IGFA Names First Recipients of the Master Angler Award

Dr. Martin Arostegui and Roberta G. Arostegui recognized for lifetime achievement
across the full breadth of IGFA angler recognition programs

May 21, 2026

Dania Beach, Fla. –  The International Game Fish Association (IGFA), today announced Dr. Martin "Marty" Arostegui and Roberta G. Arostegui as the first recipients of the IGFA Master Angler Award, the highest distinction available within the newly launched IGFA Master Angler Program.

The IGFA Master Angler Award is reserved for anglers who achieve Gold Tier status in five or more of the program's seven categories, spanning IGFA World Records, Slams, and Trophy Fish Clubs. Marty and Roberta have each met that standard independently, earning the award on the strength of their individual lifetime angling accomplishments. As a couple, the two are bound by a shared passion for the sport that has driven decades of individual pursuit on the water.

"Marty and Roberta Arostegui represent exactly the kind of anglers the Master Angler Program was built to recognize," said IGFA President Jason Schratwieser. "They have not excelled in one corner of this sport; they have excelled across all of it, year after year, for decades. To be able to name them as the first recipients of this award, and to do it together, is an amazing event."

Both Marty and Roberta are inducted members of the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame — Marty in 2018, Roberta in 2023 — and each has accumulated IGFA World Records, Slams, or Trophy Fish Clubs spanning more than four decades.

 

Dr. Martin Arostegui

Dr. Martin Arostegui has achieved Master Angler Gold Tier status across five categories: IGFA All-Tackle World Records, All-Tackle Length World Records, Line Class World Records, Tippet Class World Records, and Trophy Fish Clubs. Over the course of his career, he has set 438 IGFA World Records, including 37 All-Tackle World Records, 105 Line Class World Records, 232 Tippet Class World Records, and 64 All-Tackle Length World Records. He has also completed nine IGFA Trophy Fish Clubs, fulfilling the Gold Tier standard in that category. For these accomplishments, the IGFA is proud to name Marty Arostegui as a recipient of the IGFA Master Angler Award.

 

 

Roberta G. Arostegui

Roberta G. Arostegui has achieved Master Angler Gold Tier status across five categories: IGFA All-Tackle Length World Records, Line Class World Records, Tippet Class World Records, Trophy Fish Clubs, and Royal Slams. She has set 297 IGFA World Records over four-plus decades, including 184 Line Class World Records, 89 Tippet Class World Records, and 12 All-Tackle Length World Records. She has also completed nine IGFA Trophy Fish Clubs and nine IGFA Royal Slams, reaching the Gold Tier threshold in both of those categories. For these accomplishments, the IGFA is proud to name Roberta G. Arostegui as a recipient of the IGFA Master Angler Award.

Formal recognition of the Arosteguis as the first anglers recognized with the IGFA Master Angler Award recipients will take place at the 43^rd IGFA International Auction on January 23, 2027 at the Ritz Carlton, Fort Lauderdale. Additionally, this honor will be reflected on their individual profiles in the IGFA database, in the annual IGFA World Record Game Fishes publication, and on the dedicated Master Angler Program webpage.

The IGFA Master Angler Program, launched in May 2026, introduces a tiered recognition framework spanning seven categories: All-Tackle World Records, Line Class World Records, Tippet Class World Records, All-Tackle Length World Records, Grand Slams, Royal Slams, and Trophy Fish Clubs with Bronze, Silver, and Gold tiers within each. All prior eligible achievements count toward program standing.

Additional Master Angler Award recipients will be announced in the coming months as qualifying anglers are confirmed.

For more information about the IGFA Master Angler Program, including full tier requirements and category details, visit this webpage.

Media Contact: IGFA Marketing Manager, Shelby Stephenson  |   [email protected]  |  (954) 414-9952