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 – 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

John Batterton

2024 Class

Jerry Black

2024 Class

Arch Bracher

2024 Class

Bobby Buswell

2024 Class

Charlie Chambers

2024 Class

Steve Huff

2024 Class

Tommy Gifford Class of 2023

Karl Anderson

2023 Class

Ray Rosher

2023 Class

Brad Simonds

2023 Class

Paul Spencer

2023 Class

Tommy Gifford Class of 2022

Alex Adler

2022 Class

Jesus Araiza

2022 Class

Arthlee Evans

2022 Class

Billy Fairbairn

2022 Class

John Going

2022 Class

Tommy Gifford Honorees

Roger Greene

2021 Class

Peter Groesbeck

2021 Class

Andy Mezirow

2021 Class

Skip Smith

2021 Class

Tony Tillet

2021 Class