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!
There are many different species of fish out there with different behaviors making each species unique. Campers will explore different fish behaviors such as schooling to appreciate the elaborate life of a fish! Understanding fish behavior will also help campers understand what techniques to use while fishing based on what species they are targeting.
Campers’ skills will be put to the test and improved upon to target more impressive game fish. This week will include lessons from and fishing alongside Pro Staff, Captains, and IGFA World Record Holders. IGFA camps are usually all Catch and Release but not this week! Campers who catch a legal fish on the drift boats can keep it and learn what the next steps are including how to filet and cook their catch.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) will celebrate the 2020 IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame Class on September 11, 2021, at the Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Aquarium & Museum in Springfield, Missouri.
In recognition of their extraordinary contributions to recreational angling around the world, The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) has named five more fishing greats to the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame.
Elected unanimously by the IGFA Board of Trustees, the new class will join 131 legendary anglers, scientists, conservationists, writers, and fishing industry leaders whose contributions to sport fishing are forever preserved and celebrated in the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame. This class will take their honored places alongside fishing luminaries, including Isaak Walton, Michael Lerner, Francesca LaMonte, Zane Grey, Mary Orvis Marbury, Ernest Hemingway, Ted Williams, Bill Dance, Mark Sosin, Lee and Joan Wulff, Flip Pallot, Alfred C. Glassell Jr., Kip Farrington, and Curt Gowdy, just to name a few.
The new class includes pelagic game fish researcher Dr. Barbara Block; famed billfish angler and conservationist Jose Campos; marine conservationist Ken Hinman; legendary Australian angler Patrick Gay; and fly fishing extraordinaire Dave Whitlock.
IGMR Billfish Tagging Event – 40th Master Angler Billfish Tournament
In the 10th year of the IGFA Great Marlin Race (IGMR), the IGFA will be deploying satellite tags at the 40th Master Angler Billfish Tournament in association with the Balboa Angling Club 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 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.
Tag sponsorships are deductible as a charitable contribution. Checks should be made payable to IGFA. IGMR Representatives will be available to instruct anglers on how to deploy tags. Written tagging instructions will also be provided.
The winning fish is the billfish traveling the furthest distance (point to point) from where it was tagged and released. Stanford University researchers will determine the winner.
The Sponsoring Club whose marlin travels the furthest will receive an engraved MABT Great Marlin Race Trophy. Also, should the MABT winning marlin be the overall winner of the IGFA Great Marlin Race (the marlin whose tag travels the furthest of all IGMR races in a given year), the sponsor’s name(s) will be engraved on the IGMR Perpetual Trophy which is displayed at IGFA Headquaters.
If you are interested in deploying satellite tags on billfish species in your area please contact Bob Kurz, IGFA Trustee [email protected], phone 949 521-2473 or JD Doughty,
[email protected], 949 723-0883.