Murat İyriboz

If the salt water of the sea touches it at an early age, it sticks and does not come off for the rest of your life. Before even starting school, Murat began fishing for gilt-head bream from the shore and catching common dentex from a boat with his late father, who was his first and greatest mentor. His fishing journey, which spans over 58 years, has taken him to nearly every sea on the planet, allowing him to catch nearly all the species of trophy fish in the world of sportfishing. In his home waters, he has had the opportunity to fight and catch Bluefin tuna, which has given him the chance to battle with some of the world's giants right in his backyard.

Murat is also the creator and founding member of two of Europe's largest open-sea fishing tournaments, the Stafu Pro Tuna Masters Teos, now in its 9th year, and the Raymarine Tuna Masters Alaçatı, celebrating its 18th year. Managing a total of 27 tournaments, including the Tuna Masters Cape Town, which marks its 7th year this year, has been a constant source of pride for him. Despite the passage of time, his excitement remains as fresh as ever, and he knows there are still many trophy fish to catch and many new places to explore. The allure of unknown waters and the opportunity to forge new friendships, discover unique flavors, and meet new people in different countries are perhaps the most enticing aspects of his adventures.

For Murat, the sea and fishing are a lifelong passion—a love affair that rewards as much as it is cherished. As he says, "The more you love and respect it, the more it gives back to you."

Fair winds to all!

Murat İyriboz