Team Irish Ayes Wins the Bermuda Billfish Blast
Team Irish Ayes had both the luck and the skill catching four blue marlin and a white to win the Bermuda Billfish Blast (July 3-7) and take the lead in the Bermuda Triple Crown Billfish Championship. After a slow morning on the first day of fishing, Captain Brent Johnston got on the bite with angler Ron Fowler releasing a blue at 2:30. At 2:50 they hooked up again with angler Donald Bartenfelder releasing a white. With forty minutes left in the days fishing, owner Mike Poole hooked up to a nice blue on a pitch bait and was successful in releasing the fish after a thirty-minute tussle. On the second day of fishing, Johnston got on the bite early hooking up at 9:50 with angler Don Bartenfelder bringing the blue to leader for a successful release. Owner Mike Poole was tight again to a blue at 10:50 with the release coning at 11:24.
The two releases were enough for Irish Ayes to win the Argo Group Day Two Release Jackpot and take the lead in the tournament with 2200-points. The team did not add any points on the final day of fishing but no one could catch Irish Ayes who held on to win the Bermuda Tourism Authority first place team, King Sailfish Mounts Day Two Release Jackpot and CAT Engines First Place Overall Release Points Jackpot for a total winnings of $115,500. Owner Mike Poole, Captain Brent Johnston, Mate Christian Giordani, teammates Elliot Cline, Ron Fowler and Donald Bartenfelder also received the Custom Vanmark Billfish Blast gold pendants, King Sailfish Mounts Trophies, Steve Goione artwork, Costa Sunglasses, a Tycoon Tackle Custom Rod, Bacardi Spirits, Pompanette custom step box and a $5,000 bonus from Garmin Electronics for having fix mounted Garmin hardware. Team Irish Ayes also received an invitation to the 2016 Offshore World Championship.
The Miles Market Second Place Team award and CAT Engines Second place Overall Release Points Jackpot went to Captain Adrian Holler on Sea Striker earning 1700-points from blue marlin release by Christian Bedsworth on the first day of fishing, two blue marlin catches for angler Adrian L Holler on the second day and white marlin release for angler Adrian L. Holler on the final day of fishing. The white marlin release on the final day proved key as it moved Sea Striker into the second place position earning the team of Captain Adrian Holler, mate Pete Zook, teammates Adrian L. Holler, Christian Bedsworth, Ron Whitaker, Vince Johnston and Walter Banks $49,470, King Sailfish Mounts Trophies, Steve Goione artwork, Costa Sunglasses, a Tycoon Tackle Custom Rod and Bacardi Spirits.
The Garmin Third Place Team award and CAT Engines Third Place Overall Release Points Jackpot went to Paradise One Captain Allan Bean earning 1500-poinnts from three blue marlin releases. Angler Keith Pearman caught the first blue on day one with angler Mark Outerbridge catching two blues on the second day of fishing. Captain Allan Bean, Mate Delvin Bean, anglers Mark Outerbridge, Keith Pearman, Rodrico Bean, John Layfield, Kenneth Ford and Johnny Soares earned $29,280, King Sailfish Mounts Trophies, Steve Goione artwork, Costa Sunglasses, a Tycoon Tackle Custom Rod and Bacardi Spirits.
Other teams winning cash awards included team Overproof taking the King Sailfish Mounts Level 1 Day One and Costa Level 2 Day One Daily Release Jackpot –With**__ **1200-points from two blues and a white release. Captain Peter Rans, Mate Don Boys, Anglers Jason Friedman, Nick Brown, Leslie Rans, and Leesa Friedman won $31,200 for the daily, King Sailfish Mounts Trophy, Steve Goione artwork, Costa Sunglasses and Bacardi Spirits.
Team Mattanza won the Day three level 1 and 2 Release Jackpot with 500-points from one blue Marlin release on time. Captain Brooks Rans, Mate Kyle Bohannon, Anglers Park Berolzheimer, Richard Ricca, Kyle Sherman, Tara Manners earned $31,200, King Sailfish Mounts trophy, Steve Goione artwork, Costa Sunglasses and Bacardi Spirits.
The Steve Goione High Point Junior Angler went to Samantha Schladweiler**__ **on_ The Boomer_ with 1000-points from 2-blue marlin releases on July 4th. Samantha received a King Sailfish Mounts Trophy, Costa Sunglasses and Steve Goione Artwork. This was a very special day for mom and dad Stephanie and Jason Schladweiler, owner and Grandfather Bill Gardner, Captain Scott Mantz and Mate Nolan Raunswinter.
The Ocean Blue Graphics High-Point Lady Angler went to**__ **Elaine Jones owner of Mama Who with 1000-points from two blue marlin releases. Captain Ronnie Burbage, mate Will Thornhill also deployed a PSAT tag which is part of the IGFA Great Marlin Race in Bermuda. This was the second tag deployed by Mama Who. Elaine Jones received the coveted pink marlin King Sailfish Mounts Trophy, Steve Goione Artwork, Cost Sunglasses and Steve Goione Artwork.
The PW’s Marina High Point Angler went to Brooks Smith owner of Uno Mas with 1500-points from three blue marlin releases produced by Captain Tommy Lynskey, mates Sander Cerdas, Sean Gallagher, Eric Rojas and Jeremy Cubillo.
A total of $256,650 in cash and thousands in prizes were awarded during the gala awards dinner held in the historic Hamilton Princess Ballroom. A wonderful time was had by all.
