Five Reasons IGFA's Tommy Gifford Awards Are A Strike Calendar Highlight

On 30 October 2025 we headed to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to help honour this year’s recipients of The International Game Fishing Association (IGFA) Tommy Gifford Awards: the inspirational big-game captains, guides, and crew members who have shaped our sport and not only left an indelible mark on today’s saltwater action, but its future, too.

"The Tommy Gifford Awards honor the visionaries who have redefined sportfishing through their ingenuity, passion, and unparalleled skill," said Jason Schratwieser, IGFA President. "These captains and crew are the backbone of our sport, and their legacies inspire anglers worldwide."

It’s a sentiment perfectly captured by each of this year’s worthy recipients: North Carolina boat builder Captain John Bayliss; international mentor Captain Billy Borer; topwater giant trevally trailblazer Captain Barry Cross; pioneer of striped bass sight fishing Captain Paul Dixton; record holder and swordfish supremo Captain Gene Grimes; and lauded Hawaiian marlin specialist Captain Kevin Nakamura. 

Here are the five reasons the IGFA Tommy Gifford Awards are one of Strike’s favourite on-land events of the year:

THEY PAY TRIBUTE TO A STRIKE HERO

Working out of Miami and Bimini to become arguably the greatest saltwater charter skipper of all time, Captain Tommy Gifford cracked the code on trophy species that had stumped anglers for decades, and his knack for reading ocean conditions and fish behaviour made him the first call for serious sportsmen, including author Ernest Hemingway. His approach to tackle systems set standards that still hold up today – for example, he pioneered the use of spreader outriggers and was the first to catch an Atlantic blue marlin with these newfangled innovations. Though he died in 1970, these awards honour a legacy that turned big-game angling into the legitimate craft we’re all addicted to today.

THEY’RE AWARDED TO THE BEST BY THE BEST

Just as Strike footwear is made by anglers for anglers, each Tommy Gifford Award recipient is selected by the sport's most respected names. This 'by the community, for the community' approach builds trust and legitimacy in both Strike and the TG Awards – especially considering IGFA's Legendary Captains & Crews Committee, an exclusive panel of today's big-game guiding lights, is at the helm of the selection process. 

THEY HIGHLIGHT SALTWATER ANGLING’S BIGGEST INNOVATIONS

These awards are a chance to applaud the masterminds dedicated to pursuing the biggest technological and creative advancements in our sport - a passion we pour into our own footwear technologies and performance breakthroughs, too. This really rings true through this year. The revolutionary tactics of Aussie captain Barry Cross, for example, have impacted the way the world fishes for GT and marlin on light tackle, and Captain John Bayliss’ cutting-edge approach to boatbuilding has raised the level of performance in some of America’s most prestigious tournaments.

THEY CELEBRATE OUR SPORT’S MOST INSPIRATIONAL MENTORS

While our focus on more sustainable fabric solutions is driven by a commitment to protecting our oceans for the next generation, many of this year’s recipients have worked tirelessly to equip future anglers with the skills and intel needed to enjoy our sport for years to come, too. Nowhere is this truer in this year’s selection than with Captain Billy Borer, whose love of freely sharing his knowledge with crew members has helped launch the careers of many of today’s finest charter masters.

THEY PROMOTE THE VITAL WORK OF IGFA

Unsurprisingly, we’re immensely proud to have been selected as IGFA’s official footwear partners. And never more so than when our mutual respect for the waters, and the species that dwell within them, is highlighted at events like this. Any opportunity to spark a conversation in the media and community around more responsible and inspirational angling is always worth celebrating. 

Read more about our partnership with IGFA