Every angler has one or a few: A favorite memory of the biggest fish they’ve ever caught. Even most non-anglers have heard stories about their grandpa, dad, uncle, or friend fighting and reeling in a fish that was bigger than their boat. Sport Fishing decided to cross-reference legend with fact to determine the International Game Fish Association’s all-time world record, and compiled a list of the 100 best world records ever caught.

Of course, ranking record catches will always be a subjective exercise. The truth is that each catch over the following pages represents a phenomenal accomplishment, requiring great skill and patience to achieve.

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Photo by: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration