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| Who We Are The International Light Tackle Tournament Association came into being in March 1946 during the Annual Sailfish Rodeo in Acapulco, Mexico. Dr. Roy B. Dean was the founder of I.L.T.T.A. and a staunch supporter of the Club until his death in 1990 at the age of 95. Dr. Dean's vision of an International All Release Light Tackle Tournament was met with some trepidation in view of the fact that tournaments in that day and time were all "on the dock" or "kill" tournaments. Doc's idea was to have competition between teams of three individuals representing clubs all fishing under IGFA rules. These three-man teams would fish separately; changing boats and partners each day of the tournament. It obviously was a superb idea since it is still going strong. I.L.T.T.A.'s International Light Tackle Tournament rules have been utilized by many major tournaments and they have been refined and proven for over 50 years. The top prize, designed by Doc himself, was to be an ornate Mexican fishing belt as the perpetual trophy with four plaques also being awarded (one for the winning club and one for each of the participating anglers). |
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The first "BIG BELT" has been retired to the IGFA Museum in Dania Beach, Florida, USA, with a total of 50 silver plates attached all engraved with the winning club and year. A second "BIG BELT" was made and to date is adorned with 13 silver plates indicating past winners. Each winning club keeps the Perpetual Trophy "BIG BELT" from the time they win it until the next tournament. The uniqueness of I.L.T.T.A. lies in the fact that it is truly "International" with past representation of clubs from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Netherlands Antilles, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, South Africa, East Africa, United States, Brazil to name a few. Each year member clubs host a tournament in their area. There are many lasting friendships made as a result of these tournaments and the camaraderie developed is something that is hard to explain.
The focus of I.L.T.T.A. is not just the promoting of release light tackle billfish tournaments. We also promote conservation and have a scholarship program at the University of Miami in Florida for students continuing their education in the marine science field.
"The Spirit of ILTTA" by Phillip Kuypers - HISTORY
ILTTA Member Clubs
Apalachicola Angler Association ~ USA
Arrecho
Fishing Club ~ Puerto Rico
Aso. de Pesca Deportiva ~ Puerto Rico
Associacion Nacional de Pesca ~ Guatemala
Bay Head Yacht Club ~ USA
Bassteel Club ~ Venezuela
Cancun Anglers ~ Mexico
Cangrejos Yacht Club ~ Puerto Rico
Circolo Pesca D'Altura Catania ~ Italy
Club Absolut ~ Venezuela
Club Amateur de Pesca ~ Costa Rica
Club Estrella ~ Venezuela
Club Fishingholic ~ Venezuela
Club de Yates de Acapulco ~ Mexico
Club Nautico de Guatemala ~ Guatemala
Club Nautico de San Juan ~ Puerto Rico
Club Nautico de Santa Domingo ~ Dominican Republic
Club Pez Vela ~- Venezuela
Club Sueltalo ~- Venezuela
Club Tepeyac de Caza ~ Mexico
Curacao Marlins ~ Netherlands Antilles
Curacao Yacht Club ~ Netherlands Antilles
Durban Ski-Boat Club ~ South Africa
Diablo Spinning Cub ~- Panama
Guatemala Anglers ~ Guatemala
Guatemala Light Tackle ~ Guatemala
Guatemalan Reels ~ Guatemala
Hatteras Marlin Club ~ USA
Humacao Angling Club ~ Puerto Rico
Huntington Harbour Anglers ~ USA
International
Masters Angling Tournament ~ USA
International No Hay Light Tackle Club ~ USA
International Women's Fishing Assoc. ~ USA
Keep Fishing ~ Venezuela
Kenya Assoc. of Sea Angling Clubs ~ East Africa
Miami Beach Rod & Reel Club ~ USA
Mpumalanga Deep Sea Angling Asso. ~ South Africa
Nantucket Anglers' Club Inc. ~ USA
New Orleans Big Game Fishing Club ~ USA
Nomads Fishing Club ~ Africa
Nubarron ~ Venezuela
Ocean City Light Tackle Club ~ USA
Ocean Reef Rod & Gun Club ~ USA
Old Port Yacht Club ~ USA
Playa Grande Yachting Club ~ Venezuela
Playa Grande & Carabelleda Fishing Team ~- Venezuela
Ponce Yacht & Fishing Club ~- Puerto Rico
Port Aransas Rod & Reel Club ~ USA
Puerto Rico Light Tackle Anglers ~ Puerto Rico
Puerto La Cruz Fishing Club ~- Venezuela
Riviera Club ~- Venezuela
Salitre Puerto Azul ~ Venezuela
Sailfish Club of Florida ~ USA
Sailfish & Tarpon Club ~ Mexico
Salinas Yacht Club ~ Ecuador
South African Deep Sea Angling Assoc. ~ South Africa
Spanish Water Fishing Club ~ Netherlands, Antilles
Stuart Sailfish Club ~ USA
Texas Tournament Anglers Assoc. ~ USA
The Billfish Foundation ~ USA
Vero Beach Game Fish Club ~ USA
West Palm Beach Fishing Club ~ USA
For
more information about the ILTTA,
its tournaments and clubs please
email Bonnie Powell:
ILTTA@aol.com