The Bahamas Billfish Championship kicked off its 38th season last week with the Central Abaco Championship. Sixty-two billfish were caught and released by the fleet of thirty-five boats fishing the three-day event. Bear Trap, a 66 Spencer out of Chattanooga, Tennessee and led by owner John Stout and Capt. Gret Eklund, took top billing with 2,800 points.
The Bear Trap team caught and released two blue marlin, three white marline and two sailfish. The team also garnered an additional 700 Grand Slam bonus points for the blue, white and sailfish releases on the seond day of the tournament.
Second place honors went to team Zues, a 58 Custom yacht based out of Fort Pierce, Florida. After sharing the lead with John Lee’s Committed from Destin, Florida for two days, team leader Tim Lanahan and Capt. Glenn Cameron accumulated 2300 points by releasing two blue marlin, four white marline and two sailfish.
Junior Davis’ Wave Paver, a 61 Garlington from Kissimmee, Florida finished in third place, also with 2300 points. Team Wave Paver with Capt. ‘Snick’ Akers caught and released one blue marlin, three white marlin, and three sailfish during the tournament. Wave Paver also received an additional 700 Grand Slam bonus points. Bahamas Billfish Championship rules specify that when two teams achieve the same point total, the winner is determined by the team first that reached the point total.
During the ‘season opener’ 62 billfish were caught and released: 17 blue marlin, 27 white marlin and 18 sailfish. All catches were validated using time and date-stamped digital images. And all participants signed affidavits ensuring fish were released in accordance with IGFA and Bahamas Billfish Championship rules.
The Bahamas Billfish Championship is the oldest billfish tournament series in the world. Anglers may fish any or all of the tournaments. Cumulative points determine the overall Bahamas Billfish Champions.
Two scholarships to Bahamian students pursing degrees in marine biology or advanced education in the marine technologies are endowed through the championship.
The second championship wll take place May 11 -14 at Cape Eleuthera.
For the latest tournament information, visit www.bahamasbillfish.com.
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