Catch of the Week! – The 9th Annual Blue Water Classic Fishing Tournament

by McNab Editorial Team

The month of October has crept up on us and the weekends are flying.

October 12 is observed as Columbus Day or Pan American Day or the Day of the Americas. This year, in Belize, we celebrated the holiday on October 9th, allowing for a long weekend. Long weekends for many Belizeans mean heading out of town, escaping to the islands or going on an adventure with family and friends.

One of the most exciting events that took place over the long holiday weekend was the BGFA’s longest-running tournament, the Blue Water Classic, which was hosted at the Blue Marlin Lodge on South Water Caye! Anglers could not ask for a more picturesque location. South Water Caye is a beautiful private island, located in the South of Belize, that conveniently sits above the barrier reef, making it a divers and snorkelers tropical paradise with popular marine hot spots a short boat ride away

Annual Blue Water Classic had a great turnout

At the briefing night hosted at Old Belize in the city, twenty-two boats signed up to compete for over $20,000 in cash and prizes, as well as a Calcutta prize totaling $13,900. On the eve of the tournament, anglers prepared their tackle and set game plans for the days ahead. The anglers were in full gear and ready for two full days at sea, following the Boy Scouts motto, “be prepared” for anything. Sailfish, Blue Marlin and Dorado are the top three fish anglers hoped to hook this tournament.

With Tropical Storm Nate speeding past Belize and beautiful weather setting in, Anglers set off on Saturday morning to their respective fishing grounds. Due to poor telephone reception on the island, the tournament base was fairly quiet and those manning the base enjoyed casting flies to the schools of hefty bonefish lurking along the shores of South Water Caye. But as the tournament boats began coming within range, reports began pouring in.

First to report was Team Benchaela who reported two Dorado. An hour later tournament base received a call from Team Jolly Mon who released a Blue Marlin off North Glover’s as well as reported having two Wahoo onboard. They also relayed a Sailfish release for Team Mingulay south off Caye Bokel. Then, thirty minutes before lines out, team Brieanne C called in a Sailfish release to cap off the day. Back at the dock, the scales were tipping with multiple Dorado, Wahoo, Tuna, and even a few decent sized Yellowfin Tuna. But as Team Stir It Up rolled into the dock, chatter began to quickly spread that they had released three Blue Marlin off the Sapodilla Cayes. This, of course, rocketed them into the First Place position! Three Blue Marlin releases in one day is a BGFA tournament record as previously the most released had been

The weather on day two started out where day one left off with beautiful flat calm seas. Captains and crew members were eager to get going as they knew that they had some stiff competition with Team Stir It Up’s three Blue Marlin releases. The first boat to register a Blue Marlin release was Team Mingulay who caught one off the south end of Glover’s Reef. Team Barana who was fishing off Ranguana Caye then released two Blue Marlin back to back and the final release came from Team Tipsy Tuna who released one right in front of South Water Caye.

The end of Day Two after the scores was tallied, the crowd gathered beneath the Belikin tent on the beach for the tournament prize-giving ceremony. In total, anglers released 8 Blue Marlin, 2 Sailfish, and weighed 7 Wahoo, 15 Dorado, 15 Tuna and 1 Kingfish.

Prizes for the winners were as follows:

CATEGORY PRIZE WINNERS

Heaviest Barracuda Club Black Orchid Heaviest Tuna Trophy Weak Moment – Alvaro Rodriguez (27lbs)

Heaviest Dorado $500 + Trophy Team Tipsy Tuna – Kanye Leslie (131⁄2 lbs)

Heaviest Wahoo $1,000 + Trophy Weak Moment – Alvaro Rodriguez (33lbs)

Top Junior Angler $250 + Trophy The Lucky Erin – Victor Zabaneh

Top Female Angler $500 Lil French – Witny Osorio

Top Angler $500 Barana – Hector Flores

5th Place $500 Team The Lucky Erin

4th Place $1,000 Team Jolly Mon

3rd Place $2,000 Team Mingulay

2nd Place $4,000 Team Barana

1st Place $7,000 + Trophy Team Stir It Up

Belize fishing is something you have to see to believe. Plan your next fishing holiday in Belize and have a reel good time!

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