ABC/World Diamond Source Billfish Challenge
February 23, 2008
The Sailfish bite in the last 3 years of the ABC/World Diamond Source Billfish
Challenge has been nothing short of astounding. This year, the tournament set
a new record, as 71 teams posted a total of 260 releases by day's end.
Whether it's good timing, the right weekend, a little bit of luck or a combination
of all three, hot sailfishing action seems to be the norm in this Billfish Challenge,
rather than the exception. In only three days of fishing, the tournament boasts
a unique one-day format, teams have combined to release a staggering tally of
694 Sailfish over the past three years. Tournament director Jamie Bunn put it
best about this year's fishing, "The bite was something that our teams will
talk about for a long time to come."
Within minutes of the 7am lines-in-the-water announcement, the releases began
to pour in to the tournament radio room. Doubles, triples, quads, some teams even
had 6 fish on at a time. Fishing appeared to be good up and down the coastline,
however, the hottest action was in the vicinity of Haulover Inlet. Fortunately,
this time the "Miss Costa" was in the middle of it. I would have to
say it was the hottest bite I've seen in a while. For about 4 hours, it was pretty
hard to look around and not see someone within a few hundred yards of you hooked
up. It's great to just be in the middle of such a hot bite.
2nd through 5th place in the tournament were all decided by time. Each team
had 10 releases a piece. Captain Joe Turner and his "4 Aces" team finished
in 2nd, followed by "Rock Star" in 3rd, "Priceless" in 4th
and "Weez in the Keys" in 5th. In the funfish division, Brian Rifkin
and his teammates on "In the Box" earned an extra $9,200 for the heaviest
funfish weighed in the tournament – a 43.1 pound Kingfish. The tournament
paid back over $170,000 in prize money, also a new tournament record.
If you would like to fish this event next year contact them @ www.bluewatermovements.com
. Next year's dates are proposed to be Feb 19th, 2009 (Registration) and Feb 21st,
2009 (fishing).
I would like to take a minute to thank all the boats that showed mercy on us,
moving so we wouldn't lose any of the fish that were stretched out on multiples.
To name a few: the "Double Up," "Double D," "Coral C,"
and the "4 Aces." They were all class acts when it came to giving us
room. I will return the favor some day.
It was a day I'll never forget and I would like to give credit to the gang
down below for making it happen: Bill Danko, Rick Murphy, Alex Castellanos, Rob
Ramirez and my boss lady, Charmain. I have to give extra credit to Rob who, less
than two months ago, underwent major knee surgery and had to make at least three
trips to the bow when we were stretched out - you guys were great!
- 1st Place – Miss Costa – 16 releases
- 2nd Place – 4 Aces – 10 releases
- 3rd Place – Rock Star – 10 releases
- 4th Place – Priceless – 10 releases
- 5th Place – Weez in the Keys – 10 releases
Next it's the Bob Lewis tournament www.billfishchallenge.com . It looks like
it might turn out to be a good bite. Until then, tight lines!
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