Current Lines 23rd August 2012

Our new seasons first big tuna– On the 11^th August the first reported big tuna of the season was weighed in by angler Clayton Hazes off the vessel Enchanter weighing an impressive 303 kg, with several more lost on the next trip on the 18^th including one over 300 kg tagged and released.

We at NZ SPORT FISHING (NZSFC) take this opportunity to welcome Claire as our point of contact at Petroleum Logistics for the “P” Card.  Claire Williamswho has recently started at Petroleum Logistics joins their office team and is assigned as the NZSFC account manager. Claire will be your first point of contact for questions, admin, opening of accounts on line and over the phone and discounts etc.  Rob Bolton will continue to manage NZFSC on a higher level such as our agreement, promotions, level of discounts etc, but Claire will improve PL’s service to us and our members, as well as Newsletters and Help with our clubs and communications etc . Contact details for Claire are admin@plpl.co.nz or phone 04 2336 180 or 0800 42 83 83.

Braided Lines and World Record Consideration- Q: I am planning to start targeting a few line class records and wanted to make sure I have all of my “ducks in a row” before hitting the water. I currently have my reels spooled with different sizes of braided line because I like the extra sensitivity and feel it provides. Is it IGFA legal to use braided line, spectra, or multifilament line for World Record catches? I know it usually breaks higher than what is advertised on the spool, but do you have any specific advice?

A: According to IGFA rules, it is perfectly legal to use braided line, spectra, and multifilament lines. The only type of mainline prohibited by the IGFA is wire line (leadcore line is legal by IGFA rules). That being said, there are some very important things anglers should know about what are commonly referred to as “super-braids”. Primarily, it is important to know that many super-braids will actually break higher than the manufacturer’s advertised breaking strength, which has unfortunately led to a few records being rejected. To avoid having line overtest the targeted line class category, anglers have started to use a smaller/lighter braid, predicting that it will break in the higher line class (e.g., using a 30 lb super-braid line for the 50 lb IGFA line class category). And while many anglers have had success with this technique, there have been occasions where the line has actually tested at or near the manufacturer’s stated strength, and the record was rejected because the fish was not heavy enough for that line class. IGFA rules permit an angler’s record to be “bumped up” into a higher line class if the line overtests and the incoming record is heavy enough to replace the existing record in the higher line class. However, the IGFA does not move records to a lower line class category, should the line “undertest” the targeted line class. This rule exists to prevent anglers from “line class shopping”, where the angler arbitrarily chooses the line class depending on the size of fish landed. In summary, anglers are welcome to down size their line to break within the limits of the targeted line class. However, the IGFA will not show special consideration for records in which braided line breaks lower than the angler anticipated. If you have any question about the line-rating of any line you purchase, IGFA provides line testing for members only at a fee of $US30 per line sample..

A further Question to IGFA From Jerry Garrett a new NZ IGFA rep: This request is to be sure we understand the Braided Lines and World Record Consideration article on page 29 of the May/June 2012 International Angler (the above text) and speaks for a reel with only Braided line on the spool with no backing. I reviewed the IGFA Record Application on page 175 of the 2012 book and note that Line or Tippet 50 feet of line still attached to the double line and/or leader ( if used) which, if 2 or more lines are attached together only the top line is sent in for testing. Backing is not relevant if no line is attached to it. Thus, if the angler had spool/ box labelled rated 37 kg mono as the top line attached and spool/box labelled rated 37kg braided line as the next line attached the braid would not be subject to testing by the language on page 174 as it is all in the singular "line". How does IGFA learn of the angler's having both mono and braid connected  and what, if anything, happens after learning that both types of line were used (or even if none, or just some of the braid, went in the water during the fight)? Regards, Jerry Garrett.

Reply IGFA to Jerry- Hello Jerry, Regarding your question on an IGFA release; as long as the swivel has touched the tip of the rod, it is considered an Official IGFA Release. Also, once the leader goes through the rod tip, or is touched by the mate, this is considered an Official IGFA Release..  For your question on top shot and backing; this is legal to do, but the IGFA places the catch under the heavier of the two lines, as we require the angler to submit both line samples. For example, if someone is submitting a record on 10 kg (20 lb) line and they used a mono top-shot and a braided line backing, we request to have both of the lines. We then test both of the lines and place the fish under the heavier of the two, regardless if the braid went into the water or not. There are times when anglers use a backing, but do not attach it to the mono top shot. In cases like these, we do not require the angler to send in both samples of line, only the top shot.  Best regards and good fishing, Jack Vitek IGFA.

Regards,

Editor