IGFA Great Marlin Race Billfish Tagging Event – Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament
June 7-16, 2024
In the 13th 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 2024-2025.
Information from the IGFA Great Marlin Race 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 Director Bruce Pohlot at [email protected].
Learn-to-Fish Clinic at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
June 8, 2024
Location: Brandy Creek Marina, Whiskeytown, California
The IGFA Education team will travel to California to facilitate a free Learn-to- Fish Clinic on Saturday, June 8th at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area through the IGFA’s Passports to Fishing program. Park staff and volunteers will be trained in the program to continue hosting events throughout the year. This event was made possible in part by a grant from the National Park Foundation.
Learn-to-Surf Fish Clinic at Fire Island National Seashore
June 8, 2024
Location: Ocean Beach, New York
Contact: Nick DeGennaro
Email: [email protected]
The IGFA Education team will travel to Ocean Beach, NY to facilitate a free Learn-to-Surf Fish Clinic on Saturday, June 8th at Fire Island National Seashore through the IGFA’s Passports to Fishing program. Park staff and volunteers will be trained in the program to continue hosting events throughout the year. This event was made possible in part by a grant from the National Park Foundation.
Summer Fishing Camp in West Palm Beach, Florida
June 17-21
Location: 559 N Military Trail, West Palm Beach, FL 33415
Contact: Nick DeGennaro
Email: [email protected]
The IGFA is working with the Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension and 4-H of Palm Beach County to bring a week-long fishing experience for youth ages 7-12 years. This is a scholarship camp thanks to a generous donation so participants will be able to join for free and learn the basics of recreational fishing, travel to various fishing destinations, and possibly reel in their very first catch!
Learn-to-Surf Fish Clinic at Gulf Islands National Seashore
June 29, 2024
Location: Fort Pickens, Florida
Contact: Nick DeGennaro
Email: [email protected]
The IGFA Education team will travel to Fort Pickens in Florida to facilitate a free Learn-to-Surf Fish Clinic on Saturday, June 29th at Gulf Islands National Seashore through the IGFA’s Passports to Fishing program. Park staff and volunteers will be trained in the program to continue hosting events throughout the year. This event was made possible in part by a grant from the National Park Foundation.
IGMR Tagging Event at the Bermuda Triple Crown Billfish Championship
July 3-23, 2024
In the 13th 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 2024-2025.
Information from the IGFA Great Marlin Race 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 Director Bruce Pohlot at [email protected].
IGFA Mediterranean Championship
Porto Rotondo, Sardinia, Italy
July 11-14, 2024
This IGFA Mediterranean Championship is an exclusive offshore fishing tournament that celebrates the incredible recreational fishery of the Mediterranean Sea and promotes responsible and ethical angling practices.
The 2024 IGFA Mediterranean Championship will be held from July 11-14, 2024, and hosted by the renowned Yacht Club of Porto Rotondo in breathtaking Sardinia, Italy. Anglers throughout the Mediterranean and from around the world will converge in paradise to target bluefin tuna, broadbill swordfish, the elusive Mediterranean spearfish, albacore, dolphinfish, and more!
To learn more about participating in this event, please visit here or contact IGFA Marketing Director Jack Vitek at [email protected].
Kids’ Fishing Camp in Abaco, Bahamas
July 22-26
Location: Cooper’s Town, North Abaco, Bahamas
Contact: Nick DeGennaro
Email: [email protected]
The IGFA is working with Friends of the Environment to bring back the popular Kids’ Fishing Camp to Abaco in 2024. This will be an immersive week where campers will dive into both spin and fly fishing education. During the camp, children will learn essential skills such as knot tying, species identification, and even reeling in their first catch. It’s an experience that promises to be both educational and memorable!
Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament
Kona, Hawaii
July 26- August 4, 2024
In the 13th 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 2024-2025.
Information from the IGFA Great Marlin Race 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 Director Bruce Pohlot at [email protected].
Annual SoCal IGFA Great Marlin Race Event
Southern California
August-October 2024
In the 13th 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 2024-2025.
Information from the IGFA Great Marlin Race 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 Director Bruce Pohlot at [email protected] or, to sponsor a tag during this event please follow the link below:
Click here to sponsor a satellite tag
Beach Haven White Marlin Invitational Tournament
Beach Haven, New Jersey
August 13-17, 2024
In the 13th 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 2024-2025.
Information from the IGFA Great Marlin Race 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 Director Bruce Pohlot at [email protected].
2024 IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame Induction
September 14, 2024
Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium
The 2024 IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri. In recognition of their extraordinary contributions to recreational angling around the world, The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) named five angling greats to the 2024 class of the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame.
This year’s inductees into the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame represent angling luminaries who have made significant contributions to the sport. They include James A. Henshall, a pioneer in bass fishing who revolutionized angling techniques and fish culture; Tom Pfleger, whose four-decade career is marked by 24 IGFA World Records and pioneering environmental research; Nick Smith, whose billfishing prowess and conservation efforts have set global standards; Kevin VanDam, whose professional angling career resulted in unparalleled tournament successes; and Ralph “Agie” Vicente, whose half-century commitment to marine conservation and ethical angling practices has left a lasting impact on Latin American fisheries.
For more information about this event please click here or contact IGFA Development Manager, Kim Strong at [email protected] or 954-924-4315.