From Bahamas Billfish Championship Press Release
For the first three days of the Treasure Cay Championship, Cruiser Crews’ team Cowpoke waged a seesaw battle for first place with the 2012 Bahamas Billfish Champion Fa-La-Me. In fact, when the Committee Boat called ‘lines in’ on the final day, both Cowpoke and Fa-La-Me had 2,100 points with Crews’ team in first place based on time.
Day four started with Frank Rodriguez team Fa-La-Me picking up 600 points and jumping into the lead when Steve Butcher released a blue marlin at 9:30. Christy Crews on Cowpoke countered with a white marlin release at 10:07 and a blue marlin release at 1:59 in the afternoon. Cowpoke made it a 1,000 point day when Tony Huerta released another white marlin at 2:45.
During the four-day tournament, the 61 Viking, Cowpoke, caught and released three blue marlin, six white marlin and one sailfish for a total of 3,100 points. The win earned the Avon Park, Florida cattle rancher and his team a beautiful Randy Rich trophy and a $1,000 gift certificate from Aqualuma Lighting. The trophies were presented by the tournament sponsors Bank of America Private Wealth Management and Bertram Yacht. Capt. Mike Brady and the crew of Cowpoke received Randy Rich acrylic trophies sponsored by the Lewis Marine Group.
Team Fa-La-Me finished second with a very respectable 2,700 points. The Winter Park, Florida team caught and released two blues, seven whites and one sailfish. The 70 Viking edged out the third place finisher, Blue Eagle, by a mere 100 points. Brad Jones’ team Blue Eagle from Port Aransas, Texas caught and released three blues and four whites to finish with 2,600 points. In addition to custom designed Randy Rich trophies, the three winning teams also received gift certificates from Roffer’s Ocean Fishing Forecasting Service (ROFFS) and bottles of Bacardi Anejo from Bacardi and Bristol Wine & Spirits.
Top Tournament Angler honors went to Luis Bacardi who will receive a Carey Chen artwork entitled ‘Grand Slam’ presented by ISR Marine Insurance and Smith-Merritt Insurance. All anglers in the 2013 BBC series are competing for the newly created Jim Lambert Memorial Trophy. The trophy will be presented to the BBC’s top angler. The presentation by ISR and Smith-Merritt will take place at the 40th Anniversary celebration during the Marsh Harbour Championship.
Despite extremely windy conditions all week, fishing action proved to be excellent for the BBC’s third leg of 2013 hosted by the Treasure Cay Resort & Marina. Of the 51 billfish caught and released, 19 were blue marlin, 29 were white marlin and 3 were sailfish. BBC rules require that all releases be validated using time and date stamped digital images. Affidavits signed by all participants fishing on each team further confirms that the fish was released in accordance with IGFA and Bahamas Billfish Championship rules.
Through the cooperative efforts of the Bahamas Billfish Championship, BBC presenting sponsor Silver Airways, tournament sponsors Bank of America Private Wealth Management and Bertram Yacht, and Treasure Cay Resort & Marina, the tournament participants and the people of Abaco were treated to a free acoustical concert by country recording artist Colton James. More than 200 people packed the Tipsy Seagull at Treasure Cay to enjoy the music of the ‘Reel Water Cowboy.’ Through his music, Colton James promotes the responsible enjoyment of our oceans. During the Treasure Cay Championship, ‘angler’ Colton James caught and released a blue marlin aboard the 63 Bertram Sharkbait.
Now celebrating its 40th anniversary, 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 Champions. 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, overall standings or to register for the remaining tournament, visit www.bahamasbillfish.com. Or contact the Bahamas Billfish Championship at 866-920-5577 or e-mail: info@bahamasbillfish.com. Be sure to download the new BBC App for your Android or Apple device. Search ‘Bahamas Billfish Championship’ in the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
