As our Observers travel to different tournaments, some like to share their experiences with the rest of us. All members are encouraged to submit their travel notes.
Three days, thousands of sailfish, and a front-row seat to tournament fishing at its best. There are trips you plan for. There are trips you dream about. And then there are trips that hit you all at once—early alarms, salt spray, radios crackling nonstop, and sailfish lighting up the wake...
The 10th Annual Guatemala Billfish Invitational was my first time in Guatemala and my first chance to observe a tournament. I really had no idea what to expect. From the pick up at the airport to the drop off, this was a trip for the books. On our ride to the resort, we rode with some of...
My first trip to Guatemala as an observer for the 10th annual Guatemala Billfish Invitational was truly an experience I will never forget from start to finish, I made memories and friends I will forever cherish. Starting Day 1, I was assigned to the boat Uno Má...
When I joined the IGFTO, I did not think that four years would pass before I would observe in my first tournament. Captain Barbara Evans, a longtime observer and team member of the Pink Ladies Breast Cancer Fishing Team provided me with the courage to overcome my nervousness about...
2025 Charleston Billfish Cup draws 15 IGFTO observers
Heavy weather forecast limits participating boats. The Sport Fishing Championship (SFC) was held in Charleston, South Carolina, June 4–7, 2025, for the HUK Charleston Billfish Cup, one of the stops on its national tournament...
This was the fourth year that IGFTO participated in the Costa Rica Aqua Inspiration Educational Program in Quepos, and our third year in Golfitio encompassing May 19 – 23, 2025. Events were held at both Marina Bahia Golfito in Golfito and Marina Pez Vela in Quepos.
This year’s...
GEOLOC: Marina Pez Vela, Quepos, Costa Rica
49 IGFTO Members attended and observed in the 2025 Pescadora Billfish Championship which was held February 20-22 at Marina Pez Vela, Quepos Costa Rica. The two-day tournament is the brainchild of Samantha Mumford who recognized...
Dec 4-9th saw 25 members of the IGFTO descend upon Buena Vista Fishing Resort in Iztapa, Guatemala for the 9th Annual Guatemala Billfish Tournament. Pacific Fins Resort played host to the actual tournament and provided a top notch experience for both observers and...
Year 71 of the IBT continued in the tradition begun way back in 1953 when a Club Nautico member, Chilo Bird, volunteered as the first chairman of what became known as the International Billfish Tournament.
The early years saw the event as primarily an interclub tournament for the...
