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The IGFA’s 26th annual Fishing Hall of Fame induction ceremony was held this past weekend at Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium, drawing together some of the biggest names in the sport. It was an evening that celebrated achievement and legacy, but also one of remembrance. IGFA President Jason Schratwieser opened the program by honoring three Hall of Fame members who recently passed away—Flip Pallot, Dr. Eric Prince, and Peter Fithian—recognizing their lasting contributions before turning attention to this year’s inductees.
“Tonight, we’re here to celebrate six luminaries in the world of recreational angling,” Schratwieser said. “For each of these remarkable men and women, fishing has been the center of their lives for most of their lives. Each one of them have mastered their own part through a corner of recreational fishing and achieved greatness over time. But more importantly, they’ve given back through innovation, mentorship and conservation.”
The evening’s first inductees, Gary and Sherrell Carter, exemplify what’s possible with light tackle. From their famed Silver-Rod-O, the husband-and-wife team set an astonishing 45 IGFA World Records. Gary’s 806-pound Atlantic blue marlin on 20-pound line and Sherrell’s 493-pounder on 8-pound test remain benchmarks of light-tackle mastery, while their more recent fly-caught records in Cape Verde show they’re still pushing boundaries. Their acceptance speeches were filled with stories of travel, perseverance, and a lifelong dedication not only to fishing but also to conservation and youth mentorship. In his remarks, Gary also noted profoundly, “There is no better stadium in the world of sports, than the one God has given us for fishing.”
The late Gene DuVal was then remembered and honored for her trailblazing legacy. The first woman to surpass 100 IGFA World Records, ultimately achieving 135, DuVal also broke barriers in conservation leadership, co-founding the Conservation Council of Angling Clubs of Virginia and helping guide the International Women’s Fishing Association (IWFA). Accepting on her behalf was her daughter, Renee DuVal, who shared that the entire experience, from first learning of the honor to standing on stage, had been “unbelievable.” The moment underscored both Gene’s accomplishments and the enduring impact of her example on the sport.
Next came Andy Mill, whose career arc from Olympic skier to legendary tarpon angler and storyteller captured the crowd’s imagination. Mill, who has won more invitational tarpon fly tournaments than anyone in history, spoke about the passion and obsession that fueled his angling career. Beyond his tournament dominance, Mill’s television work, his acclaimed book A Passion for Tarpon, and his Millhouse Podcast have helped document and preserve the stories of the sport’s greatest figures. With characteristic humility, he told the audience: “Tonight I want to say that I am humbled beyond my ability to fully express how profoundly honored I am to be receiving this incredible recognition.”
Longtime Marlin contributor and big-game legend Capt. Skip Smith followed, and with him came a flood of memories from one of the most influential captains of the modern era. From his record-setting days aboard The Madam & The Hooker with Jerry and Deborah Dunaway to his pioneering bait-and-switch techniques that revolutionized billfishing, Smith’s contributions to the sport are immeasurable. Today, through his leadership of Skip’s Tournaments and the IGFA Legendary Captains and Crew Committee, he continues to shape the community. Smith closed a wonderful round of storytelling and thanks with a call to action to the fishing world, “Here’s to picking up the damn rod out of the rod holder and getting your a** kicked. To hell with these electric reels and crap. Let’s catch ’em the right way.”
Closing the night’s inductions was Capt. Richard Stanczyk, the man who turned Bud N’ Mary’s Marina into a world-renowned angling hub and who pioneered daytime swordfishing in the Florida Keys. His acceptance speech reflected both his deep connection to Islamorada and his broader impact on the global fishing scene. With story after story, Stanczyk had the audience laughing, leaving the impression he could have held the stage all night. His induction underscored how a lifetime of passion can transform both a community and a fishery.
The IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame honors individuals whose achievements have profoundly shaped recreational angling, from pioneering captains and record-setting anglers to conservationists, scientists, and industry leaders. Its ranks include icons such as Ernest Hemingway, Zane Grey, Guy Harvey, and Ted Williams, alongside today’s most influential figures in the sport.
For those who could not attend, the full induction ceremony was recorded and is available to watch in its entirety on the IGFA’s social media page here.
