International Game Fish Tournament Observers

06/04/2026

IGFTO Directors, Lynette Catha and Tabitha Howell ignited passion at the Kent Island Fishing Club’s monthly meeting with an informative session about IGFTO and its impactful mission. Looking forward to welcoming fresh faces to our upcoming training class!

05/26/2026

Calling all anglers, captains, mates, and saltwater fishing enthusiasts! 🎣🌊

Have you ever wanted a front-row seat to some of the most exciting big game fishing action in the world? Now’s your chance to get involved in a bigger way by becoming an International Game Fish Tournament Observer!

Tournament observers play an important role in helping ensure fairness, integrity, conservation, and sportsmanship in competitive saltwater fishing. It’s an incredible opportunity to learn, network with fellow fishermen, witness amazing catches, and give back to the sport we all love.

Whether you’re passionate about offshore fishing, billfish tournaments, conservation, or simply want to be more involved in the fishing community, this is a rewarding experience worth exploring.

If you’re interested in becoming a tournament observer or want more information, reach out today and take your passion for fishing to the next level!

Next Class: Ocean City Marlin Club
August 23 @ 9:00am

Click the link to reserve your spot!

https://www.IGFTO.org/get-involved/join-igfto

04/17/2026

Great Moviette featuring a father/son team from Puerto Jimenez. Parallels The Old Man and the Sea. Great story guys! Will Briegel thanks for the share. Pretty sure they were using FECOP - La voz de la pesca deportiva PezCA app to locate the marlin.

1 like. "TOSH*TO – Catching a Marlin on a Handline"

03/21/2026

A good scientific read.

Not all marlin are as easy to identify as you think

Our newest publication reveals how advanced elemental profiling can quickly and accurately distinguish marlin species without damaging samples. This is a major step forward for fisheries science and conservation

Explore this study and more research shaping the future of billfish conservation

Read more at https://billfish.org/publications/

03/19/2026

We’re excited to welcome the IGFTO observers aboard for Leg Three, Safe Harbor Los Sueños Triple Crown Fishing Tournament! 🎣

It’s an honor to be part of such a prestigious event, and we’re looking forward to a great day on the water filled with teamwork, sportsmanship, and (hopefully) some incredible catches.

Let’s get it started—tight lines to all the teams competing today!

03/18/2026

A huge welcome and congratulations to our nine newest IGFTO Observers who successfully completed their training today in Los Suenos, Costa Rica! 🎉🌴

We’re proud to have each of you join the IGFTO family and look forward to seeing the positive impact you’ll make in the field.

Well done on this important achievement—and welcome aboard! 👏

03/07/2026

Only a few weeks remain until our next International Game Fish Tournament Observers Observers Training at the world-class Los Sueños Resort and Marina. 🌊🎣

IGFTO Observers are a highly selective group of seasoned anglers, captains, and mates from around the globe. Chosen for their offshore experience, professionalism, and ability to endure the demands of life at sea, they serve a critical role in maintaining the integrity of catch-and-release competition at some of the sport’s most prestigious tournaments.

Becoming an IGFTO Observer is not for everyone. It requires experience, composure under pressure, and a deep respect for the sport of billfishing.

If you believe you have the qualifications and mindset to join this select group, we invite you to reach out and learn more about the path to becoming an IGFTO Observer.

https://www.igfto.org/get-involved/join-igfto/otc-registration

03/01/2026

Our next IGFTO Observer Class is happening in just a few weeks in beautiful Los Suenos, Costa Rica!

This is your chance to be front and center in the action of sport fishing — learning, observing, and experiencing the thrill of the industry up close.

Whether you’re passionate about offshore adventures or looking to step into the professional sport fishing world, this is an opportunity you don’t want to miss!

📍 Limited spots available
📅 Coming soon
🎣 Be part of the action

Secure your place today and get ready for an unforgettable experience!

02/23/2026

🎉 67 Boats. 67 Observers. One Incredible Tournament! 🎉

The 8th Annual Pescadora Billfish Championship was our biggest and most successful event to date!

A huge congratulations — and heartfelt THANK YOU — to all 67 of our IGFTO Observers who made this tournament possible. Your dedication and professionalism are what keep this event running strong!

⚓ In just two days, we recorded an amazing 1,287 sailfish releases!
👏 And a big congratulations to all of our talented lady anglers who brought the heat to the leaderboard!

Want to be part of the action next time?
👉 Click the link in our bio to sign up for our next Observer Training Class!

02/19/2026

Congratulations to our newest IGFTO Graduates! Our Quepos IGFTO class was a great success. We had eight New observers and five observers attend for a refresher course. Next up, Pescadora Tournament! Congratulations everyone, looking forward to an exciting week’