ABACO
Marsh Harbour, Central Abaco Lionfish Derby
Friends of the Environment is calling all anglers to participate in its annual lionfish derby slated for May 17, 2014. Cash prizes will be given for first ($1500), second ($1000) and third place ($500), as well as prizes for the largest and smallest lionfish. Boats falling in fourth place and below will be awarded $1 per lionfish up to $100 fish. In the past four years, the derby has rounded up a total of 4,309 lionfish. The derby is free to enter and is sponsored by Marsh Harbour Exporters and Importers. Teams may include up to four persons. For registration information and rules, visit www.friendsoftheenvironment.org.
Bahamas Billfish Championship Series
The BBC’s 2014 series launches May 7-10, 2014 with the Guana Cay Championship. All four tournaments in the series will be held in Abaco and are spaced one-week apart during May and June. The entry for each championship is $3,000. Fish one or fish them all. For more information or to register, visit www.bahamasbillfish.com.
The Delphi Club Guide to the Birds of Abaco Has Arrived
The 272-page, large-format, hardback book is the first of its kind in The Bahamas and features more than 160 species of birds found in Abaco and its outer cays, including several species that are unique to The Bahamas. All the 300-plus photographs were taken on Abaco. The limited edition is priced at $145 each, and available exclusively from The Delphi Club. Only 500 copies are available for purchase. A portion of proceeds will be donated to local Abaco wildlife causes. For more details, call (242) 366-2222 or visit www.delphi-bahamas.com.
BIMINI
NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame Celebrity Billfish Invitational
The Bimini Big Game Club will host this inaugural invitational tournament scheduled to takes place April 24-27, 2014. The event is limited to 22 boats, and boasts over $250,000 in prizes and the opportunity to fish with a Pro Football Hall of Fame Player or NFL Legend. Scheduled headliners include Rod Woodson, John Randle, John Hannah, Mark May, Jim McMahon, Dwight Stephenson, George Rogers, Bernie Kosar, Paul Krause, Jack Youngblood, Mike Haynes, Dermontti Dawson, Joe DeLamielleure, Tom Mack, Willie Roaf, Dave Butz and Louis Lipps. The tournament is catch and release, will adhere to IGFA Tournament rules, and will target all billfish species. For more information or to register, visit www.HOFBimini.com.
NOTE: The NFL tournament has been cancelled.
BAHAMAS BOATING FLING 2014 SCHEDULE
Equivalent to a road trip, but comprised of a caravan of boaters traveling across the Gulf Stream to The Bahamas with a lead boat piloting the way, all 2014 flings begin on Thursday and return on Sunday. The trip is restricted to 30 boats and requires a minimum boat length of 22 feet. Dockage space is on a first-come first-served basis. Four trips are offered in June (destinations Bimini or Port Lucaya) and two in July (destination Bimini). For the exact dates and reservations, visit www.bahamas.com/boating-flings or call 1-800-32Sport.