The 60,000 square foot museum that opened in 1999, is an international destination for game fisherman and contains every world-record fish that the association has collected since it was established in 1939. But it is much more than a place to showcase trophies and plaques. It's also a paradise for fishing history buffs, or for casual anglers seeking practical, up-to-date information on techniques and equipment.

Upon entering the museum visitors are greeted by a large "school" of fish suspended from the ceiling by invisible wires. There are 170 species of game fish that earned world record status suspended overhead from a relatively humble 8-pound bass to a daunting 246-pound probeagle shark and the impressive 1,402-pound Atlantic blue marlin.

The main hall branches off into a dozen themed sections, including the World Records Gallery, bait and tackle shop, Fish Gallery, Wetlands Walk with real alligators, the Catch Gallery with fishing simulators where you can feel the "pull" of a tarpon, marlin, sailfish or whatever surprise you "hook."