Cazador wins Bermuda
The fishing had been very slow leading up to the Bermuda Billfish Release Cup, but the fishing got better as the week went on for the teams fishing the tournament! The BBRC is a tune up for the Triple Crown Championship that allows passing the rod and angler assistance if needed making it a perfect event for junior and less experienced anglers while raising needed funds the Bermuda Sloop Foundation. Team El Cazador caught the first blue marlin of the tournament and added a white later in the day for owner Bobby Ricks and Capt. Mike Kennedy, giving them the Day One Release Jackpot. Mama Who owner Elaine Jones also caught a blue on the first day and was the first to sponsor the IGFA Great Marlin Race Bermuda to tag a fish. Each PSAT tag deployed will remain on the fish for 240 days and then pop up to the surface to transmit the data. This is the first time the IGFA Great Marlin Race has come to Bermuda. Other teams scoring points on the first day included Que Mas junior angler William Whitley releasing a white marlin, Blank Check angler Kevin Gaylord releasing a blue blue, and Wendy Farrens releasing a white on Just a Dog.
On the second and final day of fishing, _Great Escape’__s Bob Henderson_ caught the first blue. They went on to add a white release and boated a 28.3-pound wahoo for the game-fish category, earning _Great Escape_ third place team honors, Day Two Release Jackpot, Third Place Overall Release Jackpot and Second Place Game Fish for a total winnings of $5,600. _Just a Dog_ lady angler Wendy Farrens and Capt. Mike Farrens added a blue release to finish in second place. They also won the Second Place Overall Release Jackpot and Top Lady Angler for Wendy winning $2,940. Top Junior Angler awards went to William Whitley on _Que Mas_ . Team _El Cazador_ was not able to add a billfish release points on the second day but their first day catch was enough to earn them the win, Day One release jackpot and First Place Overall Release Jackpot. They did however catch a 101-pound yellowfin to win the game-fish division,winning a total of $8,800 and an invitation to the Offshore World Championship. _El Cazador_ also won the Garmin $5,000 bonus for having fixed-mounted Garmin electronics. All winners received beautiful King Sailfish Mounts trophies, Steve Goione artwork, Costa sunglasses and other great gifts.
The entry fee money from the Bermuda Billfish Release Cup provides funding for the Bermuda Sloop Foundation’s Adam Goodwin Marine Mentor Scholarship fund. During the awards presentation Kristen Green, the first recipient off the Bermuda Sloop Foundation Adam Goodwin Mariner Mentor scholarship, spoke to the group thanking them for their support. Kristen has gone on to graduate from the prestigious Warsash Maritime academy specializing in navigation and has a bright future ahead.
