Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT) will induct renowned Florida fishing guides, Captain Carl Ball and the late Captain Jose Wejebe, into the BTT Circle of Honor on April 16, 2026, during the 13th Annual Florida Keys Dinner and Awards Ceremony at Cheeca Lodge & Spa in Islamorada, Florida.
"Carl Ball and Jose Wejebe represent the very best of our flats fishing community," said BTT President and CEO Jim McDuffie. "Carl's decades-long commitment to science-based conservation has advanced our understanding and protection of flats species, while Jose will long be remembered for his unmatched ability to inspire through storytelling, which brought saltwater fishing and conservation into the hearts of millions. Their passion and influence extend far beyond the waters we fish."
Captain Ball will receive the Flats Stewardship Award in recognition of his enduring commitment to the conservation of Florida's flats fishery. A Fort Lauderdale native, Ball has spent three decades guiding anglers on South Florida's flats, inspired by a lifelong passion for fishing instilled by his grandfather. From his early days navigating ponds and canals in a johnboat, Ball developed into a self-taught shallow-water expert specializing in Biscayne Bay, the Intracoastal Waterway, and Everglades National Park. Through AWOL Fishing Charters—named after his grandfather's boat—he has introduced countless anglers to bonefish, tarpon, permit, redfish, and snook, earning a reputation for skillful guiding and deep knowledge of the flats.
Ball's dedication to fishing naturally evolved into a commitment to conservation. Among the first South Florida guides to work with scientists from the University of Miami and later BTT, he has played a leading role in tagging and tracking bonefish, tarpon, and permit, contributing critical data through dart tags, acoustic tags, and DNA sampling. To date, Ball has dart-tagged 180 permit—the most of any guide—and 321 bonefish, ranking third overall. His efforts, along with those of his clients, have significantly advanced scientific understanding of flats species and supported improved fisheries management. A vocal advocate for healthy habitat and water quality, Ball speaks candidly about the loss of seagrass and declining fish populations, emphasizing the urgent need to protect and restore the Everglades and South Florida's coastal ecosystems.
Captain Wejebe will be posthumously honored with the 2026 Curt Gowdy Memorial Media Award, presented annually to those who inspire saltwater conservation through media and the arts. Few outdoors television personalities have attracted as broad and passionate a following as Wejebe, whose career as the creator and host of Spanish Fly left an indelible mark on the world of sport fishing and outdoor media. Debuting on ESPN2 in 1995, the program followed Wejebe's fishing adventures across the globe, reaching millions of viewers and transcending traditional angling audiences. An expert in every style of saltwater fishing—from stalking bonefish and permit on the flats to pursuing tuna and marlin offshore—Wejebe combined technical knowledge with a warm, engaging presence. His enthusiasm inspired countless viewers to embrace the outdoors while fostering a lasting appreciation for marine conservation.
Born in Havana, Cuba, in 1958, Jose Wejebe immigrated to Miami as a toddler after his family fled Fidel Castro's regime. He developed a love for fishing and the marine environment at a young age and went on to become a highly respected professional guide, mentored by legendary pioneers Stu Apte, Flip Pallot, and Lefty Kreh. Their guidance helped propel a career marked by exceptional skill and sportsmanship, guiding clients to remarkable catches on light tackle. Beyond his professional achievements, Wejebe was committed to giving back, donating significant time and television coverage to organizations including the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Wounded Warriors, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Following his tragic death in a plane crash in Everglades City in 2012, his daughter Krissy, along with friends and colleagues, established the Jose Wejebe Memorial Foundation to honor his legacy of conservation, education, and making fishing dreams come true.
The BTT Circle of Honor recognizes legendary anglers, fishing guides, and conservation leaders who have made significant contributions to the conservation of the flats fishery. It is housed in the Florida Keys History & Discovery Center, located in Islamorada and features an annually rotating exhibit about those honored as well as educational content about the significance of the flats fishery.
Photos of the honorees are available here.
About Bonefish & Tarpon Trust
Bonefish & Tarpon Trust's mission is to conserve bonefish, tarpon, and permit—the species, their habitats and the larger fisheries they comprise. BTT pursues this mission through science-based conservation, education, and advocacy across Florida, The Bahamas, Belize and Mexico, as well as in coastal states from Texas to Virginia. Learn more at: www.BTT.org.