Terry Top Angler, Backlash Top Boat in 2024 Virgin Islands Game Fishing Clubâs Annual Dolphin Derby Tournament
St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. The catch of a 20.8-pound dolphin fish (mahi-mahi) earned St. Thomasâ KJ Terry the Top Angler prize at the Virgin Islands Game Fishing Clubâs Annual Dolphin Derby held on April 14. Fishing aboard the St. Thomas-based 26â Prowler, Marlin Etc., with Captain Ryan Mertens at the helm, Terry caught his winning fish north of St. Thomas.
Photo: L to R Terra Steuerwald and KJ Terry with his 20.8-pound winning dolphinfish
âWe headed north knowing there would be big fish offshore. Our strategy was to look for big weed lines or frigate birds,â says Terry.
It was birds circling overhead that gave a clue to the 20.5-pound winning mahi below. The bite happened around 10 a.m. with a quick fight to put it in the boat, Terry says. After that, Mertens turned the Marlin Etc. to the east and the team continued trolling baited ballyhoo.
Terryâs catch was 34.2-pounds short of the 55-plus-pounds needed to win the top prize of $25,000, but he didnât go home empty-handed.
In other awards, St. Thomas Hugo Prada earned the Second Place Angler prize with the catch of an 18.0-pound dolphin fish from aboard the Backlash, while fellow angler, Corey Pugh, reeled in the Third Place Angler award with his 17.0-pound catch.
Photo: VIGFC Dolphin Derby Top Boat – Backlash – L to R Jeff Watson, Corey Pugh, Jeff Richardson, Hugo Prada.
In total, 5 boats from St. Thomas and St. John fished the tournament, landing a total of 35 pounds of dolphin fish.
Personnel from the USVI Department of Planning and Natural Resources Division of Fish & Wildlife served as weighmasters.
An Awards Ceremony at IGYâs American Yacht Harbor Marina with music, pizza, and lots of camaraderie created the perfect end to this popular annual event. The tournament also proved a winning time for anglers and the public alike to learn about the USVI Reef Responsible Sustainable Seafood Initiative via an information table set up and staffed by St. Thomas/St. John Liaison, Nicole Greaux.
The Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club appreciates the sponsorship support from IGYâs American Yacht Harbor Marina and Cape Fear Spirits.
Looking ahead, the Club will host its Kidâs Fishing Tournament on October 5, and its Wahoo Windup on November 9, 2024.
For more information, call (340) 775-9144, Email: usvigfc@gmail.com, or visit: www.vigfc.com
Media contact:
Carol Bareuther
Cell: (340) 998-3650
Skype: Carol.Bareuther
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