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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Maverick
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Motor Division 2008 Caterpillar
President’s Cup Kona Blue Trophy by Geoffrey Smith www.geoffreysmith.com
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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.
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On the Cover Viking Yachts continues their domination of the worldwide tournament circuit. Photo courtesy of Viking Yachts.
Departments 7
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
Destination 18
Destination: The British Virgin Islands
Tournament Tales 26
Yamaha Contender Miami Billfish Tournament This annual favorite winds up the sailfish sea son off South Florida in grand style.
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Presidential Challenge Of Costa Rica The central Pacific heats up as PCCA anglers descend upon Playa Carrillo for some great fishing and cameraderie.
Angler Profiles 37
Dane Mitchell
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Dubby Harris
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Cullen McGoey
Inside the WBS 52
2008 Standings
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2008 World Tour Schedule
“Supporting Tournament Fishing, Now and Forever” Billfishing Magazine
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E D I T O R ’ S
FROM THE WBS
M E S S A G E
Despite all the economic doom and gloom that seems to dominate the news today, tournament sportfishing is still very much alive and well. A few events are likely to see some attrition in their number of entries but for the most part this has been minimal. If anything, tough economic conditions have forced tournament directors to really put forth the extra effort as they strive to make their events as competitive and yet as enjoyable as possible. It’s the anglers themselves that will benefit from better tournaments in the long run. Sponsors and advertisers are also finding new ways to reach out to the angling community in order to keep their sales strong as well. For example, Sebago, the world’s leader in marine footwear, is offering some great discounts for WBS Anglers Club members as part of their Pro Purchase package. This is also the second season of the “Winners Wear Sebago” promotion, where every Top Angler from a WBS-sanctioned tournament, as well as every angler attending the WBS Grand Championships, will receive a complimentary pair of Sebagos in their choice of styles. See this month’s Industry News or visit www.sebago.com for more information. Speaking of membership, please take a few minutes to check the status of your membership and renew if necessary. For just $25 annually, you’ll continue to receive BILLFISHING Magazine along with a host of other benefits you’ll also have the chance to qualify for the WBS Grand Championships in December, so don’t miss out on this opportunity. We’ve got some exciting things in store in the coming weeks so we hope you’ll renew your membership and join us for the ride. It’s proving to be an exciting spring season and the summer blues (marlin, that is) are right around the corner.
BILLFISHING
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The Official Monthly Publication of the WBS Volume 8 No. 3, March 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 Account Executive Robbie Carter Administrative Director Jana E. Simons Destinations Editor Jeff Merrill
See you on the docks, Sam White World Billfish Series
Special Contributors
Upcoming Events
May 11 - 16 BBC Harbour Island May 12 - 16 Puerto Los Cabos Billfish Classic May 23 - 26 Mobile BGFC Memorial Day Tourn. May 26 - 30 Boat Harbour Billfish Blast June 1 - 6 BBC Treasure Cay June 4 - 8 Mississippi Gulf Coast Classic June 10 - 13 Abaco Billfish Challenge June 11 - 15 New Orleans Invt’l Billfish Tournament Order the WBS Tournament Calendar at www.FishWBS.com.
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.
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I N D U S T R Y
N E W S
MEMBERSHIP HAS ITS BENEFITS
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he World Billfish Series and Sebago have teamed up again for the 2008 WBS World Tour. As a new member benefit, WBS World Tour Sponsor Sebago would like to invite all WBS Angler’s Club members to purchase footwear at a considerable discount through their “Pro Purchase” website. Sebago continues to produce footwear that is designed for people that immerse themselves in the boating lifestyle and other activities associated with the water. Wearing Sebago shoes will allow you the opportunity to experience over 60 years of innovation in hand-sewn and premiere performance marine footwear.
As a continuation of last year’s successful “Winners Wear Sebago” promotion, Sebago will again reward every Top Angler of a WBS World Tour event a complimentary pair of Sebago shoes of their choice. New this year to the promotion will be a page in each issue of BILLFISHING Magazine
congratulating the winners for their achievement. “We are very appreciative of Sebago and their support of the anglers fishing the WBS World Tour year after year,” said Sam White, executive director of the WBS. “Just by being a member of the WBS, anglers can receive some significant discounts on some of the highest-performing footwear, gear that’s made to perform at very high levels in the demanding marine environment.”
For more information on the Sebago promotion, please visit www.sebago.com. For more on the membership benefits of the WBS Angler’s Club, head over to www.fishWBS.com.
PERU MOVES FORWARD
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stunning achievement for marlin and sailfish was realized recently when Peru’s president, Allan Garcia, signed a Supreme Declaration to protect these species in Peruvian waters. Also instrumental in this groundbreaking milestone were Peru’s Minister of Production Rafael Rey, Tourism Minister Mercedes Araoz, filmmaker Dan Winitzky and The Billfish Foundation’s Ellen Peel and Russell Nelson. Some 55 years ago, history was made in these same waters when Alfred Glassell set a world record fishing aboard his boat, Miss Texas, off Cabo Blanco, Peru. The catch sent shockwaves through the sportfishing world—Glassell had boated a black marlin weighing in at 1,560 pounds. Amazingly, no one has landed a larger black marlin since that fateful day in 1953 under IGFA angling rules. The Presidential Declaration de-commercializes marlin and
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sailfish, with no further commercial harvest or sale allowed, and it also signals the start of a national commitment to ocean conservation and the development of a sustainable sportfishing tourism industry. The plan will allow for only catch-andrelease recreational fishing, with an allowance for world record attempts to be added in the near future. No by-catch tolerance will be allowed for commercial vessels to retain any billfish. The Billfish Foundation has also made a commitment to continue scientific support for Peru’s visionary fisheries conservation and development projects. It’s expected that these actions will revitalize the once-premier sport fishing for striped and black marlin in the grounds around Cabo Blanco in northern Peru. “Tell the angling world that Peru is back on the sportfishing destination map,” said Minister Rey.
BACK FOR SECONDS WITH THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED
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or Jose Wejebe, taking the road less traveled is the only way to go. In this informative Internet-based show, Costa Del Mar’s The Road Less Traveled takes viewers along for the ride as they watch the legendary angler and his crew uncover the mysteries of exotic destinations. In the first season, Wejebe visits South Caicos, where he dives with the best diver in town for lobster and fish, explores with the locals and takes his expedition outside the boundaries of the traditional tourist sites.
More adventures are in store for Season Two which premiers soon on Costa Del Mar’s Channel C. Tune in towww.costadelmar.com for more information.
FISHING FACTS: THE NUMBERS GAME • Nearly 40 million Americans fish. That’s more than the number of golfers and tennis players combined. • Recreational fishing in the U.S. supports more than one million jobs and supports more than $45 billion in retail sales. • The total economic output of recreational fishing in the U.S. is over $125 billion annually. • U.S. anglers directly invest $1.2 billion annually to preserve, protect and enhance the sport of recreational fishing. • In Europe, recreational fishing is responsible for 2900 companies, 60,000 jobs and 5 billion Euros annually. • Europe has 25 million recreational anglers that spend an estimated 25 billion Euros each year. For more interesting facts on fishing, visit www.igfa.org.
I N D U S T R Y
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IGFA ANNOUNCES NEWEST HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
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ive anglers, each making a significant contribution to the sport of recreational angling, are scheduled to be inducted as the tenth class into the International Game Fish Association’s International Fishing Hall of Fame this fall. The 10th annual enshrinement ceremony and dinner will be held
October 25th at the IGFA International Fishing Hall of Fame in Dania Beach, Florida. The public is invited. Each year, honorees are selected for their significant contributions through angling achievements, literature, the arts, science, education, invention, communication or administration of fisheries resources. This year’s inductees include: Henry Chee, one of the first of two original charter skippers in Kona, Hawaii. In the 1940s, Chee was responsible for the advent of the modern trolling lure, making his first “tube” lure out of fiberglass resin and using a drinking glass for the mold. He went on to perfect the use of brass for leader tubes and strips of pearl shell for inserts. Chee passed away in 1965. Dr. Roy Dean, an angler that dedicated his life to light-tackle fishing. Recognized for his extensive exploration of the coastlines of Mexico and Costa Rica, research on billfish migration and the promotion of catch-andrelease fishing, he is perhaps best known as the founder of the International Light Tackle Tournament Association more than 60 years ago. Dr. Roy Dean died in 1990.
Jimmy Houston, who won his first professional bass tournament in 1966 and his first BASS Angler of the Year title in 1976. Houston has hosted a popular television show for over 30 years and was inducted into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame in 2002. Kay Rybovich was one of three founders of the International Women’s Fishing Association in 1955 and remains one of the grand ladies of the sport. An early proponent of catch-and-release fishing, she is a longtime supporter of fisheries research programs and numerous conservation organizations. Kay was married to the late John Rybovich, Jr. who was inducted into the IGFA Hall of Fame’s first class in 1998. Karl Wickstrom, founder and editor-in-chief of Florida Sportsman magazine, initiated and chaired the Save our Sealife constitutional amendment campaign that banned gill nets in 1994, revitalizing Florida’s inshore and nearshore waters. He was also instrumental in founding the Florida chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association more than 20 years ago. For more information on the IGFA Hall of Fame induction ceremony, please contact the IGFA at 954-924-4222.
CCA ADDRESSES ILLEGAL FISHING
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nternational fishing measures, designed to regulate and manage certain fisheries, depend entirely on the integrity of the nation states to implement them, and unfortunately not every nation has the same view on these international regulations as the United States. Coastal Conservation Association general counsel Robert G. Hayes recently testified before the House Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans and called on Congress to initiate agreements to control these socalled “fish pirates.”
“There are three distinct areas that need better compliance,” said Hayes. “First is the continued problem of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing practices. The second is the need for regional fisheries management organizations to enforce rules against their own members and third is the need for transparency in the national implementation of adopted conservation measures.”
Hayes encouraged Congress to pass legislation that requires the State Department to verify the implementation of every regional fisheries management organization measure by member states. If a member fails to do so, the U.S. could identify the country and impose measures including the embargo of all related fisheries products from the offending nation. “All of this may sound daunting but it is the process that’s now in place,” Hayes said. “If Congress wants to make the system work, there must be legislation requiring the U.S. to initiate an international agreement for market controls to ensure compliance. We have had similar agreements with textiles, coffee and listed species. The application of market controls produces discipline in the exploitation of natural resources. CCA believes the time has come to take a more proactive approach to fisheries management.” For more information please visit www.joincca.org.
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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: Robbi Viveiro — Manteo, NC Corkie Greenley — Mears, MI Chris Lepping — Collegetown PA
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The WBS Anglers Club member who correctly identifies the most people on pages 12, 13 and 15 by May 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.
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BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS hile there are plenty of outstanding billfish destinations around the world, that old real estate axiom of “location, location, location” really means something when it comes to describing the British Virgin Islands. While there are several resorts that offer nearly every amenity and watersport under the blazing-hot sun, it’s the simple fact of geography that makes this a winner with diehard anglers. The legendary North Drop, one of the world’s foremost fishing holes for blue marlin, is roughly 25 miles from the docks in Virgin Gorda. And while the BVIs are primarily renowned as a sailing and SCUBA destination, the locals will proudly tell you that the North Drop lies within their territorial waters, giving them claim as a world-class marlin hotspot.
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The British Virgin Islands are part of the island chain called the Greater Antilles, a string of islands, rocks and cays that are bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the south. The U.S. Virgin Islands of St. Croix, St. Johns and St. Thomas are just to the southwest. Puerto Rico is 40 miles to the west, and Miami is 1,100 miles to the northwest. It’s interesting that the island’s earliest people were nomadic Arawak and Carib Indians who made their way northward from Venezuela’s Orinoco River basin in their dugout canoes. Columbus bumped ashore here on his second voyage of discovery in 1493, naming the rocky cluster of islands “the Virgins.” However, Spain didn’t attempt to colonize the Virgin Islands so part fell to the British in 1672 and the rest to the United States years later. Of the 60 or so islands in the BVIs, the largest and most populous are Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda and Jost van Dyke. With the exception of Anegada, which is made of coral and is quite flat, the remaining islands are volcanic in composition and rise dramatically from the surrounding ocean, having been formed eons ago. The capi-
tal, Road Town, is located on Tortola and is home to fewer than 7,000 residents. While there are dozens of resorts of every size and description scattered throughout the BVIs, one of the most popular with the angling community is the Bitter End. As with everything else here, the Bitter End has its own fascinating story to tell. In the summer of 1964, the Hokin family sailed into the calm waters of North Sound off Virgin Gorda. The sound was remote and yet offered a safe anchorage, much like it had been three centuries before when the English pirates Sir John Hawkins and Sir Frances Drake planned daring raids on Spanish shipping. The natural beauty was captivating, and the family became frequent visitors, returning year after year in their small sailboat. On one return voyage, they found that a shoreside pub and a handful of tiny cottages had been built on Virgin Gorda by a Brit named Basil Symonette, who called the place Bitter End because of its location at the very tip of the island chain. The accommodations were rustic, with only cold water in the bathrooms, electricity provided by an ancient diesel generator and fresh water collected from rainfall. If a visiting yachtsman came for dinner, they were required to
approach a long wooden pier and sound their boat’s horn. If the eccentric owner felt sociable, he would reply by megaphone and the vessel would be allowed to dock for the evening. The festivities would last until Basil abruptly decided it was time for lights out and shut down the generator. As Myron and Bernice Hokin got to know Basil a bit better during the course of many trips, Myron eventually asked for permission to build a cottage for his family there. Basil countered with an offer to buy the entire place, a deal that Myron couldn’t refuse. In 1973, they became the new owners and their charter captain the innkeeper. They all had plenty of enthusiasm for the project but absolutely no experience in hotels. Architect Peter Brill, who gave up a life of designing skyscrapers for the simpler desires of sailing the Caribbean, lent a hand in designing the Bitter End’s breezy buildings and cottages, which cling to the cliffsides like exotic orchids. Bitter End still generates its own electricity, collects and distills its own water, uti-
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BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS lizes solar power and uses waste shower water to irrigate the hillside gardens. Though the resort has grown over the years, its main purpose has never changed. As they sail into thirty years of ownership, three generations of Hokins have taken a hand at the helm here. It’s still a family-run resort that’s grown into one of the world’s finest. It goes without saying that watersports rule the day in the BVIs, and especially at Bitter End. A small marina offers accommodations for visiting boats and there are mooring buoys dotted throughout the North Sound anchorage area. The resort itself hosts a large fleet of daysailers and Boston Whaler skiffs as well as windsurfers and other toys for their guests to enjoy. While not as numerous as in St. Thomas, there are a number of quality vessels available for fishing charters, taking guests out to sample the productive waters off the North Drop. Without a doubt this is one of the finest fishing grounds for Atlantic blue marlin found anywhere on the planet, as evidenced by the large numbers of blues caught and released by the fleet each season. Like swallows returning to Capistrano, the blues keep returning year after year, with the best fishing occurring around the full moons of the summer. Diving is also incredibly popular here based on a number of factors. First, the water itself is amazing in terms of visibility. It’s not uncommon to anchor over a reef in 50 feet of water and
irgin The Baths on V e Gorda are a plac of wonder and inspiration.
Useful Information for the BVIs Getting There Several regional airlines connect Tortola Beef Island with international hubs on San Juan, Antigua and other Caribbean Islands. The two main ferry docks on Tortola are located in the capital at Road Town and closer to the airport at West End. Interisland boat services operate several times a day between the main islands in the BVIs as well as to St. Thomas and St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Cash or Credit The currency is the U.S. dollar and many establishments will accept credit cards although not all will take American Express. Automated teller machines are located in Road Town, Cane Garden Bay and West End on Tortola as well as in Spanish Town on Virgin Gorda.
All the Rest Electricity is standard 110v, the official language is English and pets are allowed only after an import permit is obtained from the Department of Agriculture.
For More Information The beaches in the BVI’s are world renowned for their white sands and crystal clear waters.
Bitter End Yacht Club: www.beyc.com British Virgin Islands: www.bvitourism.com AH Riise BVI Billfish Tournament: www.bvibillfishtournament.com World Billfish Series: www.FishWBS.com Billfishing Magazine
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BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS Top Five Historical Sites in the BVIs There are a number of excellent historic sites to see in the British Virgin Islands, but here are five that shouldn’t be missed. The Wreck of the Rhone: The Rhone was a Royal Mail ship that sank off Salt Island during a hurricane in 1867. She lies in just 30 feet of protected water and is considered by many to be one of the best SCUBA dives in the Caribbean. The Old Government House and Museum: The old Government House dates from 1925 when it was almost completely rebuilt after a devastating hurricane from the previous year. It now houses an interesting museum with unique wall murals painted by the wife of ex-Governor Barwick in 1986. The Callwood Rum Distillery: It wouldn’t be a visit to the Caribbean without a trip here. Located in Cane Garden Bay, Callwood is said to be the Caribbean’s oldest rum distillery still in operation. It was built in the late 1700s and has been making sailors and fishermen happy ever since. The Copper Mine on Virgin Gorda: These impressive stone ruins feature a chimney that stretches far into the sky. The mine was operated by Cornish miners between 1838 and 1967, and perhaps even earlier by the Spanish. The Sugar Mill Ruins at Mount Healthy: The mill building here has been fully restored. A visit to the Brewers Bay Sugar Works, just down the hill, compliments a visit to this historic site.
Bitter End has a breathtaking view from every room.
Copper Mine Ruins: This mine was in operation from 1836 to 1976.
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be able to make out the details of the fish swimming far below. Then there’s the abundance of sealife to be found, especially around the many coral reefs that ring the islands. And because there are so many popular sites on which to dive, there’s nearly always one that’s sheltered from the tradewinds on any given day. One famous site on Virgin Gorda is called The Baths, renowned for the large boulders, some larger than houses, found both above and below the water. Visitors are free to wander the trails and explore the hidden grottoes. Another great dive site is called The Dogs, an airplane wreck that’s located at Coral Gardens. It’s a two-for-one site where divers can explore the wreck and even climb behind the controls in the cockpit, while there’s a lush coral reef nearby that also awaits. In short, the British Virgin Islands really are a dream vacation for anyone who enjoys spending time below the surface of the water, whether SCUBA diving or just snorkeling around the flats.
Tournament Time In 2007, the British Virgin Islands hosted the first international-style marlin tournament ever held in the BVIs. The A.H. Riise BVI Billfish Tournament attracted boats from throughout the fishing world and proved to be a major highlight of the Caribbean Division of the World Billfish Series.The event’s organizers had three main goals in mind: Run a world-class event, show the sportfishing world the great marlin action here and raise much-needed money for local charities. They accomplished all three in spades. For more information on this year’s event, please visit www.bvibillfishtournament.com.
Inter-island travel is also a popular way to spend time here. With the varied sights and sounds, each seems to carry a different personality, from remote Anegada to lively Jost van Dyke to the capital on Tortola. There are many tours and charters that will ferry guests from island to island for a nominal fee, but a bareboat charter is another alternative. Here, you have the opportunity to be your own captain, setting whatever course your heart desires. It also opens up the flexibility to stay or move on at a moment’s notice. But perhaps the greatest of all the attractions here are also the simplest—the beaches. They range in quality from stunning to truly spectacular, depending on your location. There are places where you can walk for miles without seeing another person, and others studded with quaint beachside bars and restaurants where you can grab a rum drink, feast on fresh-that-day seafood and even dance the night away. In this era of hustle-bustle cell-phone and Palm Pilot madness, it’s truly refreshing and relaxing to just string up a hammock between two palm trees with the blue Caribbean lapping at your feet on one of the world’s greatest beaches.
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Scenic Photos by Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau
Photos by Saltw ater Vid e
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Yamaha Contender Miami Billfish Tournament Miami, Florida www.miamibillfish.com
Miami Magic
Yamaha Contender Maimi Billfish Tournament
By Bart K. Davis
Most people know Miami as a sprawling, gregarious, funloving southern metropolis, a city that never sleeps, constantly in motion to the sultry rhythms of its different indigenous cultures. With a strong influence from the Caribbean, Latin America and elsewhere, it’s a place that thrives on the sum of its parts. And within the fishing world, Miami takes center stage when the blustery cold fronts bring with them massive schools of hungry sailfish that feed just a short distance offshore. It’s magic in Miami.
or the past 26 years, a highlight of the annual fishing season has been the Yamaha Contender Miami Billfish Tournament. Notably one of the first events to go to a 100-percent release format and the first to use a 100percent circle hook format in the interest of conservation, the Miami Billfish Tournament attracts not only the best anglers from across the globe but also a
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good number of weekend warriors looking to roll the dice against the big boys and have a great week of fishing and fun. Spectators will see everything from 70foot battlewagons all the way down to 20foot center consoles taking to the high
seas for three days in search of not only sailfish but dolphin, tuna, king mackerel and wahoo as part of the tournament’s additional gamefish categories. It’s almost as if the event itself mirrors the city’s melting pot of cultures. Each year, the event also hosts a Marine Conservation Night in conjunction with the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School, one of the world’s premier marine and atmospheric research institutions. This year saw Dr. Eric Prince discussing the latest study that compared the performance of circle hooks to equivalent-sized J-hooks commonly used for recreational sailfishing in the waters off
South Florida and around the world. Dr. Prince has become one of the foremost scientists in the groundbreaking research of circle hooks, making the Marine Conservation Night highly informative for the general public. This year’s tournament attracted a fleet of 74 boats, each vying for the fame and fortune that comes with winning. And with 25 different prize categories, there was plenty of hardware to pass around during the tournament awards ceremony Sunday evening. One of the top stories from the week’s fishing belonged to Amanda Nichols, fishing with her father Steve of Connecticut. Nichols came into the tour-
nament with her sights set high—her goal was to be the highest-placing female angler this year. To that end, the Nichols teamed up with legendary Miami skipper Capt. Bouncer Smith to fish aboard Bouncer’s Dusky. Capt. Bouncer certainly did his best to put his anglers in the heart of the action, and by the end of the tournament Amanda’s name stood alone atop the leaderboard in not only the Top Female Angler category but in the highly coveted Master Angler category as well! Because of her status as the tournament’s top rod, she will have the opportunity to represent the Yamaha Contender Miami Billfish Tournament in the World Billfish Series Grand Championships, to be held in Costa Rica this December. However, Amanda’s string of trophies doesn’t stop there. She also boated the event’s largest tuna, a chunky blackfin that weighed 29.60 pounds. Bouncer’s Dusky led the way to victory in the Outboard Boats Division and a fifth place finish in the Overall Team Division. Billfishing Magazine
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Yamaha Contender Maimi Billfish Tournament and skill, not to mention sheer determination, to bang outriggers with the best live-bait sailfish teams in the Southeast but that’s exactly what they did during the tournament. Speaking of product demonstrations, how about Jeff Pierce, factory rep for Mustad Hooks, boating the tournament’s largest kingfish at 40.8 pounds? Keep in mind that IGFA rules apply in this tournament (no treble hooks) and circle hooks are mandatory, so catching a razor-jawed kingfish on a circle hook and monofilament leader is definitely a noteworthy feat. Pierce fished with Mike Dixon from Yamaha Motors aboard Capt. George Mitchell’s Snake Dancer.
Amanda Nichols was presented the Top Angler award. Leading the way in the Overall Team Division was the crew aboard the Miss Britt I, led by Capt. Jim Mulcahy. Without a doubt one of the finest combinations of captain, anglers, crew and boat that has ever graced the sailfish circuit, this team continues to prove day in and day out that they belong atop the pantheon of tournament teams. However, they did have a close call on Sunday, the final day of fishing. With the awards taking place that afternoon, Sunday at the YCMBT is always a bit shorter than the first two days, so the action is compressed and often red-hot, with the top spots in the tournament frequently determined in the last hour. This year would be no different as the Miss Britt I finally got hot in the last hour of the event, releasing four of their 14 sails in the last 30 minutes before lines out. In fact, as the team was fighting their final fish of the day, the Viking 50 also called in a hook-up in the final minutes of fishing. But thanks to some deft boat-handling by Mulcahy and quick rodwork by angler Marklan Galadza, the Miss Britt was able to release their 14th fish of the tournament first, giving them the lead by the slimmest of margins. While many would say that second place is always second place, much praise should be aimed toward Capt. Ryan Higgins and the team aboard the Viking 50. Higgins and company campaign the newest demonstrator models for the Viking Yachts factory in locations around the world, often fishing far from home in unfamiliar waters and using a variety of techniques. It takes years of experience
For the tournament there were 387 sailfish and one white marlin released,
Macky Pesch was the tournament’s Top Junior Angler aboard the JV. proving once again that Miami magic happens every year.
The Miss Britt I cleaned up during the week with 14 sailfish releases.
DEDICATED TO CONSERVATION
The Yamaha Contender Miami Billfish Tournament was established over a quarter century ago as a means to raise awareness and money for marine conservation and education. Each year, the tournament distributes proceeds to worthy marine enhancement and education programs in the South Florida area.
The Yamaha Contender Miami Billfish Tournament is proud to have donated over $560,000 to marine enhancement and education programs in the South Florida area. For more information, please visit www.miamibillfish.com.
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Photos by Gre g Gawli kowski at www .Endles simage ry.com
Presidential Challenge of Costa Rica Samara, Costa Rica www.preschallenge.com
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Presidential Challenge of Costa Rica
Rising To The “Challenge”
Playa Carrillo is home to one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica, a black-sand crescent beneath towering palm trees. Surrounded by the mountainous vistas that dominate the country’s western landscape, the beach borders the anchorage where the tournament boats moor each day. A small fleet of local pangas and inflatables ferry the anglers and crews back and forth to their vessels each morning, returning them to shore each afternoon. This was the setting for the 12th Annual Presidential Challenge of Central America—Costa Rica.
By Capt. Joan Ver non he goal for this year’s PCCA event was to raise badly-needed funds for Costa Rica’s conservation projects, so with that in mind the proceeds from the tournament went directly to The Billfish Foundation. Among their goals was the start of a socio-economic study in Costa Rica to provide information on the financial impact of sportfishing within the nation’s borders in an attempt to stem the carnage being wrought on billfish stocks
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from commercial fishing, specifically commercial longlining and purse seining. Day One of the competition began at 7 a.m. when the fleet departed the Carrillo anchorage. They were greeted by calm seas and pleasant weather in the usual Costa Rican style. These waters are noted for being quite calm nearly year-round, offering great conditions as well as fantastic billfishing for a variety of species. Just four minutes after the call for lines in, the 2007 WBS World Champion, Mainor Oporto Downs, fishing aboard the Maverick 42 Spanish Fly released the first sailfish of the 2008 season. The Gamefisher II with Team Decisive aboard wasted no time putting points on the
scoreboard by releasing a tripleheader of sails shortly after 9 a.m. This team kept up the momentum and took top daily honors. Alex Nole, fishing aboard the Let It Ride, had a busy morning releasing four sails to top the leaderboard in the Baptist Health International Angler Division. Both Desperado and Gallo Pinto scored blue marlin releases which moved them up in the standings. The weather seemed to be changing as the day progressed, as clouds rolled in off the mountains and rain showers hit the coast. However, the theory among the competitors was that this
could possibly perk up the fishing for Day Two. Fishing did indeed pick up on Day Two of the PCCA Costa Rica.The 2007 Grand Champion Team, A-Fin-Ity, fishing aboard the Permit III, made their move to the top of the leaderboard early. Capt. Chepe Santana put his anglers on the sails beginning at 9 a.m. and the action was steady all morning. Decisive was not to be denied and held on to second place, putting pressure on A-Fin-Ity. Let It Ride saw some late morning action to move them up to challenge the leaders, while Desperado released their second blue marlin of the event to secure third place by the end of the day. The big excitement came from the Wet Ass II when they called in a grand slam to radioman Dan Kipnis. Monica Guevara released a nice blue followed by teammate Nelson Castillo’s striped marlin and three sails. Capt. Sonny Koscis has been plying these waters for many years and is a tough competitor in any given event. Billfishing Magazine
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Presidential Challenge of Costa Rica into the anchorage and was greeted by the news that Sea Angel was disabled and may not make it back to the harbor by 6 p.m. Since Sea Angel was 38 miles from Playa Carrillo with no steering and a 6 p.m. deadline looming, their winning spot was in jeopardy. At 5:45, they blew around the point into the anchorage with horns blaring in victory! Angler Greg Voell anxiously awaited the panga transport and landed on the beach with just30 seconds to spare. It was an exciting ending to a fun packed week in Costa Rica. In three days, 33 anglers released 102 sailfish, five blue marlin and four striped marlin, all using tournament-supplied Berkeley Big Game line and Eagle Claw 2004EL circle hooks.
Team Decisive, Bill Easum, JW Bones and Jimmy Taylor, finished in second place with 1900 points on the Gamefisher II. That afternoon, the anglers gathered around the pool bar at the Villas Playa Samara, swapping fish stories and in usual billfishing fashion, consuming copious amounts of the local rum. A good time was certainly had by all that evening. The fleet got off to a good start on the final day of the 2008 competition. Gallo Pinto called in a striped marlin release at 8:25 a.m. They followed with a sailfish release a few minutes later. A-Fin-Ity added a sail to keep them in first place. Capt Junior Bustas of the Gamefisher II kept Team Decisive in the hunt with a steady release of sails. The excitement of the day began at 9:09 a.m. when Sea Angel called in their first catch—a doubleheader consisting of a sailfish and a striped marlin. Capt. “BC” also notified Tournament Control that they had lost their steering due to a broken hose. He did a remarkable job of maneuvering the boat to get the releases. This team did not stop there. They continued to fish and released another striped marlin and a sail. Let It Ride made their move just before noon calling in two more sails. Now we had a four-way battle royale brewing between Sea Angel, A-Fin-Ity, Decisive and Let It Ride. The afternoon action slowed for all but Sea Angel. Still with no steering, they continued to call in a steady number of fish. Let It Ride hit the mother lode at 2 p.m. and called in several releases. The excitement peaked at 3 p.m. with only a half hour left to fish. Tension mounted with each call on the radio. At 3:22 p.m, Decisive called in a sail release to tie Sea Angel and secure at least second place on time. The Gamefisher II and team Decisive pulled
This event marks the beginning of the Bertram Yachts/ Evermarine Grand Champion Team competition. Anglers commenced competition for the Eagle Claw Grand Champion Angler award. Both of these prestigious titles will be decided at the Presidential Challenge of Guatemala in November. Please note that teams and anglers must compete in three out of the four Presidential Challenge tournaments to qualify for the championships. We give special thanks to the I.C.T. (Costa Rican Tourism Bureau) for their support of this event and would also like to thank Aerobell and Villas Playa Samara for their sponsorship participation. On behalf of the tournament, the anglers and sponsors, PCCA Costa Rica raised $30,000 for The Billfish Foundation. This money will be used specifically for the TBF conservation work in Costa Rica. For more information, please see the TBF web page for details at www.billfish.org.
FINAL RESULTS Contender Boats/ICT Team Division 1st Place Team: Sea Angel 1900 points 2nd Place Team: Decisive (Gamefisher II) 1900 pts. 3rd Place Team: Let It Ride 1800 pts Baptist Health Int’l Angler Division 1st Place Angler: Cleynor Ruiz (Gallo Pinto) 1200 pts. 2nd Place Angler: Alex Nole (Let It Ride) 900 pts. 3rd Place Angler: Bob Osborne (Sea Angel) 900 pts.
The Sea Angel team, led by Greg Angel, took home top honors based on time.
Sea Angel angler Greg Voell steps ashore with just seconds to spare to claim victory! Billfishing Magazine
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Dane Mitchell Profile Favorite Billfishing Location: “My personal favorite place to fish for billfish is Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. I have only been once and had a blast. I am headed back down there at the end of May. The striped marlin fishing can be wide open during certain times of the year, and there’s always a shot at a blue or black marlin so the variety keeps it very interesting.” Favorite “Fun Fishing” Location: My favorite fun fishing location is Venice, Louisiana. Offshore fishing is by far my favorite, but when the wind is blowing, Venice offers great inshore fishing and some short offshore bottom fishing runs that hold fish almost year round. The inshore trout and redfish fishing is the best in the world and when the weather is right, live baiting for tuna by the floaters 70 miles offshore is unbeatable.” Other Interests: “I am a pretty dedicated turkey hunter. I turkey hunt as much as I can during the spring when the weather is not right for fishing. I also enjoy deer hunting during the fall and winter months, but when LSU football season starts my deer hunting comes second.” Occupation: “I work for a family-owned business that is the Thomas Built bus distributor for the state of Louisiana.” Thoughts on the Future of Sportfishing: “I think with the efforts of the WBS and many anglers that now practice catch and release, all anglers will see a continual rise in all aspects of sportfishing.”
I
started getting interested in tournament fishing when we first got our boat in 2003. A good friend of mine, Dan Luke, showed me the ropes and I have loved it ever since. I have fished in the Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic out of Biloxi three times and the Cajun Canyons tournament out of Venice twice. I plan on fishing both tournaments in 2008 as well as a couple more.” “Some of my personal best: I had a trip last summer out of Venice, Louisiana where we caught eight yellowfin tuna and 23 bull dolphin. The tuna all ranged from 60 to 80 pounds and the largest dolphin weighed in at 48 pounds. Another trip in April of last year out of Fourchon, Louisiana, I caught a 79-pound amberjack on a butterfly jig which was a personal best and one heck of a fight on a small jigging rod and stand-up tackle.”
Favorite Fish Story: “My favorite fish story occurred three summers ago out of Venice while tuna fishing at the floater URSA. The fishing had been pretty slow all day catching nothing but trash fish when all of a sudden one of the rods went off. I grabbed the rod, took about three cranks and sure enough a bill comes soaring out of the water. I was using small three-inch live hardtails for bait and 60-pound fluorocarbon leader. I had two of my friends, Jared Foti and Pierre Domingue with me and we were all going crazy. To make a long story short, after about a 45 minute fight, I was able to get the 100-pound white marlin to the boat, get plenty of pictures and release the fish unharmed.”
“I always change line before each tournament, especially if I have fought a big fish on any of my reels. I think this is a huge mistake that many anglers make in not taking the time to respool all reels after catching a big fish. I always prefer to use live bait. Any fish will eat live bait over plastic in my opinion, so I spend hours sometimes trying to cast net pogies and mullet, then once I am in the water, I spend however much time it takes to catch threadfins, bar jacks, and hardtails on Sabiki rigs. As far as the boat, the first thing I always take care of is bringing plenty of ice. I bring anywhere from 800 to 1200 pounds of ice every trip. I also check to make sure a have my gaffs, rods and reels, all tackle, and up to date emergency equipment and first aid kit.”
Billfishing Magazine
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Dubby Harris Profile
Favorite Billfish Location: I really enjoy fishing down in Costa Rica for Pacific sailfish. The weather is almost always beautiful with flat-calm seas, plenty of billfish and a great atmosphere on the docks after fishing. For marlin fishing, I like Tropic Star Lodge in Panama—when the black marlin are biting there it can be an incredible fishery. Both of them are very different places, but unique and unbelievable in their own way.” Favorite “Fun Fishing” Location: For fun, it’s hard to beat Venice, Louisiana. You can go out, catch billfish, fish the rip and catch dolphin, come back in to catch lemonfish and then finally stop at the rigs and catch redfish and trout. The variety of species available, whether it’s inshore or offshore, makes it an unbeatable destination for any hardcore angler.” Other Interests: “When I’m not fishing I enjoy LSU football and playing golf.” Occupation: Pharmaceutical sales.
I
started fishing tournaments with my father in the Empire/Venice area back in the 1970s. I have fished numerous tournaments throughout my life and now I fish about eight a year.”
Favorite Fish Story: “We were in Costa Rica during Mardi Gras and we hooked up with two blue marlin at the same time so of course they went in two different directions so one of us went to the bow and one went to the stern. That worked pretty well for a while but I was still losing a lot of line—I was about to be spooled a couple of times, so then we took my reel that was almost out of line and hooked another rod to it and just let it go over the side. We were able to tag both fish after two hours.”
“Every day is a memorable day! Fishing out of Coast Rica, hooking up three sailfish at a time and or two billfish at a time is unbelievable. But, fishing out of Tropic Star in Panama when you have two blue marlin at one time is incredible as well. My most vivid memory however is when I was fishing out of La Paz, Mexico in a panga. I managed to catch a 48pound yellowfin tuna on a spinning reel with just a hook—no leader and no swivel. That fish had every opportunity to break me off but somehow I got lucky enough and fought it to the boat.” “On most tournaments, I fish on the Gear Up. Capt. John, Jason, and Darwin prepare our tackle on Mike and Ralph Senner’s boat to make sure we are very competitive in our environment. It’s a team effort so everyone pitches in to do their part.” “If everyone adheres to the tag and release program we will have sport fishing for the rest of our lives.” Dubby puts the brakes on a nice Gulf of Mexico blue marlin aboard the Gear Up.
Billfishing Magazine
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Cullen McGoey Profile Favorite Billfishing Location: “In my opinion, there is no better billfishing location in the world than the oil rigs off the coast of Louisiana. There are literally thousands of rigs to fish and hundreds to marlin fish. The structures provide a wonderful home for baitfish and other gamefish like tuna, dolphin and wahoo. Luckily for me, I live in south Louisiana so running offshore out of Venice is more feasible, especially with price of fuel these days.” Favorite “Fun Fishing” Location: Well, the best fun fishing would be sight fishing for redfish in the duck ponds. It’s my new thing to do in the water. I have a duck lease in Southeast Louisiana, a little slice of heaven called Reggio. The sight of a head wake going full speed after your bait, I can’t put that feeling into words.” Other Interests: “I duck hunt in the winter months. It’s a hobby that lets you pass the time until the fishing gets good. Don’t get me wrong, I fish when it’s cold, but the ducks need my attention. I also enjoy golf. I play on wind days, when the fishing has subsided. I think that’s why I am an average golfer. The wind is hard to hit into.” Occupation: “I sell liquor and wines for a local distributor and I’m still in school.” Favorite Fish Story: “Every fisherman has a story! It’s hard to say. Thinking of all the trips I took and to try and single out one story would be impossible. I have so many. Any time I go fish with my Dad would be the best story—just the fact that he introduced me to this addiction of fishing and now I am now teaching him a few tricks myself. With all the b.s. and beer drinking, it’s a story every time we hit the water.”
A
bout five years ago, a few friends invited me to fish a tournament held at the Isle of Capri Casino, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic. I didn’t know much about the sport of bluewater fishing or big tournament payouts, so I decided to give it a try. We ended up taking third place in the wahoo category and ever since then I’ve been hooked. I currently fish two to three tournaments along the Louisiana and Mississippi Gulf Coast each year, especially the one held at the Isle of Capri. I can’t seem to stay out of the casino!” “I try to leave the tournament prep up to the pros on the boat. To keep my chances favorable, I usually let the mates on the boat to take care of everything. My bait preparation skills are very limited.” “I would love to become a captain in the inshore fishing side of things—I guess it a dream of mine. I get stressed out if I don’t smell the marsh. It sound weird, but it help with everyday stress. I would also like to do some Florida fishing, around the Keys or Everglades one day.” Cullen’s favorite fun-fishing? Hunting shallow-water redfish in the many duck ponds in his home state of Louisiana. Billfishing Magazine
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2008 WORLD TOUR SPONSORS
The following companies proudly support the World Billfish Series and the sport of billfishing as sponsors of the 2008 WBS World Tour. Bacardi USA Marketer of fine spirits, including the world’s number one rum.
2100 Biscayne Blvd. Miami, FL 33137-5028
Phone: 305-573-8511 www.bacardi.com
Bank Of America Helping customers fulfill their dreams every day.
100 North Tryon St. Charlotte, NC 28255
Phone: 866-887-3259 www.bankofamerica.com
Bertram Yacht, Inc. Builder of sportfishing boats from 39 to 67 feet.
3663 NW 21st St. Miami, FL 33142
Contact: Kari Webber Phone: 305-633-8011 www.bertram.com
Blue Water Shirt Club 1826 Sally Hill Farms Blvd. For Saltwater Sportman, who enjoy Florence, SC 29501 finding interesting and unique Tees.
Contact: Chris Lynch Phone: 843-679-0045 www.bluewatershirtclub.com
Costa Del Mar Manufacturer of premium performance sunglasses.
2361 Mason Ave. Suite 100 Daytona Beach, FL 32117
Phone: 386-677-3700 www.costadelmar.com
Davis Yachts The most beautiful ride on the ocean.
P.O. Box 702 Egg Harbor City, NJ 08215
Contact: Bob Hazard Phone: 609-965-2300 www.buddydavis.com
El Cid One of Mexico’s finest resort destinations.
Av. Camaron Sabalo S/N PO Box 183 Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico 82110
Contact: Geronimo Cevallos Phone: 011-52-669-916-3468 www.elcid.com
Fountain Powerboats Builder of high-performance sport and fishing boats.
PO Drawer 457 Washington, NC 27889
Contact: Clayton Kirby Phone: 904-838-3230 www.fountainpowerboats.com
Los Sueños Resort and Marina Costa Rica’s premier resort and marina.
PO Box 25635 Miami, FL 33102-5635
Contact: Ashley Bretecher Phone: 866-865-9759 www.lossuenosresort.com
Lowrance Electronics, Inc. Manufacturer of sonar, GPS and chartplotting equipment.
12000 E. Skelly Dr. Tulsa, OK 74128-2486
Phone: 918-437-6881 www.lowrance.com
Mercury Marine PO Box 1939 Manufacturer of boat engines, pro- Fond du Lac, WI 54936 pellers and racing products.
Phone: 920-929-5040 www.mercurymarine.com
MTU Detroit Diesel The leading name in marine power.
13400 Outer Drive West Detroit, MI 48239-4001
Phone: 313-592-7000 www.mtu-online.com
Release Marine Manufacturers of custom fighting chairs and accessories.
2100 Roger Lacy Ave. Savannah, Georgia 31415
Contact: Jimmy Dewberry Phone: 800-603-4448 www.releasemarine.com
Sebago Footwear Fit, durability, comfort and style since 1946.
9341 Courtland Drive HA-140 Rockford, MI 49351
Phone: 800-789-8586 www.sebago.com
Topaz Building legends, one boat at a time.
P.O. Box 702 Egg Harbor City, NJ 08215
Contact: Bob Hazard Phone: 609-965-2300 www.topazboats.com
Venture Marine 1800 Old Dixie Highway Building the highest quality center Riviera Beach, FL 33404 console boats from 24 to 39 feet.
Contact: Rusty Kelley Phone: 800-960-3434 www.venturemarine.com
Underwater Lights Limited If it doesn’t say “limited” on the box, it is not our lights.
Royale Palm Yacht Basin, Ste. C 629 NE 3rd Street Dania, FL 33004
Contact: Martyn Bignell Phone 954-524-2844 www.underwaterlights.com
Viking Yachts Sportfishing boats from 45 to 74 feet.
Route 9, “On the Bass River” New Gretna, NJ 08224
Contact: Peter Frederiksen Phone: 609-296-6000 www.vikingyachts.com
XMWX The leader in mobile weather display software and receivers.
430 Research Drive Huntsville, AL 35805
Phone: 800-985-9200 www.wxworx.com
Yamaha Motor Corp. Manufacturer of two- and fourstroke outboard engines.
1270 Chastain Rd. Kennesaw, GA 30144
Contact: Mike Dixon Phone: 770-420-5800 www.yamaha-motor.com
2 0 0 8 W O R L D T O U R STA N D I N G S
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425 125 0 275 0 0 0 0 500 125 200 0 275 0 300 0 0 0 125 125 0 0 200 0
425 0 0 500 500 575 350 0 0 0 125 350 200 425 0 0 0 200 0 0 0 0 0 0
200 275 425 0 200 0 0 275 275 125 0 200 125 200 200 200 200 200 0 0 350 200 200 200
400 650 700 200 0 275 350 500 200 725 425 200 125 0 325 275 350 200 125 350 125 275 275 125
ADDITIONAL PARTICIPATION POINTS
Angler Peter Miller Johnny White Jeffrey Fiorentino Luis Isaias Warren Sands Rick Arnold Rick Murphy Osvaldo Vento Debbi David Peter Adrian Scott Robins Janice Sands Kitt Toomey Brett Dudas John Salom Gary Lawson Raul Gonzales Bill Danko John Burke Chad Newell Rick Thomas Todd Kirkpatrick Eddie Lopez Sandra Kirkpatrick
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1650 1475 1400 1250 1125 1125 975 975 975 975 950 950 925 825 825 750 750 725 675 675 675 675 675 600
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Boat Name Spanish Fly Sweet Dreams Super Fly Hatt-A-Boy Prime Time Super Fly Miss Behavin Lady Columbo Dream Maker Prime Time Muy Caliente Gringo Honeymoon The Bite Iron Trader After You Penguin El Jefe Grande Dealer’s Choice Uno Mas Predator Miss Behavin Clean Sweep Miss Celeste Sweet Dreams
www.FishWBS.com
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ADDITIONAL PARTICIPATION POINTS
Angler Mainor Oporto Ron Lea William Easum Arturo Nunez Keylor Vindas Jimmy Taylor Roberto Gonzales Ron Hutchings Warner Porra Russ Nixdorf Paul Snow Hector Munoz Mariano Da Brian Bemis Chris Fischer Chris Lepping Carlos Cambronero Eric McDowell Darwin Aranda Edwin Bustos RJ Lily Andrew Shapiro David Finkelstein Robert Beasley
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2 0 0 8 W O R L D T O U R STA N D I N G S
Boat Name Chips Ahoy Sandman Rude Awakening Sandman Miss Britt 1 Priceless Catch One Miss Annie Money Shot Blank Check Chips Ahoy Get Lit Certifiable Sandra T Miss Britt 1 Big Oh Covert Mission Anejo Certifiable Masque Lady Lane Money Shot Sandra T X Generation
350 350 350 350 650 50 275 275 0 0 0 575 200 125 575 275 125 0 0 0 500 0 125 500
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650 875 150 650 0 0 200 425 725 675 500 0 275 125 0 200 350 350 575 125 0 500 125 0
275 0 350 0 0 275 0 0 0 0 0 0 125 200 0 0 0 0 0 350 0 0 125 0
650 0 0 0 0 275 350 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
ADDITIONAL PARTICIPATION POINTS
Angler Mark Wodlinger Sandra Kirkpatrick Rudy Polselli Jr. Todd Kirkpatrick Dave Dickerson Lev Mullins Erik Waldin Mark Donahue Eddie Lopez Dan Doyle Jr. Chip Sheehan Kitt Toomey Matt Lynch Serena Wilson Danny Farkas Gray Ingram Tom Craig Dave Przysinda Colin Murphy Mark Schwartz Rob Lane Manny Menendez Sandy Kaupe Doug Kontz
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Debbi David-The Sailfish Tournament
Peter Adrian - Capt. Bob Lewis Billfish Challenge
Mark McDevitt - Buccaneer Cup Sailfish Release
Edwin Bustos - Los Sueños Signature Series #1
Rick Arnold - Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tourn
Amanda Nichols - Yamaha Contender Miami Billfish
Van Wicher - Palm Beach Sailfish Classic
Cleynor Ruiz - Presidential Challange of Costa Rica
Carlos Martinez - Miami Mayor’s Cup
Lainey Jones - BBC Central Abaco Championship
Mark Wodlinger - Ft. Lauderdale Billfish Tournament
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*The World Billfish Series reserves the right to make changes in the Schedule, including additions and deletions of events, at any time during the course
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 VIFGFC July Open, 7/14 - 7/17 A.H. Riise BVI Billfish Tournament, 7/19 - 7/23 Club Nautico Int’l Billfish Tourn. of San Juan, 8/11 – 8/16 USVI Open Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament, 8/13 - 8/17 Presidential Caribbean Cup, 9/12 - 9/14 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 El Salvador, 11/8 - 11/10 The Presidential Challenge of Guatemala, 11/21 - 11/23 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
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
OUR
SCHEDULE
of the year. Please visit our website at www.fishwbs.com for the most up to date tournament information.
JUNE 1 - 6 Treasure Cay, Bahamas BBC Treasure Cay Brenda Fletcher (954) 920-5577
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
JUNE 4 - 8 Biloxi, Mississippi Mississippi Gulf Coast Classic Bobby Carter (228) 436-7928
JULY 30 - AUGUST 3 South Padre Island, TX Texas Int’l Fishing Tournament (TIFT) Betty Wells (956) 943-8438
SEPTEMBER 12 - 14 La Guaira, Venezuela Presidential Caribbean Cup Joan Vernon (305) 361-9258
JUNE 10 - 13 Marsh Harbour, Bahamas Abaco Billfish Challenge Amy Withers (305) 934-0505
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 11 - 15 Venice, Louisiana New Orleans Invt’l Billfish Tourn. Gino Rendeiro (504) 529-5100
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 15 - 20 Boat Harbour, Bahamas BBC Boat Harbour Championship Brenda Fletcher (954) 920-5577
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 24 - 29 Sandestin, Florida Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic Shawna Meisner (866) 505-4458
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 25 - 28 Charleston, South Carolina Charleston Harbor Billfish Tourn. Deidre Menefee (843) 345-0369
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
JULY 3 - 6 Pensacola, Florida Pensacola Int’l Billfish Tourn. Greg Whibbs (850) 433-7671
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 9 - 12 Charleston, South Carolina HMY-Viking Megadock Billfishing Tourn. K.C. Rennie (843) 278-4914
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 - 13 Panama City, Florida Bay Point Billfish Invt’l Scott Burt (850) 235-6911
AUGUST 15 - 17 Islamorada, Florida Islamorada Swordfish Tourn. Richard Peeples III (305) 282-1006
NOVEMBER 8 - 10 Bahia Del Sol, El Salvador Presidential Challenge of El Salvador Joan Vernon (305) 361-9258
JULY 14 - 17 St. Thomas, Virgin Islands VIGFC July Open Jeff Kreiner (404) 580-4126
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