Capt. Bart Miller for IGFA Hall of Fame!

[PacoSaca]

First Light, you seem to have a problem with Capt. Miller... jealousy perhaps.

Captains do not fill record applications... anglers do!!!
With this I'm not going to give you anymore explanations that I have given you in other forums. You are alone in your quest to discredit one of the greatest names sport fishing has ever known.

Get a life...

[PacoSaca]

Originally Posted by FirstLight

I find it interesting that a person such as the OP who has been appointed to the position of an IGFA Representative would recommend Mr. Miller for induction into the IGFA Hall of Fame.

That is exactly one of my duties as an IGFA representative, make reccomendations for induction into the Hall of Fame... see how little you know...?

[WahooKing]

Paco

It's unfortunate you have to explain yourself to FirstLight (the man who hides behind a forum name). His ignorance on the subject is evident...He has posted the same response in different forums...He definitely has an agenda.

And for those who know Mr. Bart Miller...Bart has lived the life of a champion, athlete, artist and inventor...He has my vote!!!

Your Friend

[PacoSaca]

Thanks for your support Anthony...!!!
Here is Bart's side of the story:

Gary Merriman angler, trip hosted by Rankin Smith Jr., it was through the zeal of Rankin Smith Jr. that insisted on registering the catch for a world record, I tried to explain to Mr. Smith that this catch although it notable did not qualify for an I.G.F.A. world record. Mr. Smith had been drinking heavily & filed his own opinion as to what is or isn't a world record.

I did not call for I.G.F.A. rep. Phil Parker, there was so much pier activity that I'm not sure who did. I did not sign paper claim, I did tell Phil it was a charter boat catch not a record, I did call E.K. Harry the next morning at 6:00 a.m. noon time in Ft. Lauderdale.
I told all the details of the catch to E.K., Harry laughed and said that he had heard various stories regarding 1656 lb. Blue.

The same day I told the details to Ed Murray & Frank Murray, also I told others, I was not bothered by the fact that the catch was not I.G.F.A. legal, I was and still am very pleased with the good fortune & luck that went along with this great catch, a record in and of itself to this very day.

In conclusion E.K. Harry full knowing all details chose to let the better part of six months go by before making an announcement that the catch did not qualify for the reason of leader length being a couple of feet too long.

My God what a joke, the leader was spot on, other infractions did occur, striking fish, helping with drag settings, rod grounded over covering board, etc..

I talked with E.K. often asking him why he did not just end the un-needed heat over the fish qualifying for I.G.F.A. recognition.

Now hear is the best part so help me God. Harry stated that the I.G.F.A. was getting a little mileage out of the monster fish, phone ringing, mail, walk in, conversations were brewing up activity over lunch, dinners, all of this brew-haw not commonly experienced at the other wise library like ambience of the Ft. Lauderdale I.G.F.A. office.

I told Harry to handle it any way he liked as it didn't matter to me one way or the other, then or now.

Marlin magazine canned a story about the fish after Ed Murray confirmed what I had told him regarding just how the fish was caught.

The fact remains that the only one who cared a damn about the record, no record, was Rankin Smith who was well on his way to falling off the dock drunk.

My 40 plus years of Big Game Fishing speaks for itself, far exceeding, George Parker - Henry Chee, and some others, I.e. more fish, larger fish, more tournament wins Calcutta or other. Development of modern tackle, inventor of the Tuna Tube, granders, on live bait, dead bait, lures, first to bring a Merritt tournament sport fisher to the Hawaiian Islands, first to catch over a hundred blues in a season, first in Hawaii to visit and fish the G.B.R. - Madeira - Tahiti - Central America - Bahamas - first to develop a lure industry while being a charter Captain, first T.V. big game fishing shows, above and below water, American Sportsmen - also International fishing shows.

I've been through the industry from crewing 1964 for $8.00 a day on charter boats charging $85.00 a day. Today at 73 years of age I am C.E.O. of the most competitive lure and tackle business that exists.

I've been married for 22 years with two honor roll children 15 year old daughter 17 year old son, one failed marriage son now 25 years, marriage lasted 7 years.

My health two open heart surgeries, 6 bypass - 1 Aortic heart valve implant -- I'm legally blind --- 6 years living and fighting Parkinson's --- I go to my office every day 6 days a week --- my taxes are more than most fishermen earn per year --- I've walked the dock, talked the talk.

You want to slight me for how E.K. Harry managed the accounting of my big fish, or how about the 1400 lb. Blue I released to live another day in Madeira, or the 2000 lb. plus Blue I fought to the side of the boat floating near dead on 80 lb. line. losing this huge fish to a broken line before the crew could hold leader.

This rapid fire email is just that a quick look at my long hard working life, this is a life I can proudly go to the grave with.

I have never been more busy or fulfilled than I am today, wishing you all the best.
Aloha,
Captain Bart Miller

[Adam Cargill]

Bart Miller definitely deserves to be inducted into the IGFA "Hall of Fame" this upcoming year. He is an amazing man, and an incredible fisherman. The only thing that equals his fishing legend is his ability to make a "Dangerously Perfect" Marlin Lure.

I met Bart for for the first time 4 years ago at his store in West Palm Beach. I had just entered the door when I heard, "hey young man, come on over here". For the next hour he showed me around the shop. He asked me questions, I asked him questions, and he explained the reasons and circumstances for using any of his unique creations.
He had no reason to "sell" me anything. He didn't know that this young kid was the captain of a 5 million dollar S/F and could buy whatever was "necessary" with the boss' card. Bart is just passionate about fishing and teaching and was willing to give a 23 year old a piece of his experiences.

Needless to say, he impressed me. I became close with the Black Bart family over the next few years. Dave and Jack are "one of a kind" also. We shared, they taught, and I learned the the "ins and outs" of Lure fishing.

I am certain that thousands of other fisherman will agree with me when I say that he is one of the most eligible candidates this year. Besides having had such an amazing impact on modern "Billfish" and "Tuna" fishing, he is a truly "special" human being.

Sincerely,
Captain Adam Cargill

[Capt. Bart miller]

Aloha “Sunshine”,
So you want to play the negative card, play the big pretender, where a mask, and whistle thief in the market place. I’ll play along with you since your light is attempting to cast a shadow on my character.

Lets go down the line:
F.L. - Papa? Other names you’ve heard me called.

B. - I’m called Papa because for 17 years that is what my children & wife call me. My wife is French, my children speak English and French, I am Papa.

B. -In fishing circles Peter Pakula coined the name Papa for me, I enjoy being a Papa, this is what I choose to be.

F.L. – Bart is known by other names in Hi. – also I left Kona shortly after the denial of my 1649 W.R. attempt. My 1656 was caught 3-14-84. I left Hawaii 1994 after my divorce which stripped me of property, home – boat etc. I had re-married and had a new son & daughter to care for. I could read the writing on the wall, “TIME TO MOVE ON” I still love Hawaii I just don’t want to educate my children in Kona, deal with the weak charter market, vog, etc. I made the right decision, my children are better prepared, my wife is doing well in her trade, my business is strong, I’m enjoying overall major success.

B. – LOL – There is some truth to that call, I whipped up a frenzy by dominating the charter business with my long term success of catches big & small. Truth be known I was highly respected and still am. I surpassed Henry Chee’s life time seasons best number of boated Blue Marlin, I accomplished this ]my Rookie year, and never looked back.

F.L. – Bart’s Marlin weighed 1649 not 1656 pounds.

B. – My fish weighed by staff photographer Steven Sloan weighed my 1656 lbs, I still have the label with weight, plus photos. Hour and a half later this same fish weighed 1649 minus tail rope, all fish weighed have a tail rope, that would mean that you would have to minus many 1000 lb. Kona Marlin because the tail rope helped the final weight. Granted World Record catches require weight adjustments to tail rope. The second weighing of my fish was purely to appease ole money - bags, Mr. Rankin Smith Jr.

I left the scene and returned after the hoopla was over and done with.

You also brought up that I called the fish 800 or 900 lbs. On the strike, wrong again, this marlin made three passes on the same lure over a period of (ONE HOUR) my exact feeling which I made vocal was “This is the one I have been waiting for” well over 1200 lbs. Just a few months before this fish I boated one 1265 lbs. The size and fish was fresh in my memory, also I had been there before only to lose my dream, but not this time.
Listen masked man as you can read I have strong support, and good friends, even “The Billfish Foundation” - the I.G.F.A. president even stated I will make it one day into the hall of fame. That is not all bad, I had to wait 30 plus years for my big fish, it’s like you “First Light” a beautiful thing.

F.L. may I ask one personal thing of you please? Just what is your true legacy going to be?
I hope not trying to beat up on old battle worn “Papa’s”

Just for laughs I know who you are, I’ll give you a little while cause that is what Papa’s do for kids!
Aloha,
Captain Bart Miller

[Wasabi]

Hey Papa !

Thanks for the great stories. Heck with those guys!

[Capt. Bart miller]

Aloha,
Hot Radish.

You're right, as usual, even with age I can't get it right!

I'm just not worthy, for sure I'm not coming back as a six packer ever again, I know better.

Listen up, Ya all vote for "Ralph Nader ya hear".

Sayanora F.L.

Papa O-)

[Deep C]

I stayed clear of this thread in hopes that Bart would pop up and state his case. I am glad that he did... I don't know who the discrediting fool is but I have a topsider with his name on it ready to snap off in his scupper. Coward prick!
Any way... I have my own little personal hall of fame going. Many of the IGFA inductees are on it. Many arent... I don't need a fancy club telling me who I should recognize as a great... I'm perfectly capable of that on my own. Capt Bart has not only been a great inspiration and guiding force in my own lure ventures through the years. It goes far beyond even what great impact he has had on the sport as a whole. He has been a great friend through the years.
I had the pleasure of busting a hole in my schedule to sit with him in his office last year for nothing else but to catch up on old times. I was taken back at the years unkind toll then he spoke and the Bart I have known so well is still there better than ever.
I'm a snob. Very seldom do I admit to even myself much less publicly that someone is an inspiration to me but in Barts case I do so with great pride... No I'm not gonna call him Papa thats for the kids and others. I'll call him old friend or grumpy son of a bitch or just plain Bart as the situation calls for. For the record in this thread. He's already tops in my hall of fame and if IGFA want's him in theirs I guess I'm willing to share...