The young anglers are awarded points depending on species. Fish in the five- point category are jacks (yellow, bar, crevalle), snappers (mangrove and yellowtail) red grouper, mackerel (cero and Spanish) and ladyfish. Ten-point fish include barracuda, dolphin fish, grouper (black and gag), king mackerel and mutton snapper.
Amberjack, cobia, little tunny and any shark make up fish worth 15 points each. A catch of an African pompano, a bonefish or a blackfin tuna is good for 20 points. Sailfish, permit, tarpon, yellowfin tuna and wahoo are worth 25 points each.
There’s no minimum length for eligible species, but a maximum of three fish of each species per day can be counted by each contestant. Any other fish caught are awarded two points each for a minimum of 12 inches in length.
Overall grand champion awards will be given to the top anglers in each division. The boys and girls in each division catching and releasing the most species will also receive awards. A total of 21 awards will be presented.
The junior championship is the latest addition to the IGFA junior angler program, which recognizes separate world records for boys and girls for 120 fresh and saltwater fish. IGFA has members of the Junior Angler Club in approximately 50 countries.
“We see the importance of this event and the IGFA Junior Angler program as today’s young fishermen are the conservationists of tomorrow,” said Bob vanVollenhoven, Mercury’s general manager for saltwater operations.
The junior tournament mirrors two other world-class fishing championships. They include the Rolex/IGFA Offshore Championship which has been underway for four years, held in Los Cabos, Mexico, with teams of winners advancing from 90 qualifying tournaments around the world. Meanwhile, the three-year old Rolex/IGFA Inshore Championship is held in Islamorada, FL, with competitors who have won one of more than 50 tournaments around the world.
Tournament directors of junior tournaments or adult tournaments with junior divisions are encouraged to contact Jeanine Hewlett, IGFA junior angler program coordinator, at 954-927-2628 for complete details on how to become a qualifying tournament for the junior championship. Parents who fish in tournaments with junior divisions should notify tournament officials of this exciting new opportunity.
The IGFA is a 64 year old nonprofit, membership supported conservation organization best known for maintaining world game fish records in freshwater, saltwater, fly fishing and junior angler categories. IGFA members are located in approximately 125 countries. IGFA welcomes visitors to its 60,000 square foot Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum in Dania Beach, Florida.
For further information contact the IGFA, 300 Gulf Stream Way, Dania Beach, Florida 33004; phone 954-927-2628, fax: 954-924-4299, e-mail: IGFAHQ@aol.com, website: www.igfa.org.
