Tommy Gifford Award
Tommy Gifford (1896-1970) is considered one of the most innovative bluewater anglers who ever lived, and one of the greatest charter skippers to guide anglers to the major game fishes of the sea. He began his chartering career in Miami in 1920 at 23, and within a few seasons had earned a stellar reputation.
Gifford was the first to use spreader outriggers on the U.S. East Coast and the first to catch an Atlantic blue marlin with the new devices. Over his 50-year career, he developed an encyclopedic knowledge of game fish and techniques to catch them, and he served as guide and consultant to some of the most famous names in saltwater angling: Ernest Hemingway, Michael Lerner, Charlie Lehman, and Van Campen Heilner. He never lost his zest for the sea, nor his awe at the creatures beneath the waves. Raymond Camp wrote, "Big game angling has a brief history, but Tommy Gifford's name is sharply etched on every page."
Recipients of the Tommy Gifford Award are selected by the Legendary Captains & Crew Committee below.
To learn how to make a nomination please click here.
Skip Smith โ Chairman Karl Anderson - Vice Chairman
Bobby Brown, Bark Garnsey, Billy Harrison, Steve Lassley, Mike Myatt, Charles Perry, Bouncer Smith, Gary Stuve, and Laurie Wright
Tommy Gifford Class of 2024
![Batterton TGA 2024](https://igfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Batterton-TGA-2024.jpg)
John Batterton
2024 Class
![Black TGA 2024](https://igfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Black-TGA-2024.jpg)
Jerry Black
2024 Class
![Bracher TGA 2024](https://igfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Bracher-TGA-2024.jpg)
Arch Bracher
2024 Class
![Buswell TGA 2024](https://igfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Buswell-TGA-2024.jpg)
Bobby Buswell
2024 Class
![Chambers TGA 2024](https://igfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Chambers-TGA-2024.jpg)
Charlie Chambers
2024 Class
![Huff TGA 2024](https://igfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Huff-TGA-2024.jpg)
Steve Huff
2024 Class
Tommy Gifford Class of 2023
Tommy Gifford Class of 2022
![alex Adler_TG2022](https://igfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/alex-Adler_TG2022.jpg)
Alex Adler
2022 Class
![](https://igfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Arazia_TG.jpg)
Jesus Araiza
2022 Class
![Atlee_TG 2022](https://igfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Atlee_TG-2022.jpg)
Arthlee Evans
2022 Class
![](https://igfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Fairbarin_TG2022.jpg)
Billy Fairbairn
2022 Class
![](https://igfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Going_TG2022.jpg)
John Going
2022 Class
Tommy Gifford Honorees
![Ben DeGutis](https://igfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Ben-DeGutis.jpg)
Ben DeGutis
2021 Class
![Roger Greene](https://igfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Roger-Greene-1.jpg)
Roger Greene
2021 Class
![Peter Groesbeck](https://igfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Peter-Groesbeck.jpg)
Peter Groesbeck
2021 Class
![Andy Mezirow](https://igfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Andy-Mezirow-1.jpg)
Andy Mezirow
2021 Class
![Skip Smith](https://igfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Skip-Smith.jpg)
Skip Smith
2021 Class
![](https://igfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Tony-Tillet-for-headshot.jpg)