For Becca Salmon, who recently earned an impressive result at the IWFA’s 50th Annual Billfish Tournament in Guatemala, fishing didn’t begin as a childhood passion. It started with curiosity, a supportive husband, and a single fish that changed everything.
A police officer with Delaware’s Natural Resources Police, Becca spends her days enforcing conservation laws and protecting the outdoors. At home, she shares her life with her husband and their two golden retrievers, Scupper and Riptide. Fishing entered the picture through her husband, who grew up on the water. After a few trips together, Becca reeled in her first Billfish – hooked by her husband, landed by her – and set a simple personal goal: the next one would be hers from start to finish.
That moment came sooner than expected.
A Last-Minute Opportunity
By the time Guatemala entered the picture, Becca had already had a taste of competitive fishing. Earlier that year, she fished the KWLA (Keli Wagner Lady Angler) Tournament at Big Rock – her first-ever tournament experience.
Not long after, a casual fishing trip in Maryland introduced her to Taylor Wade, a prolific fisherwoman and member of the International Women’s Fishing Association. During conversations about fishing and learning opportunities, Becca mentioned wanting more experience. Shortly after, Taylor sent her an unexpected message: a spot had opened up in the IWFA’s 50th Annual Billfish Tournament in Guatemala.
The timeline was tight. Only a couple of days passed between that initial message and Becca confirming her booking. She joined the IWFA, secured time off work, and found herself preparing for an international tournament – her second competitive event ever.
“I went in with zero expectations,” Becca says. “I didn’t know anyone going, and I was definitely nervous.”
First Impressions in Guatemala
The nervousness began to fade during the two-hour shuttle ride from the airport to the Casa Vieja lodge. Surrounded by other women anglers – some longtime friends, others complete strangers – Becca immediately felt welcome. By the time they arrived at the gated lodge, with staff greeting guests, handling luggage, and offering drinks, the atmosphere shifted entirely.
“The nerves just disappeared,” she recalls. “Everyone was friendly, excited, and supportive from the very start.”
The day before the competition was dedicated to fun fishing, giving anglers time to acclimate. For Becca, it was the perfect introduction. Fishing aboard the Chilero, she caught Sailfish, a Blue Marlin, and Mahi, enjoying a relaxed pace, hot lunches prepared on the boat, and a crew focused on helping anglers learn and improve.
Tournament Action: Learning on the Fly
The two-day tournament delivered conditions Becca had never experienced. Calm seas, warm weather, and nonstop action defined the event. On the first tournament day alone, her boat released 33 Sailfish and a Blue Marlin.
“It was chaos – but the fun kind,” she says. “As soon as you got a line back out, another fish was biting.”
A key challenge came early. After missing several fish in a row, frustration set in. With guidance from the crew and fellow anglers, Becca adjusted her technique, learning to better feel the bite before setting the hook.
“That was the turning point,” she explains. “Once it clicked, everything changed.”
By the end of the tournament, Becca had released 14 Sailfish and one Blue Marlin – the most fish she had ever caught in her life.
A Surprising Result
Despite arriving with no competitive goals beyond learning, Becca’s performance spoke for itself. She finished:
- Third overall individual angler
- Third overall team
- Top boat on Day One
“I was shocked,” she says. “I just wanted opportunities to learn how to hook my own fish. That’s it.”
Strength in an All-Women Community
For Becca, the tournament was about more than results. Working in law enforcement – a male-dominated field – she immediately recognized parallels between policing and the IWFA community.
“It felt empowering,” she says. “Just like law enforcement, it was a tight-knit group. Everyone came from different fields – engineers, teachers, moms, captains – but we all came together to fish.”
The supportive atmosphere never disappeared, even as competition tightened. Becca fished alongside the eventual first-place angler one day and the second-place angler the next, yet the focus remained positive, encouraging, and collaborative.
“It was a breath of fresh air to see all these women from different career fields, and with different things going on at home come just to fish together. And everyone was so welcoming, so friendly.”
What’s Next
Becca’s experience in Guatemala didn’t end when the tournament did. She stayed in touch with anglers she met there and soon signed up for another international event – the Pescadora Billfish Championship in Costa Rica.
Her advice to other women considering the IWFA?
“Absolutely join,” she says. “Whether you’re brand new or experienced, you’ll learn, you’ll meet incredible people, and you’ll leave better than you arrived.”
As for future goals, Becca keeps it simple: keep learning, keep improving, and keep enjoying every fish along the way.
Sometimes, all it takes is an opportunity – and the courage to take it.
If you want to get involved with IWFA or get informed about their future events, check out their website or follow them on social media. And if you liked Becca’s story, leave us a comment below.
The post From First Hook to the Podium: Becca Salmon’s IWFA Breakthrough appeared first on FishingBooker Blog.
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