Captain's log
It doesn't happen to everyone, but if you spend enough time on the water there's a chance that you may encounter a fish that will rewrite the record books. For some anglers, it's a real passion to chase huge fish in hopes of receiving this recognition, for others it's simply a chance encounter that leads to a whirlwind of confusion and unexpected attention.
One of my goals is to bring the stories of record fish, especially those taken by alternative means like bowfishing, to you as I hear about them. Learning what led to the record holder's success, as well as the process they went through to get the fish recognized as a record, may help you avoid potential mistakes and give you advice on what to do if you're ever in that situation.
Being recognized at the state level for a record fish is something that most anyone can qualify for if that state recognizes fish taken by alternate means. However, not every state offers these types of records, or maybe not for the particular rough fish species that we may encounter.
If your state has a bowfishing organization that maintains records then please consider becoming a part of that organization. The benefits an angler receives when joining these groups usually far outweigh the nominal costs and sometimes only members of the organization can qualify to receive recognition for a record fish. That scenario has played out multiple times in the past few years, especially in Wisconsin.
In addition to joining your state's organization, fishermen that care about the future of bowfishing on a national level should consider joining the Bowfishing Association of America (BAA). This organization is the voice of bowfishermen across the country. The BAA recognizes record fish through World Records, State Records, and Youth Records.
The criteria for recognition of a record fish through the BAA has recently changed and I outline the changes in the Regional Reports section. If you enjoy the sport and land the fish of a lifetime, it would be a shame not to be recognized by your peers.
- Capt. Pete Gregoire
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Obscure Adventures Magazine
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