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We are proud to announce that Pat Healey has been named Marlin magazine’s inaugural Person of the Year. “A household name in the big-game fishing industry who hardly needs an introduction, Pat continues to produce the preeminent sport-fishing boat on the market at Viking, while its Valhalla line has elevated the center-console arena to a new level,” said their announcement. “Beyond running the most successful boatbuilding company in the big-game space, Pat is a passionate angler and leader of the highly competitive Viking Demo Team.”
Rounding out his credentials, Marlin acknowledged that Pat spearheaded the fight against what was arguably the greatest threat our sport has faced in decades: NOAA’s proposed vessel speed restrictions. “It’s not hyperbole to say that without Pat’s leadership, NOAA’s vessel speed rule might be law today. Thanks to his resolve, a dangerous regulation was halted, an industry was galvanized, and a practical, science-based solution was set in motion.”
Marlin created this honor to recognize an individual whose work has made a clear, measurable impact on the sport, whether through angling achievement, product innovation, advocacy, conservation or some artful combination of all the above. “It’s not just about being visible; it’s about moving the sport forward in a meaningful way,” Marlin stated.
For more information on Pat’s honor, pick up a copy of the inaugural 2026 Best of Big Game annual – the largest and most impressive issue Marlin has ever published. This isn’t just a magazine; it’s a keepsake and year-round reference. Click here to watch an in-depth podcast with Pat and Marlin’s Editor-in-Chief Jack Vitek.
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