intent of this rule is that the angler shall strike
and hook the fish with the rod in hand.
3) In the event of a multiple
strike on separate lines being fished by a single angler,
only the first fish fought by the angler will be a world
record.
4) If a double line is used, the
intent of the regulations is that the fish will be fought
on the single line most of the time that it takes to
land the fish.
5) A harness may be attached to
the reel or rod, but not to the fighting chair.The harness
may be replaced or adjusted by a person other than the
angler.
6) Use of a rod belt or waist
gimbal is permitted.
7) When angling from a boat, once
the leader is brought within the grasp of the mate,
or the end of the leader is wound to the rod tip more
than one person is permitted to hold the leader.
8) One or more gaffers may be
used in addition to persons holding the leader. The
gaff handle must be in hand when the fish is gaffed.
9) The angling and equipment regulations
shall apply until the fish is weighed.
The following acts will disqualify
a catch:
1) Failure to comply with equipment or angling regulations.
2) The act of persons other than the angler in touching
any part of the rod, reel, or line (including the double
line) either bodily or with any device, from the time
a fish strikes or takes the bait or lure, until the
fish is either landed or released, or in giving any
aid other than that allowed in the rules and regulations.
If an obstacle to the passage of the line through the
rod guides has to be removed from the line, then the
obstacle (whether chum, floatline, rubber band, or other
material) shall be held and cut free. Under no circumstances
should the line be held a touched by anyone other than
the angler during this process.
3) Resting the rod in a rod holder, on the gunwale
of the boat, or any other object while playing the fish.
4) Handlining or using a handline or rope attached
in any manner to the angler's line or leader for the
purpose of holding or lifting the fish.
5) Shooting, harpooning, or lancing any fish (including
sharks and halibuts) at any stage of the catch.
6) Chumming with or using as bait the flesh, blood,
skin, or any part of mammals other than hair or pork
rind used in lures designed for trolling or casting.
7) Using a boat or device to beach or drive a fish
into shallow water in order to deprive the fish of its
normal ability to swim.
8) Changing the rod or reel while the fish is being
played.
9) Splicing, removing, or adding to the line while
the fish is being played.
10) Intentionally foul-hooking a fish.
11) Catching a fish in a manner that the double line
never leaves the rod tip.
12) Using a size or kind of bait that is illegal to
possess.
13) Attaching the angler's line or leader to part of
a boat or other object for the purpose of holding or
lifting the fish.
14) If a fish escapes before gaffing or netting and
is recaptured by any method other than as outlined in
the angling rules.
The following situations will
disqualify a catch:
1) When a rod breaks (while the fish is being played)
in a manner that reduces the length of the tip below
minimum dimensions or severely impairs its angling characteristics.
2) Mutilation to the fish, prior to landing or boating
the catch, caused by sharks, other fish, mammals, or
propellers that remove or penetrate the flesh, (Injuries
caused by leader or line, scratches, old healed scars
or regeneration deformities are not considered to be
disqualifying injuries.) Any mutilation on the fish
must be shown in a photograph and fully explained in
a separate report accompanying the record application.
3) When a fish is hooked or entangled on more than
one line.
