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Each year the IGFA’s Tommy Gifford Awards give us a chance to step back and honor those whose contributions have truly shaped the world of big-game fishing. The 2025 Tommy Gifford Award recipients were announced earlier this year — and what a lineup it is.
This year’s honorees include captains John Bayliss, Billy Borer, Barry Cross, Paul Dixon, Gene Grimes, and Kevin Nakamaru — a group whose collective influence stretches across oceans and generations. These legendary figures will be formally celebrated at the IGFA Tommy Gifford Awards Ceremony on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at the Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort.
For those unfamiliar, the Tommy Gifford Award is named for one of the greatest charter captains of all time, it recognizes those individuals—captains, mates, and guides—who have made extraordinary contributions to recreational angling through innovation, leadership, and accomplishment. Tommy Gifford himself was a pioneer, a mentor, and an encyclopedia of bluewater knowledge, guiding icons like Ernest Hemingway and Michael Lerner.
Although oftentimes confused with the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame, the IGFA Tommy Gifford Award is a separate accolade altogether, however the selection process is anything but casual. It’s led by the IGFA Legendary Captains and Crew Committee, a group composed of some of the sport’s finest stewards—names like Skip Smith, Karl Anderson, Laurie Wright, Charles Perry, and others, men who know firsthand what it takes to reach the pinnacle of this profession.
These awards aren’t given lightly. They are hard-earned, peer-selected honors that recognize a lifetime of influence on our sport. Here’s a quick preview of this year’s Tommy Gifford Award recipients.
Capt. John Bayliss
John Bayliss’ journey began offshore of North Carolina, chasing tuna, wahoo, and sails on charter boats as a kid. His passion for the sport led him into the professional ranks, earning a reputation as one of Oregon Inlet’s top captains. In 2002, he founded Bayliss Boatworks, and today, a Bayliss boat is synonymous with tournament success and craftsmanship. John’s contributions extend far beyond his own accomplishments—he’s mentored countless anglers and crews, shaping the next generation of big-game fishermen.
Capt. Billy Borer
A native of Newport, Rhode Island, Billy Borer grew up fishing with his father before studying commercial fishing at the University of Rhode Island. His career took him to Stuart, Florida, where he began running a 38-foot Hatteras, and eventually led to a 12-year run captaining the game boat for the famed El Zoro mothership. Billy’s spirit of adventure took him across the world—from the Red Sea to the Canaries and beyond—and his mentorship helped launch the careers of many successful captains and crews.
Capt. Barry Cross
Hailing from Cairns, Australia, Barry Cross cut his teeth under IGFA Hall of Famer Jack Erskine and quickly became a force in the Pacific sportfishing scene. He was a pioneer in topwater GT fishing and ran a celebrated charter business alongside his brother. Barry’s innovative techniques, especially with giant trevally and light-tackle marlin, revolutionized the sport for countless anglers fishing the Great Barrier Reef, Papua New Guinea, and beyond.
Capt. Paul Dixon
Paul Dixon’s story began in Southern California, where he took up fly fishing at just three years old. After moving east in the 1980s, he helped open new chapters in light-tackle and sight-fishing history. Paul pioneered sight-fishing for striped bass in the Northeast and built a reputation guiding anglers from the flats of Montauk to the bonefish of Belize and the giant trout of Wales. His passion for the craft has inspired anglers worldwide.
Capt. Gene Grimes
For more than three decades, Gene Grimes quietly built a reputation as one of Southern California’s finest swordfishing captains. Running the Legend, Gene mentored countless anglers, helping many land their first swordfish and racking up achievements of his own—including IGFA World Records alongside his wife, Susan. His contributions were so profound that the San Diego Marlin Club named their Invitational Light Tackle Tournament in his honor—a fitting tribute to a true icon.
Capt. Kevin Nakamaru
Born and raised in Kona, Hawaii, Kevin Nakamaru caught his first marlin at the age of nine, setting the stage for a life spent on the water.
