I was wondering to get an IGFA record what exactly is it that you have to do? Does the fish have to be taken to a certifed scale or can you weigh it on your own if you have a accurate digital scale? I am asking because I think I can catch at least a California record carp in the delta since the record is only like 48lbs, also I am sure someone on this site will eventually get some sort of record with all the big baits being tossed around. It would suck to miss out on a chance to get reconized for catching any sort of big fish.

Tight Lines,

Taylor

Well first you have to stand on one leg, then you have to jump up and down while reciting the alphabet backwards, then make your cast and if you hook up, you're all set.

Really... you need to read the rules on the IGFA website
http://www.igfa.org/BookRule2004.pdf

There's too many rules to re-list them here. In regards to scales, it's best summed up like this:

In a perfect world, there is a certified scale at the marina of the lake you are fishing and the marina is open and you take your fish in and have them weigh it and witness it, etc. This works great if you live in San Diego where most of the lakes have this.

In Nor-Cal there are very few lakes with certified scales and people standing by to weigh fish etc. So IGFA has this provision about allowing you to use you own certified scale in 'very remote areas'. I don't know what qualifies as very remote but there's plenty of lakes around here that could produce a record bass where there is no marina, no boat rentals, and at many times when the lakes are open and legal to fish, no rangers are around.

With this eventuality in mind, I bought a Salter 55lb digital scale (available at Cabelas), became an IGFA memeber, and sent the scale in to be certified by the IGFA. At least that way I'll have a decent chance at having a record catch certified.

If you don't have a certified scale and you have to go drive somewhere to get access to one, you'll probably have to kill the fish if it's a bass because trasporting live bass is illegal in the State of CA and IGFA rules say, "the catch must not be at variance with any laws or regulations governing the species or waters in which it was caught". See the dilemma?

The WRB will be so totally scrutinized that if you do anything that breaks a lake rule or a DFG law, you'll probably get disqualified. If you're after the carp record at the Delta, you can probably take the carp to one of the marinas that has a certified scale and have it weighed, witnessed, photographed, etc and you'll probably get the record. If it's the world record largemouth bass and you catch it somewhere where there's no marina or certified scale, all I can say is good luck.

IFGA can certify the Boga Grip scale for use in trying to measure a record. Just make sure you have a witness with you and some paper work ready if you know that you are going for a record.

And keep in mind, that if you are going for a line class record, that your line will test at that class. Most all lines, unless IGFA rated, will test considerably over the stated pound test listed. It's best to fish at least one class lower than the class you are trying for, if you are using regular line. If you have a favorite line, call the manufacturer and ask for the actual breaking test of the line. A typical 10# line from any manufacturer for instance, will actually be a 12-20# line. When the manufacturer says extra tough or heavy cover ect. you can expect the line to be a considerable different pound test than what is listed on the box. I learned this many years ago after submitting my first line class record. The manufacturer's can get away with this because the federal guidelines only state that a line has to test at least to what is listed on the box. I alway's get a good laugh when I read those ads stating that we have the the strongest 10# line on the market! Ya! because it is actually 20#.

Thanks guy's! I am after the carp because there is this restraunt in the delta where they feed them left overs all day and they grow huge I only fished there 1 time and cought 1 35lb, so I am thinking realisticly I can probably catch some sort of record since he was a little guy compared to others. Do you know if the good rapala (30.00 one) scale is reconized by igfa? Striper I am aware of the line stuff I am using BPS Tight Line it is IGFA certified line I have 20lb for now.

Thanks, Taylor

I don't think you'll be able to certify the rapala scale or the stren 50lb or berkley 50lb scales. That is what I have heard anyway. It's because those scales don't always give consistent weights. Like you might zero it, weigh something that is 10.0lbs and it would show 10.0. The next time you zero and weigh it, it might come up 10.2 or 9.9 or whatever. If you are going to try it, just call IGFA first before you send it to them.

You need to talk to Fish Chris about you carp spot on the Delta. He told a similar story about the restaurant with the giant carp under it, and one heck of a fight that he got into with the lady who owns the restaurant and eventually the sheriff. Lots of fun stuff about easements and property rights and whatnot x(

FYI, the IGFA carp record is 57 Lb. 13 oz. A very difficult record to break. The California record is 52#. 50#+ carp are very rare. But you never know. Good Luck.

Striper,
If you want to come down to Ilton this spring I can show you that it would not be hard to break here! I can say without a doubt they have plenty of 50lb+ carp at these docks that are in a feeding frenzy every day when the people chuck loves of bread out there! Next time I am down there I am taking the camera to show you guy's.

Rob,
It is probably the same place when I fished there I also got in a argument with a bunch of people saying the fish were pets and a bunch of other crap, so I went in my boat and floated away from teh dock and cought one and left. I had to use the tuna trolling rods from my dads boat I had one snapp my 17lb big game as soon as I hooked up.

I'm sorry, I though you were after natural carp. I didn't no you were after pet carp! I'm sure there are some 50# carp their, if their eating a loaf of bread per day.

I have an IGFA line class record and believe me, it takes a long time to get it all said and done. I have the 16lb line class record for Channel Catfish, 44lbs. I caught it on 12lb test, but that's what your basic line off shelf does, always tests higher that it says unless it's IGFA rated line. But ya, they can take up to a year to get them to accept it. I would do what I did. Don't go for any records, just go fishing. Thats how I got mine. And you should have seen that Chronarch sing ! Man oh man, was I glad I had a good drag.

Striper,
They feed them from the docks every day there in the delta ana are free to leave if they like I guess the restraunt people just concider them pets.