Crew winner with five marlin releases

Photos: Susan Mann

ST THOMAS, USVI: The anglers and crew of the Bandolera, hailing from Puerto Rico and Venezuela, were clearly elated to hoist five marlin flags signifying a winning designation on the third day of the highly competitive US Virgin Islands Open/Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament.

This is the 34th year that the annual tournament has been held here and all proceeds from the event will be donated to the Virgin Islands Boy Scouts of American.

According to veteran tournament director,"Jimmy" Loveland, "Last year's tournament was a big success with 108 blue marlin releases."

A deep water drop-off, located between 20-25 miles north of St. Thomas and spanning the waters of both US and British Virgin Islands, is said to offer marlin numbers which are "unique to any fishing destination in the world."

At the 5:30 pm close of daily competition on Wednesday, with one more day to wrap up, and with 47 boat crews, a total of 55 blue marlin had been released. Sixty marlin were hooked up, 45 were reeled in, and 23 boats released at least one marlin.

In order to qualify for the fishing competition anglers must have IGFA trained and certified observers on board. This assures that regulations, including actual blue marlin catch- and -release counts are adhered to. One such requirement is a 400-pound minimum weight for catch and release of a marlin. Anglers are awarded 400 points for each marlin released.

Dubbed one of the most competitive saltwater sportfishing contests in the world, the tournament is included in both Bisbee's World Billfish Series and the Rolex-IGFA "Tournament of Champions."

The top ten boats for Wednesday were; Bandolera (5), Vintage (4), Producer (3), Black Gold (3), Sharkey's Revenge (3),  Cool Runnings (2), Rum Bum (2), Miss Makaylah (2), High Price (2),  Lethal Weapon (2).

Also, on the third day of the tournament a total of 100 releases had been certified.

Virgin Islands Boy Scouts were scheduled to cook and serve burgers for their benefactors at the American Yacht Harbor dock. "Cheeseburgers in Paradise", a title coined from a popular American song, was the theme as participants were also treated to live local entertainment.