Team Hit ‘N Run releases two blue marlin on day three of fishing to win the tournament.
The 45th Annual Sea Horse Anglers Club Bermuda Billfish Tournament came to an exciting conclusion with three different teams releasing two blue marlin on the final day of fishing. Capt. David Fields’ Hit N Run soared to the tournament victory, amassing a total of 2,000 points over three days fishing. The haul consisted of four blue marlin releases which won team Hit ‘N Run the Overall Billfish Release Points and Overall first place in the tournament, plus a share of the Largest Blue Marlin Prize, totalling an impressive $82,800.
The 68-foot F & S team consisted of Laura Russell, Byron Russell, James Turner and Matt Abraham. Laura Russell caught and released three blue marlin making her the Overall High Point Angler for the tournament, as well as earning her the High Point Lady honors.
Capt. Pete Zook’s Sea Striker came in second place for the Overall Billfish Release Points and was also the second place Overall Team with a share of the Largest Blue Marlin Jackpot, earning $51,660 in prize money.
In Overall third place in the tournament, winning the Day Three Release Jackpot, the third place Overall Release Jackpot, the Day Three Marlin Jackpot and a share of the Largest Blue Marlin jackpot worth a total of $67,140 was Capt. Brooks Smith’s Uno Mas.
The Day One and Day Two Billfish Release Jackpots, as well as those two days’ Marlin Jackpots, were won by Capt. Don Boys’ Game Changer with that team collecting $72,000. The High Point Junior Angler was Jacob Estis who caught and released one blue marlin from Capt. Peter Rans’ Overproof.
Another notable catch was a 51-pound wahoo caught by Team Reel Lax to win the Game Fish categories.
No billfish were boated and weighed during the event even though there were encounters with large fish recorded. Overall, the tournament, fished from July 18-22, was a resounding success with 182 anglers on a record 33 teams catching 43 billfish during the event.
Sea Horse Anglers Club Bermuda Billfish Tournament sponsors include Bermuda Tourism Authority, Airmar, Goslings Black Seal, CAT Marine, Gregory Poole CAT, Pantropic Power CAT, Foley CAT, PW Marine, Island Construction Services, Garmin, Marlin magazine, Oliver’s Travel Services, C-Mart LTD., RUBiS Energy Bermuda, Satcom Direct, PW Marine, Butterfield & Vallis, A&M Construction, DRD Construction, Temperature Control, Hamilton Princess Bermuda, The Docksider, Canyon Gear, and YETI.
