The Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA) and the American Sportfishing Association’s (ASA) prestigious Homer Circle Fishing Communicator Award was presented to outdoor writer and conservation supporter, Frank Sargeant.
The POMA/ASA Homer Circle Fishing Communicator Award recognizes a journalist who exemplifies the spirit, dedication to fishing, extraordinary talent, and commitment to mentoring the next generation of sportfishing communicators as displayed by outdoor journalist legend Homer Circle during his storied career.
The award was presented during the New Product Showcase, the flagship feature of the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, better known as ICAST. ICAST is produced by ASA, the sportfishing industry’s trade association. POMA is a professional association representing the traditional outdoor sports media.
As an outdoor journalist and prolific book author, Sargeant has been telling recreational fishing’s story for 30 years. He was recently named a senior writer at Bass Times and also writes for Bassmaster, Florida Sportsman and Game & Fish. For 26 years, Sargeant served as the Tampa Tribune’s outdoor editor and still writes a weekly column for the newspaper. Sargeant also writes columns for the Huntsville Times, the Panama City Beach News Herald and other Freedom Communications newspapers in the Florida Panhandle. He has also proudly hosted the Tampa Tribune Outdoors Expo for 20 years.
“I’m honored to be presented an award named for fishing legend, Homer Circle,” said Sargent. “When I was a wet-behind-the-ears Homosassa, Fla. fishing guide who desperately wanted to be an outdoors writer, Homer is the man who took me under his wing.”
“Frank’s biography of journalistic accomplishments and contributions in the sportfishing industry is encyclopedic,” said POMA Board of Directors Chairman and outdoor journalist Bill Miller. “His accomplishments are outshone only by his enviable skill at communicating the outdoor story and commitment to mentoring others. Frank has won more than 60 journalism awards, as well as the respect of the entire sportfishing community.”
Miller further said, “Frank’s association with communication’s organizations, including his career-long membership in and service as president of the Florida Outdoor Writers Association, is a testament to his commitment to mentoring. For decades, he has shared his experience and knowledge with anyone who asked.”
“The POMA/ASA award recognizes the important role all outdoor communicators play in educating and informing the public about fishing, boating and wildlife conservation,” said ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman. “Frank is a strong conservation and recreational fishing advocate. This is a well-deserved honor.”
POMA accepts nominations year-round for the Homer Circle Fishing Communicator Award. Nominees are not required to be affiliated with a communicator’s organization. The award is presented as deemed appropriate, not necessarily annually, during ICAST.
The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is the sportfishing industry’s trade association, committed to looking out for the interests of the entire sportfishing community. We give the industry a unified voice speaking out when emerging laws and policies could significantly affect sportfishing business or sportfishing itself. We invest in long-term ventures to ensure the industry will remain strong and prosperous as well as safeguard and promote the enduring economic and conservation values of sportfishing in America. ASA also gives America’s 60 million anglers a voice in policy decisions that affect their ability to sustainably fish on our nation’s waterways through KeepAmericaFishing™, our angler advocacy campaign. America’s anglers generate over $45 billion in retail sales with a $125 billion impact on the nation’s economy creating employment for over one million people.