2024 IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Highlights

James Alexander Henshall, M.D. stands as a towering figure in bass fishing history, widely acclaimed as the foremost advocate for the recognition of bass as a premier game fish. Born on February 29, 1836, in Baltimore, Maryland, Henshall initially pursued a career as a physician and surgeon, graduating from the Miami Medical College in Cincinnati, Ohio.

However, his interests quickly expanded beyond medical practice to encompass the study of North American freshwater fish. Henshall's early writings and studies laid the groundwork for his future contributions to ichthyology and angling literature. His seminal work, "Book of the Black Bass", first published in 1881, (reissued in 1889, 1904, and 1923) reflected his early fascination with bass and solidified his reputation as a leading authority on American sport fishing. Henshall's innovative spirit and scientific rigor in his early years set the stage for a career marked by groundbreaking contributions to fisheries management, aquaculture, and the conservation of fish species across the United States.

In addition to his seminal work, "Book of the Black Bass", Henshall authored several other influential books that have become landmarks in American fishing literature. His works, "Pike, Perch, and Others", "Camping, Cruising in Florida", and "Favorite Fish and Fishing", established him as a leading authority in the field of ichthyology.

Henshall's influence extended beyond writing. He is credited with potentially inventing the "pitching" style of casting, in "My Angling Friends" (1900), author Fred Mather called it the “Henshall style” of casting and described it as “dropping the tip of the rod below the elbow and checking the reel with the thumb.” Often viewed as the “pioneer of the present-day baitcasting rod,” his specifications for baitcasting rods, described in a Forest and Stream article titled "The Coming Black Bass Rod", contributed to the development of many modern rod designs.

In addition to his literary and technical contributions, Henshall played pivotal roles in fisheries management. He served as the hatchery manager for the U.S. Fish Commission from 1897 to 1917 and was elected president of the American Fisheries Society from 1891 to 1892. Notably, Henshall was the first person to successfully raise black bass in captivity, showcasing his innovative approach to conservation and aquaculture.

Henshall was recognized with several prestigious honors in the bass fishing world. His induction into the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame in 1982 and the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame in 2018 recognizes his enduring impact on the sport and science of fishing in America. His contributions earned him the distinction of being known as "the father of black bass fishing in America," a testament to his pioneering spirit and dedication to the advancement of angling.

Henshall passed away on April 4, 1925, in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was laid to rest at Spring Grove Cemetery. His life's work remains a cornerstone of American fishing history, immortalized by Fred Mather's assertion that Henshall's "Book of the Black Bass" serves as both a monument and obituary befitting a man whose influence on fishing literature and practice is unparalleled. His profound influence is immortalized in the scientific nomenclature of the Alabama bass, Micropterus henshalli, ensuring his legacy in the annals of angling history.

For his indelible mark on fisheries management and his impact on the study and understanding of black bass, the IGFA is proud to induct James A. Henshall into the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame.

Tom Pfleger forged an extraordinary legacy in both angling and conservation, dedicating his life to promoting environmental stewardship within the recreational angling community. Born on June 19, 1951, in Los Angeles, California, Tom was introduced to fishing at an early age by his father, George T. Pfleger. He spent his formative years fishing aboard his father’s boat, the Nordic Star, before transitioning to his own vessel, a commercial harpoon boat. This early experience gave Tom a unique perspective on both recreational and commercial fishing, blending techniques from both arenas as he honed his craft. He admired anglers who invested time in understanding species and developing methods to better target them. This drive to improve his skills led Tom to focus on challenging species such as white seabass, swordfish, and bluefin tuna.

As his success targeting these challenging species continued to grow, Tom developed a strong interest in pursuing IGFA Line Class World Records. Over his lifetime, Tom set 24 IGFA Line Class World Records across a diverse range of species. Eleven of these records still stand, including a 261-pound, 8-ounce Pacific bluefin tuna landed on 50-pound line class, the largest of Tom’s impressive record resume. Tom also achieved six IGFA Tippet Class World Records, further showcasing his versatility and skill as an angler. For most of his records, Tom captained his own vessel and relied upon his instincts to achieve success. He also played a significant role in helping others achieve their personal best catches, including captaining his daughter, Ali Pfleger, to her 30-pound line class record for Pacific bluefin tuna with a 211-pound, 11-ounce fish in 2018.

Tom’s respect for responsible angling was matched by his awareness of the broader environmental impact of fishing practices. Concerned about the lack of resources devoted to fisheries management and the need for up-to-date scientific information, Tom founded the Pfleger Institute of Environmental Research (PIER) in 1998. PIER was established to accelerate and enhance fisheries management by addressing critical data gaps. Under Tom’s guidance, the institute pursued important research topics such as tagging and migration studies, age and growth analysis, and the development of sustainable fisheries.

Among the various species Tom targeted, white seabass held a special place in his heart. His dedication to this species led him to pioneer PIER’s White Seabass Research Program, aimed at improving the management and sustainability of this valuable resource. In collaboration with the late Packy Offield, former IGFA Chairman and IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame Inductee, Tom funded several landmark studies on white seabass. These studies ranged from the first formal stock assessment to comprehensive research on tagging, age, growth, and basic biology, resulting in the deployment of over 500 electronic tags along the west coast from California to Mexico.

Beyond his achievements as an angler and conservationist, Tom was also a generous philanthropist who supported a wide array of meaningful causes. He was particularly committed to assisting at-risk populations and those in recovery, believing in the therapeutic power of the ocean. Tom organized, supported, and personally attended numerous fishing trips for hundreds of at-risk individuals throughout his life, eager to share the peace and fulfillment he found on the water with others. His enduring legacy continues to inspire and influence the recreational angling community, leaving a lasting impact on the sport. Tom passed away peacefully on his birthday, June 19, 2024, surrounded by his family. His enduring legacy continues to inspire and influence the recreational community.

For his lifelong commitment to conservation and his remarkable accomplishments as an angler, the IGFA is proud to induct Tom Pfleger into the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame.

With a storied career marked by tournament victories, accolades, and remarkable angling accomplishments, Nick Smith has unquestionably set the standard for billfishing excellence. Born in Plymouth, Michigan, on January 13, 1941, Nick would spend his early years there and fondly remembers trout fishing with his mom and dad. Moving to Florida when Nick was ten, the family settled in West Palm Beach where Nick’s father, Bev, bought the local Ford dealership. Despite being busy with his new business, his dad still found time to fish with his son. Meanwhile, Nick’s mother Marie had developed a successful kids fishing program called “Kruise Kids”, which introduced over a thousand children to deep sea fishing. When not in school, Nick assisted his mother on those trips, working as first mate.

Nick’s curiosity about fishing made him an avid student of the sport from a young age. He would actively read fishing reports, monitoring the success of the local West Palm Beach charter boat fleet. At age thirteen, Nick caught his first sailfish aboard one of those boats, the Adventuress with Capt. Bob Haines. This sparked a passion for billfishing that led Nick’s father to purchase a 20-foot Trojan Seabreeze which the family named Tranquil. During this time, Nick’s dad formed a relationship with IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame Inductee, John Rybovich, a pioneer in building custom sport fishing boats. Rybovich outfitted the boat for the Smiths, then the family hired Bob Haines’ brother, Dickie Haines, to run it. John Rybovich became a mentor as Nick spent his free time around the boat yard soaking up knowledge. The family eventually upgraded to a 28-foot Rybovich and, ultimately, a new 37-footer. By then, Nick had expanded his horizons, taking trips to the Bahamas where in 1958 he landed his first big blue marlin, a 503-pound fish caught off Bimini.

Nick attended business school at Washington and Lee University in Virginia before returning to West Palm to work in the family business. During that time, he bought his first boat, a 22-foot Aquasport, and continued fishing with his father, recalling a memorable day when they caught 22 sailfish off Fort Pierce. Parallel to his love for fishing, Nick developed a passion for boatbuilding, designing and building the first modern walkaround express boat in 1983. That ground breaking 30-footer became the first Old Reliable.

Invited to fish billfish tournaments at age 17 by Rybovich, Nick’s competitive nature fueled his fishing career. He went on to win the West Palm Beach Fishing Club’s Silver Sailfish Derby six times. After winning many other sailfish tournaments running his own boat, Nick partnered with IGFA Tommy Gifford Award honoree, Captain Ray Rosher, and kept on winning South Florida tournaments. Smith’s fishing adventures also took him to renowned destinations like the Great Barrier Reef, Venezuela, Saint Thomas, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, and Mexico’s Mag Bay.

In November 1999, Nick was sailfishing in Guatemala when Captain Bud Gramer suggested he try using a fly rod. Initially hesitant due to his lack of fly fishing experience, Nick took the opportunity and landed his first sailfish on fly. He often refers to that sailfish as “the world’s most expensive billfish” because it sparked an obsession that led to him becoming one of billfishing’s most accomplished fly anglers. Since then, Nick has released over 6,000 billfish and has achieved the incredible milestone of 500 blue marlin releases, all in accordance with IGFA Fly Fishing Rules. With these skills being showcased alongside his commitment to conservation, Nick earned the IGFA Bob Herder Light Tackle Award in 2023.

Among Nick’s most memorable fishing days was in the Summer of 2013. He and IGFA Tommy Gifford Award Honoree, Captain Chip Shafer, heard rumors about an exciting new blue marlin fishery on the distant offshore Costa Rican seamounts. Both were skeptical, but Nick sent Chip to bring their 64-foot Bayliss down from Guatemala to explore it firsthand. In June, on their first trip, they caught ten blue marlin on fly over three days, a remarkable feat at the time.

On July 5, the second day after returning to the seamounts, the boat raised 41 marlin, landing 10. Thrilled with that record day and thinking little more could be accomplished, Nick suggested heading home. Upon Chip’s urging, they stayed for a third day. That decision led to what Nick describes as “possibly the greatest blue marlin day ever,” with the boat raising 103 blues and catching 18 on fly. Chip and Nick said words were inadequate, but described that unbelievable day as “surreal” and “the Twilight Zone.”

For his incredible accomplishments in billfishing, his numerous tournament victories and accolades, and his significant impact on the boat building industry, the IGFA is proud to induct Nick Smith into the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame.

Kevin VanDam, a legendary figure in bass fishing, has left an indelible mark on the sport through unmatched skill and dedication. Born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on October 14, 1967, Kevin spent his childhood summers at his grandparents’ lake house in Michigan, where he discovered his passion for fishing by catching bluegill. He would fish from dawn until dusk, only returning home when his grandmother rang a bell to call him for lunch. Kevin's love for the sport deepened when his older brother, Randy VanDam, introduced him to local bass tournaments, sparking a competitive spirit that would shape his future.
Randy, who began participating in tournaments after high school, would bring Kevin along on practice days, teaching him the strategies needed for competitive bass fishing. At just 14, Kevin competed in his first tournament with his brother, landing the bass that secured their second-place finish. This event marked the beginning of Kevin’s extraordinary journey in professional bass fishing. As he continued fishing on his family's boat, Kevin excelled in club and federation tournaments, nurturing his growing passion for bass fishing. During high school, Kevin wrote a book report on Roland Martin’s "101 Bass Catching Secrets", foreshadowing a career he hadn’t initially planned but was destined to pursue.

In 1990, Kevin embarked on his first full season in professional bass fishing and quickly made a name for himself by winning the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.) Rookie of the Year title. The following season, in his first year of eligibility, Kevin was awarded the prestigious B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year. With early successes like these, Kevin established himself as a dominant force in the sport. Throughout his career, he went on to win Angler of the Year seven times. Kevin's distinctive approach and relentless pursuit of excellence resulted in four Bassmaster Classic victories in 2001, 2005, 2010, and 2011. His career accolades include 25 B.A.S.S. tournament wins, four Major League Fishing tournament victories, one FLW Angler of the Year title, 125 top-ten finishes, and an astonishing 32 championship appearances between the Bassmaster Classic and REDCREST tournaments. Kevin is the all-time money leader in bass tournaments and was recognized by ESPN in 2002 with the inaugural Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly (ESPY) Award in the Best Outdoor Sports Athlete category.

Beyond his competitive achievements, Kevin has used his expertise to develop innovative products that help anglers catch more fish, launching several KVD-branded products, including rods, reels, and lures. His dedication to sharing his knowledge and passion for the sport led him to create his television show, The VanDam Experience, and a YouTube channel, where he educates and inspires anglers worldwide, offering insights into tournament preparation, lake exploration, and the tactics that have made him a successful professional bass angler.

Kevin's commitment to conservation, outdoor advocacy, and philanthropy is equally remarkable. Inspired by personal experiences with his family, Kevin and his wife, Sherry, founded the Kevin VanDam Foundation in 2014. The foundation supports kids' fishing camps, conservation initiatives, and the Bronson Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where their twin boys spent their first 13 weeks of life. His work with local children's hospitals and conservation projects reflects his belief in using his platform to make a positive impact on communities and the environment. Kevin attributes much of his success to the unwavering support of his wife, Sherry, whose understanding of the demands of his profession has been crucial to his achievements.

Kevin VanDam is no stranger to Hall of Fame recognition. In 2011, he was inducted into the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame, acknowledging his exceptional contributions and achievements in the sport. Seven years later, in 2018, Kevin’s unparalleled impact on bass fishing earned him induction into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame and the Michigan Outdoors Hall of Fame, further highlighting his influence both nationally and within his home state. Most recently, in 2023, he was honored as an inductee into the Legends of the Outdoors National Hall of Fame. His remarkable influence will continue to shape bass fishing for decades to come.

For his numerous tournament victories, commitment to advancing the sport, and relentless pursuit of excellence in bass fishing, the IGFA is proud to induct Kevin VanDam into the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame.

Ralph "Agie" Vicente's deep-rooted commitment to sportfishing spans over half a century, establishing him as a revered figure within the Caribbean and Latin American angling communities. Born in New York City on June 24, 1946, Agie spent his early years in the United States before relocating to Puerto Rico during grade school, where he lived on his family's dairy farm. Introduced to fishing by his father, Harold Vicente, Agie spent his childhood days catching small fish and barracuda off the beach, igniting a lifelong passion for the sport.

As he grew older, Agie would spend afternoons at the docks, conversing with local fishermen as they returned from their fishing trips. These interactions led to an invitation to join a fishing expedition on a 31-foot Bertram, where he caught his first offshore fish, a dolphinfish. While his passion for fishing continued to grow during his teenage years, Agie initially pursued a different career path, studying dairy husbandry with the intention of joining the family business.

However, Agie’s career took a different turn when he started working as a shoe salesman before eventually owning a gas station. Despite these career shifts, he continued to fish as often as possible and joined the Cangrejos Yacht Club in the late 1960s. After finding early success in business, Agie purchased his first boat, a 28-foot Enterprise, in 1971. He fondly recalls that the first fish he landed on that boat was a white marlin. Billfish quickly became his favorite to pursue, especially the Atlantic blue marlin. His continued involvement with local fishing clubs led to an invitation to join the prestigious Club Náutico de San Juan, where he later served as the Club’s Commodore.

Agie began participating in local tournaments and recalls a remarkable day when he landed an estimated 700-800-pound blue marlin on 30-pound class line. Although the crew celebrated the potential tournament win, Agie chose to release the impressive marlin. Upon returning to the docks, many fellow participants were puzzled by his decision to release the winning fish. Agie stood strong in his decision, displaying his passion for billfish conservation, which he would commit to throughout his life.

One of Agie’s proudest accomplishments in his fishing career was his role in promoting and implementing catch-and-release billfish tournaments in Puerto Rico and Latin America. In 1986, as chairman of the San Juan International Billfish Tournament (IBT), he introduced a release format for marlin, requiring the release of any fish under 100 pounds, awarding 100 points for each release. Initially met with hesitation by local captains and anglers, the format evolved, increasing the minimum weight to 200 pounds the following year. As a result, only one billfish under 200 pounds was brought in during the tournament. The success of this format eventually led to the tournament transitioning to a complete release format in 1991, setting the standard now used in billfish tournaments worldwide.

Agie credits much of his conservation passion to his friendship with fellow billfish enthusiasts, including International Game Fish Association Trustee Emeritus and IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame Inductee, Tim Choate. Agie met Tim on a fishing trip in St. Thomas, USVI, in 1973 and noted that, "Nobody has more passion for billfish conservation than Tim Choate." This friendship led to Agie's involvement in the founding of The Billfish Foundation in 1986, where influential figures in offshore fishing came together to protect and conserve billfish for future generations.

Agie’s conservation work extends beyond The Billfish Foundation. His illustrious career is marked by numerous achievements, including serving as the IGFA Representative for Puerto Rico and the Caribbean and as an esteemed IGFA Trustee since 2010. In 2004, he was honored with the IGFA Barry Fitzpatrick Conservation Award for his contributions to billfish conservation.

Agie's influence in billfishing is undeniable. His unwavering commitment to the sport's ethos, regulations, and conservation principles has earned him widespread recognition and admiration, solidifying his status as one of the foremost authorities in the field. Wherever his travels take him, Agie's passion for angling remains evident, a testament to his dedication and expertise.

For his lifelong dedication to billfish conservation and his significant impact on offshore fishing, the IGFA is proud to induct Ralph “Agie” Vicente into the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame.