IGFA Recognition for John Batterton

There would be few New Zealand game fishing skippers with the pedigree of Northland’s John Batterton.

His achievements have been recognised by the International Game Fishing Association, honouring him with a prestigious Tommy Gifford Award.

The Tommy Gifford Awards are annually bestowed accolades that recognise captains, guides, or crew members who have made extraordinary contributions to recreational angling through innovation, leadership, or outstanding accomplishments in their trade. Recipients are selected through a rigorous nomination and vetting process conducted by the IGFA Legendary Captains and Crew Committee.

John ‘JB’ Batterton has fished throughout the globe and has been at the helm for many record-breaking captures, often involving light tackle and big fish.



JB’s love for fishing was ignited at a young age during his family's outings in Tutukaka. Starting as a deckhand on the Waimana, John quickly built a career around his passion. Running charter boats such as Lady Clare and Harlequin, he became a force in the Bay of Islands Swordfish Club, breaking records and leading expeditions targeting record-sized fish. Teaming up with anglers Guy and Eryn Jacobsen, John's strategic approach to light tackle fishing resulted in breaking numerous IGFA world records on the acclaimed Hookin’ Bull. His global fishing experiences include premier destinations like Kona, Madeira, Cape Verde, Nova Scotia, Cairns, Tonga, and New Caledonia. John's lifelong friendships with passionate anglers underscore his dedication to the sport.

When he was told of the award, John says he was humbled.

“What was most meaningful for me, was that I had been selected by a bunch of my peers (IGFA Legendary Captains and Crew Committee) to whom I had always looked up and admired,” John says.

He was asked how many world records he had been part of.

“I had never counted as I did not want to jinx the run, but the question prompted me to go back and check up, finding 37 or 38. Hopefully there might be one or two more to come.”


John Batterton's ability at the helm has been recognised by IGFA with a Tommy Gilford Award.

Like most anglers, John has a bucket list of species he has yet to catch personally, and one that sits at the top of the pile is a tarpon.

John is currently working through a contract that will see him go to Morocco in March to pick up a G&F sportfisher which he will skipper for a six-month term, fishing the big marlin waters off Madeira and Cape Verde with the owner.

“Hopefully we can put the anglers onto some decent fish and see that record tally grow.”

John says there are few options for skippers with his experience to gain work in New Zealand. He is concerned for the future of the charter boat industry in particular, which each year has fewer and fewer boats in survey.

“It is very hard to get a decent contract within the charter or the private fleet. You have to go overseas to get the best gigs.”

The awards will be presented at a ceremony to be held in Florida next October, which John is looking forward to as it will be an opportunity to catch up with many of the famous names on sport fishing’s elite list.

Other prominent Kiwi gamefishing legends John Going (Tutukaka), Snooks Fuller (Bay of Islands) and Bruce Smith (Bay of Islands) have been similarly recognised by IGFA.

- NZ Fishing News