IGFA announces 2025 Tommy Gifford Award winners

Tommy Gifford Award winners © The International Game Fish Association

The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) announced its 2025 Tommy Gifford Award winners, an annually bestowed accolade that recognizes captains, guides, or crew members who have made extraordinary contributions to recreational angling through innovation, leadership, or outstanding accomplishments in their trade.

Named for one of the greatest saltwater charter skippers of all time, Tommy Gifford Award recipients are selected through a rigorous nomination and vetting process conducted by the IGFA Legendary Captains and Crew Committee. This year's recipients include Captain John Bayliss, Captain Billy Borer, Captain Barry Cross, Captain Paul Dixon, Captain Gene Grimes, and Captain Kevin Nakamura. Each of these individuals represents the pinnacle of achievement in the sportfishing world, leaving an indelible mark through their skill, innovation, and dedication.

These industry legends will be honored later this year at the IGFA Tommy Gifford Awards Ceremony, taking place on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at the Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Event details will be released in the coming weeks.

"The Tommy Gifford Awards honor the visionaries who have redefined sportfishing through their ingenuity, passion, and unparalleled skill," said Jason Schratwieser, IGFA President. "These captains and crew are the backbone of our sport, and their legacies inspire anglers worldwide."

Tommy Gifford (1896-1970) is considered one of the most innovative blue water anglers and greatest game fish captains to have ever lived. Spanning the course of a 50-year career, Gifford cultivated an encyclopedic knowledge of game fishing techniques that led to serving as a guide and consultant to some of the most illustrious names in saltwater angling such as Ernest Hemingway, Michael Lerner, Charlie Lehman, and Van Campen Heilner. The spirit of the award pays homage to Gifford's lifelong enthusiasm for the ocean and the creatures that inhabit it. As famed sportfishing author Raymond Camp wrote, "Big game angling has a brief history, but Tommy Gifford's name is sharply etched on every page."

The 2025 recipients were selected by the IGFA Legendary Captains and Crew Committee, a distinguished panel of internationally renowned captains and mates chaired by Captain Skip Smith. Previous recipients of the Tommy Gifford Award include Jose Wejebe, Allen and Buddy Merritt, Ron Hamlin, Charles Perry, Ralph Delph, Laurie Wright, Jimmie Albright, Bouncer Smith, Steve Lassley, Bubba Carter, R.T. Trosset, Billy Knowles, and more.

"These awards shine a light on the captains and crews whose dedication and expertise shape the sportfishing community," said 2021 honoree and committee chairman Skip Smith. "It's a privilege to celebrate their contributions and ensure their stories are preserved for future generations."

The 2025 Tommy Gifford Award recipients are:

Captain John Bayliss

Captain John Bayliss grew up vacationing in North Carolina, where his love for offshore fishing began on charter boats targeting tuna, wahoo, and sailfish. His passion for the sport led him to pursue a career in charter fishing, starting as a mate out of Oregon Inlet, North Carolina. Over the years, John earned a reputation as one of the premier captains in the region, known for his deep knowledge of fisheries and commitment to excellence. In 2002, he founded Bayliss Boatworks, a custom boatbuilding company in Wanchese, North Carolina, that has since become one of the most respected names in the industry. Bayliss-built boats are known for their innovation, quality, and ability to win tournaments, a testament to John's influence as both a captain and boatbuilder. His contributions to sportfishing extend beyond the boats themselves, as he has mentored countless anglers and crews, inspiring a new generation of sportfishing enthusiasts.

Captain Billy Borer

A Newport, Rhode Island native, Captain Billy Borer grew up fishing and hunting alongside his father. After studying in the University of Rhode Island's commercial fishing program, Billy began his career running a 38-foot Hatteras out of Stuart, Florida. His adventurous spirit led him to join the El Zoro mothership operation, where he spent 12 years captaining the game fish boat on expeditions across the globe. From the Red Sea and the Suez Canal to Brazil, the Canaries, and St. Thomas, Billy became known for his skill, adaptability, and dedication to his craft. He shared his knowledge freely with his crew, many of whom went on to successful careers in the fishing industry. Billy's legacy is defined by his unwavering commitment to mentorship and his ability to inspire the next generation of anglers.

Captain Barry Cross

Captain Barry Cross began his career in Cairns, Australia, working for IGFA Fishing Hall of Famer Jack Erskine. Fascinated by the dynamic fisheries of the Great Barrier Reef, Barry became a pioneer in topwater fishing for giant trevally, a pursuit that revolutionized the sport. Alongside his brother, Barry launched a successful charter business specializing in this exhilarating fishery, attracting anglers from around the world. His expertise extended to light tackle fishing for marlin, sailfish, and yellowfin tuna, and his travels between the Great Barrier Reef and Papua New Guinea allowed him to share his knowledge with a diverse array of anglers. Barry's innovative techniques and passion for the sport have left an enduring impact on sportfishing in the Pacific region and beyond.

Captain Paul Dixon

Captain Paul Dixon's fishing journey began as a young boy in Newport Beach, California, where he learned to fish at age three and took up fly-fishing in 1971. After moving to the U.S. East Coast in the 1980s, Paul worked for Orvis in New York City and later opened Dixon's Sporting Life in East Hampton, New York. He is widely regarded as a pioneer in sight fishing for striped bass in the Northeast, a technique that combines precision and artistry. Paul's guiding career spans decades and includes adventures in the Florida Keys and international destinations such as the Seychelles, Belize, and Wales, U.K.. Known for his passion and versatility, Paul has helped countless anglers achieve personal milestones while advancing the art of fly-fishing.

Captain Gene Grimes

For over 30 years, Captain Gene Grimes ran the Legend out of Southern California, earning a reputation as one of the foremost experts in swordfishing. Gene's generosity and willingness to share his knowledge made him a mentor to many, helping countless anglers land their first swordfish. A skilled billfish angler, Gene also contributed to the broader angling community as both an innovator and record-setter. He and his wife, Susan, are both IGFA World Record holders, with Gene famously landing a 244-pound Pacific halibut on 8-pound line class. Gene's dedication to the sport and his remarkable achievements were recognized by the San Diego Marlin Club, which named its prestigious Invitational Light Tackle Tournament in his honor.

Captain Kevin Nakamura

A native of Kona, Hawaii, Captain Kevin Nakamura's fishing career began at the age of nine when he caught his first marlin. By his early twenties, Kevin was guiding for trophy trout in New Mexico and tying flies for his clients. His career eventually took him to Madeira, Portugal, where he captained the Pesca Grossa during its peak marlin seasons. While in Madeira, Kevin landed two Atlantic blue marlin weighing over 1,000 pounds, cementing his status as one of the top captains in the sport. Today, Kevin runs the legendary Northern Lights in Kona, where he continues to lead anglers to extraordinary catches. His passion for the sport and commitment to excellence have inspired anglers worldwide.

For more information about the Tommy Gifford Awards or to make a nomination, go to www.igfa.org/tommy-gifford-award.