Q U E P O S / M A N U E L A N TO N I O C O S TA R I C A
Now Open Slips for sale and lease
CONTENTS JULY/AUGUST 2011
On the Cover Sportfishing is becoming ever more popular all over the globe. This beautiful shot is from Maria la Gorda, Cuba at sunset. Photo By Regien Paassen www.Shutterstock.com
Tournament Tales 12 Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic The Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort was where the 72 teams from all over the world gathered for the 2011 exciting Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic.
18 Mobile BFGC Memorial Day Tournament With $1,750,000+ on the line in cash and prizes 92 boats with 457 anglers brought their ‘A Game’ to Orange Beach, AL.
22 BBC Guana Cay Championship The world’s top sportfishing teams were on-hand for the first billfish tournament ever held on Great Guana Cay, Abaco.
26 New Orleans Big Game Fishing Tournament The New Orleans Big Game Fishing Club is a private club whose members share a passion for fishing the waters in the northern Gulf of Mexico in search of many species of billfish, tuna, wahoo, and dolphin.
30 BBC Treasure Cay and Overall BBC Recap A new Bahamas record when they boated a blue marlin weighing 1,119 pounds (507 kg). The record breaking blue was caught on the second day of the Treasure Cay Championship.
34 Carolina Billfish Classic The Second Annual Carolina Billfish Classic, the state’s first multi-port billfishing tournament and third leg of the SC Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series, was held this past June at Toler’s Cove Marina.
42 WBS World Tour Standings 46 WBS 2011 Tournament Schedule at a Glance
Departments 4 5 5 6
Sponsors of the WBS World Tour Editor’s message from The WBS Upcoming Tournament Events Industry News
“WBS KRU” Photo Gallery
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. 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 82 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
Kru82 is a premium vodka with a remarkably clean, crisp and unspoiled taste. What sets this vodka apart is the unusally smooth finish.
53 Danbury Road Wilton, CT 06897
Contact: Jon Holecz Phone: 203-842-2090 www.Kru82.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.lsrm.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: Sam Peters Phone: 800-603-4448 www.releasemarine.com
Viking Yachts Sportfishing boats from 45 to 82 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 transport services to the world’s most popular destinations.
2401 PGA Boulevard, Suite 155 Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
Krista Kersey Phone: 561-784-6700 www.yachtpath.com
Yamaha Motor Corp. Manufacturer of two- and four-stroke outboard engines.
1270 Chastain Road Kennesaw, GA 30144
Contact: David Ittner Phone: 770-420-5810 www.yamaha-motor.com
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of the World Billfish Series please contact us at: World Billfish Series, 9293 Bay Pines Blvd., St. Petersburgs FL 33708 or call 727-864-4400 4
www.FishWBS.com
FROM THE WBS One of the best scenes out on the WBS World Tour is to see a family fishing together. Whether it is a husband and wife, father or mother and son or daughter, or the entire family; the benefits of fishing together as a family are endless and priceless. I watch with great pride and envy as Greg Angel, with his sons Austin on the rod and BC at the helm, competes on the Sea Angel in events around the world. And, as dads Art Kontos and Gary Domel compete against their sons James and Chris along the Mid Atlantic, in the Bahamas or at the WBS Grand Championships in Los Sueños, Costa Rica. I watched as Pat Logue won the 2009 WBS Grand Championships and became the World Champion of Billfishing, with his son Scott at his side. These are just a few examples where parents have realized the value of fishing in the lives of their children, and introduced them to the sport. In a perfect world, all children would have the chance to experience fishing.
This is why the First Fish Forever™ Foundation was started. Our mission is to teach children about life through fishing. From the neighborhood pond, stream, river, bridge or seawall to the waters off Costa Rica and the Bahamas, anyone can find a place to fish. The key is to have an adult who will take the time to teach them about fishing, and about life. The First Fish Forever™ Foundation’s goal is to establish 25 neighborhood centers around the United States in the next 5 years. The first center is opening in Florida. Additional centers are in discussions for New Jersey, New York, Washington and Texas.
We believe if you help a child catch their First Fish, they can fish Forever. If you would like to join us in this mission, and help create priceless memories by teaching children about life through fishing, please contact us at Jim@FishWBS.com or (727) 365-4660. We need your help. Thank you.
Upcoming Events
BILLFISHING®
The Official Publication of the WBS Volume 11, No. 4 – July/August 2011 www.FishWBS.com President & CEO: James R. Simons Jim@FishWBS.com Creative Director: Linda Fisher-Morgan Linda@FishWBS.com Destination Editor: Jeff Merrill Associate Editor: Morgan Miller Contributing Writers: Shawna Meisner Brenda Fletcher Bill Hixon Charlie Caplinger Deidre Menefee Web Master: Linda Fisher-Morgan Web Team: Boldwater Administrative Director: Jana E. Simons Regional Representive: Chris Lynch Mid-Atlantic Division Chris Martin Pacific Division Alistair McGlashan South Pacific Division Jimmy Taylor Gulf Coast Division Published bi-monthly by: World Billfish Series LLC 9293 Bay Pines Blvd. St. Petersburg, FL 33708 phone: (727) 864-4400 fax: (727) 867-1149 email: info@FishWBS.com Subscriptions: 1 Year -$25.00 USA 727-864-4400 3 Years -$75.00 USA Web Subscriptions: 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.
SEPTEMBER 8 – 11 Miami Swordfish Tourn. SEPTEMBER 15 – 18 White Marlin Shootout OCTOBER 1 – 8 Lizard Island Black Marlin Classic OCTOBER 6 – 9 New Smyrna Beach Billfish Invt’l OCTOBER 13 – 15 El Pescado Billfish Tourn. Order the WBS Tournament Calendar at www.FishWBS.com.
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. Postmaster: Send address changes to World Billfish Series 9293 Bay Pines Blvd. St. Petersburg, FL 33708. Anglers Club Members: Please send your new mailing info to the above address. Allow four weeks for change for all changes and subscriptions. FOLLOW FO LLOW O US U ON
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Industry
News
EXTREME FISHING MEETS EXTREME NEED
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y combining some of the world’s best sport fishing destinations with the opportunity to help those who are suffering, Reel Life Adventures is charting a remarkable course in providing assistance to impoverished children and families. Their strategy of connecting those who enjoy sport fishing and outdoor adventure with an avenue to make a difference in the lives of others is proving to be very effective. Through strategic humanitarian trips and partnerships with local mission organizations, RLA is making great progress towards its objective of offering true hope and a future to those in extreme need. There are several components of Reel Life Adventures that make it a very attractive charity to support. Because their overhead is privately funded, 100% of every dollar they receive goes directly to benefit families suffering from severe poverty as well as orphans and abandoned street children. Their strategy is to serve as a conduit, aligning only with proven and established organizations from within various regions which are among the very best in terms of both effectiveness and efficiency. RLA also employs the most modern thinking and strategic concepts for providing sustainable assistance to impoverished communities. In addition, teams of volunteers are
organized to go and serve alongside these partner organizations, allowing RLA to play a valuable role in the area of oversight. The leadership, strategy and effectiveness of their partner organizations are continually monitored so that donors can be assured that their funds are used to generate the greatest results. These trips also provide donors with the opportunity to go and see exactly how their support is making a difference, witnessing first-hand how lives are forever changed by their kindness and generosity. The reality is that many of these families and children are well within our reach, as we have all seen at least a glimpse of the poverty that ensnares countless locals in areas surrounding many of the lodges, resorts and marinas that we are so blessed to enjoy. Given a second look, it is exciting to consider the possibilities if our industry continues to get involved and embrace these issues. Impoverished and orphaned children could receive the love they so desperately need. Cycles could be broken and generations impacted. There is no doubt we each have a desire for significance and for our life to be filled with work which outlives us. Reel Life Adventures is inviting us to do just that…to stand with them and participate in something that will allow us to have a lasting impact on countless lives.
IGFA GREAT MARLIN RACE TO OPEN AT THE INTERNATIONAL BILLFISH TOURNAMENT he San Juan International Billfish Tournament, held annually at Club Nàutico de San Juan in Puerto Rico, has long been known as a progressive and prestigious event. Tagging and releasing catches since 1988, the invitation-only IBT requires the use of circle hooks and has been an All-Release tournament since 2003. Now the longest continually-held billfish tournament in the world is doing even more to promote billfish conservation; the 58th annual IBT on September 4 – 11, 2011 will launch the new IGFA Great Marlin Race. At its core, the IGFA Great Marlin Race is a conservation research program which combines the excitement of tournament angling with cutting-edge marine bio-logging science. In the days leading up to a billfish tournament, angling teams are invited to sponsor pop-up archival satellite tags (PATs) to be placed on fish caught and released during the event. One hundred and twenty days after each tag is deployed, it automatically releases itself from the fish – and its exact location is determined by earth-orbiting ARGOS satellites. In a given tournament, the tag that surfaces furthest from where it was initially deployed wins the race for that tournament. The IGFA Great Marlin Race will last 12 months, encompass many tournaments, and deploy 50 PATs on a variety of billfish species in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans. “The data we gather from the deployed
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tags will give the fishery scientists and managers an incredible amount of information about these fish. The IGFA Great Marlin Race is one of the most ambitious conservation projects we’ve undertaken,” said IGFA President Rob Kramer. “The goal of the program,” further explains IGFA Conservation Director Jason Schratwieser, “is to learn more about the basic biology of these magnificent fishes, and how they utilize the open ocean habitat. We also envision giving open access to the tagging data so that it can be utilized by scientists around the world.” Tags record information about depth, temperature and light levels – which can be used to study their migrations and behaviors over the course of several months after they’ve been tagged. These data, in turn, will help scientists to identify key habitat areas where large numbers of fish spend significant portions of time – as well as the migratory corridors they use when they travel from place to place. Data from the PATs will be processed and disseminated via Stanford University in California and the lab of Professor of Marine Sciences Dr. Barbara Block. Block pioneered the use of electronic tags on open ocean fishes in the early 1990’s. She was also one of the founders, along with IGFA Representative Bob Kurz, of the initial Great Marlin Race program – which was launched in 2009 in celebration of the 50th
Anniversary of the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament in Kona, Hawaii run by IGFA Trustee Peter Fithian. “We are really excited about this new partnership between our organization and Stanford University. By pairing top-notch science and angling, we hope not only to learn more about the biology of the animals, but also to engage our constituents – billfish anglers around the world – in helping to conserve them for future generations.” The winner of the IGFA Great Marlin Race in the San Juan International Billfish Tournament will receive a free entry into the next year’s tournament. The overall winner of the IGFA Great Marlin Race – the sponsor of the marlin whose tag travels the furthest of all - will be recognized at the annual IGFA International Auction and Banquet in January. Tournament anglers at Club Nàutico will lead the way for more sportsmen to join the IGFA Great Marlin Race and help the cause. With a great start at the San Juan International Billfish Tournament, the Race will be on to learn more about the ocean’s most magnificent fish. To sponsor a tag, contact Ralph “Agie” Vicente at 787-405-1377. For further information, contact the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, 300 Gulf Stream Way, Dania Beach, Florida 33004; phone 954-927-2628, fax: 954924-4299, website: www.igfa.org.
Industry
News
COSTA RICA’S SPORTFISHING AND TOURISM COMMISSION ADDS TBF’S CONSERVATION DIRECTOR AMONG ITS SEVEN BOARD MEMBERS
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osta Rica, one of the world’s premier sportfishing destinations, has named Herbert Nanne, and Monica Gutierrez to the country’s recently formed Sportfishing and Tourism Commission. Nanne is a biologist and The Billfish Foundation’s (TBF) Central America Conservation Director. Gutierrez is a lawyer and President of Pronature, a sister conservation entity to TBF. After a TBF sponsored socio-economic study was presented last year on the positive impact sportfishing has for the country, the Costa Rica Fisheries and Aquaculture Institute (INCOPESCA) created the commission in July 2010. Its duties include creating alternative projects among the small and medium-scale artisan coastal fleets to reduce commercial fishing during closed fishing seasons. It’s also charged with promoting sportfishing in Costa Rica and proposing conservation measures to be adopted by INCOPESCA for all sportfishing species. “We’ve started discussions to promote converting commercial fishers to sportfishing and eco-tourism operations,” said Nanne. “We’re beginning in the Gulf of Nicoya, a highly productive area that is severely overexploited. The nearby ports of Puntarenas and Caldera are visited by cruise-liners and the tourists could be taken on sportfishing trips or for tours to observe the beauties of the islands and mangrove estuarine systems where tropical fauna is abundant.” “Another focus is to create and enforce no commercial fishing in areas reserved exclusively for sportfishing.” INCOPESCA President Luis Dobles, and board members Alvaro Moreno, Julio Saavedra and Jorge Niño were previously appointed to the commission. A seventh post will be filled by a Costa Rica Tourism Institute (ICT) representative. “We’re pleased the Costa Rican fisheries authorities have recognized the important role TBF and Pronature perform in overall sportfishing conservation,” said TBF President Ellen Peel. “Mr. Nanne and Mrs. Gutierrez are very active and well known professionals in their country.” Last year’s socioeconomic study on sportfishing’s impact was conducted by the Research Institute on Economic Science of the University of Costa Rica. TBF said it was well received by executive governmental authorities and the countries’ general public. TBF is also actively working with government authorities in Mexico, Peru and Panama with programs to protect billfish, mainly from overfishing coastal fisheries by commercial interests, while implementing tag and release programs for recreational sportsmen. Celebrating its 25th anniversary year, The Billfish Foundation based in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., USA, is the only non-profit organization dedicated solely to conserving and enhancing billfish populations worldwide. Its broad network of members and supporters includes anglers, captains, mates, tournament directors, clubs and sportfishing businesses. By coordinating efforts and speaking with one voice, TBF is able to work for solutions that are good for billfish and not punitive to recreational anglers. To reach Mr. Nanne email him at HNanne20@yahoo.com, or visit billfish.org
he 2011 World Billfish Series Grand Championships scheduled for December 7th to 10th in Los Seuños Resort and Marina in Costa Rica is fast approaching.
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Invitations have been mailed to Past World Champs, Division Winners and Anglers who were qualified as a result of prior years’ performance. As the remaining divisions close out for the season, the WBS Top Anglers, the Division winners and the top qualifiers in each of the seven divisions will be sent their invites. If you see your name in the top of the standings on the FishWBS.com website or in the Magazine in any division and have not received your invitation in the mail please contact Linda Fisher at Linda@FishWBS.com with your mailing address, email address, phone number and or cell number so that we may get you your official invitation to the World Billfish Series Grand Championships. We encourage you to do so as soon as possible as we have already reached half of our capacity for this year’s event. If you are close to reaching the top of the division remember you will receive an additional 50 points for fishing outside of your home division. Call Today! 727-864-4400
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Were you part of the “WBS KRU”? Do you recognize anybody in the “WBS KRU” photo gallery?
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Win a one year Anglers Club Membership. See page 13 for more on the “WBS KRU” Contest. 12
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“WBS KRU Contest The WBS Anglers Club member who correctly identifies the most people on pages 8, 9 and 11 by September 30, 2011 will win a one year Anglers Club Membership. 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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Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort was the location that the 72 teams from all over the world gathered for the 2011 exciting Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic tournament.
nce again, the world-famous Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic at Sandestin topped the $1.4million dollar mark in prize money for 2011, further establishing this event as one of the finest (not to mention richest) in the world. Seventy-one teams from across the world of sportfishing, some as far away as Africa, Costa Rica, Mexico and Spain, gathered at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort for the tournament, which was held June 21-26th to compete for a total purse of $1,454,225. After the usual registration and rules meeting, the participants were treated to a spectacular welcome party sponsored by HataBoix. Once the fishing officially commenced on Thursday, teams spread out far and wide among points of the compass, some electing to head as far west as South Pass, Louisiana, while others chose to fish well to the south or
east of the tournament site. Those who chose wisely were rewarded with outstanding billfishing action, while others managed good numbers of gamefish like wahoo, dolphin and tuna but were blanked on the marlin and sailfish. Team Galati, led by Capt. Craig Clark, guessed correctly. Representing Galati Yacht Sales and fishing aboard a 76-foot Viking yacht, the team tallied releases on five white marlin and one blue marlin to score 1,400 points and win the tournament's Release Division. For this accomplishment, they not only pocketed $135,577 in prize money but will also have their name permanently displayed on the Magnificent Blue Perpetual Trophy. Team Galati also received an invitation to compete in the 2012 IGFA Offshore Championship. No blue marlin exceeded the tournament's requirements for minimum length so 100 percent of the Billfishing Magazine
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All 72 teams depart with the dreams of a hot bite and collecting a big check. billfish were released during the event. Finishing in second place in the Release Division was the Life Is Good team, fishing aboard a 60-foot Hatteras led by Capt. Ben Levi. The team released one blue marlin and two white marlin to tally 800 points and $93,195. They were followed by Titanium 5.0, a 62-foot Buddy Davis captained by Mark "Sparky" McCann, who released one blue marlin and one white marlin for the tournament, earning them $46,365. The Top Release Angler was Jason Benton, fishing aboard Hello Darlin' with two blue marlin released. Benton is also the Top WBS Angler and will be invited to attend the 2011 WBS Grand Championships in Los Sue単os, Costa Rica this December 7th to the 10th. In the always-popular gamefish division, the big winner was Quick Time, a 56-foot Ocean Yacht captained by Patrick Ivie. Angler Michael Burroughs landed a 44-pound dolphin to win $127,053. They were followed by Wynsong, a Bertram 63 captained by Harold Staples, who weighed in a 38.6pound dolphin to win $106,175.
Topping the tuna division was Blanchita, a 60-foot Bertram. Angler Allen Phillips scaled a 166.7-pound yellowfin to win $56,808 followed by Sari Turner fishing aboard the 72-foot F&S You Never Know! with a 128.0pound yellowfin worth $69,185. As usual, the Saturday evening weigh-in went on well into the night, with thousands of spectators gathered to witness the spectacle. Scores of teams lined up to weigh in their catch, knowing there could be tens of thousands of dollars on the line. This was followed by the equally famous Sunday morning awards brunch, a sumptuous feast prepared for the participating anglers and crews prior to the awards presentation. It's a muchanticipated part of this annual tournament.
For the tournament there were 14 blue marlin, 28 white marlin and two sailfish released during the event. There were 92 gamefish weighed in: 54 dolphin, 24 yellowfin and seven blackfin tunas and seven wahoo. The 2011 Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic at Sandestin was presented by Mojo Sportfishing Gear. Next year will be the 10th Annual Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic at Sandestin to be held June 19-24, 2012. For more info about the event, contact Tournament Director Shawna Meisner at 850-267-6168, or at www.fishecbc.com. For more info about Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, call 800-470-7389 or visit www.sandestin.com.w
In the wahoo division, Capt. Jimmy Crochet led the Conundrum team, fishing aboard a 61-foot Viking, to victory with a 59.2-pound fish caught by Don MacMaster, winning $85,428. Glenn Summers, fishing aboard Summertime II, a 31-foot Albemarle, came in second for $32,262 with a 42.2pounder. The big winner was Team Galati. Billfishing Magazine
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By Bill Hixson
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range Beach, AL - With more than $1,750,000 on the line in cash and prizes, 92 boats with 457 anglers brought their ‘A Game’ to Orange Beach, AL for the Mobile Big Game Fishing Club’s 35th annual Memorial Day tournament proving again why the MBGFC has the Most Boats, the Most Anglers and the Most Money! To say the fishing was spectacular would be about a 706 pound understatement! “What a perfect weekend to kick off the 2011 Gulf Coast billfishing season,” said MBGFC Memorial Tournament Chairman Bill Waechter. “We had great weather, great fishing and great participation. There is no doubt the Gulf of Mexico is ready for another great summer of fishing.” 52 boats made their way to weigh dock weighing 115 fish. On Saturday the
crew from First Choice with angler John Pasentine brought in a 685 pound blue marlin, a fish that size almost always brings home first place. However, Sunday morning Lit Up weighed a 706.40 blue marlin to take first place with angler Christopher Albritton. Brian Leiser on the Patience also brought a blue marlin to the dock at weighing 397.60 for third place in the Blue Marlin division. 37 of 42 billfish releases were video verified in the tournament (9 Blue Marlin, 25 White Marlin and 3 Sailfish). Pat Ponder on the Double Jerk took first place in the catch and release division releasing a blue marlin on 30 pound test scoring 875 points. Andy Armstrong on the Tar Baby also released a blue marlin on 30 pound test for second place while Jake Billingsley on the Hot, Black and Sticky released a blue marlin on 50 pound test for 750
points and a third place finish. Blake Boleware on the Biloxi Blue Eyes, MS released a blue marlin on 80 pound test for 4th place and his crewmate Jeff Elder also caught a blue marlin on 80 pound test for 5th place. Mit Kopt on the Ramble On came in 6th with a released blue marlin on 80 pound test. In the Wahoo division the Double J took first and third place with Tommy Delahousaye catching a 76.30 (1st) Wahoo and Mark Leto’s weighed a 64.80 pound ‘Hooter’ (3rd). Second place went to George Kontos on the Lucky 2 with a 71.70 Wahoo. Top Dolphin went to Wes Sherouse on the Blue Marlana with a 46.90 Mahi. David Gary on the Biloxi Blue Eyes, MS caught a 46.40 pound fish for second place and Aurelia Bryars 45.80 pound fish aboard the No Shoes came in third. Billfishing Magazine
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In the Tuna division, Lee Holland on the Summer Breeze II caught a 175.10 Yellowfin for first place. Second place went to Markham McKinght aboard the You Never Know! with a 123.10 pound tuna and Charles Williams on the Fat Lady IV finished in third at 120 pounds. Top Junior Angler was Spencer Davis on the Sea Mixer, the top male angler was Andy Armstrong on the Tar Baby with 907.60 points while Sari Turner was the top female angler on the You Never Know! with 106.5 points. The top large boat was Blue Eyes Biloxi, MS, with 1,627.40 points and Amante was the top small boat with 364.1 points. The Top Club Member was Jake Billingsley scoring 774.30 points on the Hot, Black and Sticky. Bill Hixson, President of the MBGFC added, “So many people were just ready to go fishing! To have 92 boats come fish with us really shows how badly all of us were ready to get back to our normal fishing schedule. I can’t say thank all of our volunteers, starting with Bill Waechter for making this such great weekend for our fishing community.”w
Final Results DOLPHIN 1ST PLACE DOLPHIN 2ND PLACE DOLPHIN 3RD PLACE WAHOO 1ST PLACE WAHOO 2ND PLACE WAHOO 3RD PLACE TUNA 1ST PLACE TUNA 2ND PLACE TUNA 3RD PLACE CATCH & RELEASE 1ST PLACE CATCH & RELEASE 2ND PLACE CATCH & RELEASE 3RD PLACE CATCH & RELEASE 4TH PLACE CATCH & RELEASE 5TH PLACE CATCH & RELEASE 6TH PLACE TOP JUNIOR ANGLER 1ST PLACE TOP CLUB MEMBER 1ST PLACE TOP MALE ANGLER 1ST PLACE TOP LADY ANGLER 1ST PLACE TOP LARGE BOAT 1ST PLACE TOP SMALL BOAT 1ST PLACE BLUE MARLIN 1ST PLACE BLUE MARLIN 2ND PLACE BLUE MARLIN 3RD PLACE
46.90 46.40 45.80 76.30 71.70 64.80 175.10 123.10 120.00 875.00 875.00 750.00 625.00 625.00 625.00 450.00 774.30 907.60 106.50 1627.40 364.10 706.40 685.00 397.60
Blue Marlana Hot Black and Sticky No Shoes Double J Lucky 2 Double J Summer Breeze II You Never Know! Fat Lady IV Double Jerk Hot Black and Sticky Hot Black and Sticky Blue Eyes Blue Eyes Ramble On Sea Mixer Hot Black and Sticky Hot Black and Sticky You Never Know! Hot Black and Sticky Amante Lit Up First Choice Patience (HATTERAS)
WES SHEROUSE DAVID GARY AURELIA BRYARS TOMMY DELAHOUSAYE GEORGE KONTOS MARK LETO LEE HOLLAND MARKHAM MCKNIGHT CHARLES WILLIAMS PAT PONDER ANDY ARMSTRONG JAKE BILLINGSLEY BLAKE BOLEWARE JEFF ELDER MIT KOPF SPENCER DAVIS JAKE BILLINGSLEY ANDY ARMSTRONG SARI TURNER
CHRISTOPHER ALBRITTON JOHN PASENTINE BRIAN LEISER Billfishing Magazine
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Krazy Salts ‘Mixes-Up’ a Win at Inaugural Guana Cay Championship By Brenda Fletcher
field of thirty-six of the world’s top sportfishing teams were on-hand for the first billfish tournament ever held on Great Guana Cay in the Abacos. David Anderson’s team Krazy Salts of Medford, New Jersey, christened the event perfectly by scoring 3,000 points to take First Place at the Guana Cay Championship, the fourth leg on the 2011 Bahamas Billfish Championship. Keith Greenberg, captain of the Viking 70, directed the team in releasing two blue marlin on day one and concluding with three blue marlin on the final day. The fishing was excellent for the three day tournament despite higher than usual June winds. An impressive 49 blue marlin were caught and released by the 36 participating boats. For the win, Krazy Salts received the Randy Rich designed First Place trophy from Alton Herndon, President of Bertram and Don Jones, Vice President of Bertram. As Top Release Team for the Guana Cay Championship, Krazy Salts was presented with an original Hy Jacobsen teak sculpture awarded by BBC sponsors Murray Products and the Al Behrendt Marine Group. The Lewis Marine Group sponsored Top Crew trophies were presented to Capt. Keith Greenberg and the crew of Krazy Salts. Winner of the Central Abaco Championship, Bear Trap, finished in Second Place. John Stout’s
Chattanooga, Tennessee based Spencer 66 captained by Greg Eklund caught four blues and one white marlin for a 2,600 point total. Michael Anderson of Baldwinsville, New York, chartered Capt. Geno Pratt’s Vista 49 Geno IV for the BBC’s Guana Cay leg. The team
BBC Leg 4
managed to release four blue marlin over the three fishing days to capture Third Place with 2,400 points. In addition to the Randy Rich acrylic trophies, the top three teams all received
gift certificates from Roffer’s Ocean Fishing Forecasting Service (ROFFS) and Bacardi Anejo Rum from Bristol Wine and Spirits of the Bahamas. During the three day tournament the 36 participating boats caught and released an extraordinary 70 billfish; 49 blue marlin, 13 white marlin and 8 sailfish. The Bahamas Billfish Championship utilizes time and date stamped digital images to validate the species and release times of all billfish. Affidavits signed by all participants fishing on each team releasing fish further confirms that the billfish was released in accordance with IGFA and Bahamas Billfish Championship rules. Bertram and Allied Marine continued their long tradition in sponsoring and hosting the fourth leg of the BBC’s five-tournament series. Alton Herndon and Don Jones were joined by Rob McDougal, President of Allied Marine and Seth Flippen, Product Support Manager and served as judges for a Bacardi Anejo competition held at Guana Cay’s famous ‘Nipper’s’ on Thursday evening. Host resort Orchid Bay provided the fleet with outstanding graciousness that included greeting returning boats with fresh conch fritters on the docks each afternoon. The Bahamas Beverage and Brewery Company also kept the fleet supplied with iced Sands Beer and High Rock Beer at the conclusion of each fishing day. Billfishing Magazine
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First Place for the fourth leg of the BBC was awarded to Krazy Salt.
Second Place for the fourth leg of the BBC was awarded to Bear Trap.
The good fishing during the Guana Cay Championship enabled the top three contenders for the 2011 BBC crown to improve their point totals. Current leader in the Overall standings, Zues added 600 points at Guana Cay for a cumulative total of 9,700 points. Team Wave Paver added 700 points and maintains their Second Place Overall position with 8,300 points. Team Chasin Tail, winner of the Cape Eleuthera Championship, added 1,800 points at Guana Cay for a total of 7,400 points to hold on to Third Place Overall. For the complete listing of the overall standings visit www.bahamasbillfish.com. The season’s fifth and final leg of the Bahamas Billfish Championship takes place June 22nd through 25th at Treasure Cay Resort & Marina. The Treasure Cay Championship will decide who wears the ‘Championship Ring’ and the title of 2011 Bahamas Billfish Champion. The ‘Championship Ring’ was created and is annually presented by Abaco Gold of Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Bahamas. Now celebrating its 38th season, the BBC is the oldest billfish tournament series in the world. Anglers can fish any or all of the tournaments with cumulative points determining the overall Bahamas Billfish Champions. The Bahamas Billfish Championship has two endowed scholarships that enable Bahamian students the opportunity to pursue a degree in marine biology or advanced education in marine technologies. For the very latest information, registration forms and tournament photographs, visit their fact-filled website at www.bahamasbillfish.com or contact the Bahamas Billfish Championship at 866-920-5577 or email: info@bahamasbillfish.com.w
Third Place for the fourth leg of the BBC was awarded to Geno IV. Billfishing Magazine
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The 39th New Orleans
The New Orleans Big Game Fishing Club is a private club whose members share a passion for fishing the waters in the northern Gulf of Mexico in search of many species of billfish, tuna, wahoo, and dolphin.
26
www.FishWBS.com
Invt’l Billfish Tournament By Charlie Caplinger
fter a season lost the New Orleans Big Game Fshing Tournament was ready to get their lines wet and fish again. All the teams had plenty of time to sharpen their hooks, update their boats and get their bait all ready. The offshore action was anticipated to be hot and heavy and the 39th New Orleans Invitational Billfish Tournament lived up to the committees and anglers expectations. This year the event was held in Cypress Cove Marina in Venice, Louisiana on June 17 -18, 2011. This “Invitational” is regarded as the tournament that puts Gulf of Mexico big game fishing on the map and inspired the many offshore tournaments being held currently across the region. The NOIBT continues its focus on conservation, so the tournament is a Tag & Release format with no billfish brought in for weighing. The Captain’s Meeting and opening dinner were scheduled for Thursday, June 16th at 5:30pm. Fishing began with lines in the water at 6am on Friday, June
17th and boats returned to the weigh station by 4pm on Saturday, June 18th. The awards ceremony and dinner started at 7pm on Saturday night. Anglers enjoyed excellent offshore Louisiana conditions, the 24-boat fleet found a beautiful rip-line about 54-miles southeast of South Pass and tagged and released 23 billfish. The First Place team award went to Chris Hall’s Fog Cutter for tagging and releasing two blue marlin and one white marlin. Second Place team was Lee Welch’s GZ Girl for tagging and releasing two blue marlin first - narrowly beating out the Third Place Lady Lab, who also had two blue marlin. The Top Angler was Cameron Simmons, Jr. on the Tia II, for tagging and releasing a blue marlin and a one white. 23year old Cameron said, “I have fished this Invitational for eight years hoping to win.” Top Lady Angler was Gail Gele’ on the Lady Lab for tagging and releasing a blue marlin with her husband, Jimmy Gele’, as captain. The Top Youth Angler Billfishing Magazine
27
was Robbert Green on the Producer for tagging and releasing a blue marlin and catching a 133 pound yellow fin tuna. This was Robbert Green’s first blue marlin, making it a very special and memorable catch for him.w
Individual Awards Judge Leander H. Perez Memorial Trophy (1st Place Billfish) Cameron Simmons, Jr., Tia II Tagged and Released one blue marlin and one white - 650 pts on time. Second Place Billfish Angler Dax Byrd, Conundrum Tagged and Released one blue marlin and one white - 650 pts. Third Place Billfish Angler Gerard Welch, GZ Girl Tagged and Released one blue marlin 500 - pts. Top Overall Angler(billfish and weighed points) Cameron Simmons, Jr., Tia II Tagged & Released one blue marlin and one white marlin - 650 pts. Top Lady Angler Gail Gele’, Lady Lab – Tagged & Released one blue marlin - 500 pts Top Youth Angler Robbert Green Producer – Tagged & Released one blue marlin and caught a 133 pound yellow fin tuna - 633 pts Blue Marlin Award Gerard Welch, GZ Girl Tagged & Released one blue marlin - 500 pts. Sailfish Tag and Release Ken Brister Uptick, one sailfish Tagged & Released White Marlin Tag and Release Walter Gibbs First Choice, one white Tagged & Released TEAM AWARDS First Place Team Fog Cutter Tagged and Released two blue marlin and one white marlin - 1,150 pts. Chris T. Hall, Michael Hall, Tony Taylor, Chris J. Hall, Normand Loustalot, Daryl Arnold Second Place Team GZ Girl Tagged & Released two blue marlin - 1,000 pts. on time Lee Welch, Patrick Welch, Gerard Welch, Peter Bertucci, Carl Wildell, Brent Johnson Third Place Team Lady Lab Tagged & Released two blue marlin - 1,000 pts. Gail Gele’, Nick Cambre, Steve Galjour, Patrick Murphy, Matt Thomas, Jimmy Gele’ INDIVIDUAL FISH AWARDS Largest Yellowfin Tuna: Walter Gibbs First Choice 204 lbs. Largest Wahoo: Bo Tichenor Miss Michelle 23 lbs. Largest Dolphin: Mike Akiu First Choice 54 lbs. TOURNAMENT TOTALS 9 blue marlin Tagged & Released 11 white marlin Tagged & Released 3 sailfish Tagged & Released
Billfishing Magazine
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By Brenda Fletcher
Overall BBC Winners
30
www.FishWBS.com
eam Double Dog established a new Bahamas record when they boated a blue marlin weighing 1,119 pounds (507 kg). The record breaking blue was caught on the second day of the Treasure Cay Championship, the fifth and final leg of the 2011 Bahamas Billfish Championship. Angler David Albury of Man-O-War Cay, Bahamas fought the big blue for three hours seventeen minutes before being able to bring the fish to the boat. “When we saw the fish in the spread, we could not believe our eyes,” said Double Dog owner Don McKinney of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. “We scrambled to clear the light tackle and get the 80’s in position just in time for the giant blue to crash the port short.” McKinney went on to say, “After years of tournament fishing, we knew the fish was over 900 pounds but we never imagined it to be over
2011 Treasure Cay Championship shatters records.
Team Zues
1,100 pounds.” Team Double Dog has been competing in the Bahamas Billfish Championship for more than ten years and the eam won the Championship
title in 2009. An exhausted David Albury said, “I was so excited that I never realized that I was in the chair for more than three hours. It wasn’t until we attempted to boat the fish that I began to realize its size. My muscles are aching today but I’m sure I’ll feel much more uncomfortable tomorrow.”
According to the Double Dog’s captain, Jason Parker, “It was team work all the way especially when it came to getting the fish into the boat. We quickly realized that we were going to have a difficult time getting the fish through the transom door. We rigged a ‘come along’ to keep the fish straight while everyone aboard pulled the monster fish aboard.” The previous Bahamas blue marlin record was 1,060.5 pounds established by Sam Jennings of Miami, Florida in 1979 while fishing another Bahamas Billfish Championship tournament, the Bimini Summer Blue Marlin Tournament. According to BBC president Al Behrendt, “All of the blue marlin over 900 pounds caught in the Bahamas have been caught during BBC tournaments. What is significant about the new Bahamas blue marlin record is that, for the very first time, the record it is held by a Bahamian, David Albury.”
Zues Captures 2011 BBC Title With Record Score Not only did team Zues win the 2011 Bahamas Billfish Championship - they scored a record number of points for any team winning the Series. The Fort Pierce, Florida based team amassed 12,000 points by releasing 13 blue marlin, 12 white marlin and 11 sailfish and finishing in first place or second place at four out of the five BBC tournaments. With the exception of one day during the Guana Cay Championship, Team Zues managed to release at least one billfish each tournament day; with fifteen fishing days in the five tournament Series, Zues released a total of 36 billfish fishing in the five tournament series. When asked to comment on his team’s performance, Sandy Smith of St. Cloud, Florida said, “I fished one leg of the 2010 BBC on a chartered boat and decided I wanted to win the Championship.” Veteran captain, Glenn Cameron, known by Smith for 20 years, directed the team’s fishing efforts. Coupled with Smith’s focus and determination and Cameron’s tournament experience, the team kept the pressure on throughout a tournament season that saw exceptional fishing. Junior Davis’ Wave Paver, a 61 Garlington from Kissimmee,
BBC Treasure Cay Championship Second Place team Zues knew they would have to keep fighting to stay in the running for the tournament series over all big prize. Billfishing Magazine
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Both teams Chasin Tail and Wave Paver received Geoffrey Smith designed bronze trophies from the BBC. Wave Paver also received a $1,000 gift certificate from Alexseal Coatings and Chasin Tail a copy of Islands of the Sun, by BBC Scholarship Recipient and University of Miami graduate Nikita Shiel-Rolle and John A. Thompson. All three winners received custom boarding mats from BoatMat Corporation.
BBC Championship Overall Second Place team Wave Paver.
Florida amassed 9,000 points to capture Second Place Overall. Teamed with Capt. Harry “Snick” Akers, the team started the season with a Third Place finish at both the Central Abaco and Cape Eleuthera Championships. The enthusiasm and positive attitude of the entire Wave Paver team combined with consistent fishing throughout the season kept the points mounting over the five tournaments. Team Wave Paver caught and released 8 blue marlin, 9 white marlin and 4 sailfish during the Series. The Ft. Pierce, Florida team Chasin Tail took Third Place Overall at this year’s Championship with 8,100 points. Team leader Howard Webb and Capt. Robbie Valco added bonus points to release points early on with their First Place finish at the Cape Eleuthera Championship. Again, consistency proved the key – the team released 9 blue marlin, 7 white marlin, and 2 sailfish during the season. During the awards presentation at Treasure Cay’s Spinnaker Restaurant, team Zues was awarded the coveted Bahamas Billfish Championship Ring
created specifically for the BBC and presented by Monica Higgs of Abaco Gold. BBC President Al Behrendt presented the specially designed Geoffrey Smith bronze trophy for their overall win and a certificate from renowned marine artist Steve T. Goione for a Custom Yacht Portrait of the 58’ Custom Zues. As the Top Release Team of 2011, team Zues was awarded a custom designed, hand carved teak sculpture produced by Hy Jacobsen. The trophy was sponsored by long-time BBC sponsor Murray Products of West Palm Beach, Florida, who also awarded the top release team trophies with the Al Behrendt Marine Group at all five BBC tournaments. Top Overall Captain Glenn Cameron was the recipient of the Lindsay Forde Memorial Trophy, a handsome bronze sculpture presented by the Lewis Marine Group. Making the presentation were Steve Lewis, Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Forde and McKenzie Forde. In addition, Capt. Cameron and the crew of Zues received Randy Rich designed Top Captain and Top Crew trophies from the Lewis Marine Group. The trophies are replicas of the perpetual BBC Top Crew Trophy on display at the IGFA Hall of Fame Museum in Dania Beach, Florida.
The 2011 Bahamas Billfish Championship season was a record setter in many ways. All three winning teams, Zues, Wave Paver and Chasin Tail achieved the highest scores ever in the BBC’s 38 year history. The Series averaged thirty-one teams at each of the five tournaments and managed to catch a record 275 billfish; 135 blue marlin, 85 white marlin and 55 sailfish. A new Bahamas Blue Marlin record was established during the Treasure Cay Championship by Bahamian angler David Albury when team Double Dog weighed a 1,119 pound (507 kg) blue marlin shattering the old record of 1060.5 set in Bimini in 1979. Now celebrating its 38th season, the BBC is the oldest billfish tournament series in the world. Anglers can fish any or all of the tournaments with cumulative points determining the overall Bahamas Billfish Champions. The Bahamas Billfish Championship has two endowed scholarships that enable Bahamian students the opportunity to pursue a degree in marine biology or advanced education in marine technologies. For the very latest info, tournament photos or to sign-up to receive the BBC email magazine and newsletters visit www.bahamasbillfish.com or contact the Bahamas Billfish Championship at 866-920-5577 or e-mail them and just ask. Info@bahamasbillfish.com.w
BBC Championship Overall Third Place team Chasin Tail. Billfishing Magazine
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By Deidre Menefee
34
www.FishWBS.com
he Second Annual Carolina Billfish Classic, the state’s first multi-port billfishing tournament and third leg of the SC Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series, was held June 22nd – June 25th at Toler’s Cove Marina. Georgetown Landing Marina was a satellite location again this year, with anglers benefitting from an additional home port and weigh-in location option. The third day of the Carolina Billfish Classic at Toler's Cove Marina proved to be an exciting one, watching two boats compete for the CBC title. Sportin' Life, winner of the Georgetown Blue Marlin tournament, was ahead of Caramba by 100 points. Caramba, which had three sailfish releases and one blue marlin release on Day Two, kept going and released three more sailfish on the final day, giving them a total of 1,800 points. Sportin' Life released a blue marlin and a sailfish on Day Two, and added a white marlin release and two more sailfish releases on Day Three for a total of 1,500 points. Rascal had one blue marlin and four sailfish releases for 1,400 points.
Final Results Boat 1st Place Boat 2nd Place Boat
Points
Caramba Sportin Life
Award 1st Place Lady Angler 2nd Place Lady Angler 1st Place Youth Angler 2nd Place Youth Angler
1,800 points 1,500 points
Species 1 Blue; 6 Sails 1 Blue; 1 White; 3 Sails
Name
Species
Boat
Amy Bennett Cissy Bonifay Cordes Johnson Conner Teske
Released White Marlin 19.8 lb Dolphin 3.8 Dolphin Released Dolphin
Rodeo El Tejano Petrel Double Eagle
Billfishing Magazine
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Cordes Johnson was presented the Youth Angler award for his 3.8 pound dolphin he caught aboard the Petrel.
Deidre Menefee on the left presented Douglas Miller with the WBS Top Angler award and his invitation to the WBS Grand Championship in Costa Rica this December.
In 2010, the CBC introduced an Under 40’ Division in the Governor’s Cup Series. This division proved to be a success then, as almost 20% of the boats participating fell into this category. This year, Christy II, took the Under 40’ division win.
In addition to being a part of the five-tournament Governor’s Cup Series, the Classic is a sanctioned World Billfish Series tournament. The WBS Top Angler Award went to Douglas Miller of Rascal, with 1 Blue Marlin and 3 Sails. He is invited to participate in the World Championship in Costa Rica later this year. The tournament was once again home to the South Carolina Memorial Reef Dinner and Auction and proved to be a huge success for the reef and a whole lot of fun for everyone. This year, fishing enthusiasts were able to follow the tournament even more closely with updates on Facebook, or on their website www.FishCBC.com. Guests could sign up for email or text updates sent directly to them. For more information on the Carolina Billfish Classic or the SC Governors Cup Billfishing Series, visit their website at www.FishCBC.com or email dm@fishcbc.com.w
Amy Bennett was presented the Top Lady Angler award for her white marlin release aboard the Rodeo. Billfishing Magazine
37
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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
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Bu c To can urn eer am Cu en p t
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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 h
De rby
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
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Sh oo tou t Wh ite Ma rlin
Yam Bil aha lfis Co h T nte ou nd rna er me Mia nt mi Mi a To mi S urn wo am rdf en ish t
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
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 L ilfi od sh ge To Pr urn es am ide en ntia t l Ca pta Bil in lfis Bo hC bL ha ewi llen s ge
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
Pr e of side Co nti sta al C Ric ha a llen ge Pr e of side Gu nti ate al C ma ha la llen ge Lo s Inv Sue ita ño tio s M na a l rlin
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
600 0 975 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 425 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
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 Sue rie ño sL sS eg ig I nat ur e Lo s Se Sue rie ño sL sS eg ig II nat ur e
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
3700 3325 3150 3075 2900 2825 2775 2700 2650 2375 2350 2350 2325 2125 2100 2000 1975 1925 1925 1875 1850 1750 1750 1725
Boat Name Fa La Me Juel Marie Lo-Que-Sea Floridian Zues Wave Paver Wave Paver Uno Mas Sea Angel Rum Bum Bear Trap Gina Lea NOFA Double Dog Reel Relief Krazy Salt’s Geno IV Marlin Darlin Chasin Tail Playtime Blue Heron Wave Paver Marlin Darlin Bac in Five
1250 650 175 300 0 450 650 0 0 0 975 0 0 175 975 0 0 125 0 0 0 0 0 175
925 1250 0 650 50 100 250 450 0 0 0 0 850 0 0 0 0 650 175 175 575 575 0 0
1075 175 0 775 125 1375 525 0 525 1250 0 700 450 125 275 0 0 450 0 0 0 0 0 175
425 525 1175 0 0 0 0 0 850 0 450 450 0 525 0 1250 1250 0 450 450 450 450 0 175
0 0 575 250 975 0 450 850 450 450 175 175 0 450 0 0 0 0 450 450 0 0 450 175
0 0 175 125 850 0 50 450 50 0 50 50 0 50 0 0 0 0 50 50 0 0 450 50
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
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 Tim Lanahan Chris Martin Taylor Beckford Sandy Smith Roberto Valazquez Russell Sinclair Jr Davis Bob Osborn Tony Alietta Luis Bacardi Matt Carter Mark McDevitt Ronnie Burbage Dave Albury Garett Yarbrough Bob Dockenfield Mike Andersen Bobby Jacobsen Matt Abraham Mike Cioffi Mark Knowels Steve Davis Brandon Walton Nick Lucov
BB C Ch Ce am ntr pio al A ns ba BB hip co CC Ch a am pe pio Ele ns uth BB hip er a CH Ch a am rbo pio ur ns Isl BB hip an C d Ch Gu am an pi a C Tre onsh ay ip a To sur urn e C am ay en Bill BB t fis C h Ch Tre am as pio ure ns Ca VI hip y GF CJ uly Op Sa en n Bil Jua lfis n I hT nt’ ou l Pr rna es i me Ca de n rib nti be al C t an h Cu alle p ng e
Caribbean Southeast Division
0 200 200 0 0 0 0 150 0 0 0 200 100 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 100 250
3675 2800 2300 2100 2000 1925 1925 1900 1875 1700 1650 1575 1400 1325 1250 1250 1250 1225 1125 1125 1025 1025 1000 1000
Billfishing Magazine
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2011 WBS World Tour Standings
Boat Name Over the Top Topless Reel Joy Smoker Wave Paver Rhonda’s Osprey Bench Mark Cerveza Floridian American Lady Game On Alican Sweet Water Rhonda’s Osprey Cricket Red Eye Oil Slick Krazy Salt’s Fish Nailer Billfisher Makara Ravaganza Hazer Uno Mas
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1825 1300 1300 1075 950 950 950 925 850 850 550 800 800 800 800 800 700 675 675 675 675 700 700 700
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 175 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
ADDITIONAL PARTICIPATION POINTS
Angler John Janaskie Scott Steele Susan McCart Heather Brennan Jr Davis Michael Peet John Floyd Steve Schmeusser Sandy Smith Vincent Baiocco Bob Hixson Andres Fanjul Grant Connelle Lawrence Julio Michael Foster Victoria Roberts Chris Dudzek Bob Duckenfield Dave Bowman Jonathan Duffie Tom McMurray Grant Everette Matt Gunter Sam Peters
Ca ro lin a
Bil lfis hC las sic
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Mid-Atlantic Division
0 0 0 0 50 50 0 0 50 0 100 0 0 0 0 0 50 50 50 50 50 0 0 0
1825 1300 1300 1075 1000 1000 950 925 900 850 825 800 800 800 800 800 750 725 725 725 725 700 700 700
Angler Boat Name Chris Hall Sea Wolf Jason Benton Hello Darlin’ Robert Ashler Titanium 5.0 Robert Richardson Yabba Dabba Doo Dax Byrd Conundrum Martin Peake Life is Good Russell Bailey Pipe Dream Aaron Bishop Reel Screamer Dan Munyan Hot Rod Eric McDowell Dealer’s Choice Cameron Simmons Jr Tia II Peggy Hudson Iona Louise Robert Burroughs Quick Time John Pasentine First Choice James Smith Always Late Kelly Cummins Hooker Fred Marshall Traders Hill Paul Cornell Whiskey Tango Andy Armstrong Tar Baby Blake Boleware Blue Eyes Biloxi Chris Albritton Quick Time Frank Terrell Cotton Patch Jeff Elder Blue Eyes Biloxi Mit Kopf Ramble On 42
www.FishWBS.com
Ol d To Sal urn t L am oop en Re t Mo lea se b Da ile B yT G ou FC rna M m e em Ne nt ori w al Bil Or lfis lea h T ns ou In Em rna vita e me tio Ma rald nt nal rlin Co a Cla st ss Blu ic e Pe ns To aco urn la am Int en ’l B t Ba illf yP ish To oi urn nt am Bill en fish t Sa ras ota Sla m Or an g Cla e ss Bea ic ch Bil lfis h
Gulf Coast Division
0 0 0 800 0 0 0 700 700 0 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 0 450 0 0 0 0 450 450 450 450 450 450
850 0 0 0 850 0 0 0 0 0 575 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 900 450 0 0 700 0 0 0 575 0 575 575 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 0 450 0 0 0 715 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 454 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 450 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
50 0 0 50 0 50 0 0 0 50 0 0 0 50 50 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
900 900 900 850 850 750 715 700 700 625 575 575 575 500 500 500 454 450 450 450 450 450 450 450
Compete Against The Best Anglers In The World On The WBS World Tour
Who is Invited 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.
WORLD W ORLD BILLFISH SERIES Presented Pr esented By: Los Sueños Resort and Marina, Cost Costa a Rica
2011 WBS Grand Championships
Division Qualifier - The top fifteen anglers in each division 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. 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 lsrm.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. 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.
2011 WBS World Tour Southeast Division Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish – 1/20 - 1/22 Captain Bob Lewis Billfish Challenge – 3/3 - 3/5 Yamaha Contender Miami Billfish Tournament – 3/31 - 4/3 Miami Swordfish Tournament – 9/8 - 9/11 Gulf Coast White Marlin Shootout – 9/15 - 9/18 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 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 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 Challenge Caribbean Cup – 10/19 - 10/22 Mid-Atlantic Division Carolina Billfish Classic – 6/22 - 6/25 The Charleston Angler Megadock Billfish Tourn. – 7/6 - 7/9 Beach Haven White Marlin Invitational – 7/27 - 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 – 8/3 - 8/7 WBS 2011 Grand Championships – 12/7 - 12/10
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www.FishWBS.com
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 JUNE 8 – 11 Guana Cay, Bahamas BBC Guana Cay Championship Brenda Fletcher (954) 920-5577 JUNE 12 – 17 Abaco, Bahamas Treasure Cay Billfish Tourn. Sabine Kirchner (954) 525-7711
Tentative Schedule JUNE 16 – 18 Venice, Louisiana New Orleans Invt’l Billfish Tourn. Charlie Caplinger (504) 237-4030
AUGUST 2 – 6 Sarasota, Florida Sarasota Slam Kelly Boeve (941) 907-4133 ext. 309
OCTOBER 6 – 9 New Smyrna Beach, Florida New Smyrna Beach Billfish Invt’l Jon Zeller (386) 290-4181
JUNE 22 – 25 Treasure Cay, Bahamas BBC Treasure Cay Championship Brenda Fletcher (954) 920-5577
AUGUST 8 – 12 Ocean City, Maryland White Marlin Open Jim Motsko (410) 289-9229
OCTOBER 20 – 23 Varadero Marina, Aruba Presidential Caribbean Cup Joan M. Vernon (305) 361-9258
JUNE 30 – JULY 3 Pensacola, Florida Pensacola Int’l Billfish Tourn. Perry Palmer (850) 324-6365
AUGUST 21 – 26 Cape May, New Jersey Mid-Atlantic $500,000 Bob Glover (609) 884-2400
JUNE 21 – 26 Sandestin, Florida Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic Shawna Meisner (850) 267-6168
JUNE 22 – 25 Charleston, South Carolina Carolina Billfish Classic Deidre Menefee (843) 345-0369
AUGUST 3 – 7 Orange Beach, Alabama Orange Beach Billfish Classic Sarah Armstrong (251) 981-4207
AUGUST 15 – 19 Manteo, North Carolina Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tourn. Barry Wickre (252) 473-3906
JULY 6 – 9 Charleston, South Carolina The Charleston Angler Megadock McKenzie Hutaff (843) 278-4920
SEPTEMBER 5 – 11 San Juan, Puerto Rico San Juan Int’l Billfish Tourn. Gonzalo M. Ferrer (787) 722-0177
JULY 12 – 14 St. Thomas, Virgin Islands VIGFC July Open Jeffrey Kreiner (340) 775-9144
SEPTEMBER 15 – 18 Pensacola, Florida White Marlin Shootout Rocky Jones (850) 324-6601
JULY 6 – 10 Panama City, Florida Bay Point Billfish Tournament Steve Arndt (850) 628-1740
JULY 27 – 30 Beach Haven, New Jersey Beach Haven White Marlin Invitational John Fitzgerald (609) 713-9996
SEPTEMBER 8 – 11 Miami, Florida Miami Swordfish Tourn. Richard Peeples III (305) 282-1006
OCTOBER 1 – 8 Queensland, Australia Lizard Island Black Marlin Classic Bob Lowe boblowe@lizardislandgfc.asn.au
OCTOBER 13 – 15 St. Augustine, Florida El Pescado Billfish Tourn. Lynn Layton (904) 642-0210
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
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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