Great catches can often be traced back to great captains and crews that guide anglers to their prize. For the third consecutive year, the IGFA celebrates the contributions of the sport’s finest at the IGFA Legendary Captains & Crews Awards Ceremony at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum. Presented by Mercury Marine, Costa, and Papa's Pilar, the event will be emceed by Fishing Hall of Fame member Mark Sosin. This year’s honorees include
Capt. Jimmie Albright was a pioneer of the Florida Keys flats. He guided Joe Brooks to the first bonefish and tarpon on a fly, invented the Nail Knot and the Albright Special, and fished movie stars, dignitaries and sports figures, including Ted Williams.
Capt. Snooks Fuller started chartering in the early 1950’s on the legendary Lady Doreen. One of the most famous and influential game fishermen in New Zealand, he was a pioneer of light tackle and the first to use fiberglass rods.
The origins of kite fishing can be traced to innovative Pacific islanders, but it was Capt. Bob Lewis who refined the technique of using a kite to catch sailfish in South Florida waters, and shared his kites – and his extensive knowledge – with others.
Capt. Frank LoPreste, owner-operator of the Royal Polaris, is a living legend of San Diego long-range fishing. He is known for pioneering Clipperton Atoll, developing new long-range techniques and taking others -- such as kite fishing -- to new heights.
Capt. Laurie Mitchell persuaded Zane Grey to fish Nova Scotia’s legendary bluefin waters in the 1920s, and then became Grey’s fishing companion. Mitchell often outfished him, however: the all-tackle black marlin record he set stood for decades.
Capt. Gary Stuve is a third-generation waterman who worked his way up the ranks – to five Cat Cay Tuna Tournament wins and to a one-day catch (and release) of 73 bluefin tuna off Hatteras. His passionate concern for the species has him working closely with Tag-a-Giant.
The awards ceremony begins at 6 pm on Saturday, February 16, 2013. Tickets begin at $75 and table packages are available. To reserve your seat, please contact John Holley at 954-924-4240 or jholley@igfa.org.