The International Masters Angling Tournament, or The Masters as it is called,  is truly a unique sailfishing tournament founded in 1963 by John Rybovich and a group of friends. It is often described as the ultimate test of an individuals angling skills.

Perhaps Steven Sloan said it best in the book celebrating the 25th anniversary of the tournament, The Mastery 1986, 25th Anniversary where he wrote the following.

The Masters Angling Tournament is one of America’s top amateur sporting events.  . . . It is physically tiring, it is mentally exhausting, and  it is socially demanding.  The foundations laid by John Rybovich, Charlie Johnson, and Pete Benoit in the 1960’s are still standing today.  The challenge has been put to us.  Do it without the help of the boat, without help of a barb, with the lightest of lines and with severe penalty for miscues.  Then do it all with a stop watch, and then do it all within 10 minutes or get nothing for your efforts.  Do this all day for 4 days, sometimes in huge seas, and if you do it better than anyone else, step up for your winning jacket.