Freedom, a 65’ American Custom Yacht won the 33rd Annual Bacardi Rum Billfish Tournament with 1 blue marlin release, 3 white marlin releases and 3 sailfish releases for a total of 1,075 points. Freedom is owned by Dino Chouest of Galliano, LA, and captained by Albert Miller of Deerfield Beach, FL. Ross Chouest was one of the anglers on the boat. Freedom insured their victory with one white marlin and seven sailfish releases on the last day of fishing, but only three sailfish releases count per day.
Second place in the tournament went to Cacique, a 64’ Viking owned by Paul Coury of Centreville, Virginia. Cacique, captained by Harvey Shiflet, of Virginia Beach, VA, released one blue marlin and two sailfish in the competition to accumulate 550 points. They narrowly edged out Hoosier Buddy, a 54’ Jim Smith captained by ‘Cujo’ Brinkmeyer. Hoosier Buddy accumulated 525 points by releasing three white marlin and one sailfish.
Congratulations to all the competitors!
For additional information contact Tournament Director Raul Miranda at rvmiranda@hotmail.com. For photos of the event Kenny Jones at kfj1111@gmail.com.