Boat Division 2008 Viking
335
Hatteras
96
Contender
59
Spencer
41
Cabo
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Motor Division 2008
President’s Cup Kona Blue Trophy by Geoffrey Smith www.geoffreysmith.com
Caterpillar
184
MTU/Detroit Diesel
122
MAN
98
Yamaha
44
Cummins
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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 fleet heads offshore prior to the start of the Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic at Sandestin. Photo courtesy of Sandestin® Golf and Beach Resort.Photographer Allison Yii.
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
Tournament Tales 18
Bahamas Billfish Championship Celebrating its 35th anniversary this season, the BBC continues to be one of billfishing’s most competitive events.
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Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic at Sandestin With the winners decided by less than one pound, this year’s tournament will go down in the record books.
Angler Profiles 35
Jeff Stafford
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Jeff Stingel
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Jimmy Taylor
Winners Wear Sebagos 44
The Top Anglers for 2008
Inside the WBS 47
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
BILLFISHING
M E S S A G E
It’s interesting to reflect on how much modern communications have changed the sport of billfishing. Less than a decade ago, it might take days or even weeks for fishing reports or tournament results from exotic destinations to filter through that well-worn network of captains and owners that always seemed to be in the know back to the rest of us at home. Nowadays, word of big fish or tournament victories literally spreads faster than wildfire, from the most remote dock in the Azores or the Abacos to the desktop or cellphone of anyone that will listen. This really hit home when a good friend of mine living on North Carolina’s Outer Banks called me excitedly one afternoon to let me know that the Sweetums had just weighed in a near-grander blue marlin during the Treasure Cay leg of the Bahamas Billfish Championship. Within less than an hour of that fish hitting the leaderboard, word had spread from Great Abaco to Cape Hatteras to St. Petersburg, and well beyond I’m sure. Another participant in the BBC called a few days later to get an update on his standing in the Caribbean Division. I could hear the unmistakable thrumming of big diesels in the background, so I asked, “Where the heck are you?” Turns out he was calling from the boat’s sat phone on the way back to Florida from Marsh Harbour, literally in the middle of the Gulf Stream. Sat phones, email, GPS—what would Christopher Columbus think of all this? Congratulations to Thomas Russell and the Cerveza team, winning a real down-tothe-wire Bahamas Billfish Championship this year. The scores were dead even at the end of the five-tournament series so the overall winner was actually determined by the time of release. A matter of a few hours had decided the overall victor for the second time in four years—that’s tough competition. Speaking of tough competition, next on the horizon is the infamous Mid-Atlantic swing: Pirate’s Cove, the White Marlin Open, the Mid-Atlantic $500,000 and many others that highlight the season from the Carolinas to New Jersey. Enjoy the rest of the summer on the WBS World Tour, see you on the docks.
®
The Official Monthly Publication of the WBS Volume 8 No. 7, July 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
Sam White World Billfish Series PS: Just heard that Cerveza has won the Charleston Harbor Billfish Tournament. By text-message. Gotta love the modern version of the “coconut telegraph.”
Upcoming Events August 11 - 15 Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tourn.
August 11 - 16 San Juan Int’l Billfish Tourn. August 15 - 17 Islamorada Swordfish Tourn. August 15 - 18 Old Salt Loop Tournament August 17 - 22 Mid-Atlantic $500,000 September 12 - 14 Miami Swordfish Tournament
Special Contributors Bailey Bobbitt
Marty Locke
David A. Brown
Heather Maxwell
Jacqueline Caspari
Kitty McGowan
Peter Caspari
Jim Niemiec
Laurie Ciecierski
Bruce Paul
Bart K. Davis
John E. Phillips
Capt. Rob Ellyn
Walt Rhodes
Brenda Fletcher
Capt. Jim Sharpe
Rick Gaffney
Tom Twyford
Greg Gawlikoski
Capt. Joan Vernon
Scott Kerrigan
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.
September 12 - 14 Presidential Caribbean Cup
Order the WBS Tournament Calendar at www.FishWBS.com. Billfishing Magazine
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I N D U S T R Y
NMMA ACTION ALERT
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he Clean Boating Act of 2008 (S. 2766/H.R. 5949) is a strong, bipartisan bill that emerged out of a consensus process in order to prevent the unnecessary and unprecedented Environmental Protection Agency and individual state permitting of America’s recreational boats for their incidental overboard water discharges. If the bill is not passed quickly, recreational vessels will be swept up in a federal and state permitting regime for their weather run-off, bilge water, engine cooling water, and other incidental water discharges. Penalties for non-compliance are up to $32,500 per day per violation. The bill was recently brought up in the Senate on an expedited voting procedure known as a Unanimous Consent Agreement. Unfortunately, one Senator objected to the bill, proposing instead that the legislation be expanded to include some commercial vessels. Under the Senate rules, this single objection has prevented the bill from immediately moving forward. Because commercial advocates and interest groups are actively opposing the Clean Boating Act even if doing so means that there will be no legislative relief for anyone, NMMA has issued this Action Alert. NMMA is sympathetic to the concerns of the commercial vessel industry, but relief for recreational vessels can and should be achieved now. Senators and especially the 39 co-sponsors of the Clean Boating Act need to hear from boaters today, and they need to know that failure to pass the Clean Boating Act will not go unnoticed by America’s 18 million recreational boat owners and the hundreds of thousands of marine industry employees nationwide. For more information, please visit www.BoatBlue.org.
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SEINER THREATENS COSTA RICAN FLEET
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n a series of events that can only be described as bizarre, several sportfishing boats and their crews fishing off Quepos, Los Sueños and Cabo Blanco in Costa Rica were recently harassed by a large commercial tuna purse seiner. Saturday, June 21, dawned like most other days in this idyllic Central American paradise. As this is considered the off season for billfish, most boats had switched their focus to fishing for yellowfin tuna. By midday, a small group of seven charter boats had located feeding tuna and were well into a hot bite when a small helicopter appeared overhead, intentionally buzzing the fleet at low altitude. Within minutes, the commercial tuna seiner Andrea F appeared on the horizon, charging in at full speed. The vessel set its net in a wide arc around the fleet, intentionally encircling them, while its helicopter dropped small explosive charges. The incident lasted more than an hour, during which time the seven boats were
harassed and threatened by the netters. Reports of a similar event were heard on the following day as well. WBS member Larry Drivon of Maverick Sportfishing Yachts contacted TBF Chair Joan Vernon and Dr. Russell Nelson, informing them of the series of incidents and supplying several videotapes and photos taken during the June 21 incident. Coincidentally, Nelson and TBF’s Central American conservation director Herbert Nanne were in Panama attending the InterAmerican Tropical Tuna Commission meeting and were able to immediately bring the matter to the attention of Carlos Villalobos, the head of Costa Rica’s fisheries agency INCOPESCA. Upon viewing the tapes, Villalobos acted quickly and decisively, ordering an immediate formal government investigation of these potentially criminal acts. He vowed that this type of incident would not be tolerated in Costa Rica.
COSTA DEL MAR UNVEILS NEW LENS FOR 25TH ANNIVERSARY
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ishermen created the first pair of Costa Del Mar polarized sunglasses in 1983 with one goal in mind: to create the best sunglasses on the planet that would help them see fish faster, and feel comfortable at the same time. Twenty-five years later, Costa Del Mar continues to handcraft the best sunglasses in the world for anglers and adventurers alike.
Over the past quarter-century, Costa has evolved its sunglass collection to build upon its revolutionary polarized lens technology. The revolutionary Costa 580 lens is a perfect example—it blocks yellow light from entering the eye, cutting glare and greatly reducing eye fatigue while raising other colors, radiant reds, vivid greens and
crystal blues, to extraordinary levels, providing unmatched definition and color saturation. Until now, the 580 lens color options included grey, copper, blue mirror and green mirror. But this summer, in honor of Costa’s silver anniversary, the company will debut its latest technological evolution: the silver mirror 580 lens. Launching at the ICAST show in Las Vegas in July, the Costa Del Mar silver lens will redefine the way anglers find fish. Built on a copper-based lens, the silver mirror technology is built to accommodate lower light conditions, ideal for fishing, hiking, climbing or any other adventure that takes you through variable light conditions. The silver mirror lens will be available in all of Costa Del Mar’s comfortable and stylish sunglass frames. For more information, please visit www.costadelmar.com.
I N D U S T R Y
N E W S
UNITED STATES TOUGHENS STANCE ON SHARK FINNING
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he National Marine Fisheries Service recently implemented strong conservation measures for severely depleted coastal sharks in the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Stock assessments conducted in 2006 revealed that several species, including the sandbar, porbeagle and dusky shark populations have been severely overfished and that timeframes to rebuild these stocks were projected at 66, 100 and 400 years respectively. Thanks to numerous comments filed last winter by conservation and fishing groups, including the National Coalition for Marine Conservation and its members, a tough program to protect and restore these species is now in place. Sandbar sharks are a popular target for commercial fisheries because their dorsal fins command high prices in the shark fin trade. Dusky sharks, which have been a prohibited species since 1998, are often
caught as bycatch on bottom longlines set for sandbars, negating rebuilding efforts. The new regulations, known as Amendment 2 to the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan, will impose a dramatic 80 percent cut in the commercial quota for sandbar sharks and all sandbars must be landed as part of a research program limited to five to 10 vessels carrying observers at all times. The porbeagle catch has also been cut to a fraction of previous levels, with the majority of the quota allocated to the recreational fishery. The drastic cuts in allowable shark landings would mean little if these regulations could not be properly enforced. For this reason, the most significant change in Amendment 2 is a new requirement that all sharks be landed with fins naturally attached. The fins-on measure will facilitate identification of sharks at the dock and dealer, improve data collection and
stock assessments, and will greatly aid authorities in enforcing the U.S. ban on shark finning. Previous rules permitted fins to be removed from the carcass before landing as long as they fit a fins-tocarcass ratio that was imprecise and open to abuse. While Amendment 2 only applies to Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico shark fisheries, the fins-on measure likely influenced a recent amendment to the Shark Conservation Act, which if passed by Congress, will require fins to be attached to all sharks landed in the United States and its territories. The amendment was introduced by Congressman Faleomavaega (D-American Samoa) and approved by the House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee on June 11. The Act has now moved to the Senate. For more information, please visit www.savethefish.org website.
BERTRAM YACHT JOINS FORCES WITH VIDEORAY
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n a quest to offer owners advanced technology unprecedented in the sportfishing industry, Bertram Yacht recently announced a new exclusive partnership with VideoRay LLC, makers of the most popular commercially available remotely operated vehicle. Beginning in May 2008, the VideoRay will be available to all Bertram owners through the Bertram website and will also be offered as a pre-wired option on new Bertram yachts. VideoRays are the smallest, lightest, fastest, and most easily deployed remotely operated vehicles, capturing the finest quality video underwater. They offer the best capabilities required by owners, crew, and guests for inspection, safety, portability and usability. With a variety of uses, the VideoRay appeals to both the cruising customer and hard-core fisherman alike. After investigating the state of the art products in this industry, Bertram identified VideoRay as an essential tool for the overall yachting experience. Weighing only eight pounds, the VideoRay is easily deployed overboard and can be operated by a single person with a simple remote
control from either the comfort of their salon, the docks or even from land. Once deployed, the ROV captures live video that is transferred over to the high-definition television screen located on each Bertram yacht. It is designed to capture any underwater study including an exciting day of diving or a quick overall hull inspection that is extremely useful in checking the condition of a boat’s props, rudders or anchor placement. Various models are available with depth ratings from 500 up to 1000 feet. A grabber arm is available to recover items on the seafloor–dropped sunglasses, keys, tools, or ancient treasures recently uncovered in Caribbean ports.
Shortly after the partnership was introduced, VideoRay was present at the Bertram-Hatteras Shootout XXIX
Tournament. The units caused quite a stir, as every Bertram tournament guest was given the opportunity to test the ROV around their vessels. Once each team of fishermen got a chance to experience VideoRay capabilities and value, they instantly found a use for it. On the second day of fishing, groups of fishing crews and their captains insisted that their hulls be inspected by the VideoRay and continued requesting to use it as a tool during the tournament. After a quick inspection underneath their yachts, they were ready for the competition. As pioneers in the yacht building industry, Bertram Yacht strives to maintain the tradition of building the highest quality sportfishing yachts in the world and offer the latest, ground breaking technologies to its customers to keep Bertram at the forefront of technology in the marine industry. Bringing the VideoRay to its customers is another measure that is being taken at the Bertram factory to equip Bertram yachts with the finest technology that the industry has to offer. For more information, please visit www.bertram.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! 1
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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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caught on tour the place to see your face 22
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Congratulations to our most recent contest winners: Samantha Fink — Miami, FL Peter Franklin — Houma, LA Dennis Black — Appollo Beach, FL
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29 “Caught On WBS Tour” Contest The WBS Anglers Club member who correctly identifies the most people on pages 12, 13 and 15 by August 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 15
Bahamas Billfish Challenge Recap www.bahamasbillfish.com
It’ s Better In The Bahamas Introduction by Sam White
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he islands of the Bahamas offer a little something for everyone. Whether it’s a blue marlin the size of a Greyhound bus airing it out over the 1,000-fathom curve, a bonefish in four inches of water on the flats or anything in between, anglers have their bases covered here. Divers and snorkelers will find miles of coral reefs loaded with tropical fish of every description and color, plus plenty of conch and lobster. And if you don’t feel like doing anything at all, that’s fine too. The simple pleasure of stringing up a hammock between two palm trees and relaxing in the shade on a sandy beach is often overlooked but let’s face it, that’s half the fun of being on island time. It’s that spirit that originally drew anglers to these waters. Sure the billfishing was excellent, but it was the laid-back way of life that magnetically pulled sportfishing enthusiasts from their hectic lives to spend time in the islands. As the fishing gained in notoriety, the 18
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Bahamas became a highlight destination for the spring for more and more boats, traveling from as far away as New York and Texas. This season marked the 35th anniversary of the Bahamas Billfish Championship, making it the oldest continually-running billfish series found anywhere in the world. And as with anything else blessed with such tenure, the faces change, the destinations come and go, but some things remain remarkably the same. While the competition on the water is as fierce as anywhere in the world of sportfishing, back ashore things change quite dramatically. The dockside camaraderie found in the BBC is unlike anywhere else—it’s more like an annual reunion of sorts, where friendships are rekindled and newcomers are welcomed with a firm handshake and more often than not a rum punch or cold Kalik beer and a plate of conch fritters. It’s that spirit that keeps anglers coming back to these islands year after year. It really is better in the Bahamas.
LEG ONE: CENTRAL ABACO CHAMPIONSHIP The 35th anniversary kicked off with a bang at Treasure Cay Resort and Marina, home of the Central Abaco Championship. While somewhat off the beaten path, the Abacos are home to some of the best billfishing in the islands, and Treasure is the perfect hotspot from which to start another great season in the BBC. In addition to all the amenities offered by the full-service 150-slip marina, the Dick Wilson-designed 18-hole golf course also saw a fair bit of action during the tournament’s mandatory Wednesday lay day. A pristine white-sand beach rounds out the Treasure experience. Despite high winds and an unexpected April cold front, the fleet of 35 teams gathered in anticipation of great fishing and another season of outstanding competition. From the very outset, Lainey Jones and the Metarie, Louisiana-based Mama Who team jumped into the lead. They released the first marlin of the 2008 BBC season and rarely looked back. On the second day, Jones released a white marlin but slipped
to second place when Sue Clements managed two blue marlin releases aboard the Liquid Gold from Gulfport, Florida. Lainey and the Mama Who regained the lead on the third day of fishing with yet another blue marlin release, then went on to record their third blue marlin release in the closing moments of the event. With three blue marlin and one white marlin, all released, the Mama Who finished first with 2,000 points. Clements and the Liquid Gold team hung on tenaciously to second place with 1,200 points and a pair of blues released. Let this be a lesson for those who consider marlin fishing a game for men only— these ladies certainly showed they have the angling ability and sheer grit necessary to prove that this is certainly not the case. With the rest of the fleet knotted up at 1,200 points, it was Trey Brown’s The Edge team from Dallas, Texas that would come out in third based on their time of release. As with all BBC tournaments, all catches are validated using time- and date-stamped digital images. Affidavits signed by all participants fishing on each team further confirms that the fish was released in accordance with IGFA and BBC rules.
LEG ONE: CENTRAL ABACO CHAMPIONSHIP
n s Scenic Photos provided by Bahama’s Image Bank
The Mama Who team, victorious in Leg One, Central Abaco Challenge.
Susan Clements and the Liquid Gold team won second place in the event.
The Edge took home third place. Billfishing Magazine
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For their top spot, the Mama Who team received a Bodo Muche bronze trophy presented by sponsor Wave WiFi. They were also the Top Release Team, taking home a Randy Buck original bronze as well as a Walker Fuelsep package from Walker Engineering and gift certificates from Roffer’s Ocean Fishing Forecast and BoatMat. The title sponsor, Rolex, will award a Rolex Submariner to the overall series winner at the conclusion of the season. Wave WiFi was the principal sponsor for the Central Abaco Championship. In addition to presenting trophies to the winners, Wave WiFi hosted several social functions during the week including the always-popular Tabasco Recipe Contest and Cajun Awards Dinner prepared by Tabasco hospitality chefs Lionel and Peggy
Robin from Henderson, Louisiana. By the way, first place in the recipe contest went to Heather Rintoul from the Domarlo—her venison creation won her a Majestic LCD TV from Majestic Global. The BBC tournaments operate under a standard set of rules for all five series events to ensure uniformity for the teams that travel to fish multiple tournaments. There’s also a steering committee comprised of longtime BBC anglers that offers input each season on destinations, rule changes and more, which means that there’s an ever-evolving dedication to improvement from within the tournament ranks. In addition to providing a competitive and fun platform to showcase the billfishing in the Bahamas, the BBC also has two endowed scholarship funds that allow Bahamian students the opportunity to pursue degrees in marine biology or advanced education in the marine manufacturing and service industries. These scholarships are funded by the tournaments as well as private donations from the anglers, sponsors and others. For the tournament there were 24 blue marlin, seven white marlin and three sailfish released by the fleet.
LEG TWO: MARSH HARBOUR CHAMPIONSHIP Barry Weshnak and the Miss Annie, winners in Marsh Harbour.
Bobby Shepard’s Loose Crew team finished in second.
For the second leg of the 2008 BBC series, the fleet moved over to Marsh Harbour and the Abaco Beach Resort and Boat Harbour Marina. This is undoubtedly one of the finest fishing destinations in the Abacos, with a short run to productive waters and a world-class marina and resort once back ashore. In the prime months, it’s difficult to find available dockage, proving just how popular the resort and marina have become in the world of bluewater sportfishing. After drawing a zero on the first day of fishing, the Miss Annie team got on the leaderboard on Day Two with a blue marlin release, then added another blue and a sailfish on the third day of competition. They were in the running but still had some work to do if they wanted to emerge victorious. However, in tournament billfishing it’s not over until the last minute winds down on the last day of fishing, and this was definitely the case here. Barry Weshnak, a BBC veteran, showed that his Miss Annie team had the skill to do the job, releasing five white marlin on the final day of competition to vault them into the lead. The team from Allenwood, New Jersey would take the gold at Marsh Harbour. Weshnak’s team, which finished third overall in the 2007 BBC, narrowly edged out Bobby Shepard’s Loose Crew by a margin of just 200 points. The Jacksonville, Florida-based Loose Crew had a productive week for themselves, releasing three blue marlin, one white marlin and one sailfish. All of the Loose Crew’s billfish were caught by angler Laura Beth Hannah who had the time of her life competing in her very first billfish tournament. Once again, Lady Luck smiled on the lady anglers. Third place honors went to another BBC vet, Thomas Russell’s Cerveza. Russell’s team caught a pair of blue marlin and added a pair of white marlin during the tournament, hosted by the Abaco Beach Resort and Boat Harbour Marina.
The Cerveza team came back to win third place in Marsh Harbour.
For the tournament, there were 79 billfish released: 30 blue marlin, 33 white marlin, 15 sailfish and one spearfish.
Billfishing Magazine
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of blue marlin releases. The team sealed the win with another blue and a sailfish on the fourth and final day of fishing to add 1,900 points to their side of the ledger. Even more importantly, they had moved back into contention for the overall series title. Another team riding a wave of emotion coming into Leg Three was Bobby Shepard’s Loose Crew, a second place finisher in Marsh Harbour. Once again, they put angler Laura Beth Hannah to work in the chair. In just her second tournament, Hannah managed to catch every billfish for the team, who once again found second place with 1,648 points. With a strong, consistent performance to date, the Loose Crew was also firmly in the hunt for a series title and a new Rolex Submariner. LEG THREE: HARBOUR ISLAND CHAMPIONSHIP Rated as one of the best beaches in the Bahamas, Harbour Island is famous for its three and a half miles of hard-packed pink sand perfection surrounded by crystalline ocean waters, excellent surroundings for a variety of watersports. The snorkeling is first-rate as the waters are protected by the outlying coral reefs and the visibility is usually excellent. Once the capital of the Bahamas and home to the second largest city in the islands in the 1900s, the current population is estimated at between 1,500 and 2,000 year-round Bahamian residents. It’s approximately 200 miles from Miami but just two miles east of the island of Eleuthera. It’s also home to the third leg of the Bahamas Billfish Championship.
Bac In Five team took home third place.
Another New Jersey-based team, Michael Mitrow’s Bac in Five, landed themselves in third with two blue marlin, one white marlin and one sailfish, all released, for a total of 1,500 points. For the tournament there were a total of 37 billfish produced by the fleet: 20 blue marlin, 11 white marlin and six sailfish. LEG FOUR: TREASURE CAY CHAMPIONSHIP
The Cerveza team emerged victorious in Harbour Island. Riding an emotional high from their third place finish in Leg Two of the 2008 BBC season, Thomas Russell and the Cerveza had momentum and mojo on their side going into Harbour Island. Confident they could improve on their standings in the series, Russell and his team fished hard for the first two days but returned to port with little to show for their efforts. While the rest of the fleet had released 16 billfish, Cerveza was goose-egged. But they had been in this situation before and knew their fortunes could change just as easily as the wind direction, so after regrouping on the mandatory lay day, they set to sea on the third day of fishing with a renewed energy. Sure enough, the magic returned and they leapt to the top of the leaderboard with a pair
Which Way, led by Robert Southard Sr, took home the gold at Treasure Cay. The fourth leg of the BBC is a horse race, where the pack rounds the third turn and heads for home. It’s not uncommon for someone to make a strong move from the middle of the fleet. Something exciting was bound to happen as the boats moved back over to Treasure Cay, by now as comfortable as a pair of fuzzy slippers to these owners, captains and crews. The excitement was palpable, nearly electric on the docks. Forty-four teams appeared to challenge the deep blue sea, among them two newcomers to the 2008 series: Robert Southard’s Which Way from Hallandale Beach, Florida and Carlos Palomares’ Alegria from Coral Gables, Florida. It didn’t take long for each to make their presence known.
Bobby Shepard’s Loose Crew followed up on their second place finish with another in Harbour Island.
Which Way started the tournament by releasing a blue marlin and a sailfish on the first day, a great start in any Bahamian tournament. After an uneventful second day, Southard’s team came back with a vengeance on the third day of fishing with another blue, sealing the Billfishing Magazine
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deal with a third blue marlin release on the final day of competition to finish with 1,900 points. Amazingly, it was their smallest billfish, their 100-point sailfish, that determined their margin of victory. It was enough to give them a clear advantage in points over Bill Gardner’s Our Dream, a team based out of Hartford, Wisconsin.
Despite all the action on the water among the top-running teams, it would be David Disiere’s Sweetums that would send shivers through the fleet. With Capt. Todd Astles at the helm and angler Bradford Harris in the chair, the team hooked up to a monstrous blue marlin around mid-morning. Everyone anxiously awaited the outcome of the battle, knowing this could be one of those gargantuan sea monsters that legends are made and stories told for many years to come. Over eight hours later, the beast was finally subdued and brought to the scales, where it weighed 904 pounds. The trophy for the largest fish of the 2008 BBC series was all but won for the Sweetums team. For the tournament there were a total of 52 billfish produced: 41 blue marlin, nine white marlin and two sailfish.
LEG FIVE: BOAT HARBOUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Our Dream finished in second place. Gardner’s Our Dream nearly pulled off the dream victory, releasing a blue marlin each day of fishing except for the last—they were the first of four teams to reach the 1,800 point mark and were awarded second place based on time. Palomares and the Alegria team were next in line at the 1,800 point plateau and took home the trophy for third place. Falling just short of the mark were George Lorton’s Therapy and Jim Davis’ Wave Paver.
After winning the Marsh Harbour Championship, the second leg of the five-tournament series, Barry Weshnak’s Miss Annie went into the final tournament at Boat Harbour in fourth place overall. A strong finish would be required if the team hoped to outstrip the frontrunners. Showing they had what it took to be a BBC champion, Weshnak and company led the 48-boat fleet after the first two days of fishing with three blue marlin and one white marlin, all released, and 2,000 points. As fishing started on the third day, both the Reel Estate and Perfect Season were challenging their lead with 1,200 points each. One blue marlin release for either would push them right up there. However, over the next two days neither Miss Annie, Reel Estate nor Perfect Season were able to add to their point totals although four additional boats also released blue marlin to join the 1,200-point club. Miss Annie’s early lead would be enough to hold on for victory. In instances such as this where teams finish tied in points, the deciding factor is the time of release: the team to gain their point total first breaks the tie. In this case, Robert Harrell and the Reel Estate team would find second while Ray Huizenga’s Perfect Season would have to settle for third.
Alegria won third place at Treasure Cay.
For the week, a total of 40 billfish were recorded: 29 blue marlin, nine white marlin and two sailfish.
THE 2008 BBC SEASON WRAP-UP
6,478 points and finishing in second place in both the Marsh Harbour and Harbour Island Championship events.
After four of the five BBC tournaments, the overall championship title was within reach of no less than eight of the 91 participating teams. Foremost among them was Tom Russell’s Cerveza. With a win at the Harbour Island Championship and a third place during the Marsh Harbour event, the Reston, Virginia-based team was in the lead going into the final tournament.
Another nail-biting, whirlwind year of marlin fishing had finally come to an end with the awards celebration in Boat Harbour. But just as certain as the sun rising in the east, it’s a safe bet that the fleet will return yet again in 2009 to celebrate the 36th anniversary of the Bahamas Billfish Championship.
However, the Miss Annie was right there in the end, literally trading blue marlin releases at Boat Harbour with the Cerveza. When the final scores were carefully tabulated following the lines out call for the season, it was determined that both teams were knotted up at 7,600 points. The last time this happened was in 2005, when Allen Bir’s Perfect Parts tied Cerveza with 7,400 points. That time, the tiebreaker based on time of release went to Bir and Perfect Parts. This time, the Cerveza emerged victorious, with the Miss Annie falling just short by a matter of hours. For the series championship, Tom Russell was the proud new owner of a Rolex Submariner courtesy of the series title sponsor, Rolex. In addition to winning the title of BBC Champion, Russell’s team was also the Top Release Team for the 2008 season. Finishing in third place overall was Bobby Shepard’s Loose Crew, amassing
After winning runner-up honors in 2005, Thomas Russell’s Cerveza team came out on top this year to be crowned the 2008 Bahamas Billfish Champions. Billfishing Magazine
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Photo courtesy of Sandestin速 Golf and Beach Resort. Photographer Allison Yii.
Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic at Sandestin Sandestin, FL www.fishecbc.com
Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic
T
he Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, located on the Florida Panhandle, is undoubtedly one of the finest resorts of its kind anywhere in the world. It’s a superb location to host a world-class billfish tournament and is a prime reason for the success of the Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic at Sandestin.
Visitors to this stretch of Florida are astounded by the powdery white sand beaches, the wide variety of dining and nightlife options and the multitude of leisure activities that are available—it’s sensory overload at its finest. The best part, though, is that all this and much more (including PGA-level golf) can be found within the self-contained resort complex that is Sandestin. Situated between the cities of Destin just eight miles east and Panama City Beach to the west, Sandestin offers 1,800 accommodations and vacation rentals that are grouped into five different areas of the resort: Beachfront, Beachside, Village, Bayside and Dockside. Each enjoys a different locale that’s unique with pricing options to match any style and budget. Sandestin also has one-of-a-kind dining, shopping and entertainment choices that are an integral part of their world-class vacation offerings. From The Village of Baytowne Wharf and The Market Shops at Sandestin to the Silver Sands Factory Stores, the possibilities are truly endless. With the full support of an amazing shoreside resort such as this, it’s no wonder that the accompanying tournament has been an overwhelming success since its inception in 2003. That year, 45 teams signed up for the inaugural event, competing for just over $370,000 in cash. By
t e e w S n i t s e Sand est By Eric W
2007, the tournament entries peaked at 84, filling up nearly every available slip at the resort marina with some of the finest boats in the world of sportfishing. This year, 79 teams tossed their names in the hat, just five fewer than the tournament’s all-time highest number of entries and the second-highest number of participants since the event’s inception. Take that one, high gas prices! Another astonishing statistic from this year’s event was the total purse: even with five fewer boats than last year, the total purse topped $1,536,000, making the Emerald Coast Classic the richest event on the WBS Gulf Coast swing. It’s no wonder that top tournament sponsors like Viking Yachts and Galati Yacht Sales have a strong presence at Sandestin. Heading into the sixth annual tournament, the weather forecast was nearly perfect, the registrations went smoothly and it was clear that
everyone was ready to get out and
Above: Every slip was filled at this resort marina. Left: The fleet departs for this exciting event.
Billfishing Magazine
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Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic fish. No one would have predicted the close finish that would be in store for the participants by the end of the long weekend. The tournament format features the registration party followed by nearly a full day of rest and relaxation at the resort, allowing the owners, captains and crews to really enjoy the festivities without having to jump aboard for the long run to the fishing grounds immediately following the kick-off party—it’s an idea that seems to work well and is popular with the participants. Once offshore, despite ideal conditions, the billfish bite was a bit on the slow side compared with previous years. The top release team would have their names engraved on the Magnificent Blue Perpetual Trophy, a beautiful bronze of a leaping blue marlin that’s displayed in the lobby of the Sandestin Grand Hotel throughout the year. For 2008, that honor would go to the team aboard the Honey for their releases on one blue marlin and two white marlin during the tournament, good for 800 points and Top Release Team honors. Wayne Lewis captained the Bella Maria into second in the release category with a tournament grand slam: one blue, one white and one sailfish for 775 points, while the Quick Time finished third on time with 600 points (one blue marlin and one white marlin release). But the big story would be in the quest for the largest blue marlin of the tournament and a lion’s share of that $1.5 million dollar purse. First up would be the Movable Feast. Angler Jay Howard had subdued a blue that taped out at 103 inches even. At the scales, the big blue weighed an impressive 405.4 pounds. Keep that figure in
Once the winning weights were announced, the Up To It team broke into celebrations—they would be the top blue marlin team in this year’s tournament. mind because it’s going to be important! Next up would be WBS veteran angler Joel Broussard, fishing aboard the C-Ya. Tournament followers may recognize those names as top finishers in several Gulf Coast tournaments in recent years, so if there’s a big blue in the neighborhood, these guys know how to get the job done. Their fish was three inches longer than the previous one weighed by Movable Feast, and so it wasn’t too surprising when it pulled the scale down to 406.2 pounds, putting them in the lead for the time being.
master measured their fish and came up with 106.5 inches. Just a half-inch larger than the previous blue, but would it be enough to overtake them for the lead? Veteran weighmaster Paul Pristas verified the digital readout once the fish had settled on the scales: 406.3 pounds. The Up To It had won the tournament by just onetenth of a pound, an incredibly small margin but enough to put them over the top. Almost anticlimactically, the team also finished first in the tuna division with a 145.1pound yellowfin to net over $437,000 in prize money.
Their lead would be short-lived though. The final boat to weigh a blue marlin would be the Up To It, captained by Jeremy Miles. Angler Dave Perry knew it would be close, too close to call, when the weigh-
For the tournament, three blue marlin were weighed in while 35 billfish were released: 15 blue marlin, 15 white marlin and five sailfish.
Charitable Contributions As in previous years, the Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic hosts creative programs and events to benefit worthy local and national organizations. The Billfish Foundation and Harvest House have been the two charities named since the ECBC’s inception. This year, The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast joins the list of benefactors. All of the meatfish weighed in were donated to Harvest House, located in Destin. Harvest House is a Christian-based organization that reaches out to those in the community who have fallen on hard times by providing food, clothing and household items along with financial assistance for prescriptions and utilities, counseling and prayer. The Harvest House, which is more than 20 years old, serves nearly 500 clients each year with the purpose of reaching out with compassion and hope without compromising
dignity. Harvest House provides meals for roughly 30 to 50 families weekly. Local churches, businesses and residents in the Destin community provide most of the donated items and food. According to Jerry Ogle, founder and board member, Harvest House receives $10,000 to $12,000 each year from the ECBC tournament’s gamefish. “The proceeds from The Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic are a big part of our operating budget; we really depend on this to carry out our mission to provide food, clothing and, later, shelter to those in need.” According to Ogle, Harvest House is close to providing the third part of their vision, shelter, with the anticipated summer opening of Hosanna House. The house will act as a temporary residence to as many as 16 abused women, offering not only safe shelter, but also job- and life-skills programs. Billfishing Magazine
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Jeff Stafford Profile Tournament Awards 2007 1st Place: Los Sueños Signature Series Leg One, Costa Rica 1st Place: Los Sueños Signature Series Overall Champion Team, Costa Rica 2003 1st Place: Kona Classic, Hawaii 3rd Place: Big Island Marlin Tournament, Hawaii Favorite Billfishing Location: “Anywhere they’re biting, but especially Los Sueños, Costa Rica. The proximity to the fertile grounds anywhere from Playa Carrillo down to Quepos pretty much ensures that you are going to get multiple shots at sailfish as well as more than a fair chance at blue, black and striped marlin. Combine these opportunities with the experience of guys like Capt. John Lagrone who are more than willing to share their vast wealth of billfishing knowledge and it’s a tough place to beat for an experienced angler as well as a beginner. I cut my teeth on circle hooks there with the assistance of guys like Lagrone, Tony Carrizosa and Dennis Ward and will be forever thankful to them for their assistance as well as the many nights spent in The Hook Up listening to their stories.” Favorite “Fun Fishing” Location: “Cabo San Lucas. It’s very accessible from the West Coast and has multiple species of ‘flag fish’ plus plenty of crazy nightlife and activities for the rest of the family. Jeffro and Cabo go together like tequila and limes!”
I
started fishing in tournaments in 2003 after fun fishing around the world with various captains and crews. I had always enjoyed the camaraderie among the crews and I saw the tournaments as a healthy form of competition as well as a way to see where I stood against the teams that I had previously only read about in magazines. With the guidance of some of the sport’s best captains and crews, I have become a much more proficient angler and find myself getting yelled at a lot less often by the sometimes excitable captains. Having the opportunity to fish against the best teams and crews is really great but the best part of the tournament scene has to be getting to meet so many great people who are all very passionate about billfishing.”
Other Interests: “Coaching Little League baseball and a club/tournament baseball team, golfing, traveling with my family and thinking about fishing. Jeffro has been known to start a party or two.” Occupation: “Electrical contractor in Las Vegas, Sacramento and Reno with my brother and father.” Favorite Fish Story: “I have quite a few, some of which are better left untold, but there is nothing quite as fun as helping someone catch their first fish on the ocean. The sheer joy and happiness just can’t be matched. To know that the sportfishing community has gained another member after each of these times is truly rewarding.”
“My first day on the water in 2006 out of Los Sueños, I caught a personal grand slam with the first three billfish: a striped marlin, a blue marlin and a sailfish. What a great way to start the season! Also, catching 60 striped marlin at Mag Bay will be a trip that I will remember for a long time as well.” “As a somewhat newcomer on the tournament scene, five years now, I find it beneficial to surround myself with the top crews in any location and to really listen and observe the way they do things. Learning the ropes from guys like Butch Chee, Jeff Fay and Dennis Cintas on big fish and having John Lagrone as my mentor when it comes to all things fishing has put me ahead of most anglers with my time spent on the water. My alter-ego, Jeffro, also makes sure there’s enough beer on the boat and that we are having maximum fun while we’re fishing.” Nothing like a good day of fishing to ease the stress of daily life! Billfishing Magazine
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Jeff Stingel Profile Tournament Awards 2007 3rd Place Team: Caicos Classic, Turks and Caicos 2005 3rd Place Team: Presidential Caribbean Cup, Venezuela Favorite Billfish Location: “For me the place to billfish is Venezuela. At a minimum there are three billfish species (blues, whites and sails) available to catch using dead bait, teasers and circle hooks. There’s also a good chance of adding a spearfish and a swordfish to the day’s catch. Favorite “Fun Fishing” Location: “Having grown up fishing in the Bahamas, I would have to choose this area for fun, especially when you get down to the southern end where the gamefish are usually bigger and more plentiful. There are usually just a few dull moments and if it is slow offshore then we move to bottom fishing and it’s a day-saver.” Other Interests: “Outside of my family I enjoy golf, more golf, deer and bird hunting, training my bird dog and did I mention golf?” Occupation: “Vice president of sales for Vertique, Inc., a company that specializes in warehousing and automation.”
I
grew up fishing off the coast of South Florida and throughout the Bahamas but never fished in any tournaments. It wasn’t until 2002 that I got started with tournament fishing and that was well after I had moved away from the water—go figure. Right now with my business schedule, my tournament participation is down to just a few every year. Unfortunately, living inland sometimes keeps you out of the loop and away from the local tournament scene, but I do enjoy it and hope to continue fishing in as many events as possible.”
Favorite Fish Story: “One that that stands out was when I was fishing on a center console with my wife and our two kids, both of whom were under the age of seven at the time. We hooked a nice 200-pound blue marlin plus some dolphin and wahoo. It was the first live billfish that any of them had seen. Besides that day, I remember all the times that my family went to the Bahamas and the great times we had fishing and diving together. Now it’s been my time with my own family to see their faces light up when they catch anything is simply priceless.”
“My most memorable day was truly about the one that got away. We were fishing in the Presidential Caribbean Cup out of Venezuela and were 100 points behind with 10 minutes to go. We hooked into a white marlin that would have been worth 200 points but five minutes later we lost it. I remember standing there wondering what could have been when Scotty, my teammate, came over and said, ‘Well, at least you have one hell of a story to tell your kids when you get home.’ Outside of that, I revert back to any day that I can get my kids out there to see what the wonderful world of fishing is all about.” “Tournament preparation for me has a few different parts. Because I travel to fish, I worry a lot about the communication with my teammates and with the captain and crew wherever we’re headed. To me it is critical to know what to expect from each other when you arrive. Luckily, I’ve fished with the same captains and crews on a regular basis so that helps a lot. When it comes to tackle I always pay close attention to having smooth drags, new line and leaders, the basics. This part is what my wife refers to as my addiction.”
Jeff, center, with a nice haul of big yellowfin tuna caught off Venezuela.
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Jimmy Taylor Profile
Tournament Awards 2008 2nd Place: Los Sueños Signature Series I, Costa Rica 2nd Place Overall: Los Sueños Signature Series, Costa Rica 2nd Place: Presidential Challenge, Costa Rica 2007 3rd Place Overall: Pres. Challenge of Central America 2006 Top Angler: Mississippi Gulf Coast Big Game Fishing Club Favorite Billfishing Location: “I really love Guatemala for the sheer numbers of sailfish but I also really like fishing in Costa Rica for the mixture of both marlin and sails. I also love the striped marlin fishing out of Cabo San Lucas.” Favorite “Fun Fishing” Location: “For fun, it’s hard to beat the Gulf of Mexico around the mouth of the Mississippi River. With all the oil rigs in the Gulf, you can target so many species on one trip, everything from blue marlin to tuna, wahoo and dolphin to red snapper and speckled trout.” Other Interests: “My family, food and college football.” Occupation: “Insurance agent for State Farm.”
I
started billfishing in 1976 on a company trip to Acapulco—I think the sailfish I caught actually caught me instead. I started tournament fishing about 15 years ago but never did that well until Lynda Wilson introduced me to Bill Easum and Joan Vernon. Both took me under their wings and I have learned more in the last four years than in the previous 28 years about billfishing. I fish anywhere from 12 to 20 tournaments a year.” “Without a doubt my best day on the water would be during the first leg of the Los Sueños Signature Series this year. I got a personal grand slam of a blue, black and striped marlin, all on 30-pound test. My partner Bill Easum also had a slam with a blue, stripe and sail, and Joan had a pair of sailfish. What a day—two angler slams and the boat had a super slam. We ended up finishing second in the tournament.”
Favorite Fish Story: “Two years ago fishing out of Los Sueños, I was taking pictures of Joan Vernon’s jumping sailfish. I was leaning against the flying bridge ladder when the fish jumped right alongside the boat, hit me in the chest with its bill and then went up inside my shirt, knocking my sunglasses off and grazing the side of my head with the bill. It wasn’t two weeks later that I was fighting a striped marlin off Cabo that jumped in the boat and put a two-inch hole in the cushion of the fighting chair that I was standing right next to.”
“When we’re getting ready to fish a tournament I think it’s vital to check and re-check everything. Just about every day of the year, we’re doing something to prepare for the next tournament. It could be as simple as re-rigging the lures to reading what other people are doing to be successful, then trying it on our prefish days.” “I think the future of the sport looks bright if we do several things. First, we should make fisheries decisions based on good science and common sense and not hidden political agendas. Second, we should continue to promote tag and release fishing. And finally, we should be bringing more young people into the sport.”
Jimmy and his teammates accept their second place check during the Los Sueños Signature Series this year.
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Dave Dickman - Silver Sailfish Derby
Lainey Jones - BBC Central Abaco Champ.
Rudy Polselli Jr. - Jupiter Billfish Tourn.
Barry Weshnak - BBC Boat Harbour Champ.
Mariano Da - Los Sueños Signature Series I
Tom Russell - BBC Harbour Island Champ.
Debbi David - The Sailfish Tournament
Drew Andrews - Los Cabos Billfish Classic
Mark McDevitt - Buccaneer Cup Sailfish Tourn.
Chace Nelson - MBGFC Memorial Day Tourn.
Rick Arnold - Cheeca Lodge Presidential
Greg Barber - Boat Harbour Billfish Blast
Van Wicher - Palm Beach Sailfish Classic
Robert Southard Sr. - BBC Treasure Cay Champ,
Carlos Martinez - Miami Mayor’s Cup
Matt Jackson - Mississippi Gulf Coast Classic
Mark Wodlinger - Ft. Lauderdale Billfish Tourn.
Luis Bacardi - Abaco Billfish Challenge
Peter Adrian - Capt. Bob Lewis Billfish Challenge
Boyd Mothe Jr. - New Orleans Invt’l Tournament
Edwin Bustos - Los Sueños Signature Series II
Barry Weshnak - BBC Boat Harbour Champ.
Amanda Nichols - Miami Billfish Tourn.
Dave Perry - Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic
Cleynor Ruiz - Pres. Challenge of Costa Rica
Douglas Miller - Charleston Harbor Billfish Tourn.
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.
46
www.FishWBS.com
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 For Saltwater Sportman, who enjoy finding interesting and unique Tees.
1826 Sally Hill Farms Blvd. Florence, SC 29501
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
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 chart plotting equipment.
12000 E. Skelly Dr. Tulsa, OK 74128-2486
Phone: 918-437-6881 www.lowrance.com
Marina Pez Vela Costa Rica’s newest full-service marina project.
International Sales 5349 SW Running Oak Circle Stuart, FL 34997
Contact: Glen Mumford Phone: 772-342-1240 www.marinapezvela.com
Mercury Marine Manufacturer of boat engines, propellers and racing products.
PO Box 1939 Fond du Lac, WI 54936
Phone: 920-929-5040 www.mercurymarine.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
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
Venture Marine Building the highest quality center console boats from 24 to 39 feet.
1800 Old Dixie Highway Riviera Beach, FL 33404
Contact: Rusty Kelley Phone: 800-960-3434 www.venturemarine.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
YachtPath Providing global yacht transpot services to the world’s most popular destinations.
2401 PGA Boulevard, Suite 155 Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
Krista Kersey Phone: 561-784-6700 www.yachtpath.com
Yamaha Motor Corp. Manufacturer of two- and four-stroke outboard engines.
1270 Chastain Rd. Kennesaw, GA 30144
Contact: Mike Dixon Phone: 770-420-5800 www.yamaha-motor.com
2008 WORLD TOUR STANDINGS
Boat Name Catch One 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
350 50 450 75 275 50 0 0 0 0 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 125 0 0 0 0 0 0
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
Sil v
er
Sa il
f is hD erb Jup y i To ter B ur ill na fis me h nt Bu cc Sa ane i lf i e r sh C Re up le a se We st Sa Pa i lf i lm sh B Cla eac ss h Fo ic rt Bil L a u l f i s de h T rda o u le rn am El en Pe t To sca ur do na B m e i ll nt fish Ne w Bil Sm lf i s y r h I na nv Be ita ac tio h na l
T R E A S U R E C O A ST D I V I S I O N
0 150 0 150 100 200 0 100 50 50 100 50 0 150 0 100 100 100 0 100 50 50 150 0
2275 1425 1300 1225 1025 850 825 800 775 725 650 625 600 600 575 575 575 575 575 575 550 550 525 500
Ha
hH
arb
ou r rb Bo ou a r I sl Bil t H an lfis arb d h B ou la s r BB t C Tre as ur eC Ab ay ac oB i l lfis BB hC C Ch Bo ha lle am at ng p i o Ha r e ns bo VI hip ur GF C Jul yO A.H pe To . R n ur iis na e BV m en I B Clu t i llf Bil b N i sh lf i s a u t Pr h To ico I Caesid urnant’l rib ent me be ia l nt an Cu p
575 650 1675 1450 175 0 700 525 450 525 0 0 125 200 0 0 450 300 0 0 450 0 0 700
BB
2700 900 0 0 1700 900 1700 0 900 0 2150 1700 0 900 0 0 0 0 1250 900 0 0 0 0
C
M ars C
BB
Boat Name Mama Who Domarlo Cerveza Loose Crew Liquid Gold Therapy Smooth Finish Wave Paver Juel Marie Rum Bum Desperado Miller Time Deguello Southern Comfort Gregarious Off the Hook Miss Annie Our Dream Adios Rhonda’s Osprey Miss Annie Bodacious Big Oh Perfect Parts
0 0 925 0 450 0 1328 0 450 450 0 450 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 450 575 50 0 450 0 1650 0 0 175 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 175 0 0 975 0 0 0 0
850 975 0 0 0 450 0 1250 850 0 0 0 450 0 0 1375 0 1250 175 575 450 0 0 575
0 125 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1650 0 0 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 450 0 0
450 450 900 0 0 175 0 450 0 0 0 0 50 175 0 175 850 0 0 0 175 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 0 450 0 0 0 0 0 0 450 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1250 0
ADDITIONAL PARTICIPATION POINTS
Angler Lainey Jones Heather Rintoul Steve Schmeusser Laura Beth Hannah Susan Clements Morgan Miller Brad Aery Jr. Davis Dugan McLauglin Luis Bacardi John Lancaster Dan Roebuck III Chris Domel Peter Angel Greg Barber Robert Southard Sr. Frank Naparano Bill Gardner Steve Lewis Michael Peet Barry Weshnak Pat Thomas Gray Ingram Picot Cassada
BB
C
Ce nt ra
lA ba
co
CARIBBEAN DIVISION
0 0 150 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 100 150 0 100 0 200 0 50 0
4575 4025 3175 2778 2775 2425 2400 2225 2200 2175 2150 2150 1750 1725 1650 1650 1625 1550 1525 1475 1450 1425 1300 1275
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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 Get Lit Jichi Uptight G Team Wound Up Weez in the Keys Team Costa Night Prowler No Mercy Wound Up Sandman Ventolera L&H Get Lit Bouncer’s Dusky Wound Up Miss Costa 4 Aces Off the Hook Boat Center Game Time Sandman Priceless Priceless
f is Th eS ail
200 275 275 425 425 200 275 200 275 200 275 200 0 200 0 200 125 0 125 275 200 200 125 125
425 275 0 125 0 200 0 0 0 0 0 0 500 275 200 0 0 125 0 0 125 0 0 0
Sa il
Angler Peter Miller Luis Isaias Jeffrey Fiorentino Johnny White Warren Sands Scott Robins Rick Murphy Raul Gonzales Rick Arnold Janice Sands Sandra Kirkpatrick Osvaldo Vento Debbi David Kitt Toomey Amanda Nichols Brett Dudas Bill Danko Peter Adrian Robert Southard Jr. Gary Lawson Angel Veliz Todd Kirkpatrick Bill Crabill Jorge Sanchez
425 500 0 0 500 125 350 0 575 350 0 0 0 200 0 425 200 0 350 0 0 0 0 0
200 0 425 275 200 0 0 200 0 200 200 275 275 125 125 200 200 125 0 200 0 200 125 125
400 200 700 650 0 425 350 350 275 200 125 500 200 125 0 0 200 725 0 275 200 275 250 250
300 650 500 275 425 425 350 575 125 275 575 200 200 200 800 250 275 0 475 125 350 200 375 350
ADDITIONAL PARTICIPATION POINTS
FY I
f is
hK
ic k
off
hT ou Ch rn . ee Pr ca es L o i de dg nt e ial Sa M i lf i iam sh iM ay or ’s Ca Cu p t. p Bil Bo lf i s b h C L ew ha is M lle iam ng e To i B ur ill na fis me h nt I sl am Sw or o r a da df i sh M To iam ur n. Sw i or df i sh To ur n.
S O U T H E A ST D I V I S I O N
1950 1900 1900 1750 1550 1375 1325 1325 1250 1225 1175 1175 1175 1125 1125 1075 1000 975 950 875 875 875 875 850
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Boat Name Spanish Fly Sweet Dreams Super Fly Hattaboy 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 Behavin’ Sweet Dreams
www.FishWBS.com
2275 2350 1775 1950 2350 1400 1475 1875 1800 1225 1325 1550 2150 1325 1400 1000 900 850 925 0 350 275 1000 575
1750 950 950 1025 275 650 1125 600 650 1200 1000 650 0 825 650 975 1025 975 825 1750 1350 1425 675 1100
275 0 425 0 0 575 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
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 Rodriguez Mariano Da Brian Bemis Chris Fischer Chris Lepping Carlos Cambronero Eric McDowell Darwin Aranda Edwin Bustos RJ Lily Andrew Shapiro David Finkelstein Robert Beasley
Lo s Sig Sue na ño tu s re Se ri
es
I
Lo s Sig Sue na ño tu s re Se rie sI Th I eP Ch re all sid en en ge tal of Co sta Th Ric eP a Ch re all sid en en ge ta of l El Sa lva Lo do sS r Inv ue ita ño tio s M na a l rlin Th e Ch Pre all sid en en ge tia of l Gu ate ma la
PA C I F I C D I V I S I O N
4300 3300 3150 2975 2625 2625 2600 2475 2450 2425 2325 2200 2150 2150 2050 1975 1925 1825 1750 1750 1700 1700 1675 1675
2 0 0 8 W O R L D T O U R STA N D I N G S
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 850 0 650 250 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 450 450
450 450 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 575 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 0 550 0 0 450 0 0
300 450 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 450 0 400 50 0 575 575 575 0 0 525 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
350 0 900 900 900 900 900 900 0 250 0 0 0 575 0 0 0 575 0 0 525 0 0 0
ADDITIONAL PARTICIPATION POINTS
Boat Name Reel Addiction Quick Time Conundrum First Choice First Choice Lucky 2 Nana’s Girls Jolly B High C’s First Choice You Never Know! Ultimate Lure Sophie Louise Life is Good Sea Spray Honey Jolly B Life is Good Desperado Bella Maria Wynsong First Choice Unknown Unknown
EVENT CANCELLED
Angler Rocky Jones Michael Burroughs Dax Byrd Devon Hunt Grant Nicholson Leon Edwards Ryan Helsely Tom Kirbo Chace Nelson Dennis Pasentine Sari Turner Frank Fabre Troy Turner Arlen Charpentier Blan Marriott Harry Coleman Hugh Scott Arien Charpenter David Wilkins R. Wayne Lewis James W. Wilson III John Pasentine Bradley Shivers Brett Loper
M o M bile em BG ori FC M iss al D ay Co iss as ipp Tou tB iG rn Ne i . w llfish ulf Bil Or lfis lea Clas n Em h To s In sic ur vt e r Blu ald nam ’l e M Co en t a as Pe ns rlin t C a Bil co lfis la lassi Ba h To Int’l c y u Bil Poin rna me lfis t I Ou h To nt’l nt u t M cast rnam arl B in lue ent C Te xa lass i To s In ur t’l c na F Or me ishi n ng a Bil nge t lfis Be Sa h Cl ach ra a Fis sota ssic hin S g T lam ou -H Ol rn BA dS am alt en Lo t op To ur n.
G U L F 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 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 0 0
1100 900 900 900 900 900 900 900 850 700 650 650 625 625 575 575 575 575 550 525 525 500 450 450
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 50 50 50
450 450 450 450 425 400 350 350 275 275 275 250 200 200 200 200 200 200 175 175 175 175 175 175
Boat Name Big Sky Petrel Mutts & Jeff Artemis Cerveza Miss Wy IV Micabe Syked Out Caramba NOFA Bench Mark Ultra Blue Sky Rascal Full Pull Lil Bit Daymaker Chasin High Current Pipe Layer Captain Gas Dealer’s Choice Evans B Viking 54
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
450 450 450 450 425 400 350 350 275 275 275 200 200 200 200 200 200 200 175 175 125 125 125 125
ADDITIONAL PARTICIPATION POINTS
Angler Alex Strange Fran Johnson Jeff Stanek Mike Schuarz Nicole Russell Charlie Byars Cam Carpineli Holly McAlhany Hovey Aiken John Dudash Thomas Garmany Michael Ebert Chris Bech Douglas Miller Jay Sims Kate Creech Mark Daniels Robert Shore Katie Hinson Mark Armstrong Alex Meyer Drew McDowell Mike Halle Rhett Bailey
Ch a Re rles s to Bil ort & n H lf i s M a r h T a bo r ou rine HM rn am Bil Y-V en lfis ik t h T ing ou M rna ega me do N. nt ck C Ba . Du nd ck the s U Bil nlim lfis it h T ed W ou hit rn. eM arl in Op Pir en a To te’s ur C na ov me e nt Bill fis h M i dAt la n tic $5 00 ,00 Th eS 0 ail fis hS la m
M I D - AT L A N T I C D I V I S I O N
Billfishing Magazine
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2008
WBS
WORLD
TO
*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 VIGFC 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 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, 11/10 - 11/12 Los Sueños Marlin Invitational, 11/19 - 11/22 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 Bill Waechter (251) 402-8392
FEB 28 - MARCH 2 Miami, Florida Capt. Bob Lewis Billfish Challenge Janice Sands (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 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 South Padre Island, TX Texas Int’l Fishing Tournament (TIFT) Betty Wells (956) 943-8438
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 30 - AUGUST 3 Orange Beach, Alabama Orange Beach Billfish Classic Beth Reed (251) 978-2524
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. Charlie Catlinger (504) 237-4030
JULY 31 - AUGUST 2 Morehead City, North Carolina N.C. Ducks Unlimited Bob Lichauer (336) 454-5493
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 4 - 8 Ocean City, Maryland White Marlin Open Jim Motsko (410) 289-9229
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 6 - 9 Sarasota, Florida Sarasota Slam-HBA Fishing Tournament T.J. Nutter (941) 650-2321
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 - 15 Manteo, North Carolina Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tourn. Harry Hindmarsh (252) 473-1015
NOVEMBER 5 - 8 Mazatlán, Mexico Mazatlán Billfish Classic Harvey L. Hunnicutt (714) 259-4899
JULY 3 - 6 Pensacola, Florida Pensacola Int’l Billfish Tourn. Doug Quigley (850) 438-7561
AUGUST 11 - 16 San Juan, Puerto Rico San Juan Int’l Billfish Tourn. Gonzalo M. Ferrer (787) 727-7700
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 10 - 12 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 Chris Miller (850) 348-1489
AUGUST 15 - 18 St. Petersburg, Florida Old Salt Loop Tournament Tom Verdensky (727) 867-9388
NOVEMBER 19 - 22 Playa Herradura, Costa Rica Los Sueños Marlin Invitational Ashley Bretecher abretecher@lossuenosresort.com
JULY 14 - 17 St. Thomas, Virgin Islands VIGFC July Open Jeff Kreiner (404) 580-4126
AUGUST 17 - 22 Cape May, New Jersey Mid-Atlantic $500,000 Bob Glover (609) 884-2400
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
SEPTEMBER 12 - 14 Miami, Florida Miami Swordfish Tournament Richard Peeples III (305) 282-1006
DECEMBER 3 - 6 WBS GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS Los Sueños, Costa Rica Sam White (727) 864-4400 or www.FishWBS.com Billfishing Magazine
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