If you’re looking to break an Atlantic sailfish record, Angola seems to be the place to do it.
The current IGFA all tackle world record Atlantic sailfish of 141 pounds was caught off Angola in 1994. Now angler Marco Couto stands to bust that all tackle world record with his leviathan 142-pound, 6-ounce spindlebeak plucked from Angolan waters.
Cuoto won the battle with the behemoth billfish during the 10th Annual Lobito Big Game Tournament. Another angler, Luisa Picarra, also hooked a monster 136-pound 14-ounce sailfish that was submitted for a women’s 20-pound class record.
Atlantic sailfish are smaller than their Pacific brethren and generally average between 40 to 60 pounds. An 80- to 100-pound class Atlantic sail is considered a worthy trophy. Tournament spokespeople are proud to declare that 99 percent of the fish in the contest are released, with only these two pending world record sails being kept. Not a bad ratio considering over 500 sailfish were caught.
Photo courtesy of billfishreport.com