Pacific Barracuda World Record:
The Incidental Record Holder
Steve Mras talks about the circumstances behind his 12 lb tippet Pacific Barracuda world record. Next time he'll read the fine print!
| Introduction |  |
Background | |
The Plan | |
Oops... | |
Editor's Comments... |
The Dana Angling Club maintains an annual "Top Boat" award. With an emphasis on billfish only, this award has been captured every year since 1992 by the boat Wild Bill, owned and operated by Bill and Jimmy Kingsmill. The Kingsmills are world-class billfishermen, with Jimmy Kingsmill being named the top marlin angler on the Pacific Coast by Pacific Coast Sportfishing magazine.
Team Kingsmill's dominance caused many club members to write off pursuit of the award, especially since many new DAC members owned smaller trailerable boats which were less competitive at marlin fishing.
In order to stimulate interest and participation amongst new members, the club decided to implement a new “Top All-Around Boat” award for the 2009 season. This award differs from the “Top Boat” award in that rankings are determined by a combination of billfish captures, placing in club tournaments, big fish awards, first fish flags, new club records, and club buttons (awards for capturing particular species of fish).
Team Kingsmill Swordfish
(Courtesy Dana
Angling Club)
The DAC has twelve tournaments during the year, and during peak season they’re held every other week. The tournaments use an honor system, and are usually scored by the weight of a single fish that has been adjusted for the line class used. Since the emphasis is on sport and angler skill, more points are awarded for fish caught on lighter line classes.
It’s not uncommon for a DAC tournament to be won by a fish that also qualifies as an IGFA line class world record. The 2008 DAC Yellowtail Tournament winner was a record 32.9 lb yellowtail, caught on 8 lb test by Dave Devoy. Dave also held the previous yellowtail record in the 8lb class, a 26 lber. And prior to that, DAC member Pat Holmes held the 8 lb class record with a 20 lb fish.
With so many top-notch boats and anglers as members, it should be clear that winning a DAC Tournament, much less taking the "Top All-Around Boat" award, is quite a feat.
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