Miami resident, Alex Vazquez, led team Fish Tales to victory at the Bahamas Billfish Championship’s (BBC) first tournament of the 2012 season, held at Great Guana Cay, Abaco. Vazquez and teammate Joe Souto caught and released four blue marlin and a white marlin earning 2,600 points for the win.
The BBC’s new format requires teams to fish three out of four days with a ‘captain’s choice’ lay-day somewhere in the four day tournament. Similar to most of the twenty-one boat fleet, Fish Tales took day one as their lay-day. After noon on day two, Vazquez released the team’s first blue marlin and Souto solidified the tournament lead by releasing a second blue marlin before 3:00 p.m.
On day three, Fish Tales’ lead was reinforced with another blue marlin release; however, newcomers John and Anne Aramendia of Garden Ridge, Texas on the Give It Away quickly captured attention with a ‘grand slam’ (release of a sailfish, white marlin and blue marlin) by Anne and with John adding another blue to accrue 1,500 points. Just 300 points shore of Fish Tales’ 1,800.
On day four, Barry Weshnak’s Miss Annie took the spotlight releasing three blue marlin and edging out Frank Rodriguez and Fa-La-Me out of third place. Fish Tales added another blue and white to finish with 2,600 points and Anne Aramendia on Give It Away released another sailfish, adding 100 points to her team’s total.
As winners of the Guana Cay Championship, Alex Vazquez and team Fish Tales received a Randy Rich designed trophy, which was presented by tournament sponsors MarineMax and Hatteras Yachts. In addition, Fish Tales received a $500 gift certificate from Treasure Coast Propellers and a set of custom teasers from Reel Tease and Chum Buoy. Chris Zielinski and the Fish Tales crew each received a Randy Rich designed trophy, which was sponsored by Lewis Marine Group.
Former Bahamas Billfish champion, Barry Weshnak from Allenwood, New Jersey, finished in Third Place with 1,800 points. In addition to the Randy Rich trophies, all three winning teams also received Anejo Rum, provided from Bacardi and Bristol Wine & Spirits, and gift certificates from Maui Jim Sunglasses and Roffer’s Ocean Fishing Forecasting Service (ROFFS).
Twenty-one teams competed in the Guana Cay Championship, which was hosted by Orchid Bay Yacht Club & Marina. Of the 42 billfish caught and released, 19 were blue marlin, 15 were white marlin and 8 were sailfish.
All catches were validated using time and date stamped digital images. Affidavits signed by all participants fishing further confirms fish were released in accordance with IGFA and Bahamas Billfish Championship rules.
Hosting sponsors of the Guana Cay Championship were MarineMax and Hatteras Yachts. Social functions during the tournament were hosted by CAT Marine Power, Ocean Club at Port Canaveral, Silver Airways, and Treasure Coast Propellers.
Now celebrating its 39th season, the BBC 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. Two scholarships for Bahamian students pursuing a degree in marine biology or advanced education in the marine technologies are endowed through the tournament.
For the very latest tournament information, results and overall standings visit the BBC website, contact the Bahamas Billfish Championship at 866-920-5577 or e-mail tournament representatives at info@bahamasbillfish.com. Tournament results and standings may also be viewed on Apple mobile devices via the new BBC App (search ‘Bahamas Billfish Championship’ in the App Store).