You don’t have to be there to win one of the great items up for bid in the International Game Fish Association’s annual auction. The online bidding for the 25th Anniversary IGFA Auction & Banquet is now underway on the IGFA web site at www.igfa.org.
But the online portion closes Monday, January 19th at 9 a.m. ET
The active global-wide online bidding, now in its sixth year, builds advance awareness for the IGFA’s “Silver Anniversary” event at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida on January 23, 2009. The gala evening is black tie optional and the funds raised are used for numerous conservation efforts by the IGFA across the globe.
Those bids from the online auction will be the starting bids at both the live and silent auctions on the 23rd. The night begins at 6 pm with cocktails and the silent auction. At 7:30 the silent auction closes and the IGFA Conservation Awards, dinner and live auction will begin.
“It’s worth checking the IGFA web site before it closes because there are always some great bargains,” said Lesley Arico, IGFA corporate relations manager. “Historically 20 – 25% of the online bids are the final winners.”
All online winners will be notified on Monday, January 26th
Long list of items up for bid
Two new fully-rigged boats from Hell’s Bay Boatworks and Mako Marine are the featured items this year.
The Hell’s Bay 18’ Marquesa flats skiff package was donated by Capt. Chris and Wendi Peterson. This shallow-water performance boat comes equipped with a 90 hp electric-start Mercury Outboard, solid aluminum custom trailer, Odyssey battery, fully carpeted sides and rod racks, anodized poling platform, Lenco electric trim tabs and many more features and attributes. The Mako 204 center console offshore fishing package was donated by Johnny Morris of Bass Pro Shops and Mako Boats. Its long list of features includes a Mercury 200 OptiMax engine, an aluminum trailer with tandem axle and tandem axle brakes, T-top, 37-gal. frontseat baitwell, two above deck fishboxes with overboard drain and much more.
Among the other items featured in the live auction are:
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An original by Guy Harvey, this year’s featured artist and his titled work “Blue Sky”
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A sportfishing trip for four in San Salvador, Bahamas with Hadenuff Charters
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one week at Tomato Paste in Abaco, Bahamas donated by Phil “Boot”LeBoutillier
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the ultimate fishing vacation for four at the home of Don Tyson in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
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“Fishing Legends” package with legendary Hall of Famer Stu Apte
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South African safari for two with Sitatunga Safaris
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Guatemala fishing with Pacific Fins Resort
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An original swordfish mount from Ray Douglas of King Sailfish Mounts
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A bass fishing/quail hunting trip for two on Lake Guerrero, Mexico with Hacienda Las Palmas
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A team entry to the 50th Anniversary of the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament
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Ultimate week-long cruise for two in NW Australia aboard the Kimberly Quest II
The over 200 live and silent auction items also include a long list of fine paintings, exquisite sculptures, rods and reels, tackle, jewelry, international resorts and lodges, fishing charters and much more.
Tickets are $175 per person or a corporate table for 10 people can be purchased for $5000 which includes preferred table placement, a full-page ad in the auction program, table signage and table favors.
“All guests will receive a signed and numbered limited edition print of Guy Harvey’s original piece, ‘Blue Sky,’” said Arico.
For reservations, for further information or if you would like to purchase Go for the Gold tickets where the winner receives $10,000 and the Junior Angler program receives the other $10,000, please contact Ms. Arico at 954-924-4222 or email larico@igfa.org