On the Cover This issue the cover shot is provided by the Captain Bob Lewis Billfish Challenge. Here we see the boats departing on a stormy morning. Photo By Endless Imagery Photography
Tournament Tales 14 Los Sue単os Signature Series Leg II There were a Rrecord number of fish caught and released during the event with an average of 30 fish per boat. This officially breaks any and all Los Sue単os tournament records.
18 Captain Bob Lewish Billfish Challenge High winds makes for stunning blue water which is great for beautiful photos, but not so great for billfishing. With that being said there were still 191 fish caught.
22 Presidental Challenge in Costa Rica This year, the four day event hosted eleven teams who set a new record for the high number of billfish released.
36 WBS World Tour Standings 38 WBS 2011 Tournament Schedule at a Glance
CONTENTS MARCH/APRIL 2011
Departments 7 From The WBS 7 Upcoming Tournament Events 8 Industry News 10 Caught on the WBS World Tour
Billfishing Magazine
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2011 WBS World Tour Sponsors The following companies proudly support the World Billfish Series and the sport of billfishing as sponsors of the 2011 World Billfish Series World Tour.
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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
Bertram Yacht, Inc. Builder of sportfishing boats from 39 to 67 feet.
3663 NW 21st Street 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 Avenue 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
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 fourstroke outboard engines.
1270 Chastain Road Kennesaw, GA 30144
Contact: David Ittner Phone: 770-420-5810 www.yamaha-motor.com
FROM THE WBS An old Chinese proverb, with some poetic licensing, goes like this: “Give a child a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a child to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” As we travel to all corners of the globe to visit WBS World Tour events, we at the WBS have been able to witness firsthand the dramatic impact the sport of fishing has on millions and millions of people. Fishing is much more than a sport. Fishing is a lifestyle that directly influences how you live your life, how you feel about yourself, and how you relate to others. Fishing does this by requiring a successful fisherman to master a set of “Core Values”. These “Core Values” transcend fishing to become the basics for how you live your life. The sooner children are taught to fish and are exposed to these “Core Values”, the better they will be able to cope with the real challenges they must face in their life. There is a new movement that is starting called the First Fish Forever Foundation. Its mission is to teach children to fish through partnerships with public and private schools. We hope you will read more about this organization in the Industry News section of this issue of Billfishing magazine and join this effort to teach our children about life through fishing.
BILLFISHING®
The Official Publication of the WBS Volume 11, No. 2 – March/April 2011 www.FishWBS.com President & CEO:
James R. Simons Jim@FishWBS.com
Creative Director:
Linda Fisher-Morgan Linda@FishWBS.com
Destination Editor: Associate Editor: Contributing Writers:
Jeff Merrill Morgan Miller Ashley Bretecher Janice Sands Joan Vernon
Web Master:
Linda Fisher-Morgan
Web Team:
Boldwater
Administrative Director: Regional Representive:
The World Billfish Series
Jana E. Simons Chris Lynch Mid-Atlantic Division Chris Martin Pacific Division
Upcoming Events
Alistair McGlashan South Pacific Division Jimmy Taylor Gulf Coast Division Published bi-monthly by:
Subscriptions:
MAY 11 – 14 BBC Cape Eleuthera Championship MAY 25 – 28 BBC Harbour Island Championship MAY 26 – 29 Old Salt Loop Release Tournament MAY 27 – 30 Mobile BGFC Memorial Day Tournament. MAY 30 – JUNE 3 HMY-Boat Harbour Billfish Blast JUNE 8 – 11 BBC Guana Cay Championship JUNE 12 – 17 Treasure Cay Billfish Tournament
Web Subscriptions:
World Billfish Series LLC 9293 Bay Pines Blvd. St. Petersburg, FL 33708 phone: (727) 864-4400 fax: (727) 867-1149 email: info@FishWBS.com 1 Year -$25.00 USA 727-864-4400 3 Years -$75.00 USA www.FishWBS.com
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. All contents © Copywrite 2011 World Billfish Series LLC. All rights reserved. Any use of the contents of this publication without the express written permission of the publisher is strickly prohibited. Some of the views expressed by contributors may not be the representive views of the Publisher. For reprints, web-usage or other permission contact Linda Fisher-Morgan, Linda@FishWBS.com
FOLLOW FO LLOW O US U ON
Order the WBS Tournament Calendar at www.FishWBS.com. Billfishing Magazine
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INDUSTRY NEWS
NEW FIRST FISH FOREVER FOUNDATION TEACHES KIDS ABOUT LIFE THROUGH FISHING Participation Passion
Pride
Purpose
Core Values Taught Through Fishing Preparation
Patience
T
he World Billfish Series is proud to strongly endorse a newly formed non-profit entity called the First
Fish Forever Foundation. First Fish Forever is dedicated to teaching kids
about life through fishing by entering into strategic partnerships with public and private school systems, then establishing regional educational Centers for Fishing to support a wide variety of youth and adult community service programs.
First Fish Forever’s central theme is: If
you teach a child to catch their First Fish, he will be able to Fish Forever. Or as adapted from an Old Chinese Proverb: Give a child a fish and you feed him for a 8
www.FishWBS.com
Perseverance
day. Teach a child to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. By partnering with public and private school systems, children can be introduced to fishing at an early age (3rd grade), revisit the program in middle school (6th grade) and participate in fishing clubs and intra and inter school competition in high school. The First Fish Forever program is built around basic core values taught through fishing: “Our work over the past 15 years with the World Billfish Series, B.A.S.S., the
Southern Kingfish Association and fishing organizations around the world has given us the opportunity to see the extremely positive impact fishing has on children lucky enough to have an adult in their life who took the time to teach them to fish, and the void left in the lives of children who did not have that interested adult and were not so fortunate. We hope everyone will join the First Fish Forever effort,” said Jim Simons President & CEO of the World Billfish Series LLC. For additional information on First Fish Forever, please contact the World Billfish Series at (727) 864-4400 or by email at Jim@FishWBS.com.
INDUSTRY NEWS
2011 WBS GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS TO BE TELEVISED
J
M Associates, Inc., one of the nation’s oldest and largest programming production companies, will be in Los Suenos, Costa Rica December 7 – 10 to film the 2011 WBS Grand Championships. With the competitive format of the first two days being the World Tour Qualifier, and the third day the Championship Final, the WBS Grand Championships are made for TV. JM Associates will be capturing all the excitement and producing two, thirty minute shows to be aired on The Outdoor Channel during the first quarter of 2012 when most of the viewing audience is snowed in. If you are already qualified to compete, register early. If you are not yet qualified, fish as many of the remaining events as possible to earn the most exclusive invitation in the sport of billfishing. For more information on the 2011 WBS Grand Championships visit www.FishWBS.com.
WBS ENTERS EXCLUSIVE PROMOTIONAL AGREEMENT WITH THE DUPONT REGISTRY
A
ll WBS events will benefit from new promotional exposure through an exclusive agreement between the WBS and DuPont REGISTRY through their quarterly publication, A Buyers Gallery of Fine Boats, and their high profile website www.duPontREGISTRY.com. In addition, duPont’s publication will be available at all WBS events. Visit their website or www.FishWBS.com and see all of the new changes.
RESERVATIONS FOR THE GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS ue to an increased interest and the number of qualifying anglers for this year’s Grand Championships, participants are urged to make their charter boat and accommodations as early as possible. The WBS GC is an individual angler tournament with two qualified anglers competing against the field (and each other) per boat.
D
Anglers may choose with whom they would like to fish with, or the WBS will pair up competitors at a later date. In addition, anglers are allowed to bring registered guests with them to the event. All qualified members of the WBS are strongly encouraged to reserve both rooms and charter boats for the WBS Grand Championships to be held in Costa Rica at the Los Sueños Resort and Marina on December 7–10, 2011. For reservations at the Marriott Hotel or any of the local condo rental agency visit their website at lrm.com There are a number of excellent charter operations in Costa Rica, but as with any high-profile tournament, the best boats will be booked early. 2011 GC Exemptions WBS Grand Champions - All the WBS Grand Champions have a lifetime invitation to the big event. Division Winners - Any person who has been named a Division Winner on the WBS World Tour qualifies for five years starting in the year they are named the winner of that division. Top Anglers - Any person who has been named the WBS Top Angler of a sanction event on the World Tour qualifies to participate in the Grand Championship for three years starting in the year they are named the Top Angler. Division Qualifier - The top fifteen anglers at the end of the year for 2010 and 2011 are eligiable to particiate in the WBS Grand Championships. 2010 WBS Grand Championship Finalist - The 2010 GC finalists who qualify for the 2011 event are: Gerald Aliseo, Chris Domel, Gary Domel, Jimmy Taylor and Greg Voell. For more info on the WBS Grand Championships or for assistance in making reservations contact the WBS International Headquarters at 727-864-4400 or via email at info@FishWBS.com.
Billfishing Magazine
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Enter the "Caught on the WBS World Tour" contest and win a new pair of Costa Del Mar sunglasses! 1
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Do you recognize anybody in the “Caught On WBS Tour” photo gallery? 3
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caught on tour the place to see your face 6
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Win a new pair of Costa Del Mar sunglasses! See page 13 for more on the “Caught On WBS Tour� Contest.
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caught on tour the place to see your face 15
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WORLD BILLFISH SERIES www.FishWBS.com
WORLD BILLFISH SERIES www.FishWBS.com
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“Caught On WBS Tour” Contest The WBS Anglers Club member who correctly identifies the most people on pages 10, 11 and 13 by May 30, 2011 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 Linda@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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T
he second leg of the 2011 Los Sueños Signature Billfish Series, presented jointly by Smith Merritt Insurance, Traveler’s Insurance and International Special Risks, held March 2-5, had 35 participating teams and 133 individual anglers. It turned out to be a record catch with a release of over 30 fish per boat… officially breaking any and all Los Sueños tournament records on file! Congratulations anglers on releasing 1,057 billfish, including 1,033 sails and 24 marlin.
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DAY ONE By 8:19 am on Day 1 ther were already 10 releases registered with tournament control, and by 8:46 am the number had risen to 23 releases. The fish were biting and releases were registered. The tournament was off to a very good start. As of 10 am 90 billfish and Gotcha was in the lead with 900 points. By 2 pm, Adios led the pack with 1,900 points, followed by Big Oh with 1,700 points. Game On made a huge leap
though and took first place for the day with 2,800 points after releasing 28 sails, followed by Adios with 17 sail releases and 1 marlin for 2,200 points. Gotcha took third on time, also with 2,200 points. It seemed at the end of Day 1, that the race for Series Champion would be between Game On, ending the day with a combined total of 5,100 points and Gotcha, with 4,900 points.
By Ashley Bretecher
DAY TWO Fuujin released a double at 9:55 am on Day 2, bringing the total number of releases in the tournament to 450, already more than doubling the total releases from Leg I of the Series. At 2 pm, it was Game On in first with 4,400 points, followed by Gotcha with 3,500 points and Big Oh rounding out of the top three with 3,100 points. Would these standings be tell tale of the entire tournament?
At the end of Day 2, Game On finished in first place for the day, having released 46 sails and 1 marlin for 5,100 points. Gotcha ended in second with 4,500 points after releasing 40 sails and 1 marlin. Finally, Big Oh took third with 4,000 points with 35 sailfish releases and 1 marlin. It was Voice of the Wild though, that commanded the top of the leader board for the dailies, after releasing 9 sails and 3 marlin for 2,400 points.
DAY THREE Going into Day 3 the teams had released 748 billfish, and were on their way to breaking all previous tournament records in regards to number of fish per boat. In fact, they were calling in so often that they literally wore out the tournament radio. Luckily some speedy work in the control room had the radio up and running right away so the boats could continue calling in release after release. Billfishing Magazine
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The team on the Game On: held on to the top spot after a long hard battle on the water. As of 10:30 am Game On still had control of the top of the leader board with 5,400 points, followed again by Gotcha with 4,900 points and Adios in third with 4,600 points. Game On was still in first at 2 pm, but Gotcha and Big Oh were neck and neck, each with 5,600 points, vying for second place. The fishing was so incredible that the total releases for this leg only passed 1,000 before 2 pm on Day 3! At 3 pm Game On showed that they were in no way going to allow anyone to take their win away from them and held fast to their first place position. Gotcha was in second with 5,900 points, just one sail ahead of Big Oh. With only 45 minutes until lines out, it was still anyone’s game. The bite was so hot that Game On could have been knocked off their pedestal. In the end though, Game On was able to clench their first place win with 6,200 points after releasing 57 sails and 1 marlin. Gotcha landed in second on time, having reached 6,000 points after releasing their last
fish at 3:27 pm just half an hour before Big Oh released their last fish, also for 6,000 points. 1,057 billfish were released by the 35 participating boats, representing a release rate of over 30 fish per boat!! AWARDS Nearly 500 people gathered at the Los Sueños Beach Club Saturday evening to celebrate the remarkable accomplishment of the winning teams and see them receive a combined cash total of $82,000. • 1st place–Game On: $41,000 • 2nd place–Gotcha: $24,600 and the Series Champion: $50,000 • 3rd place–Big Oh: $16,400 TOP ANGLER Gray Ingram the owner and an angler on the Big Oh took the title of Top Angler with 3,000 points after releasing 25 sails and 1 marlin. He was just 1 sailfish ahead of the runner up, Jeff Cohen of the Da Bait. Information on Los Sueños Resort and Marina is available online at www.lsrm.com.w
Final Results, and Detailed Information for the Winning Teams 1st Place - $ 41,000 GAME ON Captain: Tony Carrizosa Angler #1: Pat Healy Angler #2: Drew McDowell Angler #3: Bob Hixson Angler #4: Carmine Galati 2nd Place - Series Champion - $24,600 & Series Champion: $50,000 GOTCHA Captain: Jimmy Kitchell Angler #1: Dale Wills Angler #2: Jason Nolan Angler #3: Cliff Mountain Angler #4: Harry Schultz 3rd Place - Top Angler - $16,400 BIG OH Captain Ronnie Fields Angler #1: Gray Ingram **Top Angler Angler #2: Watson Caviness Angler #3: Page Robertson
The team on the Gotcha brought home the award for second place with their 6,000 points. Billfishing Magazine
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By Janice Sands
High winds makes for stunning blue water which is great for beautiful photos, but not so great for billfishing. With that being said there were still 191 fish caught.
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Photos by Endless Imagery
A Great
Win
for Jichi
n March 5, 2011, the 18 th Annual Captain Bob Lewis Billfish Challenge proved that change is good. Several things were different from years past. The format is now a one-day fishing event. The CBLBC also added a new division, The Pro-Am for those who are amateur anglers, yet wanted a professional crew. Additionally, then went back to Traditional Fun, not cutthroat fishing! Many people don’t realize that the CBLBC is a not-forprofit organization, where any monies raised support marine conservation and the youth of South Florida. This year
O
they are supporting Families for Fragile X Foundation as well as their own signature events, like the Kids Fishing Challenge. Families For Fragile X provides much needed family support, promotes public awareness and supports scientific research leading to better treatments and a future cure for Fragile X Syndrome. Tournament Director Janice Sands said, “We have changed the format for this year toward supporting these efforts. Instead of awarding prize money to just a few boats, any monies raised during the tournament go toward supporting these great organizations. The
CBLBC was very excited to award beautiful, hand painted King Sailfish trophies to all to category winners.” Another change to the tournament was their title sponsor, Big Water Challenge. Big Water Challenge is an interactive reality television show that looks inside the competitive world of high end, international tournament fishing. Big Water Challenge follows Captain John and his crew as they adapt their fresh water vessel and head to the Florida coast to fish for some of the Atlantic Oceans mightiest prey. Billfishing Magazine
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Sands spoke with pride stating, “We, at the Captain Bob Lewis are proud of our success, despite high winds and rough seas. A tournament one-day record of 191 billfish, which included 187 sailfish and three white marlin, were caught and released by the twenty-seven teams.” Although there were hard winds and rough seas, the fleet took the challenge and had an incredible day. First place overall and Top Inboard Boat went to Jichi, captained by Luis Isaias and Mate, Hannibal Moya with 21 releases. Luis Isaias stated, with a laugh and a grin, “It was just a wonderful, lucky day.” Second place went to Wound Up with 18 releases and third place was Get Lit with 13 releases. Top Outboard honors went to High Standard with 16 releases. Double Diamond placed second with eight releases and the crew from West Marine came in third with six sailfish.
Team Jichi, captained by Luis Isaias took First place overall and the Top Inboard Boat award.
The Pro-Am Division was lead by Thomas Flyer, with the angling crew from UPS with ten releases. The Balfour Beatty team placed second with six sailfish, while Jumanji came in third with four releases. The frist place spot in the Weekend Warrior division went to West Marine with six releases. Warrin Piece cruised into second with three sails and PRN slid into third with one release. Top male angler was Jimmy David, on board Jichi with ten sailfish. Jimmy received a lovely plaque and invitation to the World Billfish Series Grand Championship in Los Sueños, Costa Rica in December. Top female was Janene Claus, on board Qualifier with three releases and Top Junior was Carl Weigold, on board Double Diamond with three releases.
With 18 Sailfish Wound Up came in Second place.
In the Fun Fish categories, each winner received a beautiful Carey Chen giclee. Uptight landed a 29.5-pound dolphin, Double Diamond caught a 33.6pound king mackerel, and Qualifier got a 21.7-pound black fin tuna. The rough day of fishing ended with a very filling dinner and awards ceremony at Texas de Brazil, in Miami Beach. The Capatin Bob Lewis Billfish Challenge thanks all their participants and sponsors for another successful tournament. For information on next year’s event visit www.billfishchallenge.comw
Jimmy David received the WBS Top Angler plaque. He now qualifies to participate in the WBS Grand Championship this December at Los Sueños Resort and Marina in Costa Rica. Billfishing Magazine
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Sea Angel Is T
he fifteenth annual Presidential Challenge of Costa Rica Presented by the I.C.T wrapped up the annual tournament with a gala awards presentation and dinner Sunday evening with a large crowd in attendance at the tournament host resort, the beautiful Villas Playa Samara. Throughout the previous four days, the eleven teams and scores of participating anglers, observers, captains and crews, sponsor representatives and VIP guests were treated to excellent weather and outstanding offshore fishing action for marlin and sailfish. In fact, the tournament set a new record this year for the high number of billfish releases. The tournament kicked off with the usual rules meeting and welcome party, where participants had a chance to meet each other and share in the wonderful camaraderie that earmarks the sport of competitive billfishing. Throughout the tournament the seas remained quite calm and the fishing grounds lay just 20 miles offshore, a characteristic of the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. And the fish were certainly there in good numbers and were ready to cooperate—the first sailfish of the event was released after just 18 minutes had elapsed after the call for lines in the water, the official start of the tournament. Throughout the next three days, the VHF radio was alive with calls of billfish releases to the official Tournament Control, while impartial observers on each vessel ensured full compliance with all tournament rules. In addition, each angler was supplied with Berkley Big Game 20-pound test line, which is mandatory for use in this tournament. Non-offset circle hooks were also mandatory, ensuring that a very high
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s Riding High percentage of the billfish would be hooked in the corner of the jaw instead of deeper in the stomach, throat or gills. The Eagle Claw 2004EL was the preferred hook of the tournament. Once the final scores had been tabulated, it was determined that the Sea Angel team had emerged victorious. The team consists of boat owner and angler Greg Angel, his son Capt. BC Angel at the helm and anglers Arturo Moreno and Frederico Ortega acting as anglers alongside Greg in the cockpit. The team was in contention throughout the entire tournament but really put on the pressure on Day Three, releasing two blue marlin (worth 300 points each) in addition to a handful of sailfish to move well ahead of the second place team. They wound up the tournament with 3,300 points—two blue marlin and 27 sailfish released in three days. The team splits their time between home ports in Texas and Los Suenos, and, according to owner Greg Angel, intends to return often to Puerto Carrillo for the excellent billfishing. In second place was the Las Ventanas del Mar team, consisting of Gary Carter, John Richardson and Earl Engel, fishing aboard the Permit III with Capt. Chepe Santana. They were able to score a personal Grand Slam (blue marlin, striped marlin and sailfish) for Richardson on the second day of the tournament on their way to scoring a total of 2,100 points for the event. In fact, there were three boat Grand Slams for the tournament, proving just how prolific the billfishing can be off Carrillo. In fact, Carter’s gameboat Silver-Rod-O is home ported here, within sight of his beautifully scenic condominium project, Las Ventanas del Mar, overlooking the anchorage.
Billfishing Magazine
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Top Team Sea Angel continures to prove their strength in the world of billfishing. In third place was another local favorite, the Gamefisher II, with Capt. Richard Chellemi and Team OBX aboard: Mike Viveiros, Dell Dembosky and Craig Johnson. Team OBX was the Grand Champion Team for 2010 and is poised to make another run at the overall series title again this year. They had a great day on the third afternoon of the tournament to overtake several other teams for third place. In the Maverick Yachts Angler Division, John Richardson won first place with 1,300 points based in no small part on the strength of his personal Grand Slam on Day Two. He went on to release two more marlin along the way—quite a feat considering that PCCA rules require anglers to rotate in positions around the boat every 30 minutes to ensure fairness and equality. In second and third places in the angler standings were Sea Angel team members Arturo Moreno and Greg Angel, with 1,200 and 1,100 points each. Moreno let go a pair of blue marlin and a handful of sailfish on the last day alone to vault up in the standings, while Greg Angel was
John Richardson fishing on Team Las Ventonas del Mar was awarded the Top Angler award and his invitation to the WBS Grand Championship this December in Costa Rica.
steady as ever in the cockpit throughout the tournament. The Presidential Challenge of Costa Rica Presented by I.C.T serves as an important fundraising project for billfish conservation in Costa Rica. A significant portion of the event proceeds are sent to The Billfish Foundation, where they are used to fund conservation projects such as the recently-concluded socioeconomic study, both in Costa Rica and around the world. These projects are vitally important to the future health of billfish stocks. The winning team will be invited to attend the IGFA Offshore Championship in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and the top angler also receives an invitation to attend the World Billfish Series Grand Championships in Los SueĂąos, Costa Rica. For the three days of fishing, there were 115 billfish released: 20 blue marlin, five striped marlin and 90 sailfish. For more information on the Presidential Challenge Tournament Series, please visit www.preschallenge.com. w
OFFICIAL RESULTS 15th Annual Presidential Challenge of Costa Rica Presented by the I.C.T. COSTA TEAM DIVISION 1st: Sea Angel, 3,300 pts. 2nd: Las Ventanas del Mar, 2,100 pts. 3rd: Team OBX, 1,800 pts. MAVERICK YACHTS ANGLER DIVISION 1st: John Richardson, Team Las Ventanas del Mar; 1,300 pts. 2nd: Arturo Moreno, Sea Angel, 1,100 pts. 3rd: Greg Angel, Sea Angel, 1,100 pts. PCCA BOAT DIVISION 1st: Sea Angel, 3,300 pts. 2nd: Permit III, 2,100 pts. 3rd: Gamefisher II, 1,800 pts.
Billfishing Magazine
25
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Welcome to the Winner’s Circle. Featured in this ad is “Team Cowpoke”. This 61’ Viking along with her anglers and crew took home top honors at the 11th Annual Boat Harbour-HMY Billfish Blast in 2010. Wouldn’t it be great to see your team’s photo here in 2011? Photography © Charlie Clark 2010
For information on the 2011 Billfish Blast, please contact Mike Middleton at HMY Yachts: 954-926-0400 • mmiddleton@hmy.com
Who has the best sportfishing fleet? HMY Yachts of course! We offer a fleet of high performance convertible and express sportfishing yachts ranging from 30’ to 82’, as well as a wide selection of brokerage yachts.
Call an office near you or visit us on the web: Miami 305-856-8486 • Dania/Ft. Lauderdale 954-926-0400 • West Palm Beach 561-833-6060 North Palm Beach 561-799-9590 • Palm Beach Gardens 561-775-6000 • Stuart 772-692-7900 Port Salerno 772-678-4021 • Jacksonville 904-221-2228 • Charleston, SC 843-577-3470
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HMY represents the Tiara brand from Key West to Jacksonville, FL
2011 WBS World Tour Standings
1250 1400 1100 1325 800 650 1175 800 950 950 875 875 875 875 875 875 800 800 800 800 800 800 0 725
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
575 0 200 0 425 500 0 275 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 750 0
Ne w Bil Sm lfis yr h I na nv Be ita ac tio h na l El P To esca ur do na B me ill nt fish
Bu c To cane ur ee na r me Cu nt p
Ju pi To ter B ur na illfis me h nt
Boat Name Weez in the Keys Get Lit Princess Lily Team Murray Sandra T Weez in the Keys Covert Mission Miss Annie Certifiable Mistress Kemosabe Anita L Hard Way Pro-Payroll Osprey Drag N Slayer Get Lit Miller Time Black Out Double Diamond Barefoot Snap Bean Intents Get Lit
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
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 Scott Robins Peter Miller Mike Samuels Heather Murray Serena Wilson Edgar Benes Tom Craig Mark Donahue Janeen Davis Mike Murray Bonnie Carpenter David Nelson Daryl Deka John Duval Lamont Harris Trent Glaub Claudio Martinez Ralph Schiattarella Roy Merritt Chris Shermon Justin Lord Tony Cummings Alan Sadler Kitt Toomey
Sil
ve
rS
ail
fis
hD
erb
y
Treasure Coast Division
100 50 100 50 100 100 50 100 50 50 50 50 0 0 0 0 50 50 50 0 0 0 50 50
1925 1450 1400 1375 1325 1250 1225 1175 1000 1000 925 925 875 875 875 875 850 850 850 800 800 800 800 775
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0 50 125 0 0 0 200 0 0 0 0 200 0 0 0 0 50 50 0 0 0 0 125 0
625 800 425 325 275 0 425 575 275 200 350 275 350 200 200 125 275 275 425 425 0 0 0 275
575 200 425 425 425 650 0 0 200 275 200 0 125 275 275 350 125 125 0 0 425 425 275 125
Ft. L To aud ur er na da me le nt Sw ord fis h M iam To i S ur w na or me dfi nt sh
Boat Name High Standards Qualifier Get Lit Captain Gas Miss Britt 2 Money Shot Wound Up Wound Up Double Diamond Amore Priceless Get Lit Uptight Jichi Qualifier Viva La Vida Viva La Vida Get Lit L&H Jichi Voodoo Child Priceless Viva La Vida No Mercy
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
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 Frankie Villasante Jimmy David Peter Miller Alex Meyer John Burke Eddie Lopez Warren Sands Roy Huff Carl Weigold Jorge Lopez Andres Avello Cap Hinckley Jeffrey Fiorentino Anibal Moya Trey Claus Eric Darvill John Cole Kitt Toomey Freddy David Jeff Bolt Brett Brunner Jordan Gruber Jimmy Fickling Albert Castro
Ch e Sa eca ilfi Lo sh dg To e P urn res am ide en nti t al Ca p Bi tain llfi B sh ob Ch Le all wi en s ge Yam Bil aha lfis Co h T nte ou nd ram er en Miam t i
Southeast Division
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 100 100 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1200 1050 975 750 700 650 625 575 575 575 550 475 475 475 475 475 450 450 425 425 425 425 400 400
2011 WBS World Tour Standings
1150 2050 1150 850 1875 1725 1450 275 825 600 1000 600 525 1250 525 1000 1250 525 275 525 600 275 0 0
1800 1175 1025 2225 1025 1100 1325 2325 1825 1775 1350 1650 1800 875 1475 575 725 1400 1650 1250 1250 1475 1700 1675
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Lo s Inv Sueñ ita os tio M na arl l in
Pr es of iden Co tal sta Ch Ric alle ng a e
600 0 975 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 425 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Pr es of iden Gu tal ate Ch ma all la eng e
Boat Name Spanish Fly Tres Amigos Spanish Fly Da Bait Sea Angel Gotcha Dragin Fly Big Oh Contendress Let it Ride Let it Ride Viking 68 Dealer’s Choice Dealer’s Choice My Doris Uno Mas Dealer’s Choice Miss Behavin R&J Dealer’s Choice 61 Megabytes Miss Celeste Viking 76 Viking 76
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 Richard Lebo Michael Rankey J. Godwin Jeff Cohen Austin Angel Cliff Mountain George Beckwith Gray Ingram Fred Camoin Ben White James Kontos Pat Healy Eric McDowell Gerald Imparato Skip Smith Greg Angel Frank Bongiorno Jason Nolan Richard Belding Drew McDowell Michael Wells David Finkelstein Dale Willis Pat Kelly
Lo s Se Sueñ rie os sL S eg ign atu I re Lo s Se Sueñ rie os sL S eg ign II atu re
Pacific Division
150 100 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 0 0 100 0 0 50 50
Billfishing Magazine
3700 3325 3150 3075 2900 2825 2775 2700 2650 2375 2350 2350 2325 2125 2100 2000 1975 1925 1925 1875 1850 1750 1750 1725
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2011 WBS World Tour Southeast Division Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish – 1/20 - 1/22 Captain Bob Lewis – 3/3 - 3/5 Yamaha Contender Miami Billfish Tournament – 3/31 - 4/3 Ft. Lauderdale Swordfish Tournament – 8/12 - 8/14 Miami Swordfish Tournament – 9/8 - 9/11 Treasure Coast Division Silver Sailfish Derby – 1/5 - 1/8 Jupiter Billfish Tournament – 1/12 - 1/14 Buccaneer Cup Tournament – 1/19 - 1/22 New Smyrna Beach Billfish Invitational – 10/6 - 10/9 El Pescado Billfish Tournament – 10/13 - 10/15 Ft. Lauderdale Billfish Tournament – TBA Pacific Division Los Sueños Signature Series I – 1/26 -1/29 Los Sueños Signature Series II – 3/2 - 3/5 Presidential Challenge of Costa Rica – 3/24 - 3/27 Presidential Challenge of Guatemala – 11/10 - 11/13 Los Sueños Marlin Invitational – 11/30 - 12/3 South Pacific Division Marlin Masters Mauritius – 2/13 - 2/19 Broken Bay GFC – 3/18 - 3/20 Lizard Island Black Marlin Classic – 10/1 - 10/8 Caribbean Division BBC Central Abaco Championship – 4/27 - 4/30 BBC Cape Eleuthera Championship – 5/11 - 5/14 BBC Harbour Island Championship – 5/25 - 5/28 HMY-Boat Harbour Billfish Blast – 5/30 - 6/3 BBC Guana Cay Championship – 6/8 - 6/11 Treasure Cay Billfish Tournament – 6/12 - 6/17 BBC Treasure Cay Championship – 6/22 - 6/25 VIGFC July Open – 7/12 - 7/14 San Juan Int’l Billfish Tournament – 8/5 - 8/11 Presidential Caribbean Cup – 10/19 - 10/22 Mid-Atlantic Division Carolina Billfish Classic – 6/22 - 6/26 HMY – Viking Megadock – 7/6 - 7/9 N.C. Ducks Unlimited – 7/28 - 7/30 White Marlin Open – 8/8 - 8/12 Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tournament – 8/15 - 8/19 Mid-Atlantic $500,000 – 8/21 - 8/26 Gulf Coast Division Old Salt Annual Release Loop Tournament – 5/26 - 5/29 Mobile BGFC Memorial Day Tournament – 5/27 - 5/30 New Orleans Invt’l Billfish Tournament – 6/16 - 6/18 Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic – 6/21 - 6/26 Pensacola Int’l Billfish Tournament – 6/30 - 7/3 Bay Point Billfish Invitational – 7/6 - 7/10 Sarasota Slam – 8/2 - 8/6 Orange Beach Billfish Classic – 8/5 - 8/7 WBS 2011 Grand Championships – 12/7 - 12/10
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JANUARY 5 – 8 Palm Beach, Florida Silver Sailfish Derby Tom Twyford (561) 832-6780
MARCH 24 – 27 Samara, Costa Rica Presidential Challenge of Costa Rica Joan M. Vernon (305) 361-9258
JANUARY 19 – 22 Singer Island, Florida Buccaneer Cup Tourn. Gary Caputi (732) 899-9988
APRIL 27 – 30 Bimini, Bahamas BBC Central Abaco Championship Brenda Fletcher (954) 920-5577
JANUARY 12 – 14 Jupiter, Florida Jupiter Billfish Tourn. Courtney Bowden (561) 847-2090
JANUARY 20 – 22 Islamorada, Florida Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Liz Hill (305) 451-5094 JANUARY 26 – 29 Los Sueños, Costa Rica Los Sueños Signature Series I Ashley Bretecher A.Bretecher@lsrm.com
FEBRUARY 13 – 19 Mauritius Island, Mauritius Marlin Masters Mauritius Albert Dunieville albert.dunieville@naiade.com
MARCH 2 – 5 Los Sueños, Costa Rica Los Sueños Signature Series II Ashley Bretecher A.Bretecher@lsrm.com
MARCH 3 – 5 Miami, Florida Capt. Bob Lewis Billfish Challenge Janice Sands (305) 525-9456
MARCH 18 – 20 Broken Bay, Australia Broken Bay Invt’l Tourament Cathy McDonald cathy@royalmotor.com.au
MARCH 31 – APRIL 3 Miami, Florida Yamaha Contender Miami Billfish Tourn. Judy Layne (305) 598-2525
MAY 11 – 14 Eleuthera, Bahamas BBC Cape Eleuthera Championship Brenda Fletcher (954) 920-5577 MAY 25 – 28 Harbour Island, Bahamas BBC Harbour Island Championship Brenda Fletcher (954) 920-5577
MAY 26 – 29 Anna Maria Island, Florida Old Salt Loop Release Tournament Tom Verdensky (727) 439-7945 MAY 27 – 30 Orange Beach, Alabama Mobile BGFC Memorial Day Tourn. Bill Hixson (251) 228-2181 MAY 30 – JUNE 3 Marsh Harbour, Bahamas HMY-Boat Harbour Billfish Blast Mike Middleton (954) 926-0400
JUNE 8 – 11 Guana Cay, Bahamas BBC Guana Cay Championship Brenda Fletcher (954) 920-5577
Tentative Schedule JUNE 12 – 17 Abaco, Bahamas Treasure Cay Billfish Tourn. Sabine Kirchner (954) 525-7711
JUNE 16 – 18 Venice, Louisiana New Orleans Invt’l Billfish Tourn. Charlie Caplinger (800) 322-3005
JUNE 21 – 26 Sandestin, Florida Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic Shawna Meisner (850) 267-6168 JUNE 22 – 25 Treasure Cay, Bahamas BBC Treasure Cay Championship Brenda Fletcher (954) 920-5577
JULY 28 – 30 Morehead City, North Carolina N.C. Ducks Unlimited Band the Billfish Trey Oliver (336) 580-8739
OCTOBER 1 – 8 Queensland, Australia Lizard Island Black Marlin Classic Bob Lowe boblowe@lizardislandgfc.asn.au
AUGUST 5 – 7 Orange Beach, Alabama Orange Beach Billfish Classic Sarah Armstrong (251) 981-4207
OCTOBER 13 – 15 St. Augustine, Florida El Pescado Billfish Tourn. Lynn Layton (904) 642-0210
AUGUST 2 – 6 Sarasota, Florida Sarasota Slam Leslie Weed (941) 907-4133 ext. 309
AUGUST 8 – 12 Ocean City, Maryland White Marlin Open Jim Motsko (410) 289-9229
JUNE 22 – 25 Charleston, South Carolina Carolina Billfish Classic Deidre Menefee (843) 345-0369
AUGUST 12 – 14 Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Ft. Lauderdale Swordfish Tourn. Richard Peeples III (305) 282-1006
JULY 6 – 9 Charleston, South Carolina HMY – Viking Megadock McKenzie Hutaff (843) 278-4920
AUGUST 21 – 26 Cape May, New Jersey Mid-Atlantic $500,000 Bob Glover (609) 884-2400
JUNE 30 – JULY 3 Pensacola, Florida Pensacola Int’l Billfish Tourn. Perry Palmer (850) 324-6365
JULY 6 – 10 Panama City, Florida Bay Point Billfish Tournament Steve Arndt (850) 628-1740 JULY 12 – 14 St. Thomas, Virgin Islands VIGFC July Open Carol Bareuther (340) 775-9144
AUGUST 15 – 19 Manteo, North Carolina Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tourn. Barry Wickre (252) 473-3906
SEPTEMBER 5 – 11 San Juan, Puerto Rico San Juan Int’l Billfish Tourn. Gonzalo M. Ferrer (787) 722-0177 SEPTEMBER 8 – 11 Miami, Florida Miami Swordfish Tourn. Richard Peeples III (305) 282-1006
OCTOBER 6 – 9 New Smyrna Beach, Florida New Smyrna Beach Billfish Invt’l Jon Zeller (386) 290-4181
OCTOBER 20 – 23 Varadero Marina, Aruba Presidential Caribbean Cup Joan M. Vernon (305) 361-9258
NOVEMBER 10 – 13 Guatemala City, Guatemala Presidential Challenge of Guatemala Joan M. Vernon (305) 361-9258 NOVEMBER 30 – DECEMBER 3 Los Sueños, Costa Rica Los Sueños Marlin Invitational Ashley Bretecher A.Bretecher@lsrm.com
DECEMBER 7 – 10 WBS GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS Los Sueños, Costa Rica Linda Fisher-Morgan (727) 864-4400 TBA Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Ft. Lauderdale Billfish Tourn. Kitty McGowan (954) 523-1004
This 2011 schedule is tentative and The World Billfish Series reserves the right to make changes in this schedule, including addition and deletion of events at any time. Please call us at 727-864-4400 to visit www.FishWBS.com for the most up to date tournament information.
Billfishing Magazine
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