速
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.
Boat Division 2009 Viking
203
Hatteras
50
Ricky Scarborough
29
Contender
27
Ocean Yacht
22
Motor Division 2009
President’s Cup Kona Blue Trophy by Geoffrey Smith www.geoffreysmith.com
MAN
57
MTU/Detroit Diesel
55
Caterpillar
33
Yamaha
26
Mercury
9
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 Fireworks are always one of the exciting spectacles during the HMY Boat Harbour Billfish Blast. Photo courtesy of Bailey Bobbitt
Departments 7 7 8 12
Editor’s Message Upcoming Event Calendar Industry News Caught On The WBS World Tour
Destinations 16 Destination: Tampa Bay, Florida A top destination with oustanding offshore action plus a wide array of other activities, Florida’s Tampa Bay area is hard to beat.
Tournament Tales 24 Boat Harbour Billfish Blast Event organizers have always promised their anglers a competitive event with the emphasis on fun.
28 Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic The Gulf Coast competition heats up with this favorite.
32 Treasure Cay Billfish Tournament Team Galati’s junior angler dominates this year’s event.
36 PCCA Panama The Presidential Challenge returns to Panama in 2009.
Angler Profiles 35 Betty Bauman 37 Tom Jeziorski 39 Dan Luke
Inside the WBS 52 2009 Sponsors 53 2009 Standings 56 2009 World Tour Schedule
Billfishing Magazine
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Founded in 2006, XOJET has quickly become one of the world’s fastest growing private aviation companies. Their unique business model combines private jet ownership, membership and on-demand travel with a singular focus on providing the highest level of DVTUPNFS TFSWJDF BU FWFSZ QPJOU PG UIF DMJFOUnT FYQFSJFODF #BDLFE CZ 51( B MFBEJOH HMPCBM QSJWBUF JOWFTUNFOU æ SN XJUI PWFS CJMMJPO PG DBQJUBM VOEFS NBOBHFNFOU 90+&5 IBT SBJTFE CJMMJPO JO æ OBODJOH 90+&5 IBT BO "3( 64 1MBUJOVN TBGFUZ SBUJOH 'PS NPSF information please call Paul Jablon at 949.887.1925 or email pjablon@xojet.com. www.xojet.com
THE OFFICIAL PRIVATE AVIATION PROVIDER OF THE 2009 WBS WORLD TOUR
Front Cover
EDITOR’S MESSAGE
FROM THE WBS
Ever wonder why your favorite fishing magazines keep getting thinner and thinner every month? Most every conventional publication operates on a strict balance of editorial versus advertising pages, with the latter paying for the former. So when the advertisers start to cut their budgets, the editorial side suffers and the publication begins looking and feeling lean. Without the editorial coverage, the reader doesn’t feel they’re benefiting from their subscription, so they cancel. The circulation numbers dip. The advertisers don’t renew. It’s a vicious circle. We are fortunate for two reasons—first, we’re a privately owned, debt-free, membership-based publication, and second, we have a very strong core group of sponsors and advertisers that have committed to their support of the WBS and tournament billfishing. However, despite our financial stability, even we are not immune to the belt-tightening that’s happening across the board in the marine industry. In response to these unprecedented times, we have made the difficult decision to move BILLFISHING to a bi-monthly publication schedule for the remainder of 2009. This will allow us to produce fewer but larger and more robust magazines. We’ll still offer the industry’s only dedicated billfishing tournament coverage as well as features on great travel destinations, angler profiles and everything else you’ve come to expect from us, just a bit less often. Those who are enrolled in the Angler’s Club will have their memberships extended accordingly—you paid for twelve issues and you’re going to get twelve issues. We’ll also uphold our advertising commitments to our sponsors in the same fashion. And so to the WBS members, sponsors, tournament directors, captains and crews, volunteers and everyone else involved in this sport, thank you for your continued support and welcome to the “new” BILLFISHING Magazine. See you on the docks this summer,
Sam White World Billfish Series
BILLFISHING
®
The Official Publication of the World Billfish Series June/July 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 Jamie Simons Administrative Director Jana E. Simons Destinations Editor Jeff Merrill
Special Contributors
Upcoming Events JULY 30 – AUGUST 2 3rd Int’l Fishing Tourn. of the N. Coast AUGUST 3 – 7 White Marlin Open AUGUST 5 – 8 Sarasota Slam
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
Rick Gaffney
Capt. Jim Sharpe
Greg Gawlikoski
Tom Twyford
Scott Kerrigan
Capt. Joan Vernon
Alaric Lambert
Eric West
AUGUST 10 – 14 Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tournament AUGUST 16 – 21 Mid-Atlantic $500,000 AUGUST 28 – 30 Islamorada Swordfish Tournament AUGUST 28 – SEPTEMBER 3 San Juan Int’l Billfish Tournament SEPTEMBER 18 – 20 Caribbean Cup
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.
SEPTEMBER 24 – 27 Miami Swordfish Tournament
Order the WBS Tournament Calendar at www.FishWBS.com.
Billfishing Magazine
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INDUSTRY NEWS
ALLIED MARINE APPOINTS NEW MARKETING TEAM
F
ollowing Ferretti S.p.A.’s acquisition of Allied Marine, the sole distributor of Ferretti group yachts in the U.S, Ferretti has decided to make some staffing efficiencies within its current North American structure, including leading sportfishing manufacturer Bertram Yacht and Allied Marine. Allied Marine’s new role within this U.S. structure is that of marketing and sales for all of the Ferretti brands, including Bertram, for the entire U.S. market. As a result of this new structure, Brett Keating has been appointed as the new director of marketing for Allied Marine. After three years, serving as director of marketing of Bertram Yacht and Ferretti Group
has been an active participant in various industry initiatives and the NMMA.
USA, this is assured to be a smooth transition for her and her team. In this new role, Keating will be responsible for managing all of the marketing responsibilities and efforts for the Ferretti brands in the U.S. and will continue to manage Bertram’s marketing objectives on a global scale. Her valuable experience within the boating industry began in 2000 where she worked for U.S. Marine and the Brunswick Boat Group and
Joining Brett at Allied Marine to carry out all of the new marketing initiatives, strategies and activities for the Ferretti brands in the U.S. are Bryan Bogue, who will assume the role of market intelligence manager, Jiannina Castro as the marketing communications manager, and Whitten Hall as marketing specialist for Allied Marine. The new team will support Allied Marine's marketing strategy to provide excellence in quality sales and service that represent the Ferretti brand philosophy. For more info, please contact Jiannina Castro by telephone at 954-462-5527 or via email, jiannina.castro@alliedmarine.com.
THE BILLFISH FOUNDATION UNVEILS NEW RELEASE CERTIFICATES
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he Billfish Foundation has added a new and striking billfish release certificate for anglers worldwide wanting to document that special fishing moment.
The impressive 8 ½ x 11-inch silver foiled stamped document— complete with its Carey Chen artistry of the billfish of the world, perfect for framing to proudly display in the office or home—is offered at no additional charge to members of The Billfish Foundation. The certificate highlights the angler’s name, the date and number of billfish species released as well as the location, captain and boat. “It’s both an instant conversation and conservation piece,” said TBF president Ellen Peel.” It’s also a way of honoring the anglers, captains and mates, TBF’s volunteer stewards of the seas, for relaying their reports of the specific areas and conditions of the billfish they caught from the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans and then safely released. Some skippers and anglers are also equipped with our TBF tagging data kits.”
The release and or tagged reports are entered into TBF’s new databank and also for a yearly competition of captains, anglers and mates who generate the most annual information. TBF science and policy specialist Elliott Stark said, “A combined total of nearly 16,000 TBF tagging data reports and release notification cards were generated last year. Of those, 8,549 billfish were released without being tagged and another 7,180 billfish were tagged and then released. TBF members from more than 70 countries are invited to participate each year.” “When the report card reaches TBF, that information is added in our databank,” Stark added. “Since TBF houses the largest private database on billfish, managing bodies of domestic and international marine resources like the National Marine Fisheries Service and the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic 8
www.FishWBS.com
Tunas rely on TBF to update their databases increasing their knowledge of the migration behaviors of billfish,” he said. “In turn,” said Peel, “Captains, mates and anglers of all ages enjoy the release certificates as a lasting way to commemorate the catch, release and conservation of a billfish. We decided to give the release certificate a more modern look by adding Carey’s stunning art. He was TBF’s Artist of the Year in 2003 and we’re proud to have his support of TBF’s conservation work. Carey’s gorgeous illustrations are in numerous TBF publications and we auction original paintings of his at our October dinner each year,” she said. Stark added, “Anglers can receive a certificate as a free premium once they become an active member of TBF ($25 annually) or purchase them for $20 per certificate whether they release or tag a billfish. Anglers must fill out the TBF release card, which gives us a record of their catch. TBF sends non-members a confirmation report about their released billfish, where the angler confirms/edits the data submitted and has the option of purchasing the certificate or becoming a member. As long as the person is an active member of TBF, they can receive an unlimited amount of certificates under their name.” To join TBF, visit www.billfish.org or phone Deborah Cummings at 954-938-0150, ext. 106 or email her at Deborah_Cummings@billfish.org.
INDUSTRY NEWS
BLUEFIN TUNA CONSERVATION ZONE ESTABLISHED IN GULF
T
he National Marine Fisheries Service recently released its Final Amendment I to the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species plan, officially designating a vast area of the western Gulf a special conservation zone to protect breeding bluefin tuna from human-induced impacts. Western Atlantic bluefin tuna are severely depleted, and this area is the western bluefin's only known spawning ground. The designation is a Habitat Area of Particular Concern, or HAPC. HAPCs are not required to have any specific management measures and a HAPC designation does not automatically result in closures or other fishing restrictions. Rather, the areas are intended to focus con-
FROM THE IGFA
servation efforts and bring heightened awareness to the importance of the habitat. To see the Gulf of Mexico bluefin HAPC boundaries, see this interactive map (under species-lifestage, select bluefin tuna and then HAPC, www.savethefish.org/conservation_news_bluefin.htm. NMFS received a joint request in 2007 from the National Coalition for Marine Conservation and the Tag-a-Giant Foundation to consider establishing a new HAPC for spawning bluefin tuna in the Gulf of Mexico. The HAPC will coincide with the area identified in a petition submitted to NMFS in June 2005 by NCMC, Oceana, Blue Ocean Institute, NRDC and Monterey Bay Aquarium and based on new electronic tagging studies by Dr. Barbara Block of Stanford University. Amendment I and supporting documents are available on the NMFS web site www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/EFH/index.htm.
DOLPHIN RESEARCH UPDATE
T
ag recovery reports have poured in during the first half of 2009, with a total of 41 tags reported recovered so far this year. This is an amazing increase considering that just 27 tags were recovered for all of 2008. Only during 2007, when 73 tags were reported for the entire year were there more recoveries reported during the first half of the season.
T
here are over 31,000 species of fish in the world, but less than 6,000 species of mammals.
The world’s biggest fish is the whale shark, which can grow to over 60 feet in length, weigh over 15,000 pounds and live as old as 70 years. The world’s smallest fish, known only by its scientific name of Paedocypris progenetica, grows only to about 8 millimeters in length. Bigger specimens of a given species have a smaller gill area to body weight than smaller species. This means that big fish tend to run out of oxygen faster than smaller fish of a given species.
Tag recoveries are largely a direct function of the number of fish tagged. The record-setting year of 2007 saw 73 tags recovered when there were more than 2,400 fish marked and released. In 2008, with almost 1,400 dolphin tagged, 27 tags were recovered. The first half of 2009 has had 900 fish tagged and an amazing 41 tags reported. The 2009 recovery rate of 4.6 percent is almost double the normal rate of 2.5 percent. Such a large increase in the rate at which tags are recovered is most likely the result of angler education as opposed to an increase in the portion of the stock being harvested. Dolphin recovered in 2009 have originated from just four areas. Surprisingly, fish from the Bahamas have accounted for almost one quarter of the overall returns. As usual, it continues to be the fish marked off the Florida Keys that have produced the majority of the recaptures, at 56 percent. South Florida accounted for another six recaptures, and finally, the waters off Puerto Rico produced a single but very important recovery. For more information on the D0lphinfish Research Program, please contact Don Hammond by telephone at 843-795-7524 or visit www.dolphintagging.com. Billfishing Magazine
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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.
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?
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caught on tour the place to see your face 5
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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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Billfishing Magazine
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caught on tour the place to see your face 15
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Congratulations to our most recent contest winners:
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We need your submissions no matter how many faces you can put names to. Brady Fisherson — Lebanon, FL Nick Linn — Clearwater, FL
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“Caught On WBS Tour” Contest 23
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The WBS Anglers Club member who correctly identifies the most people on pages 12, 13 and 15 by September 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
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e r u t n e v d A r o f t s e W Go
Photos in this story courtesy of the city of St. Petersburg, Tampa’ Lowry Park Zoo, Salvador Dali Museum
ns t coast mea Florida’s wes ig fish for db long runs an e up to the ar o those wh challenge.
rks and beauamusement pa its r fo n stow kn r n, the central we erhaps bette billfishing actio y its wa an e th th s in he h ac tiful be lds muc a nevertheless ho id . or ok Fl lo of r t se as clo co ern t’s take a r its visitors. Le of excitement fo state llfishing off the tion turns to bi sa st er we nv l co ra of nt c ce e than the When the topi overlooked mor us is pl h on is gi ilf re sa no of of Florida, has its hordes d the southeast Keys and on coast. Miami an e same with the th d an n, tio ac h is plenty of swordf
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tin has blue and l east coast. Des ra nt ce e th d sails. But d an up to Stuart blues, whites an s ha e ill nv so ck ile Ja ? white marlin, wh ater to Sarasota tch from Clearw re st e th t ou ab what hery in the althy offshore fis he ry ve a is e er is th t there. “Our The good news ng, long way ou lo a s It’ ? ws ne about 75 miles region. The bad at a minimum of ts ar st ction” n tio ac r nt,” said Chip “A real bluewate the Loop Curre of a ys ge ed wa e al e th ar on rs. “There offshore, r area’s top skippe fo e th ng iti of e ba eon liv n, Jackso lly by guys ht inshore, usua marlin, yelfew sailfish caug blue and white et rg ta to nt 100 wa u yo if making a run of kingfish, but dolphin, plan on r ng lo ffe g ga in d ak an m na — mount lowfin tu y.” Safety is para utical wa na e to on e in or ak m is or miles at and crew fully-prepared bo being preruns without a en it comes to wh n ke ta is re ca Aboard h uc at m on the we her. suicide, so g a close watch in t one ep ke no e so ar al e d er pared an tfisherman, th or sp lom st t, cu ot son liferaf sate Jackson’s 56-fo Bs, an eight-per IR EP . l ar na ge tio ty nc fe but two fully-fu t of additional sa d full complimen far lite telephone an uivalent of the nturing to the eq rk ve r Pa fo ic ff ss yo ra pa Ju e o? “It’s like So what’s th e Gulf of Mexic . rs th ge in n Ro n oo m Be e side of th r local captain, rding to anothe out there,” acco
Billfishing Magazine
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Point A Point...
Lifting the standard of yacht transport www.YACHTPATH.com
PALM BEACH
SEATTLE
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ENSENADA
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What’s In A Name? Historically, Tampa was little more than a village when Spanish-born Vicente Martinez Ybor, pronounced ee-bore, arrived in 1886 to make cigars. Only two years before, Henry Bradley Plant had extended railroad connections to Tampa and set about upgrading port facilities. Plant’s raiI and shipping lines would allow the Spaniard to import high quality tobacco leaf from Cuba, then manufacture and ship cigars to all points of the compass. Springing up was Ybor City, soon to be the “Cigar Capital of the World,” with nearly 12,000 tabaqueros (cigar-makers) employed in 200 factories, producing some 700 million cigars a year at the industry’s peak.
Culturally, Ybor City also hosted theaters presenting opera, vaudeville, ethnic comedy and drama. In the early 1900s when rail was Florida’s primary means of transport, brick warehouses were built in Tampa’s Channel District near Union Station, yet by the early nineties, it had fallen into blight. In 1993, Tampa moved to clean up the area with the Channel District Plan. Valuable waterfront was reclaimed for The Florida Aquarium, Seaport Street Terminal, Ice Palace, the new Tampa Port Authority Headquarters, and the Marriott Waterside Hotel. Garrison Channel land was dedicated for a public park. Artists and entrepreneurs transformed aging warehouses into elegant lofts and live-work spaces. Movie theaters, restaurants, and retail shopping at Channelside opened while the Tampa Historic Streetcar System was upgraded to link the Channel District to Ybor City, Harbour Island and the Convention Center. The result has provided easier access to attractions than ever before.
Ybor City, founded primarily by Spanish and Cuban immigrants, is one of the oldest communities in Tampa Bay.
The influences of the region’s multi-cultural immigrants can be seen throughout the Bay area in its archtecture and artwork.
Downtown Tampa’s Channelside district gleams like a fine diamond at night.
Billfishing Magazine
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“You’re fishing in waters that receive very low fishing pressure from anyone, recreational or commercial, so you may be baiting fish that have never seen a lure before. On our last trip out there, we pulled a spread of baits in front of schools of big yellowfin tuna busting on the surface and had every rod get crashed by 150-pound tunas,” he reported. “We also saw one of the largest blue marlin I’ve ever seen while fishing around those same schools of tuna—this blue was easily 800 pounds.” In addition, both captains reported excellent fishing for white marlin, wahoo and big dolphin in these faraway grounds. “Grand slams are entirely possible, it’s just a matter of being prepared,” Rogers said. “If you’re tuna fishing with smaller baits you should pull
Sailfish, above and left, and tuna, below, are just two of the primary offshore gamefish found off the west coast.
Photo provided by Never Enough Charters
something bigger for a blue marlin, or if you’re marlin fishing then have a pitch rod for a white or sailfish and be ready to take advantage of those opportunities.”
Photo provided by Ken Ellenborgen
And, like their brethren on the East Coast, the Gulf of Mexico anglers have turned their nighttime attention to fishing for swordfish, once the most elusive of billfish species but now a regular target once the sun dips below the horizon. Drifting throughout the hours of darkness with a combination of rigged squid and live baits often produces multiple bites from these denizens of the deep blue sea. Surprisingly, given the long distance to the blue water, the Tampa/St. Petersburg area is also home to one of the Sunshine State’s oldest continuously-active offshore fishing clubs. In 1971, the Gulf Oceanographic Development Foundation, Inc. under the direction of Dr. Robert Smith, director of the State University System Institute of Oceanography, began to explore the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Loop Current.
What the Gulf Stream is to the East Coast, the Loop is to the Gulf of Mexico. This nutrient-rich river of warm water flows northward between Cuba and Mexico’s Yucatán peninsula before looping west and south and exiting to the east through the Florida Straits. As it passes along the 100-fathom curve flowing north-northwest off Florida’s western coast, it brings with it a variety of both baitfish and gamefish riding on its gentle eddies. Fishing expeditions were organized to investigate theories developed by the scientists. Since the initial fishing expedition and subsequent efforts were closely associated with the Loop Current’s unusual scientific phenomena, a descriptive name was given the effort: Operation Loop Development – Suncoast Angler’s Loop Tournament (O.L.D. S.A.L.T.) The Old Salt Fishing Club was born, forging a partnership between fisherman and the scientific community. To this day, the Old Salt club continues to aid the scientific community wherever and whenever possible.
Billfishing Magazine
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Tournaments also play an important part in both research and the local economies, as evidenced by the area’s spate of offshore events. The Old Salts club hosts their annual Loop Tournament each year, while a similar event, the Sarasota Slam, is held in Sarasota, Florida—both attract the region’s top offshore big-game talent every summer, and both are sanctioned by the World Billfish Series as part of the Gulf Coast Division. Not all of the area’s piscatorial action happens over the horizon though. Late spring sees an excellent run of tarpon through the area’s passes, with many specimens topping the 150-pound mark. In fact, the fishing for the “silver kings” of Tampa can be every bit as good, if not better, than the more famous but much more crowded fishery just to the south in Boca Grande. Throw in spring and fall migrations of kingfish and good numbers of resident grouper, snapper and amberjack and the nearshore fishery in the central west coast is as good as it gets anywhere in the state. But what about shoreside attractions? St. Petersburg is quite famous for its museums, including one that’s quite surreal. Situated in downtown St. Petersburg, the Salvador Dali Museum is home to the world’s most comprehensive collection of works by the late Spanish surrealist Salvador Dali. The collection includes 94 original oils, over 100 watercolors and drawings, plus 1,300 graphics, sculptures, holograms, objects of art and photographs. From the little known early works in which Dali painted in Impressionist styles, to his Classic and Surrealist periods, one will see hints of Picasso, Cezanne, Velasquez and others culminating in a distinctive Dali style. The famous double image paintings and the monumental canvases are among the most popular in the museum. Another favorite with visitors is the Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, located in Tampa. Voted the No. 1 zoo in the United States by Parents magazine in 2009, Tampa’s Lowry Park features 2,000 animals on 56 acres of lush, natural habitat in seven exhibition areas. A favorite among all visitors is the African exhibit, with giraffes, rhinos and more. There’s even a young African elephant and accompanying herd. Young children especially enjoy Wallaroo Station, a 4.5-acre children’s zoo designed especially for youngsters. Kids can feed the small Australian parrots, cool off in the water play area, ride the ponies, pet the goats or romp in the playground, all under close adult supervision. Another favored spot is the Florida Manatee Aquatic Center, which houses the David A. Stratz Jr. Manatee Hospital, where guests have the ability to see native Florida manatees from both above and below the water as well as looking into the hospital area where keepers provide critical care for injured, sick and orphaned manatees.
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Top Left: Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo is home to many exotic animals including the rare Florida panther. Above: Fort Desoto Park has been named one of America’s top beaches. Middle Left: For those who want to get away from it all, Honeymoon Island is an excellent choice. Bottom Right: Nothing like wetting a line with the kids at the St. Pete Pier.
Then there are those world-famous white sand beaches. Travelers agree, the St. Pete/Clearwater area is home to America’s best. Made official by TripAdvisor’s 2009 list of the top ten beaches in the country, Fort DeSoto Park in nearby Tierra Verde took top honors for the second consecutive year, while Honeymoon Island State Park ranked ninth. The world’s largest online travel community praised Fort DeSoto’s North Beach for its “pure white sand and clear water,” describing it as a “wide, family-friendly stretch” that’s “both naturally beautiful and convenient.” Particular kudos went to the park’s many amenities, such as picnic tables, grills, and ample restrooms. Dunedin’s Honeymoon Island was praised for its serene atmosphere and its “undisturbed natural beauty.” Described as, “not your typical beachgoer’s beach,” the barrier island sets itself apart because it “lets visitors interact with the scenic natural environment of the area, from swimming to seashells to sunsets.” Fodor’s Travel Publications, America’s largest travel publisher, named Clearwater Beach one of the East Coast’s Seven Best Family Beaches. Clearwater Beach was referred to as a “a gem for families” with “gorgeous white sand, attentive lifeguards, shallow waters that are clear and warm, a pier, and plenty showers and restrooms.” And, with Sunsets at Pier 60, nearby Beach Walk and countless watersports options, there’s something for every age in the family. So the next time that travel bug bites, head for Florida’s wild, wild West Coast. It’s easy to visit but hard to forget.ww Billfishing Magazine
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t it b b o B y e il By Ba HMY - Boat Harbour Billfish Blast Marsh Harbour, Bahamas www.BillfishBlast.com
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I
t seems that the only certainty in the tournament calendar for the past few months has been uncertainty.
In the final month preceding the event, the HMY-Boat Harbour Billfish Blast, celebrating its tenth anniversary, emerged from the malaise of tournament torpor, as if saying, “Not me, not now! I am heading into my tenth year and I will be strong and like always, I will have fun doing it!” Buoyed by the kinetic energy of returning Tournament coordinator, Laurie Ciecierski-Bass, the tournament drew an impressive field of 26 boats. The Blast is a joint venture between HMY Yacht Sales and the Abaco Beach Resort and is held at the Abaco Beach Resort at Boat Harbour Marina in Marsh Harbour, Bahamas.
seven minutes after the lines in call by the Blast’s radio goddess, Beth Davis. By day’s end, the Aquaholic had the lead with two blue marlin releases followed by Tom Cat and Bam Boo on time. Fishing had been consistent throughout the day and nearly half the fleet was on the board. The tournament family gathered under the tent Tuesday evening for Mardi Gras gaming, featuring a dinner and friendly games of
When you enter the tournament tent for the opening cocktails, supper and festivities, you don’t need the eyes of an osprey to notice exceptional things going on here. To celebrate Memorial Day, all of the tables are festooned with centerpieces of red, white and blue. Only the Blast would provide daily awards for Best Centerpiece creations. Children and adults of all ages are wearing extravagant balloon creations which alerts you to the presence of Karl Koppertop, while gasps of disbelief make you aware that Mio the Magician is nearby and clouding the lines between reality and escapism. With introductions complete, tournament rules dis-
While Karl Koppertop kept the crowd entertained with balloon creations, everyone else gathered for a friendly game of poker Tuesday night. The Blast promises its participants a fun event. and it never disappoints.
poker, blackjack and craps. Both Mio and Karl Koppertop performed their incredible feints and sleights of hand featuring aces, jacks, and deuces but when they offered their services as dealers at the blackjack table, they were thanked, but firmly turned away.
Photos by Bailey Bobbitt
cussed and a sumptuous buffet consumed, the relaxed crowd retired to the docks for the traditional fireworks display. Viewing the sparkling exhibition from the lofty heights of the resorts weigh in station, I glanced down and read the names of three transoms below which seemed to completely capture the moment: Freebie, Nice N Easy and Sea N Double! The format of the event is three fishing days with a lay day in between. Released fish are scored at 600 points for blue marlin, 200 points for a white and 50 points for sailfish. To qualify in the weight division, blues must measure 115 inches, lower jaw to fork length. You must remember that, at the Blast, there is as much emphasis on having a good time as there is on fishing. Prizes are given daily to the boat playing the best music or the best skit as they depart the marina. The clear winner the first morning was captured by the Pitten family aboard Clean Livin’ with pirate flags fluttering from the riggers, costumed crew members rattling sabers and “It’s a Pirate’s Life For Me” blaring from the loud speakers, they swashbuckled their way past the reviewing stand. Once the fleet reached the rip, angler Don Gemmell aboard Viking 68, scored the first release of the week with a white marlin
On the way to the fishing grounds Wednesday morning, the Rastafarian wannabe’s aboard Reel Joy collected the Best Departure Song award. The first hook up of the day was called in by Nice-N-Easy at 8:50. Two blues and two whites were released before the Nice-N-Easy called back to the Committee Boat to report a blue in the boat for angler Heather Kimball. Later in the day, Heather’s twin sister, Dawn, released a blue. Fishing for the day was superb with the Viking 68 releasing two whites while the Sarah K also released two blues. The totals for the fleet were 11 blues, 7 whites and 2 sailfish released. Some squally weather rumbled over the resort as vessels eased into their slips but it did not dampen the celebrations going on in the cockpit of Nice-N-Easy as officials stretched the all important tape measure to exactly 115 inches. As the champagne was passed around, the scales settled on 603 pounds. Once the digital images had been checked and verified, the standings after two days of fishing were: Sarah K, 1800 points; Nice-N-Easy, 1403 points; Aquaholic, 1200 points. The evening activities held great promise! With the scheduled lay day looming in the morning and the Rockstar/Karaoke Dinner and Talent Competition just ahead, the Blasts’ Disc Jock, Scott Lehr, who was straight from the dock and ready to rock, was at Billfishing Magazine
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The catch to brag about.
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the tent greeting rock star impersonators. Over there was Kid Rock with a glamorous, sequined babe on his arm, while HMY’s Steve Moynihan was having his photo taken with Ozzy Osbourne and his band, and look over there. Yes, it is the Blues Brothers! All this talent ready and willing to burst on stage, and following the buffet dinner, they did just that. Unlike the contestants on Simons’ TV show who are usually as jervous and nerky as
Melanie Rathman aboard Perfect Parts released a white marlin for the first points on the final day. Within half an hour, the Sarah K, a 65-foot Viking, released a blue to solidify their lead at 2400 points, but the bite was on and it was still early in the day. During the day, the Outlaw, a 60-foot Jim Smith, scored a slam with a blue, white and a sail, moving them into third place overall at 1450 points and the Cowpoke, a 61-foot Viking, hooked up to a blue minutes before lines out, and ten minutes later secured their own slam, which also moved them into second place overall with 1450 points. For the day, 11 blues, five whites and two sails were released. At the start of the awards ceremony, HMY’s Steve Moynihan held a moment of silence in memory of his partner, Willis “Doc” Austin. Henceforth, the Top Junior Angler Award was renamed in his honor, won this year by Olivia Pitten on Clean Livin’.
a live bally hoo among a pod of sailfish, participants in the Blast’s karaoke can’t wait to get up and strut their stuff. And did they ever, from country western to Elvis, even a not so surprising appearance from HMY’s Moynihan family and C-Bass to the grand finale featuring the entire staff of the Abaco Beach singing Amazing Grace. The Best Talent award was won by Alan Colantuono. Is that not enough entertainment for one evening? No! Scott Lehr then had anglers and guests jumping through hoops with his musical chairs scavenger hunt, Pass the Orange and swizzle stick with life savers contests. While most everyone was enjoying a deserved lay in the following morning, magicians Mio and Karl were up early and off to local schools for a special performance. They visited the Every Child Counts program for special needs kids on Abaco and then entertained 750 deliriously happy children with magic tricks and juggling at the Abaco Primary School. Following that decidedly satisfying experience, they were back to Abaco Beach for a full schedule of lay day, pool side activities. While contests for Bloody Marys, the Iron Chef and Board Shorts were successfully completed, the rest of the day had participants huddled under the shelter of the pool bar to escape passing squalls and the occasional thunder boomer. The above mentioned contests were won by Merryacht, Olivia and Trey Pitten on Clean Livin’ and young Matthew Vatland on Sarah K.
Junior anglers Olivia Pitten and Matthew Vatland.
Brian Schmidt was named the WBS Top Angler and will receive an invitation to the 2009 WBS Grand Championships in Los Sueños. The event’s Top Angler, who received a Steve Goione original, was Brian Schmidt on Outlaw ( 2 blues and 1 sailfish released) and the Top Female Angler was Dawn Kimball on Nice-N-Easy ( 1 blue and 1 white released). Heather Kimball’s 603-pound blue was the largest, and only, blue marlin weighed in during the tournament. The Jim Schaeffer Memorial Sportsmanship Award was captured by the 42-foot Tiara, Merryacht, while the Spirit of the Blast Award had a clear winner, the Pitten family on Clean Livin’. In closing, Moynihan noted that this years 10th anniversary coincided with HMY’s 30th anniversary and he was happy to have shared all of the good times and success with all of the sponsors, volunteers and participants, good friends one and all.w
The Sarah K team emerged as the big winners from this year’s event. Billfishing Magazine
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Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic Sandestin, Alabama www.fishecbc.com
ew in the sportfishing world would have guessed that in just seven short years, a tournament like the Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic at Sandestin would have grown to be the richest event on the Gulf Coast, with a payout topping $1.29 million dollars. Through a combination of a world-class resort standing firmly behind the event, an outstanding location in the Florida Panhandle and a tournament staff that works hard throughout the year, it’s become a reality—this year was truly one to remember.
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This year’s event, which took place at title sponsor Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort just outside Destin, Florida, remained the richest tournament on the Gulf Coast by handing out an incredible $1,292,000 in cash awards, marking the tournament’s fourth year in a row of a payout in excess of one million dollars. In the process, a new tournament record was set in the blue marlin division as well. And despite a generally poor economic condition surrounding the marine industry in general and tournament sportfishing in particular, 67 teams elected to fish this year’s event. The Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort is undoubtedly an integral part of the success of this event. Sprawling for thousands of acres, it’s home to several PGA-caliber golf courses as well as the expansive marina and the shops, restaurants and taverns that comprise 28 www.FishWBS.com
the Village of Baytowne. There’s literally something for everyone at Sandestin, making it a popular stop for anglers and their families throughout the year, but made even more special at tournament time. After the usual festivities of a pre-event dock walk, registration and so forth, it was finally time for the boats to depart Thursday afternoon. Unlike a few Gulf tournaments, the registration and welcome party is held Wednesday night but boats are not allowed to depart until the following afternoon, ensuring that all participants can really enjoy themselves all night. Fishing begins as soon as the boats leave the Destin pass, with lines out on Saturday, giving everyone nearly two full days and nights of offshore action. The event is a modified release format, where blue marlin over the tournament minimum length can be boated—all other billfish including white marlin and sailfish are released. Sandestin is also known for its crowds, as the spectators pack the marina by the thousands to witness the weigh-ins that run well into the darkness Saturday night. The fateful call came in to tournament headquarters at 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning. The Jasper Time a 60-foot Hatteras, was clearing the sea buoy with a fat 124-inch blue marlin onboard.
The 2009 season marked the Emerald Coast Classic’s fourth year in a row offering a total purse in excess of one million dollars. Billfishing Magazine
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Tournament director Shawna Meisner advised them to ice her down and bring her to the scales—the blue would be the first fish weighed when the scales opened at 4:00 p.m. The news spread like wildfire and a crowd was waiting anxiously as the fish was hoisted to the scales, where it weighed 714.7-pounds, a new ECBC tournament record! The Jasper Time team would walk away with $325,203.75 for their accomplishment. Pretty amazing all by itself, but even more amazing when you know that it was angler Chip Temple’s first blue marlin. This also marked Capt. Tommy Braden’s second time to the scales—last year he brought in the third place marlin. The 68-foot Viking, A Work of Art, captained by Ron Woodruff, took First Place Release Team with two blue and one white marlin released. The team took home $96,647.50 and will have their name inscribed on The Magnificent Blue Perpetual Trophy. Life is Good came in second with two blue marlin released, and Rocky Jones’ Reel Addiction took third with a blue and a white released. The top dolphin, weighing in at 47.8 pounds, was caught by Brian Schwan fishing aboard You Never Know!, a 64-foot Viking captained by Joey Birbeck and owned by Thomas and Sari Turner. Tommy Browning, Jr, fishing aboard the 67foot Bertram Britney Jean with Capt. Danny Timms, weighed in a 72.6 pound
wahoo for first place in that division. The 60-foot Hatteras First Choice with Capt. Mike Roberto, took top tuna with a 171.1 pound yellowfin. Sherry Polk, fishing aboard the Share-E, a 48-foot Viking with Capt. Eddie Savoy, was the Top Lady Angler. Shawn Clemons, Jr., fishing aboard the 60-foot Bertram Experts Only with Capt. Dale Gardner, was the Top Junior Angler.
Above: While the YOLO paddleboard races kept spectators entertained during the days, it was the offshore action that was the real draw. Below: The Jasper Time took home Top Team honors for their big blue marlin.
Thirty-seven billfish were released including 15 blue marlin, 15 white marlin and seven sailfish. Overall, 87 gamefish were weighed in, including 42 dolphin, 21 yellowfin and two blackfin tuna and 22 wahoo. “Last year I said I couldn’t wait to see what this year brings, and I’m so excited that it brought us a new ECBC tournament record,“ said Shawna Meisner, tournament director. “We’re also proud that we handed out over a million dollars in cash awards for the fourth year in a row. For such a young tournament that’s amazing. But of course the best part was seeing so many of our old friends back again this year, meeting new teams and the incredible support from our sponsors.” The Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic at Sandestin donated over 5,000 pounds of meatfish weighed from this year‘s tournament to Harvest House, a local food bank. The tournament also supports The Billfish Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the conservation and enhancement of the billfish population worldwide, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast by donating cash funds raised through raffles, auctions and other activities. The Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic at Sandestin was presented by Galati Yacht Sales and Viking Yachts. For more information about the event, contact Tournament Director Shawna Meisner at 850-2676168, or find information online. For more information about Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, call 800-470-7389 or visit www.fishecbc.com.w Billfishing Magazine
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he resort, just a short hour flight from Ft. Lauderdale, boasts some of the best amenities in the Abacos. Treasure Cay Hotel Resort and Marina features 78 harborside hotel rooms, including one-, two- or three-bedroom suites. The Treasure Houses on the beach, formerly only for long-term rentals, are now offered for stays as short as three days. Few other resorts can offer their guests this level of flexibility in terms of both accommodations and pricing. In addition, Treasure Cay is also home to one of the finest marinas in the Abacos as well, with 150 permanent slips, fuel, charter fishing and diving operations and much more. For the golfer, there’s an 18-hole course (a rarity in the Bahamas), but the highlight of the show is the three and a half miles of pristine white sand beach on the property. Hosted by the Treasure Cay Hotel Resort and Marina, the Treasure Cay Billfish Tournament offered world-class billfish competition as well as fabulous social events for the anglers and their families. 32
www.FishWBS.com
Now in its 26th year of continuous operation, this event is one of the longest-running family events in the Islands. New for 2009 would be a guaranteed cash payout, offered in addition to the usual four days of fishing, social parties, dinners and fun competitions along the way. The modified release format ensured that the vast majority of all billfish would be released once verified using digital and/or video camera images, while fun fish categories for dolphin, tuna and wahoo would provide plenty of entertainment for the gathered crowds at the scales. This year, Team Galati took top honors with two blue marlin releases by thirteen year-old Chris Galati, Jr. from Anna Maria, Florida. Releasing two blue marlin the first day of the tournament, Team Galati held their first place position for the duration of the tournament with 600 points. With proud father and team captain Chris Galati looking on, Galati, Jr. was awarded trophies for Top Angler, Top Release Angler and Top Junior Angler. “It doesn’t get much better than this,” said the thirteen
year-old champion, “to come to a place I really like, fish this fun tournament for the first time and be lucky enough to walk away with the top prize!” In addition to his tournament awards, Chris Galati, Jr. also receives an automatic three-year qualifying invitation to compete in the WBS Grand Championships, to be held in December in Los Sueños, Costa Rica, where he will have the opportunity to compete against the best anglers in the sport of billfishing while representing the 2009 Treasure Cay Billfish Tournament. Second place overall went to another consistent standout on the WBS World Tour, Ken Cummins’ Hooker, from Bradenton, Florida. The Hooker is another family-oriented team, as Ken regularly fishes with his wife, son and daughters in WBS events throughout the world. This year, his daughter Kelly was on the rod and earned 300 points for a blue marlin release. Midnight Blue, home-ported in Miami, Florida won third place overall while the So Fine from Jacksonville, Florida took fourth. The top three teams also received the
Billfishing Magazine
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Team Galati
guaranteed payout, offered by the tournament for the first time this year. Hooker’s Kelly Cummins won the Top Lady Angler award with 300 points and Chris Galati, Jr. was the Top Junior. Team Hooker
For additional information and reservations, please contact the U.S. representative, Treasure Cay Services Inc. by telephone at 800-327-1584 or 954-525-7711; email: info@treasurecay.com or visit www.treasurecay.com.w
Where To Stay And Play The So Fine took the Top Wahoo trophy with an impressive 96.6pound fish caught by Brad Miller from Jacksonville, FL. Wiliiam Peniero on Domarlo, based in West Palm Beach, Florida earned first place dolphin with a 36.5-pound fish. Lay day activities included a golf tournament, Hell’s Kitchen Dock Party Cookoff and a junkanoo parade performed by the children of the Treasure Cay School, which was also the recipient of the tournament’s charity proceeds. Sponsors of this year’s tournament included Awlgrip North America, Continental Connection/Gulfstream International Airlines, the official airline of the tournament, G&G Shipping and of course the title sponsor, Treasure Cay Hotel Resort and Marina.
Treasure Cay Hotel Resort & Marina is part of a quaint Bahamian village known as Treasure Cay, located less than 200 miles from the east coast of Florida on the island of Abaco in the Bahamas. Guests may relax and enjoy the pristine powdery white 3 ½ mile beach, one of the finest in the Caribbean. Golfers delight in the challenging 18 hole, 6985 yard championship golf course designed by Dick Wilson, while boaters cruise over to experience all the services offered at the 150 slip marina. For added recreation, fishing, boat rentals, scuba diving, snorkeling and a wide variety of water-sports are available. Accommodation includes standard rooms, deluxe rooms and one-, two- or three-bedroom suites. Rooms offer a choice of garden or marina views and feature delightful amenities to ensure a comfortable stay. The suites offer full, complete kitchens, a living area with private balcony and multiple bathrooms. Fine dining is savored at the 250-seat Spinnaker Restaurant overlooking the marina or one may order lunch at the Coco Beach Bar located directly on the beach. The restaurants both feature Bahamian dishes and continental cuisine. There are several locations to “wet your whistle” from the Spinnaker Lounge to the Coco Beach Bar and the Tipsy Seagull Bar. The Tipsy Seagull is renowned as the local hot spot that features weekly live entertainment and dancing ‘til the wee hours.
Chris Galati aboard Team Galati was named the Top Angler and receives an invitation to the WBS Grand Championships.
For more information please visit www.treasurecay.com. Billfishing Magazine
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PCCA Panama San Jose Islands, Panama www.preschallenge.com
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www.FishWBS.com
he beautiful Hacienda del Mar, located in the San Jose islands on the Pacific coast of Panama, lived up to its reputation for tropical beauty as the host for the 2009 Presidential Challenge of Panama. The 21 anglers and seven observers gathered on July 2nd to review the rules for the competition and get to know one another as Bacardi cocktails were served prior to a sumptuous poolside buffet. The seaside pool and patio was the perfect venue to welcome everyone to Panama.
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Day One dawned bright and sunny after a night of tropical thunderstorms, but the seas were calm and welcoming to the fleet. Several local pangas ferried the anglers to the awaiting boats to head out to the fishing grounds, about twenty miles away. The tournament’s location meant relatively short runs to deep blue waters and more fishing time during the day for the anglers in attendance. In order to ensure a level playing field for all participants, Presidential Challenge anglers compete against one another using tournament-supplied Berkley Big Game 20-pound test line. Nonoffset circle hooks are also mandatory, with the Eagle Claw 2004EL versions also being supplied by tournament sponsor Eagle Claw for the event. Finally, experienced observers are placed aboard each boat to record the action. Shortly after the call for lines in, official scorekeeper Dan Kipnis received a call from the 42-foot Maverick, Spanish Fly, that angler Jay Godwin released a fish right when lines were called in. After that is was radio silence until almost noon. John Richardson was riding on his boat, Picaflor, with the ladies team and relayed in several sailfish releases throughout the day. By 3:30 p.m, the scores were tied between Hooker and Spanish Fly, hosting the Maverick Sportfishing team. Each boat had released four sailfish going into the final hour. Suspense was building as radio reception was still not 100 percent. Thanks to good sportsmanship and relays we were able to receive all of the entries. Justin Richardson fishing on the Hooker took lead in the angler division with three sailfish on Day One. Jay Godwin was right behind him with two sails for second place on time over his teammate Bim Lebo. Everyone enjoyed the cocktail party hosted by Baptist Health International and Bacardi back at the dock, and strategies were made for Day Two. Hopefully the fish would join the 4th of July Party! If there’s a constant about Central America, it’s the simple fact that anything can happen, and frequently does. During the night the region experienced an earthquake of unknown magnitude. In spite of being awakened in the night by the shifting planet beneath their feet, anglers were ready to head out to find the fish bright and early the next morning. It took only fifteen minutes for Freddie Probst, fishing aboard the Amangani, to release the first sailfish of the day. The Hooker anglers, Monte and Justin Richardson, added two more sails to their score. Then it was all the Spanish Fly with Capt. Daniel Espinosa at the helm and the Maverick Sportfishing team from Los Sueños, Costa Rica in the cockpit. They found the mother lode and released eight sailfish in short order to put them into the lead for the King Sailfish Mounts Team Division. Picaflor angler Allison Richardson pulled off a double release with only minutes of fishing time remaining to put her team in the third place slot. She was now our leading Lady Angler as the activity for Day Two drew to a close with the call for lines out. Back at the dock, the daily Bacardi Bash was set up and awaiting the anglers’ arrival back at Hacienda del Mar. Once again, a great time was had by all as the tales of the day’s fishing were told and retold over cocktails at poolside, with many thanks going to Billfishing Magazine
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Bobby Olden was the event’s Top WBS Angler. He will receive an automatic three year invitation to the WBS Championships.
The team aboard Maverick Sportfishing had an outstanding Panama event, taking home Top Team and Top Boat honors.
Baptist Health International and Martin Arias for their sponsorship of the event. Arias also raffled off a fantastic gift basket full of great fishing goodies, with angler Freddie Probst being named the lucky winner. The Spanish Fly and Team Maverick started the final day of competition in the PCCA Panama where they left off on Day Two. At 8:34 a.m, Bobby Olden released a sailfish and the team kept on heading towards the win. The Costa Rican team went on to release 22 sailfish in the three-day tournament. The only blue marlin of the event was caught today by Monte Richardson on the Hooker. This guaranteed the team second place. The Picaflor secured third place early in the day with anglers Keri Richardson releasing two sails and Katherine Martin releasing one sail. PCCA newcomer Bobby Olden fishing for the Maverick team won the Baptist Health International Angler Division with nine sailfish releases. Right behind him was Monte Richardson who released one blue marlin and two sailfish to secure second place angler. Jay Godwin gave up his observer duties to join Team Maverick and won third place angler with five sailfish releases.w
With 1400 points, Team Hooker nailed down second place in the tournament.
Final Results 40 Sailfish and 1 Marlin King Sailf ish Mounts Team Division 1st Place Team: Maverick Sportfishing 2200 pts 2nd Place Team: Hooker 1400 pts 3rd Place Team: Picaflor 500 pts Baptis t Health International Angler Divis ion 1st Place Angler: Bobby Olden 1000 pts 2nd Place Angler: Monte Richardson 700 pts 3rd Place Angler: J. Godwin 700 pts Maspormarine Boar Division Top Boat: Spanish Fly 2200 pts 2nd Boat: Hooker 1400 pts 3rd Boat: Picaflor 500 pts
Team Picaflor had a good event, releasing enough sailfish to take home third place honors. Billfishing Magazine
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Betty Bauman Prof ile Tournament Awards 2007 2nd place Tuna: Islamorada Women’s Sailfish Tournament 2006 4th place: World Sailfish Cup 2003 2nd place Tuna: Ladies Fishoff 2000 Celebrity Team Grand Champion: Boy Scout Baybone Tournament, Ocean Reef Club Favorite Billfishing Location: “Treasure Cay, Abaco, in the Bahamas. I love the diversity of fish and abundant marlin and sails. Plus I love the place! No rush hour, great fishing, terrific food and an absolute getaway from the hustle and bustle. Beautiful white sand beach, plus fishing for tuna at sunset right out front is the bomb!” Favorite “Fun Fishing” Location” “The Florida Keys, especially Islamorada. There’s great inshore and offshore fishing all year round.” Other Interests: Snow skiing, horseback riding, singing and playing guitar. Occupation: “I manage fishing events, I’m on the staff of the Treasure Cay Billfish Tournament and founder of the “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!” seminar series (www.ladiesletsgofishing.com).” Thoughts on the Future of Sportfishing: “We all need to ‘limit your catch, not catch your limit’ to ensure there will be fish in the future. Learn proper release techniques so the fish have a chance to survive. Support the organizations that protect the interests of recreational anglers and encourage conservation. Every effort made individually adds up.” Favorite Fish Story: “World Sailfish Championship, 2006: We were leaving the dock in the morning, with camera crew aboard, and my husband, Chuck, was so excited, he tried to pull away from the dock with the bow line still tied. “What’s wrong with my boat?” he asked. We just kept laughing until he figured it out.
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hile others have weekends to spend fishing tournaments, most of mine are spent working at trade shows and preparing for the “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!” seminars and fishing tournaments as staff. I only get to fish about 1-2 tournament per year.” “My most memorable catches would include a 250-pound blue marlin caught out of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands and multitudes of sailfish in Ft. Lauderdale, the Florida Keys, the Bahamas and Costa Rica (I have run several Costa Rica fishing excursions for “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!” in Puerto Jimenez).”
Little did I know that, while I was an angler, I was ‘last up’ when it came to sailfish as I was the token female. I was moving a rod and felt a sail. I locked up and the drag on the reel broke. Plus, the guys could not find the fighting belt. I fought a fish that became tail wrapped for almost an hour with a reel with no drag, thumbing the reel until my hands bled. I brought the fish to the boat and was so exhausted, I couldn’t raise the rod to get around the mate’s foot as he lunged forward to grab the leader. Instant bird’s nest. I kept the pressure on the fish while undoing the tangled line and got him to the boat for a proper release. We won second place daily which wasn’t too shabby. The camera crew got lots of exciting footage of the pandemonium.
When it comes to tournament prep, I like to pre-fish whenever possible to get warmed up and also to have a feel for the local conditions. It also helps you get in sync with the crew. I try to have everything organized the night before and make sure everyone on the boat knows where everything is. Then we always re-spool the lines and check the drags.”
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Tom Jeziorski Prof ile Favorite Billfishing Location: “Key West, the Florida Keys, and anywhere in Florida. The team has a lot of the world to discover and we are just getting started. Many of our tournament experiences have been on still water on calm days where we chant, “Where’s the birds and the weeds…for the love of God just give us a pallet!” Favorite “Fun Fishing” Location: “Anyplace with fun people, sunshine, an appreciation and love of fishing and hearty drink.” Other Interests: “Piloting my 37 Silverton motor yacht around the Great Lakes and many islands, especially Put In Bay, Ohio where Frostys, our team sponsor is located (www.frostys.com). Frostys is the best place on the Put In Bay to have a great time with friends and have a few cold beers.” Occupation: “I’m a partner in a Chicago-based architectural firm, PFB Architects, specializing in healthcare design. I lead a highly talented and diverse team of architects, and planners in the execution of major commissions in the Midwest, ranging up to $400 million in size.”
I
n April 2002 on my first saltwater experience, we experienced a slam of dolphin, tuna, and wahoo with old salts Cap. Phil “Curly” McGinn and Art Cole down in Key West, Florida. After the catch the discussion over cocktails became heated about experiencing ‘real’ sportfishing and the idea for the Frosty Fishing Team was born. Our first tourney was the Key West Marlin Tournament in 2003. Although we were ‘wet behind the ear’ rookies, a 26-pound dolphin kept us with favorable points on the board, and allowed us to hold 13th place for most of the tournament. As my and my teams skills improve, we are setting our sites on tournaments that bring more billfish, not just a great party atmosphere. Presently the team is making plans to experience Costa Rica within the next 12 months.”
Favorite Fish Story: “From your darkest days come your greatest triumphs: a recent tournament outing was a total test of Murphy and his famous law. We set out with a captain we never met, or heard any information about, on an old boat with chugging engines that blew more black smoke than spray when we were underway. After fumbling for and dropping in the drink an instrument the mate called ‘the new gaff,’ which had a dull hook on one end and a loosely attached boat brush on the other, and almost losing a weighable dolphin, we hear a call from the bridge, ‘Help us out here, we almost lost the captain.’ The bolts on the helm seat had sheared off in the commotion and he ended going butt over teakettle with only the thin bridge railing to catch his fall. This pride of the Keys fleet had also just had a total overhaul on the entire A/C system and our team was delighted to think that a few moments off deck in ‘the coldest A/C in the Keys’ would be a welcome relief. It was not to be. The toppling captain had jostled loose the rear bilge hose, directing the spray directly on the A/C side of the generator panel, all but rendering the A/C DOA. Five minutes after that though, he charged the pattern, and I caught and released my first blue marlin.”
“Last July in a tournament I was lucky enough to spot a blue crossing diagonally across our pattern, heading directly for the purple and black soft head lure on the right flat line that I was closest to. As the fish ate, the years of practice and drills paid off. Once the hook was set, as I made my way to the chair, I got a beautiful full on view of the man in the blue suit doing a tail dance extraordinaire across the stern of the boat with my own eyes. My first blue was estimated at 350 pounds. I only wish he would have hit the 130 instead for the 30.” “We start our tournament prep by scanning fishing reports, weather conditions, and then we talk to the locals. Finding out what has been successful and unsuccessful in a certain area, people generally like to talk about themselves, and I think that goes double for most fishermen. It is critical to get to know the boat and the crew. Being a team without a boat, we find ourselves in all kinds of vessels, and many different demeanors of mate and captain. I like to think we are trained like a Navy SEAL team dropped into a high pressure situation, where we must learn all we can in a short time, before carrying out our critical billfish capturing mission!” Billfishing Magazine
43
Photo by Tim Dean
JOIN TBF’S TEAM Passion
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Billfish conservation is a team sport. The Billfish Foundation needs anglers everywhere to join our fight to reduce commercial overfishing . . . stop nations from allowing uncontrolled killing of billfish . . . keep the California longline ban in place . . . convince U.S. fisheries managers to allow billfish to recover . . . and much more. If you love fishing, care about billfish a nd wan t a vibr an t spo r tfishin g tradition for future generations, join TBF’s team today!
Billfishing
Photo by J. Gregory
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Photo by Chris Donato
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Visit us at www.Billfish.org to learn more and to become a TBF member today. Receive a bonus t-shirt and many more benefits for memberships starting at only $25.
Fish Forever!
4HE "ILLFISH &OUNDATION s . &EDERAL (WY 3UITE s &ORT ,AUDERDALE &, s
Dan Luke Prof ile Favorite Billfishing Location: “I fish out of Venice so I’m familiar with those waters, but for numbers of fish the area outside Magdalena Bay off Baja is incredible for striped marlin. There are several banks there where you will be looking at 30 to 50 billfish at a time willing to eat anything you offer them, from casting lures to pulling baits.”
Favorite “Fun Fishing” Location: “Venice, Louisiana. The variety is there, the numbers are there and you can catch something just about year-round.”
Other Interests: “I love fishing but this also means catching bait, crabbing, shrimping, etc. I love to hunt, I shoot competitively, bowhunt, South Texas whitetails, turkeys, ducks, geese, quail, you name it. I also love cooking, especially the fish and game we harvest. I live an outdoor life and have been fortunate to live in South Louisiana where you can do this all year round.”
Occupation: “I’m an independent insurance agent in Covington, Louisiana specializing in commercial property and casualty.”
M
y interest in bluewater tournaments came from fishing inshore for speckled trout. In the 1970s, we started fishing annual rodeos in Breton Sound—it was fun, competitive and since we were usually fishing in the springtime, we caught some beautiful trout. I fished a couple bluewater tournaments in the late 70s out of South Pass, but it wasn’t until 1995 that I became more involved.”
Favorite Fish Story: “There are so many great events, mostly involving first timers experiencing their first big fish, but I suppose my most unusual story involved tuna fishing on the Midnight Lump and our team catching a 702-pound mako shark that was initially hooked up by a friend’s boat that was anchored next to us. After spooling his 80Wide, the errant fish ended up traveling under our anchor rope and crossing under us. It’s a long story but in the end we came back into Cypress Cove Marina in Venice with one huge fish—it was quite unbelievable.”
“I fish a lot and have had plenty of great trips but the ones I remember most were with my late friend Don Delesdernier. We would head out without any particular plan and come in with a huge amount of fish, not to mention an incredible variety. Only fishing out of Venice, Louisiana have I had the pleasure of experiencing this kind of fishing. Another memory is of the many long-range trips I’ve taken out of San Diego, it’s an incredible experience. Imagine 18 anglers all hooked up with marlin, or 300 wahoo caught in one day, or multiple 300-pound yellowfin tuna on the kite baits. It’s hard to beat.” “To be successful in tournament fishing, you have to have a good team, and it’s a combination of personnel, tackle and boat all working together. All the gear needs to be prepped for two to three days of hardcore fishing without breakdowns, equipment failures or miscommunications. The more frequently a team fishes together, the better the plan comes together since everyone can do the other jobs on the boat to ensure success.” Billfishing Magazine
45
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2009 WBS World Tour Sponsors The following companies proudly support the World Billfish Series and the sport of billfishing as sponsors of the 2009 World Billfish Series World Tour.
52
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
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
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2009 WBS World Tour Standings
Sil ve r
Boat Name Rude Awakening Big Oh Miss Annie Osprey Debaitable Chips Ahoy The Natural Miss Annie Miss Britt 1 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
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
ADDITIONAL PARTICIPATION POINTS
Angler Rudy Polselli Jr. Gray Ingram Greg Bogdan Lamont Harris Molly Flemming Mark Wodlinger Anthony Rizzo Mark Donahue Dave Dickerson Bob DeGabrielle 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
Sa ilfi sh De Jup rb y ite To r B ur ill na fis me h nt Bu cc Sa ane ilfi er sh C Re up lea se We st Sa Pa ilfi lm sh B Cla eac ss h Fo ic rt Bil Lau lfis de h T rda ou le rn am El en Pe t To sca ur do na B me ill nt fish Ne 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
425 275 275 300 200 0 575 125 275 0 0 200 0 350 200 350 275 275 425 0 650 0 0 125
800 500 1250 1025 1025 725 575 850 575 800 500 500 725 500 0 650 550 425 275 575 425 275 275 425
425 200 425 275 200 275 275 125 350 350 0 125 200 0 200 125 0 125 125 0 0 500 0 0
1250 1175 275 875 425 500 350 500 350 350 725 575 350 425 800 0 275 275 275 500 0 275 650 200
0 575 350 0 500 275 0 0 0 0 275 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 125 275
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
ADDITIONAL PARTICIPATION POINTS
Boat Name Uptight Jichi Wound Up Miss Costa Get Lit Get Lit Mar Azul Rockstar Miss Britt 2 Contender One Owls Nest High Standards Qualifier Miss Costa Weez in the Keys Qualifier High Standards Priceless G Team Manhole Heaven Native Son No Mercy Tag Line L&H
CANCELLED FOR 2009
Angler Jeffrey Fiorentino Luis Isaias Warren Sands Bill Danko Peter Miller Kitt Toomey Nicole Portuondo Jorge Piedra John Burke Joe Neber Eloy Dominguez Frankie Villasante Tyler Claus Charmain Rosher Scott Robins Trey Claus Josh Miller Miguel Sosa Johnny White Danny Perna Jamie Bunn Albert Castro Gaston Legorburu Freddy David
FY
IS ail fis h
Kic ko ff
Ch e Pr eca es Lo ide dg nt e ial Sa M ilfi iam sh iM ay or ’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 2725 2575 2475 2350 1775 1775 1600 1550 1500 1500 1400 1275 1275 1200 1125 1100 1100 1100 1075 1075 1050 1050 1025
Billfishing Magazine
53
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
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
ADDITIONAL PARTICIPATION POINTS
Angler 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
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
150 0 0 0 0 175 450 925 0 0 0 450 0 0 0 0 0 175 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 2050 450 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1250 0 0 0 0 0 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 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
-
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
ADDITIONAL PARTICIPATION POINTS
www.FishWBS.com
125 525 850 0 1155 0 0 0 0 0 0 575 0 450 450 0 575 525 575 0 0 0 700 0 925 0 300 450 0 450 0 450 450 0 175 0 0 0 125 450 0 350 0 0 975 0 900 450 0 0 450 900 0 0 0 450 0 450 0 0 0 350 975 0 0 0 0 850 0 450 0 1250 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1153 0 0 0 0 0 0 975 0 450 575 0 0 0 0 0 925 0 450 0 450 0 0 0 0 850 0 0 0 0 0 850 0 0 0 0 50 0
CANCELLED FOR 2009
54
Boat Name Marlin Darlin Rude Awakening Omigosh Fa La Me Wave Paver Miss Annie Blue Eagle Waterdog Anejo Therapy Crush Em The Edge Ultra Our Dream High Cotton Gulf Rascal Bac in Five True Grit One Two Many Masque Reel Estate Floridian Sea N Double Omigosh
CANCELLED FOR 2009
Angler Bobby Jacobsen Rudy Polselli Jr. Don Schmidt Tim Lanahan Jr. Davis Mark Donahue Brad Jones Dan Deer Nate Benz George Lorton Ron Bennett Trey Brown Ryan Riggs Bill Gardner Russell White Lee Steiner John Andrae Jeff Theil Gary Angel Brian Schmidt Robert Harrell Justin Cain Paul Osman Tim Wafford
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 50 0 0 0 200 0 0 100 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 50 0
2805 2100 1925 1675 1625 1575 1525 1500 1425 1350 1350 1350 1325 1300 1250 1250 1153 1150 1025 925 900 900 900 900
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
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
M a M rlin M au rit ast ius er s
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 Ted’s Toy
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
ADDITIONAL PARTICIPATION POINTS
Angler 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
Br o Fis ken h C Ba ha y G mp am ion e sh ip
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
0 100 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 0 0 50 50 50 50 50 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1325 1000 900 900 850 850 814 650 575 525 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 450 450 450 450 450 450 450
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 525 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 450 900 0 850 850 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 450 450 450 450 450 450 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
700 0 0 0 0 0 0 650 0 0 500 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 450
175 450 0 850 0 0 764 0 575 0 0 450 450 450 450 450 450 0 0 0 0 0 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 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
ADDITIONAL PARTICIPATION POINTS
Boat Name Conundrum Tico Times Dos Bad Habit Bad Company Pipe Dream Rocket Jasper Time Nautical Nuts A Work of Art Doctor J Brother in Law Life is Good Cotton Patch Uptoit Life is Good Lady Lab A Work of Art C-YA Junk Yard Dog Four Reel Attila Attila Bad Habit Gunfighter
CANCELLED FOR 2009
Angler Justin Hauser David Esslinger Jimmy Fisackerly David Vice Keneth Walker Wayne Kilborn Chip Temple Justin Walker Kevin Courville Joe Akin Russel Saluto Arlen Charpentier Brian Beason Kenny Makowichuk Martin Peake Richard Coleman Scott Favre Allen Stuart Billy Teems Bob Harvey Jr. Brian Gardner John Holloway Sal Cusanza Joey Difatta
Mo Da bile B y T FG ou C M rna e me mo M iss nt rial iss ipp iG Ol CB dS C alt L o Ne op w Bil Or lfis lea h T ns Em ou Inv r e M rald nam ’t arl C in oa ent Cla st Pe n ss Blu ic e Bil sac lfis ola h T In o vt Ba y P urna ’l Inv oi me ita nt nt Bil t i o Ou na lfis l h t Cla cas ss t B i l Or c ue M an arl Bil ge in lfis Be h C ach las Sa ras s ota ic Sla m
Gulf Coast Division
Billfishing Magazine
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2009 WBS WORLD TOUR DECEMBER 11 – 13, 2008 Miami, Florida FYI Sailfish Kickoff Anthony Albelo (305) 461- 2700
FEBRUARY 25 – 28 Los Sueños, Costa Rica Los Sueños Signature Series #2 Ashley Bretecher A.Bretecher@lossuenosresort.com
MAY 19 – 22 Eleuthera, Bahama BBC Cape Eleuthera Championship Brenda Fletcher (954) 920-5577
JANUARY 1 – 3, 2009 Palm Beach, Florida Palm Beach Sailfish Classic Pat Ross (561) 818-6095
FEBRUARY 26 – MARCH 1 Miami, Florida Capt. Bob Lewis Billfish Challenge Janice Sands (305) 525-8941
MAY 22 – 25 Orange Beach, Alabama Mobile BGFC Memorial Day Tourn. Robert Weaver (251) 978-5454
JANUARY 7 – 10 Palm Beach, Florida Silver Sailfish Derby Tom Twyford (561) 832-6780
MARCH 14 – 16 Sydney, Australia Broken Bay GFC Phil Epthorp 011 0407 237 414
MAY 25 – 29 Marsh Harbour, Bahamas HMY-Boat Harbour Billfish Blast Lori Cieciersky (954) 926-0400
JANUARY 14 – 16 Jupiter, Florida Jupiter Billfish Tournament Scott Nichols (561) 262-6424
MARCH 24 – 29 Raiatea, Tahiti Tahitian International Billfish Tourn. Dominique Goche 011 689 60 05 45
JUNE 2 – 5 Boat Harbour, Bahamas BBC Boat Harbour Championship Brenda Fletcher (954) 920-5577
JANUARY 15 – 17 Islamorada, Florida Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish 2009 Liz Hill lled for ce an451-5094 (305) C
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 21 – 24 Los Sueños, Costa Rica Los Sueños Signature Series #1 Ashley Bretecher A.Bretecher@lossuenosresort.com
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 Singer Island, Florida Buccaneer Cup Sailfish Release Gary Caputi (732) 899-9988
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 22 – 25 Miami, Florida Miami Mayor’s Cup Anthony Albelo (305) 461-2700
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
FEBRUARY 4 – 8 Black River, Mauritius Marlin Masters Mauritius JP Henry Charters info@blackriver-mauritius.com
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 5 – 8 Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Ft. Lauderdale Billfish Tournament Kitty McGowan (954) 523-1004
MAY 7 – 10 Miami, Florida The Sailfish Tournament Richard Peeples III (305) 672-3807
JUNE 23 – 26 Baja California Sur, Mexico Palmas De Cortez Billfish Classic Harvey Hunnicutt (714) 259-4899
The World Billfish Series reserves the right to make changes in the schedule, including additions and deletions of events, at any time during 56
www.FishWBS.com
SCHEDULE AT A GLAN CE JULY 2 – 5 Pensacola, Florida Pensacola Int’l Billfish Tourn. Greg Whibbs (850) 324-3265
AUGUST 4 – 8 Sarasota, Florida Sarasota Slam Leslie Weed (941) 412-9696
OCTOBER 10 – 13 Cabo San Lucas, Mexico Puerto Los Cabos World Cup Harvey Hunnicutt (714) 259-4899
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 22 – 24 Bahia del Sol, El Salvador Pres. Challenge of El Salvador Joan M. Vernon (305) 361-9258
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
OCTOBER 24 – 31 Queensland, Australia Lizard Island Black Marlin Classic Bob Lowe 011 612 9546 854
JULY 8 – 11 Charleston, South Carolina HMY – Viking Megadock McKenzie Hutaff Estes (842) 278-4920
AUGUST 28 – 30 Islamorada, Florida Islamorada Swordfish Tournament Richard Peeples III (305) 282-1006
NOVEMBER 11 – 14 Mazatlán, Mexico Mazatlán Billfish Classic Harvey Hunnicutt (714) 259-4899
JULY 15 – 19 Panama City, Florida Bay Point Billfish Invitational Scott Burt (850) 235-6911
AUGUST 28 – SEPTEMBER 3 San Juan, Puerto Rico San Juan Int’l Billfish Tournament Gonzalo M. Ferrer (787) 727-7700
NOVEMBER 20 – 22 Guatemala City, Guatemala Pres. Challenge of Guatemala Joan M. Vernon (305) 361-9258
JULY 22 – 25 Orange Beach, Alabama Outcast Blue Marlin Classic Tommy Holmes (850) 457-1450
SEPTEMBER 18 – 20 Marina Portofino, Venezuela Caribbean Cup Joan M. Vernon (305) 361-9258
NOVEMBER 18 – 21 Los Sueños, Costa Rica Los Sueños Marlin Invitational Ashley Bretecher A.Bretecher@lossuenosresort.com
JULY 29 – AUGUST 2 Orange Beach, Alabama Orange Beach Billfish Classic Sarah Armstrong (251) 981-4207
SEPTEMBER 24 – 27 Miami, Florida Miami Swordfish Tournament Richard Peeples III (305) 282-1006
NOVEMBER 20 – 22 Mazatlán, Mexico Puerto Vallarta Billfish & Tuna Classic Harvey Hunnicutt (714) 259-4899
JULY 30 – AUGUST 1 Morehead City, North Carolina N.C. Ducks Unlimited Bob Lichauer (336) 454-5493
SEPTEMBER 30 – OCTOBER 3 Charleston, South Carolina The Sailfish Slam McKenzie Hutaff Estes (843) 278-4920
DECEMBER 8 – 12 IGT Grand Championship Harvey Hunnicutt (714) 259-4899
JULY 30 – AUGUST 2 Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic 3rd Int’l Fishing Tourn. of the North Coast Ambra Attus (809) 200-8004
OCTOBER 1 – 3 St. Augustine, Florida El Pescado Billfish Tournament Dennis Rosa (904) 642-0210
AUGUST 3 – 7 Ocean City, Maryland White Marlin Open Jim Motsko (410) 289-9229
OCTOBER 8 – 11 New Smyrna Beach, Florida New Smyrna Beach Billfish Invt’l Jon Zeller (386) 290-4181
DECEMBER 2 – 5 WBS GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS Los Sueños, Costa Rica Sam White (727) 864-4400
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
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