Award Descriptions 2024-01-01 Print

2024 IWFA AWARD DESCRIPTIONS

Monthly Awards

Monthly awards are earned by the member who scores the most points in each division (General, Spin, Plug, Fly)  for each eligible species.

  • A member can win as many as 4 awards per individual species if fish are turned in for each of the possible divisions (General, Spin, Plug and Fly)
  • A Regular Member will be placed on the Honor Roll once they earn a total of 25 monthly awards.
    • Member Award Level
      • Regular Member– 0 to 24 monthly awards
      • Honor Roll Member– 25 to 499 monthly awards
      • 500 Club – 500 or more
      • Master Angler
  • Member Award Levels are calculated and posted at the end of the monthly reporting period. When a member moves up to the next Award level they will begin competing at the new level on the month following their advancement.
  • Members only compete with other members in their Award Level.
  • Regular Members:  Regular Members are those who have earned less than 25 monthly awards.    
    • Regular members compete against one another for monthly awards and do not compete against the Honor Role Members.
    • Ties are possible between Regular Members and each tying member receives an award. 
    • Regular Members receive a pin for their first monthly award and a certificate at their 1st, 10th and 25th monthly award.
  • Honor Roll Members:  Honor Roll Members are those members who have earned 25 to 499 monthly awards.  
    • Honor Roll Members compete against other Honor Roll Members, 
    • Ties are possible between Honor Roll Members and each tying member receives an award.
    • Upon earning 50, 75 and 100 monthly awards, the member may choose to purchase a sterling silver or 14kt gold small disc, medium disc, or large disc, respectively, to commemorate these achievements.
    • Members earning 150, 200, 300, 400, or 500 monthly awards may purchase a small diamond, an emerald, a ruby, a sapphire, or a large diamond, respectively, to be placed in their 100th disc.  
  • 500 Club Members: 500 Club Members are those members who have earned 500 monthly awards.  
    • Members having won 500 monthly awards will no longer be eligible for monthly awards; however, they may still compete for annual awards
    • 500 Club Members are eligible to earn the Master Angler Award.

Annual Awards

The annual award winners will be honored at the annual meeting/luncheon.

  • Sponsoring members and/or companies that sponsor an annual award may, at their discretion, create and design such award.
  • Yearly award winners will be posted at the close of the fishing year on the website, www.iwfa.org and in any and all electronic publications.
  • Any protests must be filed in writing to the Affidavit Committee Chairman and emailed with a delivery date not later than 10 days after the award list is published. Protests will be settled by the Officers and the Affidavit Committee Chairman within 10 days of receipt or January 31 of the current year, whichever comes first.
  • Beginning in the 2006 fishing year, a member can only win one of the top trophies. The order will be the Crowninshield followed by Rybovich
  • IWFA Club Records are exempt and may be won more than three times.

Anne D. Crowninshield Award
Awarded at the end of the year to the top angler who accumulates the most points from the entire IWFA General Species List.

  • There is a 2,000 point limit per division (general, spin, plug, fly) for all species.
  • The Crowninshield winner is not eligible to win the Rybovich award during the same award year. The next angler with the most species will be eligible to win the Rybovich award.
  • The award winner will receive individual Annual Species Award Certificates for species that qualified toward the Crowninshield Award; however, she will not receive other club species prizes. In the event the same member has won, wins or in the future wins the same species annual award outside of the Crowninshield Award, that absorbed annual species award is included as part of the 3 times you're out rule. The award winner is qualified to win all other annual awards not specified above, during the year of winning the Crowninshield Award.
  • A member can only win the Crowninshield award a maximum of three times.
  • The award winners name is inscribed on the Crowninshield trophy and is given the Crowninshield disc the first year the award is won. In the event of subsequent wins by the same member, the winner, in their second and third year, will receive a diamond on their disc in addition to their name being inscribed on the trophy.
Kay Rybovich Award

Awarded at the end of the year to the top angler who releases the most variety of fish from the IWFA General Species List. This honors those ladies that fish in a number of different areas catching a number of different species, but not necessarily to any great number of points.

  • There are no minimum point requirements and fish can be caught from any of the four divisions (general, spin, plug & fly)
  • In the case of a tie, the angler who caught the most species first will win.
  • The Rybovich winner is not eligible to win the Crowninshield Award during the same Award Year.
  • The award winner can also win individual species and other annual awards during the year of winning the Rybovich Award
  • A member can only win the Rybovich Award a maximum of three times.
  • The award winners name is inscribed on the Rybovich trophy and is given the Rybovich disc the first year the award is won. In the event of subsequent wins by the same member, the winner will receive a diamond on their disc in addition to their name being inscribed on the trophy.
  • A minimum of 50 species is required to win this award.

Annual Species Awards

One species award will be given to members who score the most accumulated release points for each individual species.  Award winners will receive an award based on which Tier the Species falls. All species awards can only be won a maximum of 3 times for the same species.

The following designated species are eligible for special awards in 2024.

*Please note that all tiers and sponsored awards are subject to change each fishing year.

New Sponsored Species Awards

The 2024 winners of the annual species awards for the billfish listed below will receive a IWFA gold species disc.

Atlantic Sailfish – Sponsored by Camila Ingram
Pacific Sailfish – Sponsored by Casa Vieja Lodge
Pacific Blue Marlin – Sponsored by Nancy Llacuna
Atlantic Blue Marlin – Sponsored by Laura Russell
Striped Marlin – Sponsored by Nancy Llacuna 
 
Tier I Species Awards
The Bokor Family Individual Species Release Awards
This award is sponsored by the Jim Bokor Jr Family for the fishing years 2022-2026.
The Bokor Family has selected some of their favorite species and with the support of De Paula Jewelers of Tavernier, Fl will award newly designed gold discs for these selected species. Subsequent winners for the same specie will receive a stone for years two and three.
  1. Permit 
  2. Tarpon 
  3. Bonefish 
  4. Red Drum 
  5. Atlantic Snook 
  6. Dolphinfish 
  7. Largemouth Bass 
  8. Striped Bass
  9. Butterfly Peacock 
  10. Tripletail
  11. Walleye 
Tier II Species Awards
Winners of the species award from fish in Tier II will receive a bronze disc
  1. Spotted Seatrout
  2. Rainbow trout 
  3. Brown Trout 
  4. Warmouth 
  5. Grey Snapper
  6. Smallmouth Bass 
  7. Cobia
  8. Northern Pike
  9. Yellowtail Snapper
  10. Black Drum
Tier III Species Awards 
Winners of species in Tier III will receive an award as selected by the IWFA board for that award year.  The award for 2023 will be a handcrafted custom Cuban art box.
  1. Bluegill 
  2. Bluefish 
  3. Flounder
  4. Rock Bass 
  5. Yellow Bullhead
Tier IV Species Awards 
Annual award winners for all remaining species on the IWFA list will receive a certificate.
Species Award Rules:
  • Minimum Points are required to receive each of these awards. The point minimums are determined by which point category a species falls:
    • Point Columns 1, 2, 3 - 7000 point minimum
    • Point Columns 4, 5, 6 - 6000 point minimum
    • Point Columns 7, 8, 9 - 5000 point minimum
  • If the species falls into multiple size categories due to weight or length parameters, then the minimum is determined based on the greater of the two in which it falls. For example, there are species that bridge this gap, i.e., Greater Amberjack, falls in to point columns 3 and 4. When this occurs, the point column minimum will be the greater of the two in which it falls. In this example, 7000 minimum points (which is point column 3) is required for an annual award, not 6000 (which is point column 4).
  • Members may only win this award up to 3 times per species.
  • The member who wins the Crowninshield cannot win an Individual Species Prize but will be awarded a certificate for each species that she wins.
  • Members who win Annual Species Awards for one or more species in the same year will have the option of: 1) purchasing one of the IWFA sanctioned discs. This IWFA Species Commemorative Disc lists the species, and the number of species won in that year, or 2) The winner may purchase separate Species Commemorative Discs for each species.

Kay Young Memorial Trophy
To honor Kay Young’s love of marlin fishing, this award goes to the angler who released the first marlin of the year. This award is sponsored by Gillen Diesel & Marine for the 2019 to 2024 fishing years.

  • It is a time sensitive award with the time being local time of the geographic area/time zone where the fish was released. For example, a 9:00 am fish in the Bahamas will beat a 9:05 am fish caught in Australia and will be determined once the 24 hour period has passed in all time zones.
  • The angler will have their name inscribed on the trophy and will receive a certificate.
  • A member can only win this award a maximum of three times. 

Ann C. Kunkel Newcomer Award
This award is sponsored by the family of Ann Kunkel who was one of the founding members of the IWFA. This award is given to the member who accumulates the highest number of release points during her third year of membership. Exception: Any member who allows their membership to lapse will not be eligible for this award regardless of when they rejoin.

  • There is a 5,000 point maximum per species 
  • This award is based upon the accumulation of points from Jan 1 through December 31 in the members’ third calendar year of membership 
  • The member is awarded an IWFA sanctioned gold disc sponsored by the Ann Kunkel family

Fleming Tournament Award
This award is presented at the end of the year by Molly Fleming in honor of her parents, William and Kathleen Fleming, to the angler who amasses the most Fleming points in IWFA tournament competition. This award does not apply to IWFA Funaments.

  • Fleming points will be awarded based on how an angler places at the end of each tournament, with 50 Fleming points allocated to the winner, 49 points to second place position, continuing down, by one point respectively, to the 50th place or last place position. The winner will be the angler who accumulated the most total Fleming points at the end of the year.
  • In the case of a tie, the tiebreaker will be determined by the person who attains the greatest Fleming points first. In the scenario where there are 3 tournaments, the winner is determined by the angler who had the most points after the second tournament.
  • The winner of this award must have participated in at least two IWFA tournaments during the fishing year.
  • There is no limit on how many times this award may be won. The award winner receives a disc. Subsequent award winners will receive a diamond in their disc.

Vernon Fly Award
This award, sponsored by Joan Vernon, is presented to the angler who accumulates the highest release points using fly tackle.

  • The award is calculated by accumulating the points from the top three point values of each species of fish. As an example, the three highest point bass which were caught and released on fly would be added to the same of each of the species.
  • The eligible fish are taken from the entire IWFA General Species List.
  • The angler that has accumulated the highest total points wins this award.
  • The award can be won a maximum of three times 

   Orvis Total Fly Award
This award is sponsored by Orvis to the member who accumulates the most points scored throughout the year on released fish using IGFA approved fly tackle and rules.

  • There is a maximum cap of 5,000 points per species.
  • The award can be won a maximum of three times.
  • The award winner will receive an Orvis fly rod and reel to commemorate this accomplishment

     Lew's Plug Award
This award is presented by Lew's to the angler who earns the most points for all species from the IWFA General Species List using approved plug casting tackle.

  • There is a 5,000 point maximum cap per species from release points accumulated from the plug division.
  • There is a minimum of 20,000 points required to win this award.
  • This award may only be won a maximum of 1 time.
  • The winner of this award receives Lew's rod and reel combo.

Arostegui Trout Fly Fishing Award
This award is sponsored by Roberta Arostegui. She has chosen Trout because it is the primary species for her son’s thesis research for his Ph.D. This award is in honor of him and his work. Roberta has committed to sponsor this award for a period of five years from 2019-2024.

Award Criteria:

  • Highest point total from the following trout species on the IWFA General Species List:
    • Brook
    • Brown
    • Bull
    • Cutthroat 
    • Golden
    • Lake
    • Rainbow
    • Tiger
  • All fish must be caught on fly tackle
  • Angler must catch at least 4 of the designated trout species
  • There is a maximum of 5,000 points per species
  • Minimum points required to win the award is 10,000
  • This award may only be won a maximum of three times.

Sture Olsson Billfish Award
Lisa O Everett is sponsoring the Sture Olsson Billfish Award in honor of her father. Lisa has committed to sponsor this award for a period of five years from 2019-2024.

Award Criteria:

  • Highest point total from the following billfish on the IWFA General Species List.
    • Atlantic Sailfish
    • Pacific Sailfish
    • Swordfish
    • Spearfish
    • Black Marlin
    • Atlantic Blue Marlin
    • Pacific Blue Marlin
    • Striped Marlin
    • White Marlin
  • Minimum points required to win the award is 30,000
  • Minimum number of different species of billfish required to win the award is 3 
  • This award may only be won a maximum of three times.

Master Angler Program
The IWFA Master Angler Program is a single lifetime achievement designed to recognize a member’s ability to master the catch and release of a sub-set of the IWFA General Species List, of significant size, using lighter and more challenging tackle. To participate in this program an angler must have already reached 500 monthly awards.

  • Members must first receive 500 monthly awards to be eligible to participate in the program. 
  • In the month following eligibility, a member may begin submitting Master Angler affidavits.
  • Only fish caught after reaching the 500 monthly award status will qualify.
  • Member must be current with their dues prior to the recorded date of the release. A member who allows their membership to lapse by more than 90 days must forfeit their previously reported releases.
  • Angler must successfully catch 12 fish from the Master Angler Program Species List – three from each of the four tackle categories – Fly, Spin, Plug and General – for a total of 12. There is no set time limit for this to occur.
  • Each species may only be entered in one tackle category and cannot be repeated in another. In addition, the angler may only count one fish from a group of species. As an example, the angler may only count one fish from the Bonito group of fish.
  • All IWFA rules and tackle requirements must be followed. All fish must be measured, photographed and released alive.
  • Each catch must be measured and photographed with a measuring device and submitted to the designated chair with the Master Angler affidavit. Exceptions to the measurement rule apply to fish listed as “Any Size”, tarpon and sharks. These lengths should be estimated due to fisheries rules and/or safety concerns. In these cases, a photograph in the water will suffice, provided the species of fish can be identified in the photo.
  • Note: In the event that the angler was unable to record the catch with a photo, a signed and notarized statement from the angler and witness will be considered.
  • The Master Angler will receive an award disc to be presented at the Annual Meeting, Luncheon, and Awards Ceremony.

Club Records

IWFA Club Records exist for both weight and length records. To win a yearly Weight Record Award the species must appear on BOTH the IWFA species list and the IGFA line class list.   To win an IWFA Length Record Award the species must appear on BOTH the IWFA species list and the IGFA All-Tackle Length World Record species list. Members must attain an IGFA World Recordand hold the current IWFA Club Record for thefish by the end of the calendar year.  NOTE: Refer to IWFA Club Record Rules for details.

  • A certificate will be issued to members who set or break an IWFA Club Record during the year.
  • Member can purchase an IWFA sanctioned award upgrade to commemorate a club record. If she exceeds her record for the same type of fish, she may purchase a disc or a diamond to be placed in her original disc.
  • IWFA Club Records may be won more than three times. A revision as adopted by the Board of Directors, March 2009

Distinguished Lifetime Membership Designation

  • This award gives lifetime membership to a member that has been a member for 45 years and, or a member for 35 years and 85 years old, whichever comes first.
  • A certificate will be given to the member and the member will be notified of her award prior to the next annual membership renewal date. 

Junior Angler Awards

Monthly Awards

Monthly awards are earned by the junior angler who scores the most points for each eligible species each month. Monthly awards certificates will be given at the 1st monthly award, 10th, 25th, 50th, and the 100th award.

Top Fleming Species Award

This award will be presented to the junior angler that releases the most number of species of fish in a calendar year (minimum of 15) from the IWFA eligible species list. Should there be a tie, both anglers will receive the award. The angler(s) will be recognized and presented with an award at the Annual IWFA Awards Banquet. Molly Fleming sponsors this award.

Top Saltwater Angler Award

This award will be presented to the junior angler that amasses the most points in a calendar year (minimum of 50 points) for fish caught in saltwater from the eligible species list for the IWFA. Should there be a tie, both anglers will win the award. The angler(s) will be recognized and presented with an award at the Annual IWFA Awards Banquet.

Top Freshwater Angler Award

This award will be presented to the junior angler that amasses the most points in a calander year (minimum of 50 points) for fish caught in freshwater from the eligible species list for the IWFA. Should there be a tie, both anglers will win the award. The angler(s) will be recognized and presented with an award at the Annual IWFA Awards Banquet.

Top Service Award
This award will be presented to the junior angler that meets the eligibility requirements and criteria for this award as listed in the Junior Angler Program guidelines. This award is given to honor young women who connect with opportunities that give them a sense of purpose, provide them with valuable hands-on experiences and allow them to give back to their communities.

* A junior angler may only win 1 of the 3 yearly awards per year. The order of importance is:  Fleming species award, and then top Salt/Freshwater angler awards. The top Service Project Angler award is open to all junior anglers who meet the requirements and may be won in conjunction with one of the yearly awards.