King Sailfish Mounts And The I.G.F.A.

Lou Marron's All-Tackle World Record Broadbill Swordfish Mount Now at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum

by International Game Fish Association 17. February 2010 13:31

The International Game Fish Association is proud to welcome the arrival of Lou Marron's All-Tackle World Record broadbill swordfish mount to the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum. Recently restored to its original splendor by King Sailfish Mounts (http://www.kingsailfishmounts.com/), this magnificent piece of sportfishing history will soon be on display for all to see at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum in Dania Beach, Florida.

(To view the photos of the delivery of the mount to IGFA please scroll down)

According to Marron’s world record application, the 1,182-pound fish was landed on May 7, 1953off the coast of Iquique, Chile. The fight lasted almost two hours and the fish measured 179.25 inches in length – which included its broken bill. At the time it was one of the heaviest fish of any kind caught on rod and reel. Along with Alfred C. Glassell's All-Tackle World Record black marlin, this catch is one of the most notable records of all time and the record is unlikely to be defeated.

The original mount of Marron’s fish, made by legendary Miami taxidermist Al Pflueger, included some real fish parts (bill, head, tail and fins) and the body of the mount, which was constructed of plaster, weighed nearly 200 pounds. After creating a new mold (it is believed the original mold is no longer in existence), King Sailfish Mounts produced a lightweight model from composite materials. The original fish parts were carefully restored and re-attached, and the mount was then finished with a special mixture of paints designed to maintain the authenticity of this historic catch.

During restoration the thick layer of plaster that covered the bill was removed for the first time, revealing the past turbulent life of this swordfish. The bill was broken almost in half; what remains has numerous deep gouges along the edges indicating it had been used aggressively. The tip appears to have been broken well before that final epic battle, for a substantial amount of scar tissue had accumulated at the break. These unique scars are visible in the restored mount.

On display at the Miami Beach Rod & Reel Club for more than 50 years, the new home of this magnificent mount is now the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum. Please pay us a visit after March 1, 2010 to see this new addition to the Museum firsthand. Remember, as an IGFA member your admission is free. Not a member? Join today at http://www.igfa.org/.

Photos of delivery of the All-Tackle swordfish mount to IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum:

Ray Douglas of King Sailfish Mounts (http://www.kingsailfishmounts.com/) points out the deep gouges along the swordfish bill.

Ray Douglas and IGFA Conservation Director Jason Schratwieser admire the immense size of the mount.

Kent Ullberg's Sword Dance statue outside the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum provides a fitting landmark for the new home of the All-Tackle swordfish mount.

The All-Tackle swordfish mount almost did not fit through the front doors of the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum.



IGFA plans to place the All-Tackle mount above the IGFA Museum Store with a plaque commemorating the history behind the catch of the magnificent fish.

To veiw Marlin Mounts by King Sailfish Mounts click here

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King Sailfish Mounts Sponsors 2008 World Championship Billfish Release Tournament

April 2008 Update

With just a little over a month to go the interest in the record setting WCBRT event in Cabo San Lucas Mexico has been outstanding! Cabo is considered the Striped Marlin Capital of the World by knowledgeable blue water anglers worldwide. The phenomenal catch rates in the most recent WCBRT events have further peaked the interest from anglers’ world wide to come to Cabo and participate in the WCBRT this May 2008. This tournament was designed by fisherman to be a tournament "For Fishermen by Fishermen".

The WCBRT

On May 17 – 21, 2008 is a three-day fishing tournament with an additional one-day Observer fishing tournament on May 21st. This is a 100% catch-and-release, 100% circle hook with live and dead bait tournament. The WCBT is a 2009 IGFA Qualifying event with, so far to date, eleven International countries participating. This challenging and prestigious event, allows teams to compete against many of the top anglers from all over the world. With the WCBRT dates quickly approaching, the following update will assist you in your tournament preparations. If you need additional information, please do not hesitate to get in contact with the WCBRT office at www.wcbrt.com or at the emails or phone numbers listed in this update sheet.

If you require tackle, fishing licenses or need a boat charter please contact the following - Minerva’s Baja Tackle: 011 52 624 1431282 / Email: Minerva@minervas.com Pisces Sportfishing: 011 52 624 1431288 / Email: pisces@piscessportfishing.com

Please keep our great sponsors and partners in mind when you’re making your next purchases: Minerva’s Baja Tackle, Melton’s International Tackle, King Sailfish Mounts, Pisces Sportfishing, Tesoro Hotel, No Worries Bar and Grill, Eagle Claw, Berkley, Pacific Coast Sportfishing, Roffs, Marlin World, Pelagic, QuickRig, The Billfish Foundation, IGFA, Ashwill Associates Commercial Real Estate, Finnseeker Sportfishing, Marlinnut, Los Ninos del Capitain Children’s Charity and Cabo Villas Beach Resorts.

Read the full story (here)

If you would like to leave a comment Please click comment the bottom of each post. If you would like to contribute to our blog by having a post of your own please e mail kingsailfish@gmail.com

THE PREMIER ALL-RELEASE CIRCLE HOOK MARLIN TOURNAMENT IN CABO

King Sailfish Mounts is proud to sponsor and support

THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BILLFISH RELEASE TOURNAMENT (WCBRT).

KSM has been a longtime partner, supporter, sponsor of The Billfish Foundation. This partnership and support of the WCBRT's conservation efforts will bring more attention to Cabo San Lucas from other sponsors who support the efforts of all conservation based tournaments in Cabo San Lucas.

What is the WCBRT and how did it come to be?

Our all-release circle hook marlin tournament was founded by a a group of world-class, conservation minded anglers, sportspersons, scientists and entrepreneurs that have established individual reputations of excellence in their chosen professional fields; as well as their area of shared passion - Fishing... They are our committee.

THE PREMIER ALL-RELEASE CIRCLE HOOK MARLIN TOURNAMENT IN CABO

All circle hook. All release. That's the only way to ensure the future of marlin and billfish fisheries as well as to preserve recreational and tournament fishing – not only in Cabo San Lucas and the Baja peninsula but worldwide. Everyday, thousands of marlin, sailfish and other billfish species are killed, most by commercial fishing boats – longliners that have little if any concern over the plight of marlin or other “incidental catch". Billfish and other marine species are caught in miles and miles of J-hook-rigged lines or indiscriminate gill nets. Countless other marlin and billfish are taken as trophies by uninformed anglers – a large number of which compete in billfish tournaments that require a weigh-in to determine the winners. While the negative impact that these anglers and tournaments have upon the fishery is nowhere near that of commercial fishing fleets, they are in a position to inspire change. Change not only in the attitudes and tactics used by sports fishermen, but also within the commercial fishing industry. By refocusing attention on the destructive methods used and how simple changes in techniques can minimize loss we hope to set a new precedent - Responsible, Conservation-Based Tournaments and a renewed effort to enforce Responsible Commercial Fishing.
In the spirit of Competition, Sportsmanship and Conservation, the world's top anglers have united to present one of the richest and most prestigious billfish tournaments ever held. The World Championship Billfish Release Tournament (WCBRT) is set for May 27th through May 31st at the beautiful Cabo Villas Beach Resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

With the mandatory use of circle hooks in an all-release format, WCBRT offers a new class of billfish tournament. The inaugural event has already attracted anglers from worldwide ports of distinction. The 2007 WCBRT is a qualifying event for the IGFA Offshore Championship and will include a Junior World Championship Division. The mission of the WCBRT is to promote competition, sportsmanship and the advancement of billfish conservation in a manner that will insure healthy billfish populations and exciting fishing experiences today and for future generations.

OUR BILLFISH CONSERVATION GOALS

•Raise awareness of the need for billfish conservation

•Support responsible billfish conservation management and science programs by donating proceeds to The Billfish Foundation.

• Release all hooked fish with as little injury as feasible.

• Advance the use of conservation-friendly equipment and fishing methods.

• Promote good sportsmanship by setting positive examples for young anglers.

• Provide youth angling and educational opportunities related to billfishing.

• To associate with responsible sport fishing entities, event services & related industry businesses.

• Demonstrate that billfish conservation pays.• Support the local Los Ninos del Capitain Childrens Charity.

• The WCBRT is a non profit event.