- The IGFA

“Hail to the sea and to the brave women and men who set out upon it to angle, especially those who dare to call themselves captains of the sea and seek their fortunes by putting anglers on fish,” stated IGFA President Nehl Horton during his welcoming remarks to the sell-out audience of nearly 200. “You are the true champions of our sport as you dare life, limb and sanity to help anglers achieve their dreams.”

This year the IGFA honored tuna-fishing legend Captain Walter Voss; acclaimed Pacific coast tournament Captain Steve Lassley; Cape Hatteras charter fishing pioneers, the Foster Family; Southern California billfish guru, Captain Mike “Beak” Hurt; and early offshore adventurer and mothership operator, Captain Jim Donovan.

The historic evening was emceed by Chairman of the Legendary Captains & Crew Committee and renowned captain Skip Smith who prefaced the awards ceremony by quoting IGFA Hall of Fame Member Mark Sosin by saying ““There is no greater honor than to be recognized by your peers. You cannot buy it, you have to earn it.”

The Tommy Gifford Award is named for one of the greatest saltwater charter skippers of all time, and past recipients of the award include iconic figures such as Jimmie Albright, Christian Benazeth, Ralph Delph, Ronnie Hamlin, Bark Garnsey, Charles Perry, Jose Wejebe, Peter Wright and more.

The IGFA thanks everyone who joined us for this memorable evening and for all of the event sponsors who helped make this event possible.

IGFA 2018 Legendary Captains & Crew Ceremony