The 2009 IGFA book of world records for game fish is out, along with the latest copy of the International Angler, the IGFA's official newsletter. There is some news and there are some changes that will benefit southland anglers.

Oceanside can now claim a yellowtail record in the eight-pound line test category. Last July 8, David Devoy made that catch. His yellowtail weighed 32 pounds, 14 ounces.

Another record fell for white seabass, when Victor Sommers bagged 46 pound, 15 ounce king croaker at Laguna Beach on July 29.

Two species have been added to the IGFA's line class records, which means those new records will now be open. They had previously been limited to all-tackle records for Pacific barracuda and broomtail grouper.

The standing all-tackle records are: 26 pounds, eight ounces for a Pacific barracuda, held by Doug Hettinger for a fish caught off Costa Rica in January of 1999, and a 114-pound broomtail caught by Mark C. Yang at Cedros Island on June 25, 2007.

The broomtail records will allow line of up to 130 pounds, and the barracuda records will come to line tests of up to 30 pounds.

Both species are well-thought of by regional anglers, and their inclusion by the IGFA is welcomed by the same fishermen.