Team Torta, a 61′ Viking from Farmingdale, New York owned by Joe Possillico, released three blue marlin, one white marlin and a sailfish, to clinch victory in the second leg of the 2014 Bahamas Billfish Championship. Team Torta released fish each day of the tournament to earn a total of 21oo points.
Team The Boomer, guided by Bill Gardner, took the second place finish with a total of three blue marlin releases. The 76′ Whiticar from Hartford, Wisconsin released two blue marlin on day two and a third blue marlin on day three. As is usually the case, Torta and The Boomer traded the top two spots throughout the last afternoon of the tournament.
On day one, Team Hooker, led by team captain Kenneth Cummins, released two blue marlin and a white marlin putting Hooker in third place. The team from Bradenton, Florida, was even more excited as all three anglers had never released a marlin before.
The Green Turtle Cay leg, the second in the four part series, was co-hosted by Bluff House Resort and Marina and Green Turtle Club. Fourteen blue marlin, 7 white marlin and 4 sailfish were caught and released. All catches were validated using time and date stamped digital images. Affidavits signed by all participants fishing on every team further confirms that the fish was released in accordance with IGFA and Bahamas Billfish Championship rules.
The Green Turtle Cay Championship win earned Joe Possillico and Team Torta a Chris Costello hand-carved trophy as well as a gift certificate for a pair of Costa Sunglasses from tournament sponsor Costa and a gift certificate from Roffer’s Ocean Fishing Forecasting (ROFFS). Captain Artie Meadows and his crew each received Randy Rich designed crew trophies sponsored by the Lewis Marine Group.
The Second Place Chris Costello trophy went to The Boomer. Kenneth Cummins and Team Hooker received the Third Place Chris Costello trophy. In addition, the second and third place teams also received gift certificates from Roffer’s Ocean Fishing Forecasting Service (ROFFS) and Costa sunglasses. The Chris Costello trophies are sponsored by Murray Products.
At present, the lead for the 2014 Championship belongs to Team Torta with 2900 points, Blue Sky is second with 2400 points and Marlin Darlin is third, also with 2400 points. Torta and Blue Sky are moving back to the States. Therefore, the 2014 BBC is wide open, meaning all teams have a chance for the Championship ring.
The next leg of the 2014 BBC series will take place June 4th – 8th at Treasure Cay Resort & Marina.
The Bahamas Billfish Championship 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 Champion. The BBC endowed two scholarships that enable Bahamian students the opportunity to pursue a degree in marine biology or advanced education in the marine technologies.
For the very latest tournament information, results, and overall standings or to register for any of the remaining tournaments, visit www.bahamasbillfish.com.