Manufacturers among those to be honored at IGFA's Fifth Annual World Record Achievement Awards

Last month in the IGFA Hot News for March, we highlighted the top anglers from around the world who will be honored April 12 at the IGFA's Fifth Annual World Record Achievement Awards (WRAA) celebration (please see http://www.igfa.org/News.asp?qs=203).

This month we feature the manufacturers based on the number of computer printouts of the 495 anglers using their products in setting the new records in 2007. The awards ceremony also recognizes the men, women, juniors, and professional captains for the most world records compiled from the Top 10 list recently published in the IGFA's 2008 World Record Game Fishes book. The ceremony will be held at the IGFA International Fishing Hall of Fame in Dania Beach, Florida.

Shimano, Ande and Rapala are among the top tackle, line and lure manufacturers to be honored.

Shimano picked up firsts in saltwater rods and reels along with freshwater reels for a combined 240 records. Ande also scored triple firsts in fly tippet, saltwater and freshwater lines totaling 219 records. Rapala had two first both in the use of their freshwater and saltwater lures for records.

Also scoring first were Shakespeare for freshwater rods, Tibor for fly reels, Sage for fly rods, and Boga Grip for scales.

Lifetime Achievement Awards; top anglers to be honored

Guides/educators Captain Jay Wright Jr., Hollywood, Fla., USA, and Jean-Francois Helias, also an IGFA Representative from Bangkok, Thailand will be presented with IGFA Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Each man will receive a David Wirth limited edition bronze "Lava" Hawaiiancircle hook sculpture.

Also to be honored will be Ms. Jodie L. Johnson, Peterborough, N.H. USA, as the Overall Female Angler of the year recording the most records, 28 all on fly. In addition Dr. Martin Arostegui Coral Gables, Fla., USA, will receive the Overall Male Anglerof the year with 22 records, 18 of them on fly. The retired physician was the first angler to reach the 200 world records plateau two years ago.

All first place winners will receive King Sailfish Mounts.

Cocktails begin at 6:00 p.m. with dinner and awards program at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the WRAA are $50.00 and include a barbecue dinner.

From the 2008 WRAA Top 10 list –
Tackle manufacturers/guides – # records achieved
Top 3 SW Guides

1. Andrew Parsons: 16
2. Capt. Jay Wright: 12
3. Capt. Greg Eklund: 11

Top 3 FW Guides

1. Capt. Jay Wright: 20
2. Jean Francois Helias: 12
3. Karel Dawson: 8

Fly Rods

1. Sage: 42
2. Gloomis: 37
3. Thomas & Thomas: 12

Fly Reels

1. Tibor/Billy Pate: 53
2. Abel: 34
3. Lamson: 8

Fly Tippet

1. Ande: 77
2. Rio: 31
3. Maxima: 6
4. 3t. Momoi: 6

SW Rod

1. Shimano: 25
2. Penn: 17
3. Daiwa: 11

SW Reel

1. Shimano: 117
2. Penn: 46
3. Daiwa: 32

SW Line

1. Ande: 62
2. Momoi: 27
3. Power Pro: 22

FW Rod

1. Shakespeare: 25
2. Pro Kik: 23
3. Shimano: 18

FW Reel

1. Shimano: 98
2. Daiwa: 22
3. Abu Garcia: 13

3t. Penn: 13
FW Line

1. Ande: 80
2. Power Pro: 28
3. Berkley: 25

Scales

1. Boga Grip: 170
2. Chatillion: 70
3. Berkley: 32

Top 3 FW Lure:

1. Rapala: 11
2. Zoom: 7
3. Mepps: 4

Top 3 SW Lure:

1. Rapala 4
2. Storm 3
3. 6 tied with 2