Fishing is something that has been enjoyed for what seems like forever. It may have begun as a food source but today people go fishing for many different reasons. Some find it relaxing and a great way to help them wind down from a hectic busy lifestyle. Others enjoy gathering together with friends and family to go fishing for the fun and excitement this sport can bring. It is certainly a great way to spend time together in a calm environment where you can get to know each other a little better and become closer.

Still, others fish for the thrill and excitement of bringing in that trophy fish so they can break someone else's saltwater fishing record. Could you imagine how exciting it would be to hold the top record for saltwater fishing? For many anglers it would be a dream come true and a wonderful experience they could treasure forever. The best part is the fact that this is a realistic dream that could actually happen.

Do you dream of beating existing saltwater fishing records? Do you hope to one day meet your own goals of making and breaking records in fishing? First it may help you to know of some of the existing and current records held in the types of fishing that you like and the areas that you fish in.

All you have to do is choose the species of saltwater fish you are interested in the most and start learning as much as you can about it. You will need to know which type of bait they like the best and which gear would be the most effective. Then you need to learn where the best places to fish for this species would be and the best places to locate them in the water. Take this knowledge and start practicing and you will have taken the first steps to breaking that record.

Saltwater fishing records keep track of who catches the largest fish at any given time. These are official records that will provide information such as the species of fish you caught, its weight and its length. There is no better way to prove you caught that big one than to have it placed in the official saltwater fishing records for everyone to see.

These records are kept for each of the individual states located in the United States. Therefore, it is possible to break a state record without breaking the national record so you have the opportunity to work your way up. There are five main species of fish located in the United States that anglers from all over compete for when it comes to breaking an existing record. These five are listed below.

* Bass

* Trout

* Catfish

* Redfish

* Crappie

If you think you may have tied or beat a state record for catching one of the species above, then you need to make sure that you report your catch to get the credit you deserve. There are certain procedures that need to be followed to make sure you get the proper credit for your catch. For instance, the first thing that needs to be done is for you to have the fish officially weighed in and measured. This has to be done on scales that are certified and recognized by the state.

If you have been identified as tying or breaking a state record you will receive a certificate that will acknowledge your accomplishment. This way you will always have proof that at one time you held the record for that states largest fish. Think of the stories you will be able to tell your kids and grandkids with the proof to back them up.