Top Fish Taggers for the Cooperative Tagging Center

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

2025 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

 White Marlin

Sailfish

Swordfish

Roundscale Spearfish

Tuna Category

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Bluefin

Yellowfin

Small Tunas 

This category includes blackfin, little tunny, skipjack, bigeye tuna, and Atlantic bonito.

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Blackfin Tuna

Little Tunny

Skipjack Tuna

Bigeye Tuna

Coastal Pelagics

Amberjack

Cobia

Dolphin

King Mackerel

Previous Top Taggers

See the 2024 Top Taggers

See the 2023 Top Taggers

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.