To celebrate its 25th anniversary, and the spirit of pelagic fisheries conservation, The Billfish Foundation has launched an exciting membership drive -- for new members and those renewing, to experience some of the best of what billfishing has to offer -- an event aptly named the TBF Experience.

"It may be the most exciting membership drive tool we have ever had." said Ellen Peel who has been at the helm as TBF's President for over 15 years. "We have three prize trips with expert captains in three of the world's greatest billfishing destinations, and they all are fantastic."

"The exciting trip giveaway and membership premium program is now up on the TBF website at http://billfish.org/sections/234-tbf-experience " added TBF Science and Policy Specialist Elliott Stark who coordinated the event. "We have a one day trip with Bouncer Smith in Miami Fla. USA; two days fishing with Brad Philipps in Guatemala, and three days with Wade Richardson in Panama. I'm pretty excited about how this drive has turned out."

Simply joining or renewing a TBF membership between now and Oct. 26, 2011, at the levels listed below, gets you in the running. If you've already joined TBF since Oct. 1, 2010, then you're already entered. Here are the three levels:

$75--Atlantic Sailfish out of Miami Beach, Florida with Capt. Bouncer Smith

Members who join or renew at $75 are entered for a full day of sailfishing for two with world famous Captain Bouncer Smith on "Bouncer's Dusky." Captain Bouncer has won numerous TBF Top Captain Awards and is a recognized authority on live baiting and kite fishing and has fished Miami for more than 30 years. Bouncer's website is http://captbouncer.com/

$250-- Pacific Sailfish and Blue Marlin in Guatemala Captain Brad Philipps,

Joining or renewing at $250 will be entered to win a two day, three night fishing package with Captain Brad Philipps in Guatemala on the Decisive. Captain Philipps has released over 20,000 billfish. He has won innumerable TBF Top Captain Awards and is recognized around the world for his fishing skills. Brad's website is http://www.GuatBillAdv.com/

$500--Black and Blue Marlin Fishing in Panama with Captain Wade Richardson

Members joining or renewing at $500 or higher (one chance per $500, two chances for $1,000, etc.) are entered to win a three day trip to fish out of Panama's Pearl Islands. A winner and three guests will use live bait, bait-and-switch, and lure such fish as black and/or blue marlin, Pacific sails, big dorado, and yellowfin tuna on Richardson's The Hooker, a trip only available through the TBF Experience. This trip includes four nights and three days accommodations at the beautiful Hacienda del Mar on San Jose Island