A Legendary Comeback at the March Merkin

A Legendary Comeback at the March Merkin

Congratulations to Captain Ian Slater and Mako advisor Nathaniel Linville on their spectacular victory at the March Merkin Permit Tournament, widely regarded as the most prestigious permit tournament in the world.

In one of the most dramatic finishes in the event’s history, Ian and Nathaniel landed seven permit on the final day, bringing their total to nine fish and securing a stunning come-from-behind win on the notoriously fickle flats of the Florida Keys.

For Nathaniel, the victory adds another remarkable chapter to an already storied tournament career. After a heartbreaking loss to Captain Scott Collins and Greg Smith in the 2014 March Merkin, Nathaniel went on to win the tournament three times with Captain John O’Hearn, as well as the Del Brown Permit Tournament with Captain Aaron Snell.

In 2021, he stepped away from permit tournaments to focus on tarpon competition alongside Captain Ian Slater. That partnership culminated in their victory at the 2024 Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament, one of the most prestigious tarpon events in the world.

Nathaniel had no plans to return to the permit circuit, until legendary Captain Steve Huff signed up to fish the tournament with renowned author Carl Hiaasen. Huff’s innovations helped elevate permit fishing to its modern status as one of the “big three” shallow-water saltwater gamefish, and he also guided Nathaniel to their 140.3-pound tarpon world record on six-pound class tippet.

When a mentor and hero like that enters the field, you find a way to fish.

With this fourth March Merkin title, Nathaniel joins the rarefied ranks of Captain Scott Collins and angler Greg Smith, a short list of competitors who have won the tournament more times than anyone else.

Returning to the permit tournaments after a five-year hiatus, Nathaniel once again demonstrated that he is not only a world-class permit angler, but one of the most complete and versatile saltwater anglers of his generation.

The victory also further cements Captain Ian Slater’s place among the elite guides in the Florida Keys. Slater has now won the March Merkin, the IGFA Permit Invitational, the Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament, and the Cuda Bowl, an extraordinary sweep that showcases his versatility across multiple iconic fisheries.

Together, Ian and Nathaniel now hold the records for most permit caught in a single day in a Keys permit tournament and most permit caught overall in a Keys permit tournament.

An unforgettable comeback.
A legendary partnership.
And another remarkable moment on the flats.