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Since its inception in 1998, 151 inductees have been enshrined into the IGFA’s Fishing Hall of Fame. By design, the inductees represent a broad spectrum of expertise in the sport— anglers, captains, conservationists, artists, and writers spanning freshwater, saltwater, conventional and fly fishing disciplines. And while that may be the case when referring to the overall list of previous inductees, the Class of 2025 is dominated by legendary figures in the realm of big-game, saltwater angling.
Selected unanimously by the IGFA Board of Trustees, here is a sneak peak of this year’s inductees who will join the ranks of Ernest Hemingway, Zane Grey, Guy Harvey, Ted Williams, and other legends later this year.
Capt. Skip Smith
Capt. Skip Smith is considered one of the greatest captains in sportfishing history. He has guided anglers to 48 IGFA World Records, many on ultralight tackle, and was instrumental in the legendary achievements of Jerry and Deborah Dunaway’s team aboard the mothership operation The Madam & The Hooker, where they set 14 IGFA records.
Smith pioneered bait-and-switch techniques that revolutionized billfishing and has been a key figure in tournament organization. His book, Tales of a Hooker and Her Madam, recounts his incredible career in bluewater fishing. Still shaping the sport, Smith serves as the chairman of the IGFA’s Legendary Captains and Crew Committee and runs the prestigious The Shootout: Production vs. Custom and The Custom Shootout tournaments in The Bahamas. As readers know, Smith is a long-time contributor to Marlin and penned the From the Bridge column in each issue for more than eight years.
Gary and Sherrell Carter
Few anglers have dominated the realm of light tackle big game angling like Gary and Sherrell Carter. For decades, the couple have fished the world over aboard their famed G&S Silver-Rod-O, racking up an incredible line-up of light tackle catches to show for it. Gary has 23 to his name, including an 806-pound, 15-ounce Atlantic blue marlin on 20-pound line. In 2023, his team in Cape Verde set a new 20-pound tippet class fly record with a 293-pound, 10-ounce marlin.
Sherrell has set 22 IGFA World Records, including a 493-pound, 13-ounce Atlantic blue marlin on 8-pound line and a 105-pound, 11-ounce white marlin on 2-pound test. Their achievements have earned them the prestigious IGFA Bob Herder Light Tackle Award. Beyond their angling pursuits, the Carters are dedicated to billfish conservation and youth angler education.
Capt. Richard Stanczyk
Capt. Richard Stanczyk’s impact on sportfishing is undeniable. He transformed Bud N’ Mary’s Marina in Islamorada, Florida, into a world-renowned fishing destination and pioneered daytime swordfishing techniques that are now standard practice.
In 1985, he guided angler Vic Gaspeny to a 14-pound, 6-ounce Atlantic bonefish, setting a 12-pound tippet class IGFA World Record. Stanczyk’s sons, Rick and Nick, continue his legacy, ensuring Bud N’ Mary’s remains a cornerstone of sportfishing.
Gene H. DuVal
Gene H. DuVal (1943-2007) shattered barriers in sportfishing, becoming the first woman to surpass 100 IGFA World Records, ultimately achieving 135 on a mix of inshore and offshore saltwater species.
Aside from her angling resume, DuVal played a crucial role in conservation efforts, boldly co-founding the Conservation Council of Angling Clubs of Virginia in the 1970s. She was an active leader in the International Women’s Fishing Association (IWFA), serving as membership chairman and earning induction into its Hall of Fame in 2004. In 2003, she became the first woman to receive the IGFA Lifetime Achievement Award, cementing her legacy in big game angling.
Andy Mill
Although he is best-known for his Olympic downhill performances and legendary tarpon exploits, Andy Mill’s impact certainly spills over into the realm of big game angling. Aside from his untouchable resume of tarpon tournament wins, perhaps Mills’ most noteworthy achievement is his ardent promotion of the sport.
Hosting the successful television series Sportsman’s Journal in his younger days, and now running the globally popular Millhouse Podcast, Mill has documented the history of big game angling through interviews with legends such as Karl Anderson, Dean Butler, Tom Evans, RT Trosset, and fellow “classmates” Skip Smith and Richard Stanczyk.
The 2025 IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s, will take place on Sept. 6, 2025, at Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri.
