Top Fish Taggers for the Cooperative Tagging Center
NOAA Fisheries greatly appreciates the many tagging teams and anglers who tag and release fish to support our science.
The Cooperative Tagging Center is a citizen science program to study highly migratory fish species. We rely on information collected by volunteers—charter captains, anglers, and commercial fishermen—who are frequently out on the water. Volunteers tag and release billfish (sailfish and marlin), tuna, swordfish, and more. The data collected through tagging help scientists learn more about:
- Migration patterns
- Habitat use
- Seasonal patterns
- Behavioral changes
- Post-release survival
- Other aspects of their ecology
All of this information leads to more sustainably managed fisheries.
Here we recognize the top taggers for our Cooperative Tagging Center—without whom this work wouldn’t be possible. We greatly appreciate the contributions of all of our cooperating anglers across the Southeast.
Legendary Taggers
Here we honor the remarkable contributions of dedicated individuals who have played a crucial role in the success of our tagging center. These extraordinary taggers have gone above and beyond, providing invaluable data to better understand the movement and behavior of these species. The commitment of our citizen science partners allows us to leverage their on-the-water expertise and ensure we collect the information necessary for species stock assessments.
The Legend: Captain Al Anderson
In special recognition as the top tagger of the Cooperative Tagging Center with 4,695 tagged fish releases, we'd like to recognize Captain Al Anderson.
Learn more about Captain Al Anderson
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The 1,000 Tag Club
Recognizing anglers with more than 1,000 lifetime tagged fish releases.
- John Bayliss
- T. Baker Dunn
- Paul Ivey
- Al Johnston
- Stanley Klimek
- Jerry Shepherd
- Brad Simonds
- Jimbo Thomas
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The 500 Tag Club
Recognizing anglers with more than 500 lifetime tagged fish releases.
- Gloria Applegate
- Nelson Applegate
- Bill Borer
- Charles Bouchard
- Eric Burcaw
- Robert Burcaw
- Kidd Crawford
- Bob Eakes
- Barkey Garnsey
- Rus Hensley
- Larry Horne
- Richard Jeck
- Randy Jendersee
- Bill McCauley
- James Mears
- Richard Mears
- Luis Millian
- Fred Parsons
- Rick Ross
- Fred Rushin
- Frank “Skip” Smith
- Walt Spruill
- Butch Standeven
- Luis Suarez
- Dan Timmons
2023 Top Taggers
When a tie exists, the angler listed first is the person who submitted their tag data first.
Billfish Category
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Blue Marlin
Captain | Number of Tagged Fish | Angler | Number of Tagged Fish |
Adam Resmondo | 8 | Daniel Carter | 2 |
Daniel Bryant | 3 | Lewis Norry | 1 |
Derek Biel | 2 | Stanley Weldman | 1 |
White Marlin
Captain | Number of Tagged Fish | Angler | Number of Tagged Fish |
Ricky Wheeler | 10 | Noah Hansen | 4 |
Steve Summers | 10 | Chris Jobes | 4 |
Justin Nigham | 4 | Harrie Sammen | 3 |
Sailfish
Captain | Number of Tagged Fish | Angler | Number of Tagged Fish |
Paul Ross | 105 | Jerry Slipakoff | 15 |
Alex Adler | 51 | Brandon Simmons | 6 |
Nelson Delatorre | 40 | Jordan Pacifico | 6 |
Swordfish
Captain | Number of Tagged Fish | Angler | Number of Tagged Fish |
Blake Devine | 14 | Keith Ashworth | 2 |
Vince Riera | 2 | Chris Jobes | 2 |
Jarrett O’Grady | 2 | Matthew Ferry / Michael Russano | 1/1 |
Spearfish
Captain | Number of Tagged Fish | Angler | Number of Tagged Fish | Captain |
Mediterranean | Vince Riera | 2 | Rick Benitez | 1 |
Mediterranean |
|
| Keith Ashworth | 1 |
Longbill | Ricky Wheeler | 1 | Artie Wever | 1 |
Roundscale | No One | 000 | No One | 000 |
Tuna Category
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Bluefin
Captain | Number of Tagged Fish | Angler | Number of Tagged Fish |
Peter Bacon | 31 | Hunter Wright | 27 |
Toni Riera | 17 | Philippe Lombardo | 5 |
Philippe Lombardo | 8 | Hans Lugus | 4 |
Yellowfin
Captain | Number of Tagged Fish | Angler | Number of Tagged Fish |
Blake Devine | 25 | Danny Eagle | 8 |
Ricky Wheeler | 18 | Dennis Midkiff | 5 |
Thadd Champagne | 5 | Michael Wiedenfeld | 2 |
Bigeye Tuna
Captain | Number of Tagged Fish | Angler | Number of Tagged Fish |
Ricky Wheeler | 1 | Jeff Kneebone | 1 |
Skipjack Tuna
Captain | Number of Tagged Fish | Angler | Number of Tagged Fish |
Ricky Wheeler | 2 | Danny Eagle | 2 |
Albacore Tuna
Captain | Number of Tagged Fish | Private Angler | Number of Tagged Fish |
Vince Riera | 1 | Rick Benitez | 1 |
Small Tunas
This category includes blackfin, little tunny, and Atlantic bonito.
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Blackfin Tuna
Captain | Number of Tagged Fish | Angler | Number of Tagged Fish |
Ricky Wheeler | 23 | Danny Eagle | 5 |
Thadd Champagne | 14 | Thadd Champagne | 1 |
Little Tunny
Captain | Number of Tagged Fish | Angler | Number of Tagged Fish |
Diogo Godoi | 99 | Charles Abercrombie | 4 |
John Mauser | 78 | Kevin Connolly | 1 |
Jamie Boyle | 69 | Joe Vanasse | 1 |
Scientific Tuna Tagging Efforts
Species | Captain | Number of Tagged Fish | Angler | Number of Tagged Fish |
Bluefin | Diego Bernal | 15 | Jeff Kneebone | 36 |
Yellowfin | Diego Bernal | 10 | Jeff Kneebone | 23 |
Blackfin |
|
| Jeff Kneebone | 13 |
Little Tunny |
|
| Jeff Kneebone | 1 |
Expanding to Coastal Pelagics
We are expanding the scope of the Cooperative Tagging Center to include coastal pelagic species such as king and Spanish mackerel, greater amberjack, almaco jack, jack crevalle, and cobia. Please consider requesting tags for those species as well if you catch and release them.
Get Involved
Counts for top taggers of each year will be calculated by January 31 for the previous calendar year. Please submit your tagging cards in a timely manner to ensure your tagging efforts are recognized!
You can request your free tagging kit or report a recapture by contacting the Cooperative Tagging Center at (800) 437-3936 or Tagging@NOAA.gov.