Vol 9, Issue 5 by Linda Fisher

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VIKING 68: What leading edge engineering is all about. Family owned and operated for 44 years, our quality, performance and service is recognized around the world.

www.vikingyachts.com Route 9, On the Bass River - New Gretna, NJ 08224 - Phone: 609.296.6000 - Fax: 609.296.3956

BECAUSE QUALITY IS OUR REPUTATION.

UNHEARD OF.

QUIET CONFIDENCE At Wide Open Throttle, a Suzuki® 300 twice as loud as a Verado® 300 hp.

hp engine is nearly

300 hp 275 hp 250 hp 225 hp 200 hp 175 hp

MERCURY ® VERADO

SUZUKI

150 hp 135 hp

SEE MORE TESTS AT MercuryMarine.com

The fact that Suzuki is twice as loud as Mercury Verado speaks for itself. But there’s even more to this supercharged FourStroke than its quiet demeanor, such as leading edge, electro-hydraulic steering that offers the smooth, consistent control you’d expect to find in a luxury car. To see and hear how Mercury Verado has silenced the competition,

look deeper at MercuryMarine.com.

Source: Tests conducted by Mercury Marine – June 2007. Test conducted on a 23’ fiberglass fishing boat using a Mercury Verado 300 hp FourStroke and a Suzuki DF300 four-stroke. © 2008 MERCURY MARINE. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Suzuki is a registered trademark of Suzuki Motor Corporation. All other trademarks belong to the Brunswick Corporation.

Boat Division 2009 Viking

Hatteras

Ricky Scarborough Contender

Ocean Yacht

173

29 27

Motor Division 2009 MAN

Yamaha

MTU/Detroit Diesel Caterpillar Mercury

Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cup Kona Blue Trophy by Geoffrey Smith www.geoffreysmith.com

This award is presented annually to the top boat and motor manufacturing companies based on performance in over 60 tournaments on the WBS World Tour. The current standings are presented above.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

“Supporting Tournament Sportfishing, Now and Forever” On the Cover Stunning scenery, outstanding fishing and more: the Hawaiian Islands have it all. Photo courtesy of Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson

Departments 7 7 8 12

Editor’s Message Upcoming Event Calendar Industry News Caught On The WBS World Tour

Destinations 16 Destination: The Hawaiian Islands The aloha spirit is alive and well in Hawaii.

Tournament Tales 24 46th Annual Buccaneer Cup Sailfish Release Tournament The “Buc” is always a favorite event for WBS Treasure Coast anglers.

28 Yamaha Contender Miami Billfish Tournament This year’s event coincides with great fishing.

Angler Profiles 35 Pat Logue 37 Michael Vivieros 39 Burden Edmonds

Inside the WBS 44 2009 Sponsors 45 2009 Standings 48 2009 World Tour Schedule

Billfishing Magazine

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THE OFFICIAL PRIVATE AVIATION PROVIDER OF THE 2009 WBS WORLD TOUR

Front Cover

EDITOR’S MESSAGE

FROM THE WBS “I’m just happy to be here.”

That seems to be a refrain that we’re hearing over and over again on the docks from just about everyone. The anglers, captains and crews, the sponsors, the tournament directors, all seem to be expressing their gratitude to still be able to participate in a sport and a lifestyle that’s near and dear to us all. While tournament participation has seen a slight overall decrease this season, there are still plenty of boats out there fishing, and those folks are certainly grateful to be able to give it a shot. The marine industry has also taken a tremendous beating—advertising budgets have been slashed to the bone and staffs have been reduced to historic lows. Those people are also “happy to be here” in more ways than just the enjoyment of a tournament environment. However, there’s also some good news floating around. Boats, both new and used, are finally starting to sell again. It may be a trickle right now, but ask a man who is dying of thirst in the desert about it and he’ll take that trickle all day long. The sales of ancillary products are also experiencing a slight rebound right now, as those same boats are being rigged (or re-rigged) with fighting chairs, outriggers, tackle and other gear. Even though the billfishing community has always enjoyed a higher demographic than many other sports out there, no one is completely immune to the rocky economic environment that’s staring each one of us in the face on a daily basis. It’s important that we continue to work together to ensure mutual benefit for everyone involved. With that in mind, I would ask that you please support those companies who choose to commit their advertising dollars in tournament sponsorships. When you see these sponsors at an event, please introduce yourself, shake their hand and thank them for their participation. They’ll appreciate it. Right now it’s the survival of the fittest, and those who emerge from the tough times will certainly be that much stronger for it. See you on the docks,

BILLFISHING

The Official Publication of the World Billfish Series May 2009

Published monthly by SportsUSA Group, Inc. 9293 Bay Pines Blvd. St. Petersburg, Florida 33708 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 Membership Services Kaela Morgan Administrative Director Jana E. Simons Destinations Editor Jeff Merrill

Special Contributors

Sam White World Billfish Series

Upcoming Events

Bailey Bobbitt

Marty Locke

David A. Brown

Heather Maxwell

Robbie Carter

Kitty McGowan

Laurie Ciecierski

Jim Niemiec

Bart K. Davis

Bruce Paul

Capt. Rob Ellyn

John E. Phillips

Brenda Fletcher

Walt Rhodes

JUNE 21 – 24 Abaco Billfish Tournament

Rick Gaffney

Capt. Jim Sharpe

Greg Gawlikoski

Tom Twyford

JUNE 23 – 26 Palmas De Cortez Billfish Classic

Scott Kerrigan

Capt. Joan Vernon

Alaric Lambert

Eric West

JULY 2 – 5 Pensacola Int’l Billfish Tourn. JULY 3 – 5 PCCA Panama JULY 4 – 6 VIGFC July Open JULY 7 – 11 Old Salt Loop Tournament JULY 8 – 11 HMY-Viking Megadock JULY 15 – 19 Bay Point Billfish Invitational

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 © 2009, SportsUSA Group, Inc.

Order the WBS Tournament Calendar at www.FishWBS.com. Billfishing Magazine

INDUSTRY NEWS

IGFA ANNOUNCES ELEVENTH INDUCTION CLASS

ive talented sportsmen, all who have made significant contributions to the sport of recreational fishing, are scheduled to be inducted as the eleventh class into the International Game Fish Association’s Hall of Fame this fall. The announcement of the class of 2009 includes Carlos Barrantes Sr, Jack Erskine, Dr. Guy Harvey, Harlan Major and Stephen Sloan. The enshrinement ceremony is scheduled for October 27, 2009 and the public is invited to attend. Each year, the honorees are selected for their significant contributions through angling achievements, literature, the arts, science, education, invention, communication or administration of fishing resources. The following are this year’s inductees: Carlos Barrantes, Sr: A proactive angler and conservationist, Barrantes opened up Costa Rica and Central America to sportfishing and served as IGFA’s Costa Rican representative. He founded and presided over the Costa Rican National Fishing Federation. In 1982, he was presented the Sportsman’s Honor Medal by the president of Costa Rica, among many other achievements. Barrantes passed away in 2004; his son Carlos Jr. is now the IGFA representative for Costa Rica, carrying forward his father’s legacy. Jack Erskine: For more than 30 years, Jack’s name has been synonymous with cutting edge tackle innovations, light-tackle fishing records and many important contributions, not only in his home fishing waters of Cairns, Australia, but globally as well. Erskine has been a longtime technical consultant for AFTCO, Penn Tackle, Fin-Nor and Bass Pro Shops. He is particularly

noted for his expertise in drag systems, especially for the giant black marlin that roamed the northeastern waters of the continent, while his skills as a consummate light tackle angler and his Cairns captures of marlin on super light lines is legendary. He’s been a long time advocate of saltwater spinning tackle for billfish and other gamefish. He and his wife run a small, personal but highly technical reel-tuning business in Cairns, far north Queensland. He was inducted into the Cairns Fishing Hall of Fame in 2008. Dr. Guy Harvey: Renowned marine wildlife artist, Guy became entranced by Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea while at boarding school. With no formal art training but with a scientist’s eye for detail, he began sketching fish. Praise for the 119 illustrations in Guy’s 1983 doctoral thesis convinced him to put on a one-man show of his work, and within three years Harvey had become a full-time artist. Harvey became an IGFA representative in 1986 and has been a member of the IGFA Board of Trustees since 1993. He and his family live in Grand Cayman. Harlan Major: One of saltwater angling’s first historians, Major was an early outdoor

writer and a superb tackle technician. Always experimenting with new ideas and techniques, Major, who was from Detroit, Michigan, was known for bringing West Coast angling ideas to the East. His Salt Water Fishing Tackle (1939) remains a classic reference. He saw saltwater angling as the sport of everyman, and in 1933 persuaded railway executives to run special fishermen’s trains from Penn Station to Montauk Point in New York City. During World War II, Major set up a tackle clearing house in New York City and enlisted scores of volunteers who sifted through discarded line, lures and hooks to make up 200,000 usable angling kits to send to servicemen. Major passed away in 1968. Stephen Sloan: Sloan has a history to be envied in several phases of recreational angling, fresh and saltwater. He held 44 IGFA world records; authored three books, Fly Fishing is Spoken Here, Thanatopfish and Ocean Bankruptcy; produced and hosted syndicated radio show, “The Fishing Zone” which discussed the problems and challenges that our ocean and fishing resources face; was a former adjunct professor at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science; Chairman of the Fisheries Defense Fund, Trustee of the IGFA; former director of the National Coalition for Marine Conservation and Trustee Emeritus of the American Museum of Fly Fishing. Sloan died in April of 2005 after battling cancer. For more information on this year’s inductees or for tickets to attend the event, please visit www.igfa.org or call Leslie Arico at 954-924-4222.

CHARLESTON HARBOR TOURNAMENT CANCELLED

ne of the most popular tournaments in the state of South Carolina is calling it quits this year. The Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina Billfish Tournament will be cancelled for 2009. According to tournament director Deidre Menefee, the decision was an extraordinarily difficult one, but with the downturn in the overall marine industry as well as increased financial pressures on anglers and sponsors, it would be impossible for her team to deliver the quality tournament as they have done in the past. “For the past ten years, we have remained committed to hosting a premier event, featuring the best in quality from the docks to our 8

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landside events, and look forward to doing to in the future,” she said. “We hope that the result of this decision will result in increased participation in the other South Carolina Governor’s Cup Billfish Series tournaments.” For more information and a schedule of SC Governor’s Cup tournaments, please visit www.govcup.dnr.sc.gov.

INDUSTRY NEWS

CENTRAL AMERICAN NATIONS AGREE ON BILLFISH MANAGEMENT PLAN

ter nearly a year, all seven countries of Central America have approved an agreement with The Billfish Foundation to create a sustainable management plan for billfish and other gamefish vital to growing sportfishing and tourism in the region. The announcement comes on the heels of similar ongoing work this year by TBF as they work to enhance recreational sportfishing in Mexico, Peru and Costa Rica. The conservation group has been working with the governments, some for more than a decade, for the expansion of conservation measures and laws to protect billfish stocks, primarily from overfishing by commercial interests while also implementing tag and release programs. Dr. Russell Nelson, TBF’s scientific director, and Herbert Nanne, their Central American conservation director, met in Nicaragua in late February to formally adopt a Central American agreement to develop a sustainable management plan for marlin, sailfish, dora-

do, swordfish and other highly migratory species important to the region’s sportfishing tourism sectors. The agreement was signed by Steadman Fagoth Muller, president of the Organization of Fisheries and Aquaculture for the Isthmus of Central America, known as OSPESCA. The nations of Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama comprise the seven countries of the region, and all are members of OSPESCA. “There are so many positives in working with OSPESCA and its nations in developing a management program in the region that can be a win-win for everyone involved,” said Nelson. “Billfish have a very high potential in these waters as well as a high economic and social value if the responsible practice of sportfishing ethics and conservation are fostered.” For more info, please visit www.billfish.org or call 800-438-8247.

ARTIST SELECTED FOR THE HATTERAS MARLIN CLUB

PIRATE’S COVE BILLFISH TOURNAMENT UPDATE

he 26th Annual Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tournament announces the addition of new satellite marinas and a small boat category for 2009.

teve Goione, one of the most prolific and popular artists in the marine industry, was commissioned by the Hatteras Marlin Club, one of the most famous clubs in the sportfishing world, to produce an original illustration as part of the Club’s 50th anniversary celebration. The illustration will be used as the tournament guide cover as well as for limited edition apparel and various other promotional items. The original will also be on display all week at the Club, with limited edition prints available to those participating in this year’s event. For more information, please contact Steve Goione at www.stevegoione.com or call 910-686-0864.

The Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tournament, one of the largest billfish events in the world and home of the North Carolina state record blue marlin, is scheduled for August 10-14, 2009. Expanding the tournament footprint to include Hatteras Harbor Marina, Hatteras Landing Marina, Oden’s Dock and Teach’s Lair Marina in Hatteras, North Carolina offers tournament anglers the convenience of fishing from popular Hatteras marinas. Each marina will collect daily tournament release data and lay day forms and report to tournament headquarters at Pirate’s Cove Marina. All tournament weigh-ins and events will continue to be held at Pirate’s Cove Marina. With the addition of the small boat category, all boats 38 feet and under are eligible to participate in the new C-9 category with a $750 entry fee. Cash prizes will be awarded based on the top three boats’ total billfish points scored during the tournament. All participating Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tournament participants must enter three or more of the tournament categories; however, each boat must enter Category One. For more information, please visit www.pcbillfishtournament.com or call 757-965-7799. Billfishing Magazine

Enter the "Caught on the WBS World Tour" contest and win a new pair of Costa Del Mar sunglasses! 1

D0 you recognize anybody in the “Caught On WBS Tour” photo gallery?

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caught on tour the place to see your face 5

Win a new pair of Costa Del Mar sunglasses! See page 15 for more on the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Caught On WBS Tourâ&#x20AC;? Contest.

Billfishing Magazine

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caught on tour the place to see your face 15

Congratulations to our most recent contest winners: We need your submissions no matter how many faces you can put names to. Dane Franks— Citronelle, AL Brady Fisherson— Lebanon, FL

“Caught On WBS Tour” Contest 21

The WBS Anglers Club member who correctly identifies the most people on pages 12, 13 and 15 by July 30, 2009 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 727-867-1149 or mail to WBS, 9293 Bay Pines Blvd., St. Petersburg, FL 33708. 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

www.FishWBS.com

Photo on this page provided by Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson

Few places in the sportfishing world hold as much allure as this string of volcanic islands in the Pacific, drawing big-game anglers from the four corners of the world like moths to a flame. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the birthplace of many of the modern techniques still used today for targeting blue marlin. At least one marlin over 1,000 pounds has been caught there in every month of the calendar, proving that thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s never really a bad time for a visit, and the islands are also home to the current world record for Pacific blue marlin, a behemoth that tipped the scales at over 1,300 pounds. Politics has Washington. Fashion has Paris. Religion has Jerusalem. Marlin fishing has Hawaii. Billfishing Magazine

The catch to brag about.

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eographically, the Hawaiian Islands are situated about 2,000 miles west of the continental United States. Scattered throughout the Hawaiian Island chain are hundreds of additional islands spread over 1,500 miles, while the eight main islands stretch to the northwest from the Big Island of Hawaii like the tail of a kite: Maui, Kaholawe, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, Kauai and Nihau. The islands are volcanic in nature, having been formed eons ago as part of an underwater mountain range—as the lava continued to bubble forth from fissures in the earth’s crust, the islands rose majestically from the surface of the ocean. In fact, the Big Island’s highest point, Mauna Kea, is taller than Mount Everest if measured from its base, as it vaults to about 33,500 feet from the bottom of the Pacific Ocean.

Photo on this page provided by Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA)

And it’s the geography that attracts gamefish, as any old salt will attest. With extremely deep water surrounding all the Hawaiian Islands, it should come as no surprise that the fishing is superb to say the least. While the star of the show is the mighty Pacific blue marlin, the islands are also home to good numbers of black and striped marlin, Pacific sailfish, swordfish and spearfish at some point throughout the year. Other gamefish like yellowfin tuna, dolphin and wahoo pick up the slack, along with scores of bottom fish and numerous species of sharks closer to shore along the reefs. There’s even a fishery for bonefish in the islands, so it’s simply a matter of picking a targeted species and making it happen. Because the fishing is so good for big blue marlin, it’s no surprise that some of billfishing’s earliest pioneers called Hawaii home. Innovators and sportsmen like Joe Yee, Bart Miller and others honed their skills in these waters, hand-crafting their own trolling lures and capturing some enormous blues along the way. Miller is credited with a marlin that scaled an incredible 1,656 pounds in 1984, caught by angler Gary Merriman, widely accepted as the second largest Pacific blue ever caught on conventional rod and reel. The fish did not qualify as a world record since more than one person touched the rod during the strike

and fight, but it’s interesting to note that the current world record was also caught in Hawaii in 1982, when Jay de Beaubien made history with a 1,376 pound Pacific blue. Numerous fish over 1,200 pounds have been landed, and granders in excess of 1,000 pounds are caught with regularity. As a result of this big-fish fishery, the local boats typically fish the heaviest tackle, preferring to be ready when the fish of an angler’s lifetime makes an unexpected appearance in the spread. One exception to this rule is in the springtime when the islands are invaded by packs of spearfish. These diminutive billfish are the rarest of the species and are only caught infrequently elsewhere, but they seem to show an affinity for Hawaiian waters early in the season and can be targeted here by anglers in search of a light-tackle challenge. The majority of the sportfishing takes place out of Kona, located on Billfishing Magazine

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the Big Island’s leeward shore. Blocked from the tradewinds and in the shadows of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, Kona is the perfect base of operations. The seas are nearly flat-calm year round, and deep water is less than five minutes from the harbor. Kona is also sheltered from the weather, meaning nearly 300 days of sunshine a year—perfect conditions for billfishing enthusiasts. Because most of the boats are located within one central location, competition for charters is high and the run to the fishing grounds is short, so charter prices for the top-notch boats and crews are among the lowest anywhere in the world. However, it’s important to note that policies regarding the catch in Hawaii may also be different than what experienced anglers are used to. In many cases (but not all), any fish caught belong to the boat and are sold at the end of the day as a way to offset expenses and provide additional income. Most boats will release billfish at the angler’s request but this should be discussed with the captain prior to booking a charter, as they may ask for some form of additional compensation for letting go a fish that could be worth several hundred dollars back at the dock. Keeping and eating fish, even marlin, has been a way of life in the Hawaiian Islands for centuries, but the release ethos is coming on strong nevertheless.

Photo on this page provided by Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA)

The heartbeat of Kona is the town of Kailua, where stores and restaurants exist side by side among impressive historical landmarks. If you want to be near the action, stay in Kailua Kona. It sits perched right at the edge of the Pacific Ocean and because of that every Kona sunset is a spectacular event. Many dining opportunities exist including a wide variety of local Hawaiian, ethnic, and seafood restaurants. From Kailua it’s a short drive to Honokohau Marina and Keauhou Bay. Up north, the scenery on the Big Island is dominated by arid dried lava beds. Plenty of sun and very little annual rain make it the spot for hotels, championship golf courses and several five-star Hawaiian resorts. Starting at the

FUN FACTS • Hawaii is the only state in the U.S. that: • Is not located in North America • Grows coffee • Is completely surrounded by water • Has a royal palace • Does not have a straight line in its state boundary The Honokohau Marina Billfishing Magazine

Peaceful Pololu Valley

to the scenic Pololu Valley. On a clear day you can see the volcano of Haleakala on the Island of Maui. The southern end of the island is dominated by the Hualalai volcano. On the slopes of the mountain is the historic Kona coffee belt, with dozens of small coffee farms and stores along the way as well as spectacular valleys and postcard-perfect views of the coastline and surrounding Pacific Ocean. Near the mountain towns of Holualoa are several coffee plantations that offer free guided tours of their facilities and free samples of their fresh Kona coffee. On these farms, the coffee beans are grown, handpicked, milled and roasted, and finally brewed fresh. You can tour the plantations of Kona Mountain Thunder and Kona Blue Sky Coffee, to name a few. Further south, near the town of Kealakekua, is the Kona Joe Coffee Company, also offering free farm tours and coffee tasting.

Port of Kawaihae, beautiful Big Island beaches dot the entire coastline, with dozens of beautiful beaches throughout the Kohala Coast. Many are surrounded by large resort hotels with the majestic Mauna Kea volcano as a backdrop. Some of the world’s best beaches reside on the Big Island of Hawaii, including Hapuna Beach State Park and Mauna Kea Beach. The waters are clear, and full of coral, tropical fish, and sea turtles. At the northern tip of the island is North Kohala. Follow the road as it winds its way up the lush green mountainside to the quaint town of Hawi and eventually 22

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No trip to Hawaii would be complete without doing a little islandhopping, either by light aircraft or helicopter. While there are many ways to explore Hawaii, few experiences can match an aerial tour over the islands’ most scenic and breathtaking spots.

Lava field

Helicopter tours may be pricey— expect to pay at least $100 per person—but most visitors who have enjoyed a bird’s-eye view of paradise will tell you the experience is worth the cost. What’s more, every island offers a unique sightseeing adventure, from the cityscapes on Oahu and majestic Haleakala Crater on Maui to the fiery sights of the Kilauea Volcano on the Big Island and breathtaking Waimea Canyon and the Napali Coast on Kauai.

Kualoa Ranch on Oahu

Numerous helicopter tours are available, each offering a varying menu of “flightseeing” adventures. It is recommended that you book your tour early, maximizing the opportunity to reschedule a tour in the event of inclement weather. (Helicopter tours won’t fly under questionable weather conditions; not only is it unsafe, but you won’t get your money’s worth in terms of scenery.) The best time of the day to go is early to mid-morning, before the arrival of the cloud cover that often comes in the afternoon. Most people will advise you to avoid flights that are less than an hour in length; they may only serve to whet your appetite, and you’ll regret not spending a little more to maximize the experience.

Photo provided by Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA)

With it’s location in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, it’s no wonder that the islands are home to some outrageous waves—it’s truly a surfer’s paradise. Just a few islands down from the Big Island is Oahu whose rugged North Shore coast serves up some of the largest and imposing waves on the planet. Giant, storm-generated swells make their long trek across the northern Pacific to smash themselves along the region’s shallow coral reefs. While the exact origin of surfing is unknown, but most historians believe that the Polynesians were already well versed in the sport by the time they migrated to the Hawaiian Islands some 2,000 years ago. Surfing really took off in the early 1900s, when boards made mostly from hewn redwood and balsa wood. Today, thanks to a number of modern innovations and inventions, the surfing population on the North Shore has exploded. Surfers and spectators from around the world gather here from November to February, when wave heights can get as high as 20 to 50 feet. With several world-class contests held around this time period, it’s a great chance to catch some of the world’s best surfers in action. And no visit to Oahu would be complete without a stop at Pearl Harbor, site of the infamous Japanese surprise attack that drew America into World War II. Today, it’s part of the US National Parks Service. The visitor’s center is the first stop for those planning to tour the memorial. Located within the facility are two theaters, where visitors view a 23-minute documentary film on the Pearl Harbor attack prior to visiting the USS Arizona Memorial. The guided tour includes a short boat trip and a self-guided exploration of the memorial. Within the memorial itself, there are three distinct areas: the Entry Room holds the flags of the nine states for whom the eight great battleships and the USS Utah were named. Today, the USS Utah still rests in Pearl Harbor. The Assembly Room is an open area where ceremonies are held and visitors may reflect and more closely examine the shadowy

Hiking in Haleakala

remains of the Arizona in the depths below. The Shrine Room holds the great marble plaque with the names of the 1,177 sailors and marines that perished on the Arizona. The Shrine Room also honors the USS Arizona survivors who have chosen to be interred along with their shipmates. The memorial has been called one of the most moving and inspiring of America’s national parks. If your preference favors more land-side action, head over to Maui and hit the clubs—golf clubs that is. Kapalua Resort offers three championship courses: the Bay, Village and Plantation. The Bay course’s fifth hole is renowned as one of the world’s most dramatic signature holes, while the Plantation Course serves as host to the annual Mercedes Championships, a top-flight PGA Tour event that draws the game’s best. Not feeling quite up to par? Enroll in the Kapalua Golf Academy, a state-of-the-art instructional facility that’s unparalleled in Hawaii. Players can learn the basics or hone their skills when learning from the largest teaching staff in the state, which consists of over 30 PGA professionals. Half-day, two- or three-day golf schools are the perfect complement to any vacation on Maui and full golf instruction vacation packages are available. With so much variety and action going on throughout the Hawaiian Islands, it’s difficult to truly capture the spirit of aloha in prose—much better to experience it in person.

Billfishing Magazine

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Some billfish species feeding habits are as predictable as the sun rising in the east or what looms on April 15th every year. It is almost a sure bet the backside of the full moon in August will turn on the blue marlin in St. Thomas just as the same moon phase in September often gets whitey in a chewing mood of the mid Atlantic coast. However, neither is as sure a bet as the impact a cold front has on sailfish off south Florida. t’s no wonder as crews from 24 boats shivered in nearrecord cold during the captain’s meeting of the 46th Annual Buccaneer Cup Sailfish Release Tournament, there was a warm feeling among them that this year’s event could shape up to be like the good old days. The setting of the tournament was equally nostalgic as this year’s event signaled a return to the fabled Buccaneer Restaurant for the first time in several years and as participants huddled in heavy jackets and hooded sweatshirts, most expected the fishing to break wide open. Several years ago the Buccaneer Cup was turned over to the Recreational Fishing Alliance to be run under their leadership with the organization being the sole beneficiary and the event has hardly missed a beat under the direction of Gary Caputi. The event’s format changed this year and was shortened to a three-day, fish-all tournament with no lay day. As in previous years, live bait or dead bait could be used, with 200 points awarded for sails caught trolling and 100 points awarded for a live bait release. After a brief explanation of the week’s schedule and minor rule changes, a buffet dinner was served along with adult beverages as a Jamaican steel band provided the entertainment.

As predicted, Day One dawned blustery and cold, just the ticket for red hot south Florida sailfish action and 117 spindlebeaks were let go. Capt. Matt Rabenstine had Barry Weshnak’s Miss Annie dialed-in as he had two double headers within a half-hour of lines in and the crew barely had time to catch their breath as they would finish the day going 21 for 28 on live bait. Rudy Polselli’s Rude Awakening elected to go the dead bait route and tallied nine releases for the day including a triple and double-header. Capt. Ronnie Fields had Grey Ingram’s Big Oh in fine shape after Day One as his crew let go seven sails on dead bait while Capt. Tony Rizzo at the wheel of The Natural had 13 releases on live bait. Below normal temperatures and the favorable northerly wind continued on Day Two and several crews were able to take advantage of the ideal conditions and improve their position on the leaderboard as the fleet released 99 sailfish. Still, there were others who may not have benefited from the first day’s ideal conditions but found better luck on Day Two and moved into contention. Miss Annie continued their torrid pace as they 40 bites and let go an additional 21 sailfish on live bait including another double and triple header. Capt. Ronnie Fields did all he could to keep Big Oh close to Miss Annie as he let go five sailfish on dead bait. Dugan McLaughlin’s Juel Marie added six dead bait sails to their six releases on Day One and moved

into third place while Capt. Frank Gibbs moved Sydney Sussman’s Certifiable up the board adding seven sailfish on dead bait to five from the day before. Capt. Keith Greenberg had Sandra and Jim McCarthy’s Covert Mission in the mix after his crew released eight sailfish while trolling including a late afternoon triple header to go with their four caught on the previous day. After releasing three dead bait sailfish on Day One, Dave Anderson’s Crazy Salts moved into contention after a feast and famine day as his crew turned loose eight sailfish on dead bait including a double header and a quintuple header. The wind dropped out and air temperatures moderated on Day Three and the fast-paced bite of the previous days had slowed considerably as only 27 sailfish were caught. With 42 releases to their credit the two previous days, the Miss Annie had lapped the field and with such a drastic change in conditions, even with double points for dead bait sails, anybody even remotely close to Miss Annie would need to pull a rabbit from their hat to catch them. Predictably, the fleet searched far and wide with hopes of finding even a pod of sails to work over and many shook their head and rolled their eyes in disbelief as Rabenstine called in the first release of the day for Miss Annie on live bait just minutes after lines in. Covert Mission made a move and by mid-morning Capt. Keith Greenberg had relayed two double headers on dead bait. By the noon update Miss Annie had logged a live bait double header while Capt.

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The awards ceremony for the Buccaneer Cup is always a spectacular affair. Held each year at the venerable Sailfish Club in Palm Beach, the event features a lavish cocktail hour followed by a colossal buffet dinner featuring mounds of shrimp, lobster, prime rib and dozens of other culinary delights including salads and side dishes not to mention anyone needing to shed a few pounds need not go near the dessert table. A silent auction with fishing tackle, boat supplies, marine artwork and other fabulous items is always a popular part of the evening’s festivities. As guests enjoyed after dinner cocktails, tournament director Gary Caputi handed out all the hardware and was pleased to announce this year’s event had raised $25,000 for the Recreational Fishing Alliance. Red hot fishing and lavish parties, part of which makes the Palm Beach sailfish tournament season so special! Ronnie Fields nabbed a three dead bait releases including a double. With Top Boat honors a mere formality, two veteran skippers scoured the Gulf Stream with hopes of grabbing a spot on the awards podium. Greenberg had a slight lead for his crew on Covert Mission though their hopes for second place were dashed as Fields called in their second dead bait double header of the day for Big Oh. For the week, Miss Annie finished with 46 sailfish on live bait while Big Oh took second place with 17 dead bait sails and Covert Mission finished third with 16 sailfish on dead bait.

The Recreational Fishing Alliance For more than a dozen years the Recreational Fishing Alliance has been at the forefront fighting for the rights of anglers on all coasts of the United States. Today, as commercial fishermen and environmentalists continue to aggressively push their agendas on marine fisheries issues, the RFA is hard at work lobbying and educating lawmakers on the local, state and national level helping to protect the interests of America’s coastal fishermen as well as those in the marine industry.

the recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues on every coast, with state chapters established to spearhead the regional issues while building local support. “Anti-fishing and extreme environmental groups are working everyday to get fishermen off the water,” notes RFA’s executive director James Donofrio. “As individuals, our concerns will simply not be heard, but as a united group, we can and do stand up to anyone who threatens the sport we enjoy.”

Incorporated in 1996 as a 501(c)4 national, grassroots political action organization, RFA represents recreational fishermen and

For more information on how to become a member of the RFA visit their web site at www.joinrfa.org.

Billfishing Magazine

Yamaha Contender Miami Billfish Tournament Miami, Florida www.ycmbt.com

28 www.FishWBS.com

With an outstanding weekend of fishing, hundreds of thousands of dollars in prize money awarded to the top teams and over $29,000 going to marine conservation organizations, this year’s Yamaha Contender Miami Billfish Tournament was indeed one for the books.

he Yamaha Contender Miami Billfish Tournament concluded another successful and exciting fishing tournament and fundraiser for marine conservation, producing a winning weekend for everyone involved. Held at the Miami Beach Marina on South Beach, 351 anglers on 69 boats fished for over $217,000 in cash, plus valuable prizes and trophies. Thanks to the anglers and sponsors, this non-profit organization donated almost $30,000 to area marine conservation organizations and education including groups such as The Billfish Foundation, the Florida Keys Marine Laboratory, Costal Conservation Association and the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School and Experimental Hatchery. The weekend offered anglers beautiful weather and steady fishing each day, with a recordbreaking 645 sailfish released in 2½ days. On Friday, April 3rd, the first day of fishing competition, as the fleet headed out the air was filled with the excitement of possibly winning big money and prizes. Some anglers were after fun fish and the chance to get $5,000 for the top dolphin or top kingfish, while others were after the glory of being the top team in the Texas de Brazil Team Division. With beautiful South Florida weather, the fleet got into the fish right away and by the end of the first hour, 52 sailfish had already been released. The day’s fishing stayed strong and the competition was close, but at day’s end it was Fish Pig who led with 1,600 points and eight releases. The Qualifier came in second on time, as it didn’t hook its eighth sailfish until only 10 minutes before lines out, ultimately leaving them also with 1,600 points. Capt. Bouncer Smith’s new tournament team on Bouncer’s Dusky 33 was third with 1,400 points and seven releases while the Owl’s Nest was a close fourth, also with 1,400 points. The fleet released 159 sailfish by the close of fishing on the first day. Along with the excitement of the weigh-ins, huge crowds gathered on the baywalks and enjoyed the free daily dock parties. To make the festivities even more enjoyable, the renowned Bacardi Girls served up plenty of smiles to thirsty fisherman and spectators. Artists and craftsmen lined the baywalk, along with exhibitors selling and raffling off an abundance of freebies, while local conservation organizations promoted their cause.

Day Two brought new resolve and fierce competition among the anglers as they set out. With the bite on, everyone still had a chance to be a part of the running, and the lead would change several times during the day. Several boats were battling for the lead when the Owl’s Nest took control. Jeff Altman, of New York City, and his crew caught and released six sailfish in 35 minutes just before lines out to take the lead with a two-day total of

THE HIGH FIVE First Place: Jichi, 5,400 points; 27 sailfish releases Second Place: Owl’s Nest, 4,800 points; 24 sailfish releases Third Place: Tagline, 4,600 points; 23 sailfish releases Fourth Place: Rock Star, 4,400 points; 22 sailfish releases Fifth Place: Wound Up, 4,200 points; 21 sailfish releases

Master Angler Jeffrey Fiorentino, Uptight, 3,200 points; 16 sailfish releases Top Female Angler: Nicole Portuondo, Team Mar Azul/Pipe Dream; 1,400 points and 7 sailfish releases Top Junior Angler: Peter Kane, Bouncer’s Dusky 33, 1,800 points with 9 sailfish releases Top Amateur Boat: Sun Tech, 2,200 points and 11 sailfish releases

3,600 points and 18 sailfish releases. Tagline was second on time with 3,000 point for their 15 sailfish, followed by local favorites on the Thomas Flyer and Jichi, both with 3,000 points

Billfishing Magazine

Why is Yamaha your best investment? “No matter where I fish, I know I have the strongest, most reliable outboard there is.”

George Mitchell CAPTAIN GEORGE MITCHELL Charter Boat Captain & Tournament Fisherman Fabulous Fishing Adventures

For 25 years, Yamaha’s been earning its stripes, out on the big blue behind hardcore fishermen like Captain George Mitchell. Tournament after tournament and win after win, they’ve learned to count on Yamaha Outboards for incredible power, reliability, durability, fuel efficiency and innovation. But there’s much more to a Yamaha—unsurpassed customer service, more than 2,000 dealers nationwide and some of the industry’s most highly trained technicians. Add it all up, and Yamaha’s one of the strongest performers on the water, and perhaps one of best investments you’ll ever make.

REMEMBER to always observe all applicable boating laws. Never drink and drive. Dress properly with a USCG-approved personal floatation device and protective gear.

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Marina Libertad Challenge sponsored by Contender Boats. This came from releasing the most total sailfish—43—in the three leg event, which included the Capt. Bob Lewis Billfish Challenge, the Florida Billfish Masters and the Yamaha Contender Miami Billfish Tournaments. The Owl’s Nest, which led going into the final day with 18 fish, released six to finish second with 4,800 points for their 24 releases. The team took home $19,945. Tagline won $7,750 in third with 23 releases, followed by Rock Star who took home $15,934 with 4,400 points and 22 releases and Wound Up was able to capture fifth place with 4,200 points for their 21 releases.

Team Jichi was the event’s top boat with 27 sailfish releases in the tournament. They also topped the standings in the Libertad Challenge for 2009. and 15 releases. Midnight Blue and Rock Star were right behind the leaders with 14 releases each. With the third and final day being a bit shorter than the previous two, everyone knew it would come down to who could convert strikes into releases on Day Three to determine the winner. With excitement in the air, the last day kicked off and it was a battle for the top boat to the very end. After a number of close calls and innumerous lead changes, Jichi broke through the pack in a big way. The boat, owned by Luis Isaias of Coral Gables and skippered by Capt. Ricky Lindner, caught and released 12 sailfish for a three-day total of 27 releases and 5,400 points. Jichi took home $106,711, including $20,000 for winning the boat division, and winnings from various added value categories including $8,386 for placing two days in the Dynamite Daily, $6,375 for the Pot of Gold, $10,200 from the Grand Anglers Club and $46,750 for the winner-take-all $5k Hook Up. They also won $15,000 for Miami Beach

The prestigious title of Master Angler went to Jeffrey Fiorentino on Uptight with 3,200 points for his 16 sailfish releases over the weekend. His family aboard Uptight also captured Top Billfish Family with 3,200 points. Top Amateur Boat went to Team Capt. Harry’s with 1,600 points; Top Lady Angler went to Nichole Portuondo from Team Mar/Pipe Dream with 1,400 points; Top Junior Billfish Angler was Pete Kane aboard Bouncer Dusky 33 with 1,800 points; and finally Top Pee Wee Angler was awarded for a second year in a row to Ryan Southard aboard Which Way with 1,000 points.

Junior angler Macky Pesch landed the tournament’s largest wahoo on the Capt. Harry’s.

Jeffrey Fiorentino (with trophy) won the prestigious Master Angler title as well as the Top WBS Angler honors in Miami.

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 tournament is proud to have donated over $600,000 to marine enhancement and education programs in the South Florida area. In all, $29,100 was raised and donated to area marine conservation organizations in 2009, fulfilling the tournament’s mission to promote awareness and support marine enhancement, education and conservation. For more information, please visit www.miamibillfish.com.

Billfishing Magazine

B I L L F I S H

R E L E A S E

The Gulf Coast tournament leader continues to set the standard in sport fishing.

July 15-19, 2009 â&#x20AC;˘ Bay Point Marina â&#x20AC;˘ Panama City, FL Visit the website to request an invitation

New Division!

40 Boats, 40 feet and less, competing for Tuna, Dolphin and Wahoo. Fishing, Family, Fun & Giving back to our community. The best just keeps getting better!

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Pat Logue Prof ile Tournament Results 2008 1st Place: WBS Grand Championships, Costa Rica 2007 2nd Place: WBS Grand Championships, Costa Rica 2006 1st Place: Sarasota Home Builders Tournament Favorite Billfishing Location: “Without a doubt, it’s Panama. It’s a great place for marlin fishing both in terms of size and numbers of fish, plus there’s terrific bluewater action from all kinds of other species. Of all the places I’ve fished, it’s my favorite.” Favorite “Fun Fishing” Location: “I like fishing around Cape Coral and the Gulf of Mexico for fun. It seems like there’s always something biting, always another challenge right around the corner. Plus it’s home, and that’s hard to beat.” Other Interests: “Along with my love for billfishing, I also enjoy being a pilot and flying some of the world’s rarest planes, traveling, collectible cars and collecting art and memorabilia.” Occupation: “I take pride in being a homebuilder and land developer in South Florida. In 2003 and 2004, my company and I were awarded for being the “Fastest Growing Private Home Builder.” In addition, in 2005 we placed first in the National Home Builders Association for being the largest producing single location homebuilding company in America.”

became interested in fishing at a very young age growing up in St. Louis, Missouri. My family was fortunate enough to own a boat, which allowed us to fish many of the freshwater areas. Once I had a chance to fish offshore though, that was really what started the competitive fires burning.” “To prepare for the WBS, I’ve fished Panama for the last five years at a little over 100 days a year. In addition, I have always maintained a professional crew on my 74-foot Viking, the 1st Strike.”

Favorite Fish Story: “I have recently married Sheri, who is excited about going this April on her first billfishing trip to Panama with me. My son Scott, who is an avid fisherman in his own right, and my daughter Kelly, who loves fishing and holds a personal record of hooking a 400-pound black marlin on 30pound test stand-up tackle, both enjoy the sport almost as much as I do. The support of my family is wonderful and it is great that they are very active in fishing and boating as well and can share their pride with me in our achievements. When you hook your first big fish the adrenalin and excitement is like nothing else, and you think you will never get the excitement again but I guarantee every time you hook a big fish after that it is just as intense and exciting. Hooking a big fish is a great challenge and sense of accomplishment whether you are in a tournament or just out on a charter. It is truly like no other experience I have ever had.”

“So far, the biggest billfish I caught was a 1,000-pound black marlin on a charter boat named Sir Reel captained by Laurie Wright in Australia. My proudest moment, however, was when my son Scott Logue placed first in the Gulf Coast Division of the WBS in 2006. He worked very hard during the Gulf Coast tournament series and seeing him achieve that was really something special.” “When it comes to the future of the sport, I think it’s bright as long as we continue to support efforts to reduce or restrict the commercial high-seas longlining. As recreational anglers, we’re already releasing the vast majority of the marlin and sailfish we fight, plus we’re using conservation-friendly techniques like circle hooks as much as possible, so now it’s on the commercial industry to reduce the numbers of billfish being killed every day in order to make sure we have viable fisheries for the future generations.” ” Billfishing Magazine

Mike Vivieros Prof ile Tournament Awards 2009 1st Place: Presidential Challenge Costa Rica, Team USA 2nd Place Angler: Presidential Challenge Costa Rica, Team USA 2008 1st Place: Presidential Challenge of Central America 3rd Place: Dare County Boatbuilders Tournament, NC 2007 1st Place: PCCA Caribbean Cup, Venezuela 1st Place: NC Ducks Unlimited Billfish Tournament, NC 2006 1st Place: PCCA Caribbean Cup, Venezuela Favorite Billfishing Location: “My favorite billfishing location has to be my home waters out of Oregon Inlet in North Carolina. If I am catching them there it usually means I am on my own boat, doing my own thing, finding my own fish. I recently took delivery of a custom Carolina sportfish, a 45-foot Layton, and on our very first trip out we released two white marlin. I love fishing with, and learning from, the pros, but it is very gratifying to do it all yourself sometimes.” Favorite “Fun Fishing” Location: “Cabo San Lucas for sure. My first trip there was in 1989 and much has changed. Sometimes the fishing is good, sometimes it is bad, sometimes it is great, but Cabo is always lots of fun. It is also one of the few fishing destinations that my wife is willing to go along.” Other Interests: “I fly a Beech Baron, which gets me away from the cold in the winter. I play keyboards, mostly blues, country, and classic rock, and I love the Boston Red Sox!”

started fishing tournaments after buying a home at Pirates Cove in North Carolina’s Outer Banks in 1998. Since then, I have always fished the Pirates Cove Billfish Tournament. After my retirement in 2004, I started fishing other tournaments. I fish between six and nine tournaments every year in the mid-Atlantic region and Central America.” “My best day billfishing was on a trip to Venezuela in 1993 when I caught five blue marlin and one white marlin on a single day with just my wife and myself on a charter. I recently fished the Presidential Challenge in Guatemala with Bill Easum and Jimmy Taylor—after catching nothing on the first day and catching food poisoning on Day Two, we got 21 sails on the final day to win the tournament, fishing with Brad Phillips on the Decisive.

Occupation: “I was in the rent-to-own business for 20 years until retiring in 2004. I was extremely fortunate to get out at an historic high point in that industry. That’s why there is time now to tournament fish.” Favorite Fish Story: “My dad got me involved with fishing at a very young age. When I was 14, he finally took me with him on an overnight striper trip to Martha’s Vineyard on his boat. This was in 1970 when all the fish were kept and sold. He had caught 900 pounds of stripers on the previous night. He hooked a large fish and handed the rod to me and I promptly lost the fish. Then a few minutes later I hooked one on my own on a live eel and caught it. It weighed 47 pounds, and I still have a picture of that fish on the wall. I returned the favor about 25 years later when I took him to Cabo San Lucas and hooked him up with his first and only blue marlin.”

“I know lots of guys that can party and fish competitively, but I am not one of them. I go to bed early, get up early, and wait until the competition is over to raise hell. If I am fishing on my boat, I try to do as much rigging and organizing as possible the day before so I can concentrate on running the boat and finding some fish.”

Billfishing Magazine

William “Burden”Edmonds Prof ile

Favorite Billfishing Location: “Anywhere they’re biting!” Favorite “Fun Fishing” Location: “Grand Isle, Louisiana. There’s so much to choose from in Louisiana. If you can’t find the tuna, run ten miles and catch grouper. If you see a rip on the way, stop and catch mahi-mahi. If it’s too windy to get offshore, stay inside and catch speckled trout. The variety is just incredible there.” Other Interests: “LSU football and duck hunting.” Occupation: “LSU MBA student.” Thoughts on the Future of Sportfishing: “If our government regulations are set to protect our marine life, and people adhere to them, then sportfishing should be around for a long time.” Favorite Fish Story: “I would say watching anyone catch their first really big fish would be my favorite. I love it when one of your friends gets really worked over by a big fish. There’s nothing like drinking a cold beer in front of them while he fights it.”

started serious offshore fishing with some buddies five years ago in Grand Isle, Louisiana. We didn’t fish many tournaments at that point mainly because we were all poor college kids fishing by ourselves. This year we have decided to make the shift and start tournament fishing.” “It seems like every day is a story in itself. One trip we had three swordfish to the boat before we had a chance to put all the lines out. Another trip was shortly after Hurricane Gustaf, when we set out on a swordfishing trip and the water was so nice we decided to try for yellowfin tuna before nightfall. We ended up catching three yellowfins over 150 pounds and the rest were in the 70- to 90-pound range. Another would be swimming with the sailfish in Los Sueños, definitely an amazing experience.” “We try to fish with as many knowledgeable anglers as possible and trying different things to see what works best. Once a tournament gets close, we’ll fish with just our crew and discuss strategies for what we should be doing and how we should do it. The week prior to the start of an event, we will meet and lay out what we want to use in our spread and prep everything.”

Billfishing Magazine

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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

Phone: 305-633-8011 www.bertram.com

Blue Water Shirt Club For those 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

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

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

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

XOJET, Inc. Industry-leading provider of jet aircraft services

959 Skyway Rd. San Carlos, CA 94070

Paul Jablon Phone: 949-887-1825 www.xojet.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

2009 WBS World Tour Standings

Boat Name Rude Awakening Big Oh Miss Annie Osprey Debaitable Chips Ahoy The Natural Miss Annie Miss Britt 2 Masque Miss Annie Priority Goin Raptor Masque Sandra T Big Oh Osprey Miss Annie Chips Ahoy Lady Lane Stormrider Kemosabe Chips Ahoy Juel Marie

200 0 0 275 350 350 0 0 575 0 0 125 125 0 50 0 0 0 275 500 0 200 200 0

575 575 0 350 275 425 0 0 0 575 0 425 425 425 0 0 0 0 275 0 0 200 200 0

125 0 0 0 0 200 0 0 125 125 0 0 0 0 0 125 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

350 575 1175 500 275 0 875 800 0 0 650 0 0 125 500 425 650 575 0 0 500 0 0 500

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

ADDITIONAL PARTICIPATION POINTS

Angler Rudy Polselli Jr. Gray Ingram Greg Bogdan Lamont Harris Molly Flemming Mark Wodlinger Anthony Rizzo Mark Donahue Dave Dickerson Bob DeGabriel Frank Naparano Jim Vaughan Nick Cardella Mark Schwartz Serena Wilson Kevin Paul Chip Valley Barry Weshnak Keith McDonald Rob Lane Paul Scopinic Debi Cantor Tony Cummings Chris Martin

Pa l Sa m B ilfi eac sh h Cla ss ic Sil ve rS ail fis hD Jup erb y To iter ur B na illf me ish nt Bu c c Sa an ilfi ee sh r C Re up lea We se st Sa Pa ilfi lm sh B Cla eac Fo ss h ic rt L Bil au lfis de h T rda ou le rn El am Pe en s To ca t ur do na B m Ne en illfis t h w Bil Sm lfis yr h I na nv Be ita ac tio h na l

Treasure Coast Division

0 100 50 0 150 0 0 50 100 0 50 100 100 100 100 100 0 50 0 50 50 100 100 0

1250 1250 1225 1125 1050 975 875 850 800 700 700 650 650 650 650 650 650 625 550 550 550 500 500 500

425 300 275 275 200 575 125 275 0 0 200 0 350 0 200 350 275 275 425 0 650 0 275 0

800 1025 1250 500 1025 575 850 575 800 725 500 725 500 500 0 650 550 425 275 575 425 275 350 575

425 275 425 200 200 275 125 350 350 275 125 200 0 0 200 125 0 125 125 0 0 500 125 0

1250 875 275 1175 425 350 500 350 350 500 575 350 425 725 800 0 275 275 275 500 0 275 275 425

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

ADDITIONAL PARTICIPATION POINTS

Boat Name Uptight Miss Costa Wound Up Jichi Get Lit Mar Azul Rockstar Miss Britt 2 Contender One Get Lit High Standards Qualifier Team Costa Owls Nest Weez in the Keys Qualifier High Standards Priceless G Team Manhole Heaven Native Son No Mercy Night Prowler Fish Tales

CANCELLED FOR 2009

Angler Jeffrey Fiorentino Bill Danko Warren Sands Luis Isaias Peter Miller Nicole Portuondo Jorge Piedra John Burke Joe Neber Kitt Toomey Frankie Villasante Tyler Claus Charmain Rosher Eloy Dominguez Scott Robins Trey Claus Josh Miller Miguel Sosa Johnny White Danny Perna Jamie Bunn Albert Castro Adam Yunis Alex Vazquez

IS ail fis h

Kic Ch ko ee ff c Pr a es Lo ide dg nt e ial Sa M ilfi iam sh iM ay or â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ca Cu pt. p Bil Bo lfis b L h C ew ha is M lle iam ng e To i B ur ill na fis me h nt Th eS ail fis hT ou Isl rn am . Sw ora or d a dfi sh M To iam ur n. Sw i or dfi sh To ur n.

Southeast Division

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

2900 2475 2225 2150 1850 1775 1600 1550 1500 1500 1400 1275 1275 1225 1200 1125 1100 1100 1100 1075 1075 1050 1025 1000

Billfishing Magazine

2009 WBS World Tour Standngs

1675 1225 1050 1750 575 1175 1300 1175 425 1675 975 1200 975 1125 975 575 125 0 600 0 800 0 1050 950

4125 4125 3150 1650 3250 2525 2275 2275 3000 1725 2525 2050 1700 2050 2050 1650 2925 2850 2275 2850 2025 2825 1725 1800

0 0 0 750 125 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 625 0 0 850 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

ADDITIONAL PARTICIPATION POINTS

Angler Boat Name Spanish Fly Richard Lebo James Kontos Let it Ride Penny Perfect Lee Anderson Jimmy Taylor Super Fly Let it Ride Arthur Kontos Larry Drivon Spanish Fly Mark Christopher Clean Sweep Tom Russell Cerveza Drew McDowell Dealer’s Choice Bob Osborne One Two Many Frank Smith Jr. Lady Columbo Steve Schmeusser Cerveza Greg Voell Mimi Mike Miller Bill Collector Jordan Hammell Got Walls Jeremy Warren Hook Larry Allison High Hook Paul Vartanian D Flawless Richard Binkus R&J Robert Pacilli Penguin Larry Allison Jr. High Hook Whaley Brettingham Pumpin’ Hard Gerald Aliseo Dream Maker Scott Wiggins Dragin Fly

Lo s Sig Sue na ños tu re Se rie Lo sI sS Sig ue ñ na os tu re Se rie Th sI eP I Ch re all sid en en ge tal of Co Th sta eP Ric Ch res a all ide en n ge tal of Pa Th na eP ma Ch re s all id en en ge tia of l El Th Sa e lva Ch Pres do all id r en en ge tia of l Gu Lo ate sS ma Inv ue la ñ ita os tio M na ar l lin

Pacific Division

100 0 0 0 0 0 0 100 100 100 0 100 0 100 100 0 0 50 0 0 0 0 0 0

5900 5350 4200 4150 3950 3700 3575 3550 3525 3500 3500 3350 3300 3275 3125 3075 3050 2900 2875 2850 2825 2825 2775 2750

www.FishWBS.com

125 525 850 0 900 450 450 900 0 0 350 975 0 1250 0 0 0 1153 0 575 525 0 450 575 450 0 450 450 0 450 0 450 450 0 0 850 0 300 450 0 0 850 0 0 850 0 573 175 125 125 450 0 0 700 125 0 450 0 575 0 0 0 575 200 350 0 0 0 525 0 0 450

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

ADDITIONAL PARTICIPATION POINTS

Boat Name Marlin Darlin Therapy Crush Em Ultra High Cotton Bac in Five Fa La Me One Two Many Reel Estate The Edge Blue Eagle Floridian Miss Annie Marlin Darlin Our Dream Daymaker Double Dog Wave Paver Deguello Omigosh One Two Many Black Gold Double Dog Quiet Storm

CANCELLED FOR 2009

Angler Bobby Jacobsen George Lorton Ron Bennett Ryan Riggs Russell White John Andrae Tim Lanahan Gary Angel Robert Harrell Trey Brown Brad Jones Justin Cain Mark Donahue Beecher Jacobsen Bill Gardner Mark Daniels Don McKinney Jr. Davis Gary Domel Don Schmidt Bob Osborne Harry Sargeant Dave Albury Doug Covin

BB Ch C B am im BB pioini Ch C C nsh am en ip t BB pio ral A Ch C C nsh bac am ap ip o e HM pio Ele Ch Y- nsh uth ip er am Bo a BB pioat H Ch C B nsh arb am oa ip our Tre piot Ha To asu nsh rbo ur re ip ur BB nam Cay Ch C T ent Bil lfis am rea h Ab pio sur e Chaco nsh Ca all Bi ip y en llfi g sh VI GF e C Ju ly A. O ToH. R urn iise pen 3r ame BVI of d In nt Bill fis th t’l F h Sa e Noishi n n Bi Ju rth g T llfi an C ou sh In oa rn To t’l st . Ca ur rib na be m an e Cu nt p

Caribbean Division

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 100 0 0 100 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50

1500 1350 1350 1325 1250 1153 1100 1025 900 900 900 900 850 850 850 848 700 700 575 575 575 550 525 500

2009 WBS World Tour Standngs

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

450 450 450 450 450 300 300 175 175 175 175 175 175 175 175 175 175 125 125 125 125 125

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Liz a M rd I arl sla in nd Cla B ss lac ic k

Ta h Bil itian lfis In h T ter ou na rn tio am na en l t

Br o Fis ken h C Ba ha y G mp am ion e sh ip

Boat Name Double Dog Kranky Rampage In a Meeting In a Meeting T Star Club Marine Aluhra Deep Blue Kurly Born Free Sea Warrior In a Meeting Casey Born Free Unknown Boat Name Rampage Sea Warrior Rocket Apple Pie Kurly Mudcrab II Tedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Toy

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

ADDITIONAL PARTICIPATION POINTS

Angler Dave Albury Ben Thompson Cameron Jackson Greg Clark Ron Mattiske Gillian Burrows Mark Pey Andrew Gadd Bill Natsus Brent Hancock Chris Herbert Chris Yu Gavin Watson George Trinkler Jeff Thompson Steven Milgate Verne Patagus Jeff Radke Davis Flanaghan Frank Zerafa Scott Hopewell Ted Boyer

M a M rlin M au rit ast ius er s

South Pacific Division

50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 0 0 0 0

500 450 450 450 450 300 300 175 175 175 175 175 175 175 175 175 175 175 125 125 125 125

2009 WBS WORLD TOUR DECEMBER 11 – 13, 2008 Miami, Florida FYI Sailfish Kickoff Anthony Albelo (305) 461- 2700

FEBRUARY 26 – MARCH 1 Miami, Florida Capt. Bob Lewis Billfish Challenge Janice Sands (305) 525-8941

MAY 25 – 29 Marsh Harbour, Bahamas HMY-Boat Harbour Billfish Blast Lori Cieciersky (954) 926-0400

JANUARY 1 – 3, 2009 Palm Beach, Florida Palm Beach Sailfish Classic Pat Ross (561) 818-6095

MARCH 14 – 16 Sydney, Australia Broken Bay GFC Phil Epthorp 011 0407 237 414

JUNE 2 – 5 Boat Harbour, Bahamas BBC Boat Harbour Championship Brenda Fletcher (954) 920-5577

JANUARY 7 – 10 Palm Beach, Florida Silver Sailfish Derby Tom Twyford (561) 832-6780

MARCH 24 – 29 Raiatea, Tahiti Tahitian International Billfish Tourn. Dominique Goche 011 689 60 05 45

JUNE 3 – 7 Biloxi, Mississippi Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Bobby Carter (228) 436-7928

JANUARY 14 – 16 Jupiter, Florida Jupiter Billfish Tournament Scott Nichols (561) 262-6424

MARCH 20 – 22 Samara, Costa Rica Presidential Challenge of Costa Rica Joan M. Vernon (305) 361-9258

JUNE 7 – 12 Abaco, Bahamas Treasure Cay Billfish Tournament Jim Brown (561) 603-3101

JANUARY 15 – 17 Islamorada, Florida Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Liz Hill (305) 451-5094

APRIL 2 – 5 Miami, Florida Miami Billfish Tournament Judy Layne (305) 598-2525

JULY 7 - 14 (note date change) St. Petersburg, Florida Old Salt Loop Tournament Tom Verdensky (727) 867-9388

JANUARY 21 – 24 Los Sueños, Costa Rica Los Sueños Signature Series #1 Ashley Bretecher A.Bretecher@lossuenosresort.com

APRIL 14 – 17 Bimini, Bahamas BBC Bimini Championship Brenda Fletcher (954) 920-5577

JUNE 11 – 14 Venice, Louisiana New Orleans Invt’l Billfish Tourn. Gino Rendeiro (504) 529-5100

JANUARY 21 – 24 Singer Island, Florida Buccaneer Cup Sailfish Release Gary Caputi (732) 899-9988

APRIL 28 – MAY 2 Treasure Cay, Bahamas BBC Central Abaco Championship Brenda Fletcher (954) 920-5577

JUNE 16 – 19 Treasure Cay, Bahamas BBC Treasure Cay Championship Brenda Fletcher (954) 920-5577

JANUARY 22 – 25 Miami, Florida Miami Mayor’s Cup Anthony Albelo (305) 461-2700

MAY 7 – 10 Cabo San Lucas, Mexico Puerto Los Cabos Billfish Classic Harvey Hunnicutt (714) 259-4899

JUNE 16 – 21 Sandestin, Florida Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic Shawna Meisner (866) 505-4458

FEBRUARY 4 – 8 Black River, Mauritius Marlin Masters Mauritius JP Henry Charters info@blackriver-mauritius.com

MAY 7 – 10 Miami, Florida The Sailfish Tournament Richard Peeples III (305) 672-3807

JUNE 21 – 24 Marsh Harbour, Bahamas Abaco Billfish Tournament Amy Withers (205) 934-0505

FEBRUARY 5 – 8 Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Ft. Lauderdale Billfish Tournament Kitty McGowan (954) 523-1004

MAY 19 – 22 Eleuthera, Bahama BBC Cape Eleuthera Championship Brenda Fletcher (954) 920-5577

JUNE 23 – 26 Baja California Sur, Mexico Palmas De Cortez Billfish Classic Harvey Hunnicutt (714) 259-4899

FEBRUARY 25 – 28 Los Sueños, Costa Rica Los Sueños Signature Series #2 Ashley Bretecher A.Bretecher@lossuenosresort.com

MAY 22 – 25 Orange Beach, Alabama Mobile BGFC Memorial Day Tourn. Robert Weaver (251) 978-5454

JUNE 24 – 27 Charleston, South Carolina Charleston Harbor 2009 Tourn. for Billfish d e ll e Deidre Menefee c an C (843) 345-0369

www.FishWBS.com

SCHEDULE AT A GLAN CE JULY 2 – 5 Pensacola, Florida Pensacola Int’l Billfish Tourn. Greg Whibbs (850) 324-3265

AUGUST 5 – 8 Sarasota, Florida Sarasota Slam Leslie Weed (941) 412-9696

OCTOBER 22 – 24 Bahia del Sol, El Salvador Pres. Challenge of El Salvador Joan M. Vernon (305) 361-9258

JULY 3 – 5 Perlas Islands, Panama PCCA Panama Joan A. Vernon (305) 361-9258

AUGUST 10 – 14 Manteo, North Carolina Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tournament Harry Hindmarsh (252) 473-1015

OCTOBER 24 – 31 Queensland, Australia Lizard Island Black Marlin Classic Bob Lowe 011 612 9546 854

JULY 4 – 6 St. Thomas, Virgin Islands VIGFC July Open Jeffrey Kreiner (404) 580-4126

AUGUST 16 – 21 Cape May, New Jersey Mid-Atlantic $500,000 Bob Glover (609) 884-2400

NOVEMBER 11 – 14 Mazatlán, Mexico Mazatlán Billfish Classic Harvey Hunnicutt (714) 259-4899

JULY 8 – 11 Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands 009 A.H. Riise BVI Billfish d for 2Tournament e ll e c Lawrence Wheatley n Ca (284) 495-8002

AUGUST 28 – 30 Islamorada, Florida Islamorada Swordfish Tournament Richard Peeples III (305) 282-1006

NOVEMBER 13 – 15 Guatemala City, Guatemala Pres. Challenge of Guatemala Joan M. Vernon (305) 361-9258

JULY 8 – 11 Charleston, South Carolina HMY – Viking Megadock McKenzie Hutaff Estes (842) 278-4920

AUGUST 28 – SEPTEMBER 3 San Juan, Puerto Rico San Juan Int’l Billfish Tournament Gonzalo M. Ferrer (787) 727-7700

NOVEMBER 18 – 21 Los Sueños, Costa Rica Los Sueños Marlin Invitational Ashley Bretecher A.Bretecher@lossuenosresort.com

JULY 15 – 19 Panama City, Florida Bay Point Billfish Invitational Scott Burt (850) 235-6911

SEPTEMBER 18 – 20 Marina Portofino, Venezuela Caribbean Cup Joan M. Vernon (305) 361-9258

NOVEMBER 20 – 22 Mazatlán, Mexico Puerto Vallarta Billfish & Tuna Classic Harvey Hunnicutt (714) 259-4899

JULY 22 – 25 Orange Beach, Alabama Outcast Blue Marlin Classic Tommy Holmes (850) 457-1450

SEPTEMBER 24 – 27 Miami, Florida Miami Swordfish Tournament Richard Peeples III (305) 282-1006

DECEMBER 8 – 12 IGT Grand Championship Harvey Hunnicutt (714) 259-4899

JULY 29 – AUGUST 2 Orange Beach, Alabama Orange Beach Billfish Classic Sarah Armstrong (251) 981-4207

SEPTEMBER 30 – OCTOBER 3 Charleston, South Carolina The Sailfish Slam McKenzie Hutaff Estes (843) 278-4920

JULY 30 – AUGUST 1 Morehead City, North Carolina N.C. Ducks Unlimited Bob Lichauer (336) 454-5493

OCTOBER 2 – 4 St. Augustine, Florida El Pescado Billfish Tournament Dennis Rosa (904) 642-0210

JULY 30 – AUGUST 2 Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic 3rd Int’l Fishing Tourn. of the North Coast Ambra Attus (809) 200-8004

OCTOBER 8 – 11 New Smyrna Beach, Florida New Smyrna Beach Billfish Invt’l Jon Zeller (386) 290-4181

AUGUST 3 – 7 Ocean City, Maryland White Marlin Open Jim Motsko (410) 289-9229

OCTOBER 10 – 13 Cabo San Lucas, Mexico Puerto Los Cabos World Cup Harvey Hunnicutt (714) 259-4899

DECEMBER 2 – 5 WBS GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS Los Sueños, Costa Rica Sam White (727) 864-4400

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 of the year. Please call us at 727-864-4400 or visit www.fishwbs.com for the most up to date tournament information. Billfishing Magazine