WELCOME TO UNCHARTED TERRITORY.
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VERADO ® IS YOUR MOST VALUABLE RESOURCE. At cruise, Verado 150 hp delivers up to 26% more mpg than Suzuki® 150 hp and up to 43% more mpg than Evinrude® 150 hp E-TEC.®
300 hp 275 hp 250 hp 225 hp 200 hp 175 hp
MERCURY ® VERADO
SUZUKI
EVINRUDE
VERADO DELIVERS UP TO 26% MORE mpg THAN SUZUKI
VERADO DELIVERS UP TO 43% MORE mpg THAN EVINRUDE E-TEC
150 hp 135 hp
SEE MORE TESTS AT MercuryMarine.com
When it comes to fuel efficiency, Mercury breaks all the rules. Check out the Mercury Range Plus Powertrain, which delivers unsurpassed fuel economy and lets you go farther and stay longer for less. During five years of ownership, you could save as much
as $2500 with the fuel-efficient Verado compared to other engines. If you want to spend less at the pump and more time on the water,
look deeper at MercuryMarine.com.
www.FishWBS.com Source: Tests conducted by Mercury Marine – May 2007. Test conducted on a 17’ aluminum fishing boat using a new Mercury Verado 150 hp FourStroke, Evinrude 150 hp E-TEC, Suzuki 150 hp EFI four-stroke and a Honda® 150 hp EFI four-stroke. © 2008 MERCURY MARINE. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. E-TEC is a registered trademark of BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co. Evinrude is a registered trademark of Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. Honda is a registered trademark of Honda Motor Co. Ltd. Suzuki is a registered trademark of Suzuki Motor Corporation. All other trademarks belong to the Brunswick Corporation.
Boat Division 2008 Viking
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Contender
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Sea Vee
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Sea Hunter
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Torres
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Motor Division 2008
President’s Cup Kona Blue Trophy by Geoffrey Smith www.geoffreysmith.com
Caterpillar
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MTU/Detroit Diesel
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MAN
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Yamaha
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Mercury
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This award is presented annually to the top boat and motor manufacturing companies based on performance in over 70 tournaments on the WBS World Tour. The current standings are presented above.
T A B L E
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C O N T E N T S
On the Cover The Cheeca Lodge & Spa is the home of the 19th annual Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tournament. Photos by Linda Fisher-Morgan.
Departments
Destination 18
Destination: The Florida Keys.
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Editor’s Message
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Upcoming Event Calendar
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Industry News
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Caught On The WBS World Tour
Tournament Tales 26
Jupiter Billfish Tournament A highlight of the new Treasure Coast Division.
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The Buccaneer Cup Sailfish Release Tourn. Great fishing characterizes this ever-popular tourney.
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Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tourn. Wound Up wins yet another Southeast Division event.
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Palm Beach Sailfish Classic The Classic benefits Make-A-Wish Foundation.
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Miami Mayor’s Cup Outboard boats rule the day in Miami.
Sponsor Profile 50
MTU Detroit Diesel
Angler Profiles 53 55 57
Johnny White Patrick Sciacca Peter Adrian
Inside the WBS 69
2008 Standings
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2008 World Tour Schedule
“Supporting Tournament Fishing, Now and Forever” Billfishing Magazine
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FROM THE WBS
E D I T O R ’ S
M E S S A G E
As we move into yet another season of tournament billfishing on the WBS World Tour, I’d like to take this opportunity to personally thank the members, sponsors, tournament directors, anglers, captains, volunteers and everyone else involved in this outstanding sport we so truly love— without each of you, bluewater tournament fishing simply would not exist. As of this writing, we have three divisions that are already underway with some very intense competition in each. In the Southeast, Peter Miller of the ever-dangerous Get Lit team has a slim lead over Warren Sands aboard the Wound Up, one of the hottest teams of the year so far to date. Several other anglers are within reach of the leaders though, so this will be one that will come down to the bitter end to determine the divisional winner and recipient of the WBS Marlin bronze trophy for 2008. It’s much the same story in the newly-established Treasure Coast division, stretching from Ft. Lauderdale north to St. Augustine, with Todd and Sandra Kirkpatrick and Rudy Polselli Jr. chasing past WBS World Champion Mark Wodlinger for the lead. Despite this being the first year for the Treasure Coast Division, it’s already been exceptionally well-received by the angling community in southeastern Florida. Over in the Pacific, four anglers (including the 2007 World Champion of Billfishing, Mainor Oporto) have already topped the 2,000-point mark after just the first Los Sueños Signature Series tournament, proof of just how hot the fishing is these days off Costa Rica. The excitement’s sure to intensify with several other divisions set to kick off within the next few weeks. Of course, the real prize at stake here is a qualifying bid to attend the 2008 WBS Grand Championships, which will return to Los Sueños December 3-6. Unless you’ve been living underwater for the last few years, you’ve undoubtedly heard about the fantastic mix of great fishing, luxurious accommodations, outstanding restaurants and world-class marina that makes up just a small part of the Los Sueños mystique. We’re excited that they have once agreed to host the WBS Grand Championships this year and look forward to bringing the world’s best anglers back to beautiful Costa Rica at the completion of this year’s WBS World Tour. Until then, enjoy the competition and camaraderie that makes this sport truly one of a kind. See you on the docks soon, Sam White World Billfish Series
BILLFISHING
®
The Official Monthly Publication of the WBS Volume 8 No. 2, February 2008
Published monthly by SportsUSA Group, Inc 112 Pinellas Bayway Tierra Verde, Florida 33715 phone: (727) 864-4400 fax: (727) 867-1149 email: info@fishwbs.com
President & CEO James R. Simons Editor-in-Chief Sam White Creative Director Linda Fisher-Morgan Director of Marketing & Communications Kathryn Chappetto Senior Account Executive Anthony Mendillo Senior Account Executive Erik Tate Account Executive Robbie Carter Administrative Director Jana E. Simons Member Services Amy Hunter
Upcoming Events
March 12 - 15 Los Sueños Signature Series #2 March 14 - 16 Broken Bay Billfish Tournament March 24 - 29 Raiatea Int’l Billfish Tournament April 3 - 6 Yamaha Contender Miami Billfish April 7 - 10 Bahamas White Marlin Open April 12 - 14 Presidential Challenge of Costa Rica April 13 - 18 BBC Central Abaco Championship April 23 - 26 Cancun Billfish Classic Order the WBS Tournament Calendar at www.FishWBS.com.
Destinations Editor Jeff Merrill
Special Contributors Bailey Bobbitt David A. Brown Jacqueline Caspari Peter Caspari Laurie Ciecierski Bart K. Davis Capt. Rob Ellyn Brenda Fletcher Rick Gaffney Greg Gawlikoski Scott Kerrigan
Marty Locke Heather Maxwell Kitty McGowan Jim Niemiec Bruce Paul John E. Phillips Walt Rhodes Capt. Jim Sharpe Tom Twyford Capt. Joan Vernon Eric West
Special Thanks to: All the companies, associations and individuals who give back to the sport of billfishing so that future generations can enjoy one of America’s favorite pastimes. Copyright © 2008, SportsUSA Group, Inc. Billfishing Magazine
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I N D U S T R Y
N E W S
VIKING, MTU REPEAT PRESIDENT’S CUP VICTORIES
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n what has become one of the first real dynasties in the sport of billfishing, both Viking Yachts and MTU Detroit Diesel won the WBS President’s Cup trophies in their respective categories in 2007, marking the fourth consecutive season for each company. During the 2008 Miami International Boat Show, Viking’s Pat Healey and MTU’s Barney Bentgen were presented with bronze replicas of the large President’s Cup perpetual trophy, which will continue to reside in the corporate offices of both Viking and MTU for another year.
The WBS President’s Cup was established to recognize the top manufacturer of boats and propulsion on the WBS World Tour each season. The top finishers in each World Tour event are scored on the basis of their finishing position, with a running tally published each month in BILLFISHING Magazine as well as on the WBS website at www.fishWBS.com.
2008 OFFICIAL GUIDE, CALENDAR RELEASED IN MIAMI
gives us a great opportunity to ensure that both publications get right into the hands of the top executives in the industry—it’s become something they expect each season so we’re happy to be able to meet and exceed their expectations.”
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he 2008 Official Guide to Billfishing and the 2008 WBS World Tour Calendar were both released during the Miami International Boat Show, where both publications received excellent reviews from both within and outside the marine industry. “The Miami Boat Show is the perfect event to release the Official Guide to Billfishing as well as the World Tour Calendar,” according to Sam White, editor-in-chief of the WBS. “It really 8
www.FishWBS.com
In addition, both publications received wide circulation to the general public attending the Miami show and each will receive tournament distribution throughout 2008. For more information on the 2008 Official Guide to Billfishing or the WBS World Tour Calendar, please call WBS International Headquarters at 727-864-4400 or visit www.fishWBS.com.
I N D U S T R Y
N E W S
NMFS APPROVES LONGLINE RESEARCH IN CLOSED AREAS
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he National Marine Fisheries Service has announced its decision to proceed with a scaleddown version of its proposal to allow swordfish longliners to conduct a bycatch reduction experiment inside areas of the U.S. southern coast that have been closed to longlining since 2000. The decision will affect portions of the Florida east coast and Charleston Bump closed areas. Instead of the originally-proposed 13 vessels, only three will be permitted
and only two can fish at any one time. NMFS-certified observers must be aboard at all times. The boats will be testing the use of non-offset circle hooks, rather than the offset circle hooks as first proposed by the industry. Finally, half of the longline sets must be made outside the closed areas. NMFS’ failure to develop criteria for assessing the results of the new experiment, which is standard research protocol, is troubling. “Our focus now will be
ADOPT-A-BILLFISH UPDATE In September, 2007, 17 white marlin were tagged using pop-up satellite tags off Manteo, North Carolina and Ocean City, Maryland. Sponsoring these tags were the Piedmont Offshore Fishing Club (NC) and the Ocean City Light Tackle Club (MD). Preliminary results are in and scientists, using light-based geo-location techniques, were able to determine the routes taken by the tagged fish. All of the white marlin tagged eventually headed south to southeast toward the equator from their original positions off the East Coast. In addition, four of the marlin traveled over 2000 linear nautical miles. One, which carried the tag for 131 days, traveled a linear distance of 2,630 nautical miles. Most of the tags popped off the white marlin as they neared the Brazilian coast while one transmission location was near the mid-Atlantic Ridge in the middle of the Atlantic. The results of this study could have an effect on how white marlin stock assessments are conducted. Although recently spared an Endangered Species Act listing, white marlin are currently one of the most over-exploited resources under ICCAT jurisdiction. The funding for this program comes from contributions from the general angling community. There are two ways to help: adopt a white marlin by picking up the cost for one or more PSAT tags (currently $4,000 each) for scientists to deploy, and/or donate the use of a sportfishing vessel for deployment of these tags. Donations go directly to the purchase, testing, programming and deployment of satellite tags. Throughout the world, private foundations, recreational fishing organizations and individual anglers are becoming increasingly aware of the critical need for detailed data on the biology of these unique yet vulnerable fish stocks. For more information or to become involved in the Adopt-ABillfish program, visit www.sportingtraditions.com or call The Billfish Foundation at 954-938-0150.
on the data collected over the next year and what that means, if anything, in terms of the future of the closed areas,” said NCMC president Ken Hinman. “We will not allow poorly-designed ‘research’ to be used as an excuse to re-open areas to longlining if it undermines conservation of the vulnerable species that these closures are now protecting.” For more infor, please visit the National Coalition for Marine Conservation’s website at www.savethefish.org.
NORTHERN LIGHTS TO CELEBRATE 50th ANNIVERSARY Northern Lights, a global leader in the manufacturing of marine diesel generator sets, Lugger propulsion engines and land-based diesel generators, will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2008. Founded in 1958 as Alaska Marine and Equipment in Cooper Landing, Alaska by Harold Walter Johnson, Northern Lights has grown into one of the marine industry’s most respected companies. Starting with a line of industrial generators for Alaskan lodges and off-grid applications, Johnson’s company soon developed a marinized generator set whose robust design and ease of service became the genset of choice for the region’s demanding commercial fishing industry.
Today, Northern Lights boasts three branch offices, global distributors and a network of nearly 300 factory authorized dealers located in the world’s major ports of call. Northern Lights and Lugger products are unmatched for customizable power and propulsion solutions and their reputation for quality is second to none. For more information on Northern Lights, please visit www.northern-lights.com. Billfishing Magazine
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Enter the "Caught on the WBS World Tour" contest and win a new pair of Costa Del Mar sunglasses! 3
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D0 you recognize anybody in the “Caught On WBS Tour” photo gallery? 6
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caught on tour the place to see your face 10
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Win a new pair of Costa Del Mar sunglasses! See page 15 for more on the “Caught On WBS Tour� Contest.
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Congratulations to our most recent contest winners: Chris Lepping — Collegetown PA Peter Franks — Miami, FL Michael James — Wyoming, MI
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“Caught On WBS Tour” Contest 31
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The WBS Anglers Club member who correctly identifies the most people on pages 12, 13 and 15 by March 29, 2008 will win a pair of Costa Del Mar sunglasses. Send your entries—including photo number, names of individuals in photo, tournament name, and magazine issue—to sam@fishwbs.com, fax to 727-869-1149 or mail to 112 Pinellas Bayway, Tierra Verde, FL 33715. Please include your name, address, phone number and e-mail address. Fax, e-mail or mail entries only. Entries will be judged on individual identification first, tournament identification second. Any ties will be decided by time and date of entry.
Billfishing Magazine
The Florida Keys
The Keys to Paradise By Bart K. Davis
Photos courtesy of Florida Keys News Bureau
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ew sportfishing destinations in the world hold as much variety as the Florida Keys. From the different species available to the options for lodging, dining, and more, the region has something to offer nearly every visitor. So whether you’re in search of a laid-back island retreat (think margaritas and a beachside hammock suspended between the palm trees) or a luxurious five-star resort towering over a fleet of the world’s finest charterboats, or maybe just something in between the two, the Florida Keys are for you.
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tretching from the southern tip of the Florida peninsula, the Keys are a string of some 1,700 islands that curve gently from the south to the west in a gentle arc that culminates in Key West and on to the uninhabited Dry Tortugas. The islands themselves are bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Gulf of Mexico to the west, hinting at the prolific nature of the fisheries offered here. The substructure is mostly a combination of limestone and the remains of an ancient coral reef that existed some 130,000 years ago. Today, the islands are still bordered by one of the longest living coral reefs found anywhere in the Northern Hemisphere.
Keys. Key West was already the most populous island but its southernmost location and relaxed social atmosphere of live and let live soon added thousands of fishermen, pirates, hippies and others who wished to live on the fringes of the conventional to its burgeoning ranks. Much of that mentality still lives on today throughout the Florida Keys.
The islands’ earliest residents were the Native Americans of the Calusa and Tequesta tribes, who were originally visited and charted by the Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon during his trips to the New World. In fact, the word ‘key’ is a corruption of the Spanish word ‘cayo,’ meaning a small island. For centuries, the islands of the Florida Keys were accessible only by water. This changed shortly after the turn of the 20th Century with Henry Flagler’s Overseas Railway. Flagler, a prominent developer of Florida’s Atlantic coast, extended the southernmost portion of his Florida East Coast Railway all the way through the Keys down to Key West by using an elaborate (and ambitious) series of railway trestles to span the distances between the islands. This made it possible to rapidly expand trade routes from north to south—Miami residents could enjoy caught-the-same-day fish, lobster and conch from the Keys, while those living in Key West now had access to perishable items like ice, a much sought-after commodity in those days before refrigeration.
If undersea exploration is your thing, then Key Largo is certainly not to be missed. At the head of the Keys and within easy driv-
Years later, as the automobile began to dominate the American landscape, the Overseas Highway was built to provide easy access to the islands of the Florida
A snorklers paradise can be found in the Florida Keys. Here is one of the many wonders to be seen in the world below, the Statue of Christ of the Abyss.
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The modern keys are divided geographically (extending southward from Miami) into Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine Key and the Lower Keys and Key West. Each region offers its own flavor and flair.
KEY LARGO
ing distance from Miami, its home to the nation’s first undersea preserve, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (which was established back in the 1960s) and the Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary, established in 1975. Because of its popularity as a dive spot, Key Largo offers several sites that are specifically suited to diving and snorkeling. The first of these is the Statue of Christ of the Abyss. This famed bronze statue rises so close to the water’s surface that it can be easily viewed by snorkelers as well as divers. The statue is nestled between the coral formations of Key Largo Dry Rocks reef in just 25 feet of water and is wellmarked for easy location by visiting boaters. Another popular dive spot is the wreck of the Spiegel Grove, a 510-foot Navy transport ship that was sunk in June 2002 as the latest addition to the area’s impressive shipwreck portfolio. Prior to the sinking of the aircraft carrier Oriskany off the Gulf Coast city of Pensacola, the Spiegel Grove was the largest ship dedicated as a diving attraction. Finally, there are the wrecks of the U. S. Coast Guard cutters Bibb and Duane. These twin 327-foot ships were sunk intentionally as dive attractions in 1987 and now are virtually cloaked in colorful coral and sea life as well as plenty of tropical fish. Because of the popularity of diving and snorkeling, there’s no shortage of support on the land-side, with scores of dive shops and charter operations waiting to make your visit here a memorable one. Both restaurants and lodging are widely available in Key Largo and target a variety of budgets.
ISLAMORADA This area offers some of the best sportfishing in the continental United States, bar none. According to the International Game Fish Association, the Florida Keys are home to more world record catches than Billfishing Magazine
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Photo By Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau
Back ashore, one of the best options for luxury accommodations is the Cheeca Lodge and Spa (www.cheeca.com), conveniently located in Islamorada. With 27 seaside acres, the Cheeca Lodge is home to one of the top resorts in all of the Keys and indeed in the entire Southeast. It’s the ultimate spot for rest and relaxation, offering a world-class spa, numerous top-flight restaurants and watersports of every variety. It’s also home to the Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tournament, one of the top events in the World Billfish Series Southeast Division. Now in its 19th year, the Presidential attracts the world’s best teams to Islamorada each January, coinciding perfectly with the area’s run of feisty Atlantic sailfish. During this year’s tournament, 42 teams released 200 sails for an average of nearly five per boat over the two-day event.
any other region on the planet, with a majority of these catches being made in this stretch of prolific water. Islamorada, located a bit farther north of its southern sister, is primarily known for the offshore species that abound on its Atlantic side, while Marathon is more renowned for the inshore and backcountry denizens that prowl the shallower waters of the Gulf of Mexico, but it’s possible to do both types of fishing in either place with nearly equal success. In fact, it’s been well-documented that this region may be the only place in the world where it’s possible to catch a marlin or sailfish in the Atlantic Ocean in hundreds of feet of water in the morning, then find yourself catching tarpon on the flats or bonefish tailing in mere inches of water in the Gulf of Mexico in the afternoon. For sheer variety, it’s hard to beat the one-two punch of Islamorada and Marathon. Most would agree that the epicenter of sportfishing in Islamorada revolves around the historic Bud n’ Mary’s Marina. Located oceanside at Mile Marker 79, Bud n’ Mary’s is home to over 40 top-flight offshore charter boats that target everything from marlin and sailfish to dolphin and wahoo on a daily basis year-round. One hot new fishery that’s been a fairly recent discovery here is the daytime fishing for swordfish. While in the past these magnificent species have been targeted strictly at night, it’s now possible to catch them in broad daylight off Islamorada. Using very heavy weights and electric reels, anglers drop whole squid or dead baitfish nearly to the bottom in over 1,000 feet of water in hopes of getting a bite from one of these fish of a lifetime. It’s just another dimension to the fishing opportunities available in the Keys.
Photo By Linda Fisher-Morgan
Billfishing Magazine
Photo By Linda Fisher-Morgan
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MARATHON
the fact that it’s possible to find a secluded spot that’s out of the wind, it’s also a highlight for those with a bend for flyfishing.
A bit farther south lies the region known as Marathon. Situated mainly on Vaca, Fat Deer, and Grassy Keys, Marathon is a 10-mile-long island city at the midpoint of the Florida Keys. Locals call it the heart of the Keys for geographic reasons, but also to reflect the old-Keys lifestyle they enjoy among the spectacular fishing, diving, snorkeling and sailing. Sombrero Reef, a federally protected section of North America’s only living coral barrier reef, lies just a few miles offshore, with the deep blue waters of the Florida Straits lying just a short distance offshore. These Gulf Stream-enriched waters teem with billfish and tuna in the winter and dolphin throughout in the summer, while the other side of the islands lays the nearly-always calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Florida Bay and the Keys backcountry. It’s this area that’s perhaps most famous for the schools of tarpon, bonefish, permit and others that inhabit the shallow flats, making Marathon an inshore angler’s mecca. Due in part to
Many of the island’s marine activities are situated on Boot Key Harbor, a peaceful tropical cove in the center of the island. The harbor is famous for its sunset views and is home to the City Marina. At Marathon’s Crane Point, visitors can hike through a preserved tropical hardwood grove. Food aficionados can enjoy fresh local fish prepared simply or in one of numerous gourmet styles, and many of these restaurants are located right on the water. Perhaps best of all, visitors need not scrimp when it comes to accommodations. They can choose among private homes, condominiums, small motels and tropical resorts. One of the hottest new locations is Marlin Bay Yacht Club (www.marlinbaykeys.com), located in the heart of Marathon itself. With 84 superbly-outfitted homes and a 99-slip marina in the works offering slips from 24 to 70 feet in length, it’s sure to become an epicenter of activity in the central Keys. For the budget-minded, camping is also widely available in Marathon.
The Legend of the Conch Republic In 1982, the United States Border Patrol had established a series of roadblocks and inspection points on US Highway 1, the only route leading into and out of the Florida Keys, stopping all northbound traffic returning to the mainland at Florida City to search vehicles for illegal drugs and illegal migrants. The Key West City Council repeatedly complained about the roadblocks, which were a major inconvenience for people traveling from Key West. They also believed this was unfairly hurting the Key West tourism industry. After various (and largely unsuccessful) attempts to remove the blockades in federal court, on April 23, 1982, Key West mayor Dennis Wardlow and the City Council declared the independence of the city of Key West, calling it the Conch Republic. After one minute of secession, Wardlow, acting as prime minister, surrendered the city to an officer of the Key West Naval Air Station and requested one billion dollars in ‘foreign aid.’ The stunt succeeded in generating great publicity for the city’s plight and the roadblocks were subsequently removed. Since then, Key West has held the Conch Republic moniker. Locals born there affectionately call themselves Conchs and hold the fiercely independent spirit alive even today.
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Photo By Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau
The Seven Mile Bridge, also known was the world’s longest fishing pier, is the only road to Pigeon Key which as a base camp used for construction crews building the Florida East Coast Railroad extension to Key West. The five-acre island houses a museum with artifacts and photos chronicling the construcion of the bridge.
BIG PINE AND THE LOWER KEYS If there’s a place to get away from it all, even in the heart of the Florida Keys, it’s Big Pine and the Lower Keys. With the lowest per capita population, it’s certainly the place where visitors can spread their wings. After passing over the Seven Mile Bridge, the islands take a more westerly swing toward the setting sun, and suddenly there’s more land than water. For centuries, powerful tides have whipped back and forth between the islands of the Lower Keys. This action formed a ring of tiny uninhabited mangrove islands and shallow grass flats to the north of the main islands. Welcome to the fabled Lower Keys backcountry, home to the glistening waters of the Content Keys and Snipe Point, favorite destinations with anglers seeking the area’s elusive bonefish, tarpon and permit schools. Whether by kayak, on foot or with an experienced backcountry guide, these waters offer some unparalleled (and uncrowded) inshore fishing available in the Florida Keys.
KEY WEST At the end of the Overseas Highway lies Key West. Cruise ship destination, ground zero for the party-hearty crowd, a worldclass angling destination and home to those with a slightly different outlook on life—Key West is all of this and more. With its location at the tip of the island chain, Key West can offer much in the way of angling opportunities, from the blue water of the Atlantic to the wrecks and reefs of the Gulf of Mexico and the Dry Tortugas islands. Dozens of top-flight charter operations await, ready to whisk visiting anglers off to a ren-
Photo By Steve Bly/ Florida Keys News Bureau.
Photo By Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau
Camping is extremely popular in the Lower Keys. The wide land mass and unique terrain provide excellent material for the14 campground and R.V. parks located there, which range from smaller, private parks to the large resort-type camp areas.The National Key Deer Refuge encompasses 2,300 acres of land on Big Pine Key, the primary home of the famous Key deer, which is a small subspecies of the Virginia whitetail deer.
The deer are best observed in the early morning and early evening hours. Then there’s Bahia Honda State Park, also located on Big Pine Key. Recently named the second most beautiful beach in North America, Bahia Honda (meaning Deep Bay in Spanish) not only provides white sandy beaches—tropical vegetation and a great variety of bird life are included in this miniparadise. On Sugarloaf Key, there’s the quirky Bat Tower. In 1929, businessman Richter C. Perky built a tower on this property to house bats, which he hoped eat up the island’s mosquitoes. Unfortunately, the bats never really took ownership to their namesake tower, and the mosquitoes continue to flourish today but the Bat Tower is just another example of the off-thebeaten-path mindset of the people that inhabit the Florida Keys.
Photo By Bob Krist/Florida Keys News Bureau
A full-frame fisheye lens helps to provide a unique view of the Florida Keys' Overseas Highway as it bisects the Atlantic Ocean, left, and the Gulf of Mexico on the right in the Lower Keys near Big Pine Key, Fla.
The flats of the Florida Keys are renowned for light tackle fishing for bonefish, permit and tarpon.
Busker Will Soto juggles on a tightrope at the sunset celebration in Key West, Fla. The sunset celebration at Mallory Square is a daily ritual for visitors to this subtropical island at the bottom of the Florida Keys island chain.
Marina Resort and Beach Club (www.luxuryresorts.com). Built in Photo by Bob Krist/Florida Keys News Bureau 1920, Casa Marina is a flawless merging of old Key West ambiance dezvous with their fish of a lifetime. Diving is also quite popular and contemporary luxury. A haven of laid back, breezy elegance, here as well, with both chartered and do-it-yourself opportunities the resort offers ocean view rooms that open onto private balwidely available. The heart of the action is in the renovated hisconies or patios shaded by graceful palms. Nestled on the island’s toric seaport district, known locally as the Key West Bight. Where southern edge and spanning more than 1,100 feet of private dozens of shrimp boats used to call these docks home now beach, their historic, Mediterranean-style accommodations proresides charter vessels of nearly every variety, bordered by restauvide a luxurious hideaway for travelers. Listed in the National rants and shops along the harborside walk. Register for Historic Places, this landmark resort has attracted After a day on the water, it’s time to indulge in one of Key business tycoons, artists, and dignitaries since the 1920s. It’s West’s most famous rituals: the sunset celebration at Mallory located on the largest private beach in Key West, just a short walk Square. As the sun sets each afternoon, locals and visitors alike from the Southernmost Point and the Key West Aquarium and crowd the square to witness the end of yet another day in paraminutes from the vibrant nightlife of Duval Street and Old Town. dise, accompanied by all sorts of jugglers, musicians, street venA second popular option is the Reach Resort (www.luxuryredors and just about anything else imaginable. After sunset it’s sorts.com). Pamper yourself at this enchanting Old Town Key West time to hit the restaurants and nightlife of Duval Street where hotel, complete with 150 elegant guest rooms, sweeping beach establishments like Sloppy Joe’s and Capt. Tony’s Saloon hearken views, and attentive guest services. Unwind on your own private back to the days of Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams. balcony or relax poolside and enjoy a hearty breakfast from a comKey West also offers a wide variety of excellent lodging choices. fortable chaise lounge. Tee off at the nearby Key West Resort Golf One of the favorites with locals and visitors alike is the Casa Course or enjoy the many watersports just a short distance away.
HERE ARE A FEW OTHER “DON>‘T MISS” SIGHTS TO SEE WHILE IN KEY WEST:
Audubon House
Mel Fisher’s Maritime Heritage Museum Located at 200 Greene Street, the museum is a tribute to the legacy of Mel Fisher, a treasure-hunter and Key West legend. Fisher was determined to find the wreck of the Spanish galleon Atocha, which he believed to lie somewhere in the waters surrounding Key West. Broke and nearly at the end of his rope, Fisher never gave up in his search, which finally paid off big. The museum houses the largest collection of Atocha artifacts including gold coins and chains, emeralds and more. Audubon House and Tropical Gardens John James Audubon, world-renowned ornithologist, author and illustrator, visited the Florida Keys and the Dry Tortugas in 1832. Audubon left Key West having sighted and drawn 18 new birds for his Birds of America folio. It is believed that many of those drawings were conceived in the Audubon House garden. In fact, Audubon’s painting of the white-crowned pigeon features the Geiger tree found in the front yard of the house. The Southernmost Point Located at the corner of Whitehead and South Street, it’s only 90 miles from Cuba, marking this spot as the Southernmost Point in the continental U.S. Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum Take a leisurely tour of the home and gardens of the late Nobel Prize winner, Ernest Hemingway. The home itself remains decorated much as it would have been during the author’s residence there, complete with his writing room addition in the back as well as one of the Keys’ first swimming pools. Also in residence are descendants of Hemingway’s polydactyl (multi-toed) cats. One of the final attractions of Key West is the ease of travel here. It’s home to a small but bustling international airport as well as a ferry service connecting it with the southwestern Florida city of Ft. Myers. The final alternative is to drive all the way down Hwy. 1 until finally reaching Mile Marker O. The Florida Keys have as much to offer visitors as there are destinations within these islands. It’s just a matter of picking a destination and an activity and moving forward—it’s sure to be found somewhere in the Keys.
Hemingway’s House Billfishing Magazine
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Jupiter Billfish Tournament Jupiter, Florida
Phot os by Leon ard B ryant
www.fishthegrandslam.com
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Jupiter Billfish Tournament
Wanted Dead or Alive By Scott Nichols
While live bait rules the day in the waters off southern Florida, as the Gulf Stream widens farther north many boats switch over to dead bait in hopes of covering more territory and finding feeding sailfish. Tournaments like the Grand Slam/Castaways Jupiter Billfish Tourn give anglers the option of using either style. With double points for billfish caught on dead bait, strategy also plays an important role.
he second annual Grand Slam/Castaways Jupiter Billfish Tournament presented by Bahama 31, Henley’s Custom Marine, and Mercury Marine was an overwhelming success with 52 of the finest billfishing teams in South Florida. These anglers fished two days for over $127,000 in prize money which almost doubled last year’s purse. Due to the unusually warm weather, several boats ran north of Ft. Pierce and had to work extremely hard for their fish dur- nuts and coffee
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ing the event. Forty-eight sailfish were caught the first day and 57 were caught the second day which is half the number of fish that were caught last year. While the fishing was a little slow, anglers enjoyed the parties and mouth watering dinners provided by Park Ave. BBQ, Texas Cattle Company and Cheney Brothers. “I have fished in tournaments all over the world and the Jupiter Billfish Tournament is the most fun because the sponsors and volunteers are always going the extra mile for the anglers,” said Capt. Danny Ford. The tournament provides an open bar and dinner each night, dough-
every morning, along with water, beer and lunches for everyone each day. “Going the extra mile for our anglers lets them know how much we appreciate them fishing in our tournament,” said tournament director Scott Nichols. Rudy Polselli on the Rude Awakening took home over $88,000 as this year’s Grand Champion with seven sailfish releases on dead bait. Rudy also won 60 raffle tickets for the Bahama 31 center console valued at over $250,000. Second place honors went to team Grand Slam with nine sailfish releases on live bait fol-
lowed by Sea-N-Double with four sailfish on dead bait which was good for over $17,000. Monica Epperson took home tope female angler for the second year in a row. Jim Renfrow on Cabo Uno won over $3,900 for first place in the fun fish category (kingfish, dolphin and wahoo) with a total combined weight of 26.85 pounds. Leroy Wooster on team So What came in second with 25.8 pounds, followed by Kim Valstine on the Last Call with 24.25 pounds of combined fun fish. Capt. Norm Isaacs and his son Darren from ESPN’s Big Game Fishing the World
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Jupiter Billfish Tournament
fished with world-renowned marine artist Carey Chen on the 61-foot Garlington, Toplesss, owned by Scott Steele. Capt. Norm and his camera crew filmed the entire tournament. The Coastal Conservation Association Florida and the West Jupiter Tutorial Center are two of the charities that will benefit from the proceeds of this years tournament. The Grand Slam Castaways Jupiter Billfish Tournament was honored to be selected as a sanctioned World Billfish Series event in only its second year of existence. Top angler Rudy Polselli will represent the Grand Slam/Castaways Jupiter Billfish Tournament at the 2008 World Billfish Series Grand Championships in Los Sue単os, Costa Rica. Please take a moment to visit our new tournament website at www.fishthegrandslam.com. Our next tournament is the Grand Slam/Castaways KDW Tournament on May 9 and 10, which has become the largest tournament in South Florida with 311 boats participating last year.
Castaways is home to the Jupiter Billfish Tournament.
A HISTORY OF SUCCESS For 11 years, Grand Slam Sportfishing Supply has set the standard for success with their annual fishing tournaments. The First Annual Grand Slam KDW Tournament began the series in 1997 with 102 boats participating. Founders Richard Black and Dave Parchesco wanted to put on a first-class event while raising money for local charities. The KDW tournament grew in popularity with local anglers and sponsors throughout the late 1990s to 2000 when the Coastal Conservation Association became involved with the event.
Team Rude Awakening took first place and the $88,000 prize.
All the tournaments from 1997 through 2003 were run from the Seasport Marina facility in Jupiter and Carlin Park. In 2004, the tournaments moved to Castaways Marina. The year 2005 saw the addition of the First Annual Broadbill Classic Tournament in addition to the KDW event. In 2006, Grand Slam and Castaways Marina teamed up, making this already great event even more outstanding. In 2007, 311 boats fished the tournament. In January of 2007, the First Annual Jupiter Billfish Tournament was also added to the slate of events and was an overwhelming success. To date the tournaments have generated nearly $400,000 for various local and regional charities. For more information including a schedule of events, please visit their website at www.fishthegrandslam.com.
Team Flying Label took third in the Super Jackpot Challenge. Billfishing Magazine
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Buccaneer Cup Sailfish Release Singer Island, Florida www.buccaneercup.com
t rd Bryan y Leona Photos b
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Buccaneer Cup Sailfish Release
Gold Coast Showdown By Jeff Merrill
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or more than four decades, the Buccaneer Cup has been one of the signature events of the Gold Coast tournament season. The tournament is consistent not only when it comes to providing a good time dockside but also with regard to attracting the best crews and boats. From its kickoff meeting to nightly parties to the gala awards banquet at the ultra-exclusive Sailfish Club in Palm Beach, it’s no wonder The Buc is the highlight event for many crews every winter. The big tent at Sailfish Marina was packed with participants from over two dozen boats for this year’s kickoff that featured a lavish buffet dinner and cocktail party while a live band provided music. Three years ago the tournament became a 100-percent non-profit event with all the proceeds dedicated to the Recreational Fishing Alliance, a political action organization for recreational saltwater fisherman. This tournament now ranks as one of the RFA’s largest fundraising events each year. Tournament director Gary Caputi welcomed all participants and thanked them for their support before giving a brief rules explanation. Crews would select three days to fish out of four provided with the lay day being selected by each crew and nonoffset circle hooks and 20-pound test line were mandated. The scoring format awarded 200 points for a dead-bait caught sail and 100 points for any sailfish caught
with live bait while a white or blue marlin would earn 300 points on live or dead bait. Day One found 26 of the 27 boats entered heading to the Gulf Stream and since the desired northerly wind and cold front was not to be found, the fleet was spread from above Fort Pierce to Miami in the hopes of locating pods of spindlebeaks. By day’s end, 100 sailfish would be caught and released. Capt. Neil Orange, at the wheel of Todd and Sandra Kirkpatrick’s Sandman, winners of last year’s Buc and consistent tournament contenders, decided to run down to Miami and was rewarded for his effort. “We figured we’d stick with live baiting, which is something we do best despite the fact the
Consistency is a word that’s often used to measure everything from a hitter’s batting average to a corporation’s bottom line. In the world of tournament billfishing it’s also a barometer used to gauge a crew’s dominance or a tournament’s track record for producing a successful event. weather conditions favored trolling,” Orange explained. “Based on previous years, we figured we’d need 30 fish to win it and I’d received reports of a decent bite down there,” he added. It was a good call as Sandman racked up 15 releases on Day One to easily capture the daily award after a busy day that saw about 25 bites and three double-header releases. Not far behind was Gina Lisa, another consistent tournament winner, with Danny Scotti on the bridge who offered his thoughts as to what it would take to win the event. “The bite leading up to the tournament was fair at best and historically 90 percent of the time this tournament is won by somebody who’s dead bait fishing,” he noted. “Since we’d decided we’d be trolling I told my crew we need to catch five fish a day to win it,” Scotti added. On Day One, Gina Lisa was above par as they released seven sails on dead bait including four by Mark McDevitt. Fort Pierce sailfish pro Capt. Glenn Cameron at the wheel of his Floridian stayed close to the leaders as well with five sailfish on dead bait. A lousy weather forecast kept most of the fleet tied to the dock on Day Two and Billfishing Magazine
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Buccaneer Cup Sailfish Release
Palm Beach Attractions The floating lay day format of the Buccaneer Cup is popular with tournament participants in part due to the long list of activities to take part in. The Greater Palm Beach Area is home to spectacular golf courses, tennis courts, dog racing, magnificent shopping malls and so many outstanding restaurants that if you stayed for a month you’d have hard choices to make as to which ones to skip. The venerable Sailfish
Marina on Singer Island is a haven for snowbirds in the winter and the restaurant is a magnet for those looking to indulge in local seafood, island specialties and continental cuisine. It’s hard to walk past either of its two bars without stopping to enjoy an adult beverage with many of the locals and visitors. As they say, if you stay there long enough, everybody stops by sooner or later.
Bill Davis’ Anejo got in the mix with five dead bait releases to go with the four dead bait releases on Day One. Gina Lisa added three dead bait releases to their score sheet while Sandman closed out their week of fishing with seven sailfish caught on live bait which included a tripleheader.
striking distance of them. Captain Jimmy Garner at the wheel of Wrenegade made his run at the leaders with five sails released on dead bait and although Wrenegade took top boat honors of the day to go with three sailfish caught the day before it wasn’t quite enough to contend with the top of the pack. Danny Scotti rolled the dice and ran 70 miles with the It was a good old-fashioned shootout hopes of putting the Gina Lisa on a pod of and anybody’s tournament to win on Day sails but would release only one on dead Four as beautiful weather again swept over bait for Anthony Salvo but it would be the the Palm Beach area. Sandman was atop Favorable weather conditions returned most important fish of the tournament as the leader board as the day began but with on Day Three and 22 boats went fishing. it sealed a third place boat finish for the their week complete all the crew could do Lurking in the middle of the pack as the crew. Midnight Blue added five sailfish on was monitor the action on the radio as day started was the always consistent live bait including a pair of doubleheaders they knew there were several boats within Viking 64 with Capt. Mike Brady on the to total 22 for the week and tie Gina Lisa in bridge and Viking’s Pat points but was bumped Healey, Joe Schwab and out of the money based Palm Beach Towers Drew on time of catch. In the McDowell in the cockpit. end the Viking 64 Viking 64 had caught four showed why they are sails on dead bait on Day consistently one of the One and Brady had his best in the business in crew dialed in on Day the sport of billfishing Three as they let go eight as their three sailfish on sailfish on dead bait while dead bait on the final claiming top boat honors day would be enough to for the day and take the seal Top Boat honors for lead in the tournament. the event while pushing Midnight Blue let go 10 Sandman to a second sailfish on live bait, place finish. As we said, including a doubleheadPat Healey, executive vice president of Viking Yachts (center, with trophy) if you can be consistent, er, to add to their seven live accepts the first place award for his team aboard Viking 64. you can be successful. bait releases on Day One. only six boats gave it a go. Justin Hudgens wheeled Orion to top boat honors for the day with 10 releases on live bait including a doubleheader just after lines in while Sandman continued to rack up live bait releases tallying five for the day with two doubleheaders. One of the surprises of the day was called in by Capt. Danny Hearn aboard the Blank Check as they released a blue marlin for Dan Doyle, Jr. while live baiting late in the afternoon.
Sandman took home second place.
Mark McDevitt was the event’s Top Angler.
The Gina Lisa team earned third place honors. Billfishing Magazine
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Phot o by
Linda Fishe r-Mo rgan
Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tournament Islamorada, Florida www.cheeca.com/sailfish
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Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tournament
Living Large At Cheeca Lodge By Sam White
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ocated in the heart of the small fishing village of Islamorada, worldrenowned Cheeca Lodge and Spa is perhaps best known for their ultraluxurious accommodations, one of the finest spas on the East Coast featuring a variety of exotic treatments for both body and soul, seaside dining that highlights the freshest in Florida seafood and more. But because of its fishing-friendly location in the Florida Keys, it’s also home to some of the finest angling this side of a Zane Grey adventure. Islamorada bills itself as the sportfishing capital of the world and while it’s a title that certainly gets tossed around a lot these days, few other destinations can offer such a wide variety of piscatorial species to target in a day’s time. With one side of the island bordering the southern Atlantic Ocean and the other the shallow backcountry of the Gulf of Mexico, an angler’s daily decision might be simply which side of the highway to cross. Bluewater species like sailfish, blue and white marlin and swordfish take center stage on the Atlantic side along with gamesters like tuna, dolphin and wahoo and bottom fish including grouper and amberjack, while across US 1, the Gulf provides shots at inshore species like tarpon, snook, bonefish and many others. The Gulf side also offers plenty of sheltered spots in the lee of the land or the numerous islands, making this a top choice when the winds of winter decide to kick up. But those same winds also bring a run of sailfish to the Florida Keys, making this
one of the best destinations in the United States to tangle with these light-tackle speedsters. Usually targeted with live baits either slow-trolled or suspended beneath a fishing kite or two, these packs of spindlebeaks are a highlight of the season in the Keys where it’s not uncommon to see a dozen or more in a day on the water. Taking advantage of this fantastic run of sails, Cheeca Lodge hosts the annual Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tournament each January. This year marked the 19th annual rendition of this popular WBS event, with 42 boats and 133 anglers vying for cash and prizes amid the luxury and beauty of the lodge itself as the host resort. The first day of fishing found the fleet under sunny skies and excellent conditions, so it was no surprise that the bite was indeed on. By the call for lines out, 127 sailfish had been fought and released for an
It’s no wonder that some of the most popular tournaments on the WBS World Tour revolve around sportfishing’s most luxurious resorts. What’s a great day of tournament fishing without a nice restaurant and a comfortable room at the end of the rainbow? Cheeca Lodge has covered, in spades. Here’s to living large in the Florida Keys. average of just over three per boat. Leading the way, WBS team of Capt. Steve Cunningham and anglers Rob Ruwitch, Mike Causley, Rick Arnold and Albert Castro aboard the No Mercy. These boys certainly showed the fish no mercy, racking up a whopping 13 releases to nearly lap the field. “The conditions were really nice out there,” said Ruwitch. “It was calm enough that we had the grill going most of the day in between bites— just a really enjoyable day on the water. Plus it helps when the fish bite, too.” But the tournament wasn’t a runaway just yet. Another top WBS Southeast Division team, the Wound Up, was right behind in second with nine sailfish releases. The husband-and-wife angling duo of Janice and Warren Sands proved once again why they are one of the teams to be reckoned with anywhere they decide to wet a line, especially when backed up by Capt. John Louie Dudas at the helm and mates Brett Dudas and Roy Huff working the cockpit. Which Way, with the father-andson team of Robert Southard Sr. and Rob Southard Jr. on the rods was also in the hunt with seven releases, while the Get Lit and Kalex, also formidable competitors in their respective rights, tallied six releases each. By the midway point of the tournament, it would come down to a Day Two shootout to determine the victor. Billfishing Magazine
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Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tournament CHEECA LODGE
Sunset on Day One at the Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tournament. But Mother Nature (or maybe King Neptune) had other ideas. Overnight, the weather changed (as it frequently does in January in the Keys), going from nice to windy and unsettled. Changes like this tend to scatter the sailfish among different spots along the extensive reefline—teams may return to an area that was red-hot just a day before to find it completely barren of bait and billfish, forcing a quick change of plans. Those who have the capability to quickly and accurately adapt to these changes will usually come out ahead. While 127 sails would be released on Day One, just 73 would be let go on Day Two, proof that these weather changes can scramble the field as well as the leaderboard. Perhaps it’s the experience and fish-finding sixth sense of the captain, the skills of the anglers to take advantage of every opportunity that’s thrown their way or the deft rigging and cockpit abilities of the mates, but for whatever reason the Cheeca Lodge tournament proved once again that the team aboard the Wound Up is one to be seriously reckoned with this year. They were able to add another eight sailfish releases to their Day One total of nine to emerge victorious with a grand total of 17 sails on their side of the ledger. Glancing at the catch log, it’s clear that this is a group that prides themselves on teamwork and an unselfish approach to their fishing—Warren Sands had six releases, Brett Dudas added five, Janice Sands four and Roy Huff two. Warren commented about their captain’s abilities as well, saying, “John is the real deal to how all this goes down— statistically, he’s the most successful sailfishing captain on the East Coast today and we certainly couldn’t be winners without him putting us on the fish to begin with.”
Beautiful, romantic and boasting every imaginable kind of recreation, Cheeca Lodge is one of the most unique luxury resorts in the Florida Keys. Capturing the spirit and atmosphere of the West Indies, the 27 acres of land right on the Atlantic Ocean is the perfect Florida vacation spot and has everything it takes to restore and reinvigorate its guests. From the 1,200 feet of palm-fringed beach to saltwater and freshwater pools, a world-class spa, exquisite dining, golf, tennis, fishing and every watersport imaginable. Whether you are looking for luxury resort, a Florida family vacation, a vacation getaway, or Keys fishing with friends, Cheeca Lodge appeals to one and all. For more information please visit www.cheeca.com.
Despite drawing a goose-egg for Day Two, the No Mercy managed to hold onto second place based on the strength of their Day One finish. While it must have been frustrating to hear the rest of the fleet calling in releases and finding themselves skunked, the team took it well and held their heads high during the awards presentation. Angler Rick Arnold was the High Point Angler with seven of the team’s releases, earning himself an automatic invitation to attend the WBS Grand Championships later this year in scenic Los Sueños, Costa Rica. Capt. Alex Adler moved the Kalex into third place on Day Two with another five releases for anglers Anthony DelDuca, Kenny Stiles, Jim Verner and Brian Bauger. The Get Lit would land in fourth place with ten releases and Which Way rounded out the top five, also with ten releases but falling just behind on time of release. The Get Lit did win the Most Tagged Fish award, imbedding seven of their ten with spaghetti tags courtesy of The Billfish Foundation.
Awards photos provided by Tim Rahn
Team Wound Up took first place.
WBS Top Angler honors went to Rick Arnold.
Team No Mercy won second place. Billfishing Magazine
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Phot os by Richa rd Gi bson
Palm Beach Sailfish Classic West Palm Beach, Florida www.pbsailfishclassic.com
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Palm Beach Sailfish Classic
The Palm Beach Sailfish Classic: A Week of Fishes and Wishes By Jeff Merrill hat’s just what Pat Ross, tournament director for the Palm Beach Sailfish Classic, had in mind when she started planning the tournament nearly five years ago. She selected the Make-AWish Foundation of South Florida as the major benefactor of the tournament and in just three years has donated $75,000 to this worthwhile charity. According to Ross, Make-A-Wish was an easy choice after a
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family experience with her own children followed by several visits to Miami’s Children’s Hospital. “After seeing firsthand what a lot of the families go through it was important to me to be able to try and give something back to those who are giving so much of themselves for their loved ones during a very difficult time in their lives,” she explained. “It’s as much about the families as it the children,” Ross noted. The Palm Beach Sailfish Classic has also been at the forefront of supporting fisheries conservation and $25,000 has been donated to The Billfish Foundation while CCA of Florida has also been a recipient of the events proceeds over its short history. The tradition-rich Buccaneer Restaurant on Singer Island provided a postcard-like setting for the tournament kickoff where teams gathered for a deluxe cocktail party that included a sumptuous buffet dinner with live music as a beautiful sunset provided the backdrop over Peanut
Island. One of the highlights of this event every year is the arrival of the Make-AWish guests and tournament participants listened intently as this year’s family introduced themselves and described the affliction and wish of their five year-old son who wanted nothing more than to keep his treehouse in his backyard. Typical of many events of the winter tournament season, the Palm Beach Sailfish Classic utilizes IGFA rules and awards 100 points for sailfish caught on live bait and 200 points for a sail caught on dead bait. For this event, time- and date-stamped digital photos or video is required to verify the release and all boats must fish within boundaries which include Sebastian Inlet to the north and Port Everglades to the south. The tournament’s schedule includes three days of fishing with a mandatory lay day for the fleet after the second day of fishing. Special nightly social activities add to the festivities dur-
If you could design a tournament that’s structured so the proceeds of the event not only benefits the resource but also provides what might be considered a oncein-a-lifetime dream or wish of a child who’s coping with something few of us can even relate to, you might say you’d have the perfect formula for a classic event. ing the week and include fundraising events for the designated charities. Day One got off to a good start as Capt. Wink Doerzbacher got Masque dialed in for owner and angler Mark Schwartz, who let go the first two sailfish of the tournament on dead bait. Capt. Andy Crews put Bac In Five into the mix on Day One when Don Stevenson released four sails on live bait while Rich Insley at the wheel of Teddy Bear stayed close by as he put Ted Schwartz and Mike Konzelman each on a pair of sails with live bait. The day however belonged to Masque as an afternoon flurry added seven sailfish releases on dead bait including a doubleheader to give them 11 releases and top boat honors for the day. The evening’s score check party included cocktails and a Casino Night which literally transformed the Buccaneer Restaurant and Lounge into a Las Vegas casino where tournament participants gathered and engaged in various games of chance where play money was awarded and cashed in on prizes including trips to the Florida Keys, Walt Disney World, The Bahamas and original artwork by wellknown artists. Billfishing Magazine
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Palm Beach Sailfish Classic Sydney Sussman’s Certifiable got the action going on Day Two as his crew released the first three sailfish of the day on live bait including a double header. Bac In Five added to their tally with one live bait release for Scott Taroff. However, top boat award for the day went to Rudy Polselli’s Rude Awakening with two dead bait releases. Wink Doerzbacher and his crew aboard Masque searched far and wide with hopes of adding to their tally of 11 sailfish the day before but were shut out on Day Two. Always looking to raise the bar in dockside social activities, the tournament committee had an unusual night planned as everyone gathered for a Comedy Night at 88 Keys in Palm Beach Gardens where three nationally know comedians poked fun at some of the participants while also making light of many of the day’s headlines. A live auction featured two NASCAR Hendrick Motorsports racing jackets autographed by famed driver Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and team owner Rick Hendrick as well original artwork by Terry Fox plus several fishing and boating items and a Bahamas fishing trip.
Eleven year old Van Wicher nabbed the Top Angler award to become the youngest person to qualify for the WBS Grand Championships. The awards dinner at the North Palm Beach Country Club featured a lavish cocktail hour and extravagant buffet dinner. After the awards presentation tournament director Pat Ross gave a moving speech about the Make-A-Wish family and their struggle to make ends meet during a strenuous time in the family’s life. Their son’s illness and other difficulties had pushed the family to the edge and they were within hours of losing their home which would have meant the loss of Jake’s beloved treehouse. Bringing much of the crowd to an emotional level that had to be seen, tournament participants showed what makes the bond between us so close as they dug into their pockets and raised $10,000 which was later presented to the family. It was a fitting end to a week of wishes, fishes, dreams and drama that had tournament participants convinced they’d be back for the 4th Annual Palm Beach Sailfish Classic.
The Masque crew had plenty to smile about as they took Top Boat, Top Angler, First Sailfish and Day One Top Boat awards. Action slowed considerably on Day Three and Masque had the field covered with their 11 dead bait releases and although they were shut out two of the three days they were able to hold on and won the Top Boat award. The remaining boats had pretty much conceded that they were competing for second and third place and the scoring remained tight. Bac In Five released two sails on live bait to finish the week with seven and won the Second Place Boat award while Rude Awakening was shut out on Day Three but held on to capture the Third Place Boat award. Jay Lannigan added a dead bait release for Debaitable to tie Rude Awakening but fell short of the leaderboard based on time of catch.
Make-A-Wish
Seven sailfish releases on live bait earned Bac in Five the Second Place Boat awaard.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation of South Florida serves 13 counties and grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. In the past year, the South Florida granted the wishes of 514 Southern Florida children and has granted more than 6500 wishes in its history. Wish children can be referred by their doctor, social workers, health care professionals, family members or themselves. Each child must be between the ages of 2 ½ and 18, be diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition, live or be treated in one of the counties of the Make-A-Wish chapter and must not have been ever granted a wish by any chapter previously. For more information visit www.wish.org.
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Photos by Gre g Gawli kowski
Miami Mayor’s Cup Miami, Florida www.mayorscuptournament.com
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Miami Mayor’s Cup
Mayor’s Cup Goes Native B y To n y A l b e l o
his was the case in this year’s SeaVee/Mercury Mayor’s Cup. The top three boats were outboard-powered boats—Mercury Verado-powered, to be exact. The recent run of inboards winning some tournaments peaked this debate but the weekend’s results have quelled the argument. It seems that outboards can hang in there with the big boys, and even beat them.
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The top team was Art Sapp’s Native Son, a 32 SeaVee with twin Mercury Verados. They took the lead early on the first day and never gave it up. Known for their prowess in gamefish tournaments, captain and owner Art Sapp commented, “This is defiantly a highlight of my fishing career.” The second place team, Gilligan’s Revenge, threatened several times throughout the two-days of fishing. They even tied Native Son on the final day. But during the last few minutes of competi-
tion, Native Son released one more sailfish for a 10 release total. Gilligan’s Revenge finished in second with nine releases and Reel Tension, another Mercury-powered SeaVee, ended in third place with eight releases. The Amateur division also saw some heated competition and the lead was exchanged several times during the weekend. By the close of the second day of
One of the hottest topics in sailfish tournaments is the big boat versus small boat issue. The big boat camp claims that the outboards have a distinct speed advantage. The outboard camp holds that big boats have a height advantage due to towers and flybridges. In reality, each type of boat has distinct advantages, but in the end it’s all about the team.
fishing, it was the crew on Bill Collector owned and captained by Aris Angelo. They finished with 5 releases. Second place was taken by Mike Berkowitz’s Plan B and third place was captured by CyberAngler. The amateur division is a staple of the Mayor’s Cup. It helps introduce new teams and anglers to the sport, without the pressure associated with fishing against the best pros in the world. In fact, Gilligan’s Revenge, who finished in second place overall started in the Amateur class in this event a few years ago. Although the Mayor’s Cup is primarily a sailfish tournament, there are other billfish which do count in the scoring. The 4 Aces out of Miami Beach got one of their releases off an estimated 500 pound-class blue marlin. The marlin was caught and released by Jimmy David in 150 feet of
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Miami Mayor’s Cup water just off of Miami. The catch was even more incredible as the tackle being used was a 20-pound outfit. “She ate a gog [goggle-eye bait] on the long line,” explained Debbi David, Jimmy’s wife. “She stayed behind the boat for a long time as we backed down on her. It was a beautiful experience.” Another storyline of the tournament was the race for the Dewar’s 12 Billfish
Championship Series title. The Mayor’s Cup is the second tournament of the twotournament series which starts out with the Sailfish Kickoff in December. Native Son took the early lead in the series, but was overtaken on the final day of fishing by Wound Up. The team led by Warren Sands and captained by John Dudas ended the series with 3400 points and 14 billfish releases. They ended the Mayor’s Cup and the Series with a total of $72,000
plus four gold and diamond championship rings. Their total winnings for the series was nearly $95,000. The Mayor’s Cup trophy has had a short and colorful history. The Mayor’s Cup is set to reside in the winning town’s City Hall for one year until it goes up for grabs again. In its first year of existence, The Cup was won by a team from Chicago. So off to the Windy City it went where it sat in City Hall for a year. It was then brought back to Miami successfully for three years. Now, it’s off to Pompano Beach, home of Art Sapp. Who knows where The Cup will be next season.
FINAL RESULTS Open Division 1st Place: Native Son with 2000 points 2nd Place: Gilligan’s Revenge with 1800 points Native Son took first place fishing out of their Mercury-powered 32-foot SeaVee.
3rd Place: Reel Tension with 1600 points 4th Place: Wound Up with 1400 points
Amateur Division 1st Place: Bill Collector with 1000 points 2nd Place: Plan B with 800 points 3rd Place: CyberAngler with 600 points 4th Place: Miss Guided with 600 points Second place was awarded to Gilligan’s Revenge.
Third place went to the Reel Tension, another Mercury-powered SeaVee.
Top Angler honors went to Carlos Martinez. Billfishing Magazine
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MTU Sponsor Profile
MTU: Detroit Diesel WELCOME TO THE WINNER’S CIRCLE In the sport of billfishing, few things are more critical than the boat’s propulsion system—from being able to venture forth and successfully return to the docks each day to being able to run farther, faster and harder using less fuel, no other choice can mean so much in the long run. MTU Detroit Diesel is a leader in the manufacturing, sales and service of off-highway engines in North America. Their engines provide unrivaled performance and reliability for applications in the marine, power generation, oil and gas, agriculture, construction and industrial, mining, rail and defense markets. MTU Detroit Diesel was formed in January 2005, with the name sharing the proud heritage of two great companies: MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH (Germany) and Detroit Diesel Corporation (USA), which first established a partnership in 1994 to develop and manufacture the powerful Series 2000 and Series 4000 engine families. This relationship was strengthened when the two companies were brought together under the common ownership of DaimlerChrysler in 2000.
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www.FishWBS.com
Today, the former DaimlerChrysler Off-Highway business unit has been spun off as an independent company under the direction of MTU, and MTU Detroit Diesel is a wholly-owned subsidiary. “We are proud to have MTU Detroit Diesel as our new identity,” says Ulrich Kemnitz, senior vice president of sales. “Linking the reputation of these two strong brand names lets our customers know that we are carrying on the tradition and commitment to excellence of both.” MTU Detroit Diesel’s administrative headquarters adjoins Detroit Diesel’s revolutionary Redford facility, a mall-like complex that houses manufacturing operations for several companies, including both MTU Detroit Diesel and DDC. The close proximity allows both companies to maximize resources and ensures engineering continuity for engines like the Series 60, which has numerous applications both on- and off-highway. The MTU Detroit Diesel portion of the plant includes extensive engineering and testing labs, as well as tooling and assembly.
MTU Sponsor Profile
Production of the powerful Series 60, Series 2000 and Series 4000 engine families has increased dramatically in recent years, and is expected to climb even further in the years to come. There is a great deal of technical expertise in both Detroit and Friedrichshafen, and the ability to combine these resources will keep MTU Detroit Diesel a major force of innovation for years to come. In addition to stand-alone engines ranging from 30-13,000 horsepower, MTU Detroit Diesel is a global leader in marine systems integration. Following the success of several high-profile projects for military vessels, we are now proud to offer integrated propulsion solutions for pleasure craft that optimize performance by carefully matching the engine, reduction gear, propeller and hull form. One example of the success of the MTU Detroit Diesel marine propulsion is the WBS President’s Cup. Introduced four years ago as a way to recognize the top boat and power manufacturers on the WBS World Tour, the President’s Cup perpetual bronze trophy has resided in the corporate offices of MTU Detroit Diesel each year since its introduction.
MTU Detroit Diesel also offers a full line of power generation products through its DDC/MTU Power Generation program. Their product offering includes diesel-powered generator sets from 20 to 2800 kilowatts and natural gas-powered generator sets from 20 to 800 kilowatts. Automatic transfer switches and paralleling switchgear are available for control of the complete power system. DDC/MTU Power Generation also offers a variety of cooling and exhaust system options, housings, enclosures, fuel tanks and a complete line of accessories. MTU Detroit Diesel customers enjoy unrivaled support through a network of 26 distributors in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. With multiple branch locations for each, customers are never far from sales, parts and expert service. The experience and expertise of the distribution network is a big advantage for MTU Detroit Diesel customers. Some of them have relationships with MTU and/or Detroit Diesel that date back to the 1950s and ‘60s, and each of them possesses an intimate knowledge of off-highway products and markets. Their commitment is to maintain and grow this distribution network to ensure that our customers continue to receive the best care in the industry.
Billfishing Magazine
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Johnny White Profile Tournament Awards 2007 Largest Tuna: Holiday Isle Sailfish Tournament, FL Largest Dolphin: Miami Mayor’s Cup, FL 2nd Place: Miami Kiwanis Dolphin Tournament, FL 2nd Place: Miami Springs Optimist Dolphin Tourn., FL 5th Place: Key Largo Coconuts Dolphin Tournament, FL 2006 Top Angler: Key Largo Sailfish Tournament, FL 1st Place: Duck Key E.C.A. Dolphin Tournament, FL 2nd Place: Miami Kiwanis Dolphin Tournament, FL 3rd Place: Key Largo Dolphin Blast Tournament, FL 5th Place: Islamorada Hog Heaven Dolphin Tourn., FL 2005 1st Place: Duck Key E.C.A. Dolphin Tournament, FL 3rd Place: Islamorada Holiday Isle Dolphin Tourn., FL Favorite Billfishing Location: “Anywhere from Molasses Reef down to Tennessee Light in the Florida Keys. My favorite of all is probably Conch Reef off Key Largo. Sometimes I will say, ‘This is a great spot—there are no fish here but it’s a great spot.’” Favorite “Fun Fishing” Location: “Exuma in the Bahamas or Hell’s Bay in Flamingo.” Other Interests: “Hunting, fly-fishing and flats and backcountry fishing.” Occupation: “Unfortunately I’m an attorney. Let’s just say that it pays the bills.”
I
started fishing in junior sailfish tournaments when I was about 12 or 13 years old in Islamorada, Florida and have been fishing as a mate or angler ever since then in both sailfish and dolphin tournaments from Ft. Lauderdale down to Duck Key. I probably fish in about 15 tournaments per year.” “One of the most memorable days I’ve ever had on the water happened off Miami in 1999. I was out fun-fishing with my crew searching for slammer dolphin about 28 miles offshore when we came across a floating 234-pound swordfish. The sword was barely alive and had just been hit by a huge 613-pound mako, which we later baited and hooked. During the fight, she came completely out of the water 15 yards behind the boat and did a perfect somersault backflip—what an unforgettable sight!”
Favorite Fish Story: “This was back in the summer of 1993— I was 15 and it was before my senior year of high school. I was mating on the Heidi Baby with Capt. Kerry ‘Zilla’ Price. We were having a blast trolling for blackfin tuna using small feathers on the Islamorada Hump when the man in the blue suit showed up and inhaled one of the small blackfins. We had no chance on the light spinning rods we were using so I grabbed a Penn 30 and tied it to the spinning rod before throwing it overboard. We were able to carefully gain line and eventually got the spinning rod back on board so then I spliced the line to the Penn 30 and we were on again. The fish, over 400 pounds of her, came up tailwalking and then turned straight for us. Zilla pinned the throttles to get us out of the way just as she smacked off the transom looking me right in the eye. With one head shake and a swipe of her bill she de-hooked herself with the snap swivel to the leader right on the rod tip. It was just incredible.”
“Before each tournament, my team and I get together and outline what prep work needs to be done. Bait takes a top priority with us. Other than that, we just try to make sure all tackle and equipment is functioning property. It’s a team effort and everyone pitches in to check and double-check everything from the hooks, line and leader to the livewells and pumps.”
Billfishing Magazine
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Patrick Sciacca Profile
Tournament Awards 2007 3rd Place Dolphin: White Marlin Open, MD Favorite Billfishing Location: “Costa Rica. The multiple hook-ups and calm seas cannot be beaten. And there’s always that chance of a nice marlin, too. It’s just a beautiful place to wet a line.” Favorite “Fun Fishing” Location: “For me, it’s the canyons off the northeastern United States. It’s my backyard and the variety of species we get here in the summertime is outstanding. I like the idea of being able to see and/or catch a blue marlin, white marlin, bigeye tuna, yellowfin tuna, longfin tuna, wahoo and mahi all on one trip. It’s just too cool.” Other Interests: “Playing with my son. Traveling, reading and writing about sportfishing and boats, working out and boxing.” Occupation: “Senior editor with Power & Motoryacht magazine as well as founder and webmaster of TournamentAngler.org, a site dedicated to competitive biggame anglers.” Favorite Fish Story: “Actually one of my favorites isn’t even mine—I believe it’s from Zane Grey’s Tales of Swordfish and Tuna. Grey had hooked a behemoth swordfish on the surface with the battle lasting well into the night, 11 hours or so. Sometime during the fight the crew heard a commotion on the surface and realized it was the hooked swordfish who, unlike the crew, wasn’t tired at all and had actually started feeding again. Talk about a humbling, ‘makes you feel small experience,’ that has to be it.”
I
started on tournaments about ten years ago fishing with my dad. I try to get in at least six or so events a year these days, ranging from two-day tournaments to week-long marathon competitions. M job as a marine journalist sometimes keeps me at the dock covering stuff when I’d rather be out fishing but that’s the way it goes sometimes.” “For me, any day on the water is memorable but over the last few years there have been a few sweet ones that included a 700-plus pound blue marlin release, going three for four on giant bluefin tuna off North Carolina before 10 a.m, several days of double-digit sailfishing in Costa Rica and two back-toback fun-fishing trips last fall where my crew caught over 50 yellowfin tuna averaging 65 to 80 pounds.” “As far as preparation, onboard our boat it’s pretty straightforward and truly a team effort. The boat, this year a 50 Viking, gets a thorough check-up, as does the tackle—hooks sharpened, drags checked and marked and line replaced. Most importantly the galley gets provisioned since you get hungry out there. For us, without chocolate chip cookies there can be no fishing.”
Patrick (far left) and his Blinky teammates.
Billfishing Magazine
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Peter Adrian Profile Tournament Awards 2007 5th Place: WBS Grand Championships, Costa Rica 1990 Master Angler: Holiday Isle Sailfish Tournament, FL 1st Place: Florida Keys Gold Cup Series, FL 1991 Master Angler: Holiday Isle Sailfish Tournament, FL 1992 Master Angler: Holiday Isle Sailfish Tournament, FL Favorite Billfishing Location: “I love to fish for sailfish, and the stretch between Miami and the Florida Keys has some of the best sailfishing on the planet. Plus it’s home for me so that means a lot as well.” Favorite “Fun Fishing” Location: “Cay Sal in the Bahamas. It’s a great place to just get away from it all and really enjoy the fishing.” Other Interests: “I have a paso fino horse operation as well as a Texas hunting ranch so those keep me pretty occupied when I’m not fishing.” Occupation: “Builder and developer.”
I
started fishing competitively back in 1990 and then stopped in 1995. Back then I’d normally fish in 10 to 12 tournaments a year. I restarted fishing again in 2005 and now compete in about 10 events a year.” “One of my most memorable days on the water was when I caught 25 sails in one day off the Florida Keys back in 1994. We also managed to catch three sails at the same time on 12pound test during a sailfish tournament back in the mid1990s. I really enjoy chasing sailfish right now.”
Favorite Fish Story: “I caught my first blue marlin off Bimini in 1988 with very inexperienced guests on board. I was trolling with lures on 50-pound tackle when a 350-pound blue hit while I was driving the boat. My best friend at the time was afraid to grab the rod because the reel was smoking so I had to jump down from the bridge and yank it from the rod holder. He took over driving but didn’t know how so we couldn’t back down so I had to fight the fish from a drifting boat. After about 30 minutes, the leather bucket harness got all salty and wouldn’t slide in the chair so I screamed at my brother who was in the cockpit to get some liquid soap. Before I know it, my rookie brother is pouring soap all over my head and back—he though I wanted a bath instead of using the soap under the harness so it would slide on the chair! With all that mayhem we still managed to catch the fish and it now sits mounted over my bar. It’s the only one I’ve mounted to date.”
“For tournament preparation, right now I have a great crew that preps most everything for the events we fish. I mostly try to prepare mentally for the upcoming challenges and work on my concentration during the fishing.” “When it comes to the future of the sport, I think it looks pretty good. There are lots of conservation efforts that are ongoing today and that makes tomorrow look really promising. We just need to continue to improve those efforts across the board— things like using circle hooks and tag and release programs certainly help with the bright outlook.” The 4 Aces team.
Billfishing Magazine
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Membership Has Its Benefits
WBS Anglers Club
Join online at www.FishWBS.com or call (727) 864-4400
A One Year Membership Includes: • Twelve issues of Billfishing® Magazine, the official publication of the World Billfish Series. • Opportunity to earn points on the WBS World Tour. • Discounts on fishing gear, travel packages and much more. • Annual membership fee only $25.00
2008 WORLD TOUR STANDINGS
200 425 275 275 200 200 425 0 200 275 275 275 125 425 200 125 200 0 200 125 125 0 0 275
f is h To Ch ur n. ee Pr ca es L o ide d nt ge ial Sa M iam i lf i sh iM ay or ’s Ca Cu pt p . Bi B llf i o b sh L e Ch wi a ll s M en iam ge To i B ur il na lfis m h en I sl t am Sw or or ada df i sh M iam Tour n. Sw i or df i sh To ur n.
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Boat Name Get Lit Wound Up Jichi No Mercy Get Lit Wound Up G Team L&H Wound Up Uptight Team Costa Sandman Miss Britt 2 Miss Britt 2 Hook and Tackle Native Son Sandman Off the Hook Weez in the Keys Off the Hook Reel Tension Night Prowler Gilligan’s Revenge Boat Center
425 0 275 0 275 0 125 500 0 0 0 0 0 125 0 0 0 0 200 0 0 300 0 0
425 500 500 575 200 425 0 0 350 0 350 0 200 0 0 0 0 500 125 350 0 0 0 0
200 200 0 0 125 200 275 275 200 425 0 200 200 0 350 425 200 0 0 0 350 200 500 200
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
ADDITIONAL PARTICIPATION POINTS
Angler Peter Miller Warren Sands Luis Isaias Rick Arnold Kitt Toomey Brett Dudas Johnny White Debbi David Janice Sands Jeffrey Fiorentino Rick Murphy Sandra Kirkpatrick Bill Danko John Burke Rick Thomas Jamie Bunn Todd Kirkpatrick Robert Southard Sr. Scott Robins Robert Southard Jr. Victor Jensen John Salom Carlos Martinez Gary Lawson
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S O U T H E A ST D I V I S I O N
0 50 0 0 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 150 50 0 0 0 150 50 0 50 50 0 0 0
1250 1175 1050 850 850 825 825 775 750 700 625 625 575 550 550 550 550 550 525 525 525 500 500 475
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Boat Name Sweet Dreams Prime Time Spanish Fly The Bite Hattaboy Lady Columbo Super Fly Dream Maker Stephanie Lee Gringo Honeymoon HT Hook Miss Behavin Super Fly After You Clean Sweep The Bite Muy Caliente Iron Trader HT Hook Rum Runner Prime Time Sailfish Hook Dealer’s Choice
www.FishWBS.com
2350 2350 2275 2150 1950 1875 1775 1750 1550 1550 1550 1475 1400 1400 1375 1375 1325 1325 1250 1250 1225 1225 1075 1000
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
ADDITIONAL PARTICIPATION POINTS
Angler Ron Lea Keylor Vindas Mainor Oporto Mariano Da Arturo Nunez Ron Hutchings William Easum Warner Porra Parker Bankston Hector Rodriguez Alan Finnieston Roberto Gonzales Jimmy Taylor Chris Fischer Mark Christopher Carlos Quesada Paul Snow Brian Bemis Harry Shufflebarger Climaco Bustos Russ Nixdorf Randall Garcia Jeremy Warren Frank Bongiorno
Lo Sigs.Su na eño tur s eS eri es #1 Lo s Sig .Su na eño tur s eS eri es #2 Pr es Ch ide all nti en al ge . Co sta Ric a Pre Ch side all nti en al. ge Gu ate ma la Pre Ch side all nti en al. ge El Sa lva do r
PA C I F I C D I V I S I O N
0 0 0 0 0 0 50 0 0 0 0 0 50 0 0 0 0 0 50 0 0 0 0 50
2350 2350 2275 2150 1950 1875 1825 1750 1550 1550 1550 1475 1450 1400 1375 1375 1325 1325 1300 1250 1225 1225 1075 1050
2008 WORLD TOUR STANDINGS
Boat Name Chips Ahoy Rude Awakening Sandman Sandman Miss Britt 1 Money Shot Miss Annie Blank Check Certifiable Miss Britt 1 Get Lit Chips Ahoy Certifiable Lady Lane X Generation Grand Slam Gina Lea Money Shot Masque Big Oh Covert Mission Anejo Masque Midnight Blue
350 350 350 350 650 0 275 0 200 575 575 0 0 500 500 0 0 0 0 275 125 0 0 0
350 450 50 75 275 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 0 0 0 500 0 0 0 0 0 125 0 0
650 150 875 650 0 725 425 675 275 0 0 500 575 0 0 0 500 500 0 200 350 350 125 425
275 350 0 0 0 0 0 0 125 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 500 0 0 0 350 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
ADDITIONAL PARTICIPATION POINTS
Angler Mark Wodlinger Rudy Poselli Jr. Sandra Kirkpatrick Todd Kirkpatrick Dave Dickerson Eddie Lopez Mark Donahue Dan Doyle Jr. Matt Lynch Danny Farkas Kitt Toomey Chip Sheehan Colin Murphy Rob Lane Doug Kontz Billy Gerlach Mark McDevet Manny Menendez Van Wicher Gray Ingram Tom Craig Dave Przysinda Mark Schwartz Joel Crisis
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T R E A S U R E C O A ST D I V I S I O N
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50
1625 1300 1275 1075 925 725 700 675 600 575 575 550 575 500 500 500 500 500 500 475 475 475 475 475
2008 Tournaments By Division MID-ATLANTIC DIVISION Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina Billfish Tourn., 6/25 - 6/28 HMY-Viking Megadock Billfish Tournament, 7/9 - 7/12 N.C. Ducks Unlimited Band the Billfish, 7/31 - 8/2 White Marlin Open, 8/4 - 8/8 Pirate's Cove Billfish Tournament, 8/11 - 8/15 Mid-Atlantic $500,000, 8/17 - 8/22 The Sailfish Slam, 10/1 - 10/4 SOUTHEAST DIVISION FYI Sailfish Kickoff, 12/6 - 12/9 (2007) The Sailfish Tournament, 1/10 - 1/12 Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tournament, 1/17 - 1/19 Miami Mayor's Cup, 1/24 - 1/27 Captain Bob Lewis Billfish Challenge, 2/28 - 3/2 Yamaha Contender Miami Billfish Tournament, 4/3 - 4/6 Islamorada Swordfish Tournament, 8/15 - 8/17 Miami Swordfish Tournament, 9/12 - 9/14 TREASURE COAST DIVISION Silver Sailfish Derby, 1/7 - 1/10 Jupiter Billfish Tournament, 1/9 - 1/11 Buccaneer Cup Sailfish Release Tournament, 1/15 - 1/19 Palm Beach Sailfish Classic, 1/22 - 1/26 Ft. Lauderdale Billfish Tournament, 2/27 - 3/2 El Pescado Billfish Tournament, 10/2 - 10/4 New Smyrna Beach Billfish Invt'l, 10/9 - 10/12 GULF COAST DIVISION Mobile BGFC Memorial Day Tournament, 5/23 - 5/26 Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic, 6/4 - 6/8 New Orleans Invitational Billfish Tournament, 6/11 - 6/15 Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic, 6/24 - 6/29 Pensacola International Billfish Tournament, 7/3 - 7/6 Bay Point Invitational Billfish Tournament, 7/9 - 7/13 Outcast Blue Marlin Classic, 7/23 - 7/26 Texas International Fishing Tournament, 7/30 - 8/3 Orange Beach Billfish Classic, 7/30 - 8/3 Sarasota Slam-HBA Fishing Tournament, 8/6 - 8/9 Old Salt Loop Tournament, 8/15 - 8-18 CARIBBEAN DIVISION BBC Central Abaco Championship, 4/13 - 4/18 BBC Marsh Harbour Championship, 4/27 - 5/2 BBC Harbour Island, 5/11 - 5/16 Boat Harbour Billfish Blast, 5/26 - 5/30 BBC Treasure Cay Championship, 6/1 - 6/6 Abaco Billfish Challenge, 6/10 - 6/13 BBC Boat Harbour Championship, 6/15 - 6/20 A.H. Riise BVI Billfish Tournament, 7/9 - 7/23 Club Nautico Int’l Billfish Tourn. of San Juan, 8/11 – 816 USVI Open Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament, 8/13 - 8-17 Presidential Caribbean Cup, 9/14 - 9/16 PACIFIC DIVISION Los Sueños Signature Series #1, 1/21 - 1/24 Los Sueños Signature Series #2, 3/12 - 3/15 The Presidential Challenge of Costa Rica, 4/12 - 4/14 The Presidential Challenge of Guatemala, 11/21 - 11/23 The Presidential Challenge of El Salvador, 11/14 - 11/16 SOUTH PACIFIC DIVISION South Indian Ocean Billfish Tournament, 2/10 - 2/16 Broken Bay Fishing Club Invitational Tournament, 3/14 - 3/16 Raiatea International Billfish Tournament, 3/24 - 3/29 Lizard Island Black Marlin Classic, 10/13 - 10/20 MEXICO DIVISION Cancun Billfish Classic, 4/23 - 4/26 Puerto Los Cabos Billfish Classic, 5/12 - 5/16 Puerto Los Cabos World Cup, 10/14 - 10/18 Mazatlán Billfish Classic, 11/5 - 11/8 Puerto Vallarta Billfish Classic, 11/12 - 11/14
2008 WBS GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS December 3 – 6, 2008
WBS
WORLD
TO
DECEMBER 6 - 9, 2007 Miami, Florida FYI Sailfish Kickoff Anthony Albelo (305) 461-2700
MARCH 12 - 15 Playa Herradura, Costa Rica Los Sueños Signature Series - #2 Ashley Bretecher abretecher@lossuenosresort.com
JANUARY 2 - 5, 2008 Palm Beach, Florida Silver Sailfish Derby Tom Twyford (561) 832-6780
MARCH 14 - 16 Broken Bay, Australia Broken Bay Game Fishing Club Craig Findlay cfindlay@sge.com
JANUARY 9 - 11 Jupiter, Florida Jupiter Billfish Tournament Scott Nichols (561) 262-6424
MARCH 24 - 29 Raiatea, Tahiti, French Polynesia Raiatea Int’l Billfish Tournament Dominique Goche 011-689-60-05-45
JANUARY 9 - 12 Playa Herradura, Costa Rica Los Sueños Signature Series - #I Ashley Bretecher abretecher@lossuenosresort.com
APRIL 3 - 6 Miami, Florida Yamaha Contender Miami Judy Layne (305) 598-2525
JANUARY 10 - 13 Miami, Florida The Sailfish Tournament Richard Peeples III (305) 672-38075
APRIL 12 - 14 Samara, Costa Rica Presidential Challenge of Costa Rica Joan Vernon (305) 361-9258
JANUARY 15 - 19 Singer Island, Florida Buccaneer Cup Sailfish Release Gary Caputi (732) 899-9988
APRIL 13 - 18 Treasure Cay, Bahamas BBC Central Abaco Championship Brenda Fletcher (954) 920-5577
JANUARY 17 - 19 Islamorada, Florida Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Liz Hill (305) 451-5094
APRIL 23 - 26 Cancun, Mexico Cancun Billfish Classic Harvey L. Hunnicutt (714) 259-4899
JANUARY 22 - 26 West Palm Beach, Florida Palm Beach Sailfish Classic Pat Ross (561) 818-6095
APRIL 27 - MAY 2 Boat Harbour, Bahamas BBC Marsh Harbour Championship Brenda Fletcher (954) 920-5577
JANUARY 24 - 27 Miami, Florida Miami Mayor’s Cup Anthony Albelo (305) 461-2700
MAY 11 - 16 Eleuthera, Bahamas BBC Harbour Island Brenda Fletcher (954) 920-5577
FEBRUARY 10 - 16 Black River, Mauritius South Indian Ocean Billfish Tourn. Kapil Ramnarain bvmarketing@intnet.mu
MAY 12 - 16 Cabo San Lucas, Mexico Puerto Los Cabos Billfish Classic Harvey L. Hunnicutt (714) 259-4899
FEB 27 - MARCH 2 Fort Lauderdale, Florida Fort Lauderdale Billfish Tourn. Mark Constantino (877)-561-7245
MAY 23 - 26 Orange Beach, Alabama Mobile BGFC Memorial Day Mike Rogers (251) 479-2675
FEB 28 - MARCH 2 Miami, Florida Capt. Bob Lewis Billfish Challenge Capt. Ernie Portuondo (305) 525-8941
MAY 26 - 30 Marsh Harbour, Bahamas Boat Harbour Billfish Blast Mike Dickman (954) 926-0400
*The World Billfish Series reserves the right to make changes in the Schedule, including additions
OUR
SCHEDULE
JUNE 1 - 6 Treasure Cay, Bahamas BBC Treasure Cay Brenda Fletcher (954) 920-5577
JULY 30 - AUGUST 3 South Padre Island, TX Texas Int’l Fishing Tournament (TIFT) Betty Wells (956) 943-8438
SEPTEMBER 14 - 16 La Guaira, Venezuela Presidential Caribbean Cup Joan Vernon (305) 361-9258
JUNE 4 - 8 Biloxi, Mississippi Mississippi Gulf Coast Classic Bobby Carter (228) 436-7928
JULY 30 - AUGUST 3 Orange Beach, Alabama Orange Beach Billfish Classic Beth Reed (251) 978-2524
OCTOBER 1 - 4 Charleston, South Carolina The Sailfish Slam K.C. Rennie (843) 278-4914
JUNE 10 - 13 Marsh Harbour, Bahamas Abaco Billfish Challenge Amy Withers (305) 934-0505
JULY 31 - AUGUST 2 Morehead City, North Carolina N.C. Ducks Unlimited Bob Lichauer (336) 454-5493
OCTOBER 2 - 4 St. Augustine, Florida El Pescado Billfish Tourn. Dennis Rosa (904) 642-0210
JUNE 11 - 15 Venice, Louisiana New Orleans Invt’l Billfish Tourn. Gino Rendeiro (504) 529-5100
AUGUST 4 - 8 Ocean City, Maryland White Marlin Open Jim Motsko (410) 289-9229
OCTOBER 4 - 11 Lizard Island, Australia Lizard Island Black Marlin Classic Bob Lowe 011-61-2-9546-8540
JUNE 15 - 20 Boat Harbour, Bahamas BBC Boat Harbour Championship Brenda Fletcher (954) 920-5577
AUGUST 6 - 9 Sarasota, Florida Sarasota Slam-HBA Fishing Tournament T.J. Nutter (941) 650-2321
OCTOBER 9 - 12 New Smyrna Beach, Florida New Smyrna Beach Billfish Invt’l. Jon Zellar (386) 290-4181
JUNE 24 - 29 Sandestin, Florida Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic Shawna Meisner (866) 505-4458
AUGUST 11 - 15 Manteo, North Carolina Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tourn. Harry Hindmarsh (252) 473-1015
OCTOBER 14 - 18 Cabo San Lucas, Mexico Puerto Los Cabos World Cup Harvey L. Hunnicutt (714) 259-4899
JUNE 25 - 28 Charleston, South Carolina Charleston Harbor Billfish Tourn. Deidre Menefee (843) 345-0369
AUGUST 11 - 16 San Juan, Puerto Rico San Juan Int’l Billfish Tourn. Gonzalo M. Ferrer (787) 727-7700
NOVEMBER 5 - 8 Mazatlán, Mexico Mazatlán Billfish Classic Harvey L. Hunnicutt (714) 259-4899
JULY 3 - 6 Pensacola, Florida Pensacola Int’l Billfish Tourn. Greg Whibbs (850) 433-7671
AUGUST 13 - 17 Saint Thomas, US Virgin Islands U.S.V.I. Open Atlantic Jimmy Loveland (340) 775-9500
NOVEMBER 12 - 14 Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico Puerto Vallarta Billfish Classic Harvey L. Hunnicutt (714) 259-4899
JULY 9 - 12 Charleston, South Carolina HMY-Viking Megadock Billfishing Tourn. K.C. Rennie (843) 278-4914
AUGUST 15 - 17 Islamorada, Florida Islamorada Swordfish Tourn. Richard Peeples III (305) 282-1006
NOVEMBER 14 - 16 Bahia Del Sol, El Salvador Presidential Challenge of El Salvador Joan Vernon (305) 361-9258
JULY 9 - 13 Panama City, Florida Bay Point Billfish Invt’l Scott Burt (850) 235-6911
AUGUST 15 - 18 St. Petersburg, Florida Old Salt Loop Tournament Tom Verdensky (727) 867-9388
NOVEMBER 21 - 23 Iztapa, Guatemala Presidential Challenge of Guatemala Joan Vernon (305) 361-9258
JULY 19 - 23 Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands A.H. Riise BVI Billfish Tournament Lawrence Wheatley (284) 495-8002
AUGUST 17 - 22 Cape May, New Jersey Mid-Atlantic $500,000 Bob Glover (609) 884-2400
DECEMBER 3 - 6 WBS GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS Los Sueños, Costa Rica Sam White (727) 864-4400 www.FishWBS.com
JULY 23 - 26 Orange Beach, Alabama Outcast Blue Marlin Classic Tommy Holmes (850) 457-1450
SEPTEMBER 12 - 14 Miami, Florida Miami Swordfish Tournament Richard Peeples III (305) 282-1006
and deletions of events, at any time during the course of the year. Please visit our website at www.fishwbs.com for the most up to date tournament information.