COVID-19 Update for IGFA Members & Supporters
Updated: Monday, July 17 2020, at 9:00 p.m. (EST)
The health and safety of all IGFA staff, members, captains, anglers, and friends is always our top priority. As we continue to monitor the Coronavirus pandemic closely, all upcoming IGFA events are planned following official government regulations and CDC guidelines. Click here to see what we are doing to ensure your safety and check back often for updates regarding event details.
List of IGFA Events Impacted
IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony -Postponed until September, 2021.
For more information, please contact IGFA Event Coordinator Michelle Andersen at [email protected] or 954-924-4315.
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Tommy Gifford Awards Ceremony
Postponed until March 26, 2021.
The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort
The Tommy Gifford Award is named for one of the greatest saltwater charter skippers of all time, and recipients are selected through a rigorous process conducted by the Legendary Captains and Crew Committee chaired by Captain Skip Smith. Join us in congratulating the 2020 Tommy Gifford Award recipients: Captain Bobby Brown, Captain Alan Card, Captain OB O’Bryan, Captain Tom Jones, and Bonefish Guide Ansil Saunders. For more information, please contact IGFA Event Coordinator Michelle Andersen at [email protected] or 954-924-4315.
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IGFA Light Tackle Open
February 9-11, 2021
Save the date! This exclusive two-day tournament will take place during peak sailfish season in South Florida. With a maximum line class of 12-pound and strict adherence to IGFA Angling Rules, the IGFA Light Tackle Open is the tournament for light tackle anglers from around the world to showcase their skills and sportsmanship. For more information, please contact IGFA Event Coordinator Michelle Andersen at [email protected] or 954-924-4315.
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37th Annual IGFA International Auction & Banquet
February 13, 2021
Save the date! On Saturday, February 13, 2021, anglers, captains, and industry leaders from around the world will unite to celebrate the sport of fishing in the 37th Annual IGFA International Auction & Banquet. Stay tuned for more details! For more information, please contact IGFA Event Coordinator Michelle Andersen at [email protected] or 954-924-4315.
IGFA Day represents a global celebration of angling on the anniversary of the IGFA’s establishment. As part of our initiative to teach 100,000 kids to fish around the world, the 2020 IGFA Day will galvanize the organization’s international network around the theme of educating the next generation of ethical anglers.
The IGFA Permit Invitational is a premier fly fishing tournament and auction held annually with the goal of creating a competitive atmosphere to celebrate a world-class inshore game fish, the sport of fly fishing and to promote the ethics and programs of the IGFA. We are excited to hold this premier event out of the Stock Island Yacht Club in the Lower Florida Keys during peak permit season.
All proceeds from the IGFA Permit Invitational event and auction will benefit the IGFA’s conservation programs and initiatives.
Click here to view all auction items for your chance to win big!
Save the date! This exclusive two-day tournament will take place during peak sailfish season in South Florida. With a maximum line class of 12-pound and strict adherence to IGFA Angling Rules, the IGFA Light Tackle Open is the tournament for light tackle anglers from around the world to showcase their skills and sportsmanship. For more information, please contact IGFA Event Coordinator Michelle Andersen at [email protected] or 954-924-4315.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the IGFA will hold the 2021 IGFA International Auction virtually at 6:30 pm EDT on February 13, 2021. Fishing enthusiasts from around the globe are invited to join in for an evening of fun, fishing, and, of course, an exciting live auction. Details about the event, the online auction, and sponsorship opportunities will be coming in early December 2020. For more information, please contact IGFA Event Coordinator Michelle Andersen at [email protected] or 954-924-4315.
2021 Annual IGFA Online Auction
June 7-13, 2021
Celebrate #IGFADay2021 by participating in the IGFA Online Auction. This is your opportunity to win some great tackle, gear, artwork, apparel, fishing charters, and more while showing your support for the future of recreational angling. To register and bid, please visit https://one.bidpal.net/2021igfaonline/welcome
DONATE TO THE IGFA ONLINE AUCTION AND RECEIVE GREAT BENEFITS!
We rely on the support of businesses within the recreational fishing industry to help us continue to keep the sport alive and growing. Whether it’s tackle and gear, trips to fishing lodges, artwork, or jewelry, there is no end to the items featured in the IGFA Online Auction. Your donation will not only go to a good cause, but you may also qualify for valuable advertising space or an IGFA Membership. To learn more about the benefits of donating to the IGFA, please contact Membership Development Manager Denise Hartman at [email protected] or 954-924-4243.
To donate an auction item/experience, please visit https://one.bidpal.net/2021igfaonline/donate-item
In the 10th year of the IGFA Great Marlin Race (IGMR), the IGFA will be deploying satellite tags to study billfish migrations and diving behavior at major tournaments around the world. Teams sponsoring tags will be supplied with the necessary equipment to deploy their own satellite tag on marlin, sailfish, or spearfish species and will be provided a comprehensive report of the results from their tagged billfish. Each tag will also be entered into the competition to see which billfish travels the farthest in 2021-2022.
Information from the IGMR is used to better understand the ecology of marlin, sailfish, and spearfish; leading to improved conservation and management of billfish resources in our world’s oceans.
If you are interested in deploying satellite tags on billfish species in your area please contact IGFA Conservation Manager Bruce Pohlot at [email protected].
There are many different places to go fishing. Some anglers prefer freshwater whereas others prefer fishing in saltwater. A mixture between fresh and salt is brackish water where a lot of nice game fish live as well. Campers will learn about what techniques and bait to use for fishing in all types of aquatic habitats.
The largemouth bass is the most sought after freshwater game fish whereas the peacock bass has proven to be quite the enjoyable game fish to target as well. Campers will have the opportunity to learn advanced techniques to improve their chances of hooking up on a lunker largemouth or massive peacock bass. These freshwater field trips are designed to increase the camper’s chance as well!
Fishing with natural bait can be extremely effective because you are presenting the fish with an option they are already used to eating. Campers will test out various natural baits from live worms to live shrimp and baitfish. Campers will also test out some not so common natural baits like cheese and dough balls.
Florida is known for its vast coastline so this week of camp will focus on inshore fishing. Campers will still learn the basics and go fishing in freshwater, but they will learn techniques that can help them fish near Florida’s many shores such as off seawalls and piers. Campers will also learn how to throw a cast net!