Wave Paver Wins Inaugural The Shootout
The Shootout’s 27-team fleet of the most elite sport fishing yachts challenged the production and custom boats against one another in an all-release format tournament hosted by the Abaco Beach Resort and Boat Harbour Marina, Bahamas on May 20-23.
Of the 52 billfish (21 blue marlin, 19 white marlin and 12 sailfish) released during the three consecutive days of fishing, it was the WAVE PAVER, a 61’ Garlington, that captured the overall Shootout title with two blue marlin, two white marlin and two sailfish releases; securing the win for the custom boats over the production boats in this inaugural event.
Tournament director, Capt. Skip Smith and Jen Copeland issued commemorative plaques to the major sponsors in recognition and support of the event which included SatCom, Hatteras Yachts and Dex Imaging. HMY Yacht Sales, XL Insurance Group, Smith-Merritt Insurance, Costa del Mar, CAT Marine Power, CAT Pantropic, CAT Gregory Poole, CAT Ring Power, Marine Max, Dometic, Tom George Yacht Sales, Diamond Fishing Products and Shimano were also recognized and received plaques for their support.
Of the awards the committee handed out on Saturday night, WAVE PAVER owner Jr. Davis accepted his first-place trophies for both Top Boat and Top Angler. In addition to beautifully engraved Shimano Tiagra 80w and 50w reels, the team also received a check in the amount of $55,980 for their prowess. Top Captain and Crew awards for the WAVE PAVER, which consisted of Capt. Russell Sinclair, Jerry Owens, Garrett Van Orman and Brian Boyle, also received engraved Shimano reels and a check for $18,000.
Releasing one blue marlin each day of the tournament secured owner Scott Robins and Capt. Chris Zielinski of WEEZ IN THE KEYS a second-place finish for their team, receiving a check in the amount of $44,180, and Walter Shikany’s Whiticar Boatworks’ NEVER ENOUGH took third with Capt. Trevor Cockle leading them to one blue marlin, four whites and a sailfish release resulting in a $35,640 pay-out.
Honorable mention goes to John Lee’s 58’ Merritt COMMITTED with Capt. Sean Young at the helm, releasing two blues and two whites to finish fourth overall, and the top production boat coming in fifth place for Hatteras Fishing Team’s CU+ LEADER and Capt. Doug Covin for his two blue and one white marlin release.
The largest wahoo was weighed in at a hefty 62 pounds by STOP THE PRESS, followed by a 40.1-pound mahi for HIT-N-RUN and a nice tuna harvested by SCOOTER, all of which received a check for $6,700 for the fun fish division of the tournament.
With good fishing and excellent weather, all the events were topped off by incredible food and service in the air-conditioned tent provided by the staff at the Abaco Beach Resort. Combined with the best-of-the-best boats, owners and crew, The Shootout is sure to become one of the coveted worldwide premier tournament venues.
The Shootout perpetual trophy is currently on display in the lobby of the Abaco Beach Resort and Boat Harbour Marina in the Bahamas.