Travel

Fishing’s Most Spectacular Auction

A dazzling array of fishing trips around the world, fishing boats, stunning fish art, tackle and more were on display at the 2017 International Game Fish Association annual auction.

By Doug Olander

Updated: December 27, 2016

One of the most singular events in the world of sport of fishing occurred at the Hyatt Regency Pier 66 in Fort Lauderdale on January 28, 2017, when the International Game Fish Association held its annual banquet and auction. At both the silent auction and, during dinner, the live auction, more than 300 guests bid on a dazzling array of often-spectacular fishing and hunting adventures around the planet, boat/motor packages, tackle, works of art by some of fishing’s best-known artists and more. Take a look at some of the cool items that were up for grabs.

The IGFA will hold it’s 2018 auction in January.

2017 Mako 234 CC with Twin 150XL Mercury Four Stroke Outboards and Trailer

International Game Fish Association Annual Auction 2017 - Mako 234 CC

VALUED AT $98,500; STARTING BID AT $68,250

The 234 features a foam-injected hull with a one-piece fiberglass stringer grid, an 8 ½-foot beam and a 21-degree transom deadrise. Included are fiberglass hardtop, outriggers, Isinglass enclosures, stereo with four speakers, LED spreader lights and Shadow Caster blue underwater lights. It sits on an aluminum tandem-axle EZ Loader trailer. Courtesy IGFA / igfa.org

Helicopter In to Russia’s Remote Ponoi River for Salmon

International Game Fish Association Annual Auction 2017 - Fish the Ponoi River, Russia

VALUED AT $25,000 (Live Auction)

Helicopter in to the remote Ponoi River on the Kola Peninsula of Russia, a few clicks east of Finland, to fish for amazing numbers of Atlantic. Anglers wade or fish from 16-foot boats. The trip for two, for a week sometime between July 1 and August 19, includes round-trip charter flight from Helsinki, then a chopper flight to the Ryabaga Camp Courtesy IGFA / igfa.org

Hunt Exotic Axis or Blackbuck Deer in Texas

International Game Fish Association Annual Auction 2017 - hunt exotic game in Texass

VALUED AT $28,000 (Live Auction)

Located in the Texas Hill country, the 3,600-acre Flagler Ranch offers luxury accommodations. The four-day package is for one hunter and one observer and includes private-jet transportation from West Palm Beach, Florida. Courtesy IGFA / igfa.org

Fish Madeira for Marlin with Capt. Peter Bristow

VALUED AT $5,000; STARTING BID AT $2,000

Enjoy a five-night bed-and-breakfast stay at a four-star hotel in Madeira, and two days of marlin fishing aboard renowned Capt. Bristow’s Katherine B. Courtesy IGFA / igfa.org

“Line-Dance” Bronze Sculpture by Kent Ullberg

VALUED AT $2,000; STARTING BID AT $1,000

This limited-edition piece by award-winning sculptor Ken Ullberg depicts a striking sailfish. It measures 16 x 7.5 x 5 inches. Courtesy IGFA / igfa.org

MotorGuide Xi5 Wireless Saltwater Trolling Motor

VALUED AT $1,480; STARTING BID AT $590

Featuring Pinpoint GPS with an ultra-precise receiver and two digital compasses, this motor provides precise steering from anywhere on the boat with a wireless remote. Recommended for 17- to 21-foot boats, it features 80 pounds of thrust. Courtesy IGFA / igfa.org

Four Days of Fishing and Seven Nights at Costa Rica’s Crocodile Bay Resort

VALUED AT $11,510 (Live Auction)

Two anglers will fish four days for marlin, sails, dorado, yellowfin tuna, roosterfish and more from famed Crocodile Bay’s Strike tower boats, enjoying the resort’s luxurious rooms and all meals including wine at dinner and beer in lunch coolers, as part of a seven-night stay. Courtesy IGFA / igfa.org

Hell’s Bay Boatworks Professional 17.8 with Mercury 60-hp Four-Stroke

VALUED AT $55,000; STARTING BID AT $42,000

Designed for stealth and easy poling, the Professional, with a whisper-gray hull, offers responsive turning, a dry ride and stability. The package includes a custom aluminum Ram-Lin trailer. Courtesy IGFA / igfa.org

Tibor Signature Fly Reel with Tarpon Engraving

VALUED AT $1,010; STARTING BID AT $800

Tibor reels have more than 250 IGFA world records, more than any other fly reel. With a completely ventilated spool and frame to keep the reel cool during long, smoking runs and an innovative waterproof sealed cork drag, this new series 11-12 is aqua and features a tarpon engraving and black name plate. It weighs 13.5 ounces. Courtesy IGFA / igfa.org

Four Nights and Three Days of Fishing for Guatemala Billfish with Pacific Fins

VALUED AT $8,500 (Live Auction)

Two anglers will enjoy the resort’s “performance package” of tournament-ready boats during the prime fishing months of April or May, or October through December. Courtesy IGFA / igfa.org

Four Days Fishing off Kona with Capt. Gene Vanderhoek

VALUED AT $7,000 (Live Auction)

Up to four anglers will fish on the famed 39 Rybovich Sea Genie II, which under the command of Vanderhoek, has tagged more blue marlin and spearfish in the past 10 years than any other boat in the Pacific. Includes four nights at the Marriott King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel. Courtesy IGFA / igfa.org

One-Year Family Global Rescue Membership

VALUED AT $2,055; STARTING BID AT $820

Membership benefits include 24/7 medical and security advice as well as evacuation from a member’s point of injury, illness or danger to his/her home-country hospital of choice. Courtesy IGFA / igfa.org

Club Nautico de San Juan International Billfish Tournament Team Entry

VALUED AT $5,300; STARTING BID AT $2,120

Complete registration package for a three-angler team to fish some of the world’s most productive billfish waters includes all social events and four days of fishing on different tournament boats per the event’s rotation rules. Courtesy IGFA / igfa.org

Yeti Roadie 20 Cooler with IGFA Logo

VALUED AT $250; STARTING BID AT $100

The compact Yeti Roadie comes with Coldlock gasket like that in the Tundra models to keep ice colder longer, and features Yeti’s No Sweat design. Courtesy IGFA / igfa.org

Fish Miami with IGFA Capt. Bouncer Smith

VALUED AT $1,400; STARTING BID AT $560

Legendary charter skipper Bouncer Smith will take up to four anglers on his Bouncer’s Dusky 33 for an eight-hour day to fish a variety of blue-water and coastal game fish. Courtesy IGFA / igfa.org

Costa Motu Sunglass Package with Apparel and Accessories

VALUED AT $490; STARTING BID AT $195

International Game Fish Association Annual Auction 2017 – Costa Motu Sunglass Package with Apparel and Accessories Courtesy IGFA / igfa.org

Fish for Trophy Pike in Great Slave Lake

VALUED AT $4,400; STARTING BID AT $1,760

Two anglers will fly via float plane from Yellowknife in Canada’s Northwest to the Enodah Wilderness Lodge on Great Slave Lake for three days to fish for trophy northern pike. Courtesy IGFA / igfa.org

Fish Billfish in the Cape Verde Islands

VALUED AT $4,500; STARTING BID AT $1,800

Two anglers will enjoy three full days of fishing with Makaira Adventures owner Bert Bouchard (Top Tagging Captain for Sailfish in the Atlantic, per The Billfish Association).The package includes ground transportation at Mindelo, Cape Verde, but not lodging. Courtesy IGFA / igfa.org

Fish Piñas Bay from Tropic Star Lodge

VALUED AT $15,000 (Live Auction)

An adventure for two at the lodge nestled into the side of a mountain at the edge of Panama’s Darien Jungle for seven nights with six full days of fishing aboard one of the lodge’s Bertram 31s. Never a better chance for grand or even super grand billfish slams. Courtesy IGFA / igfa.org

Fish Costa Rica’s Rio Colorado River for Tarpon and Snook

VALUED AT $4,000; STARTING BIG AT $1,600

Three days of fishing for two anglers with all accommodations, meals and of course fully guided fishing in and outside the lower Rio Colorado in some of the most productive tarpon waters in the world Courtesy IGFA / igfa.org