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The team aboard Double Shot, a 68-foot Viking enclosed bridge based out of Rockport, Texas, won first place in Leg 2 of the 2023 Scrub Island Invitational Billfish Series in the British Virgin Islands. The team of Capt. David Noling, Byron Burris, David Mcgonagill, Casey Salbert, Jacob Dawson, Speedy Larez, Alberto Sanchez, and Jeremy Sanders released nine blue marlin during the three days of competition, tallying 4,500 points and earning them first-place honors. They were awarded a cobalt-blue crystal trophy, $38,350 in prize money, and an invitation to the 2024 Costa Offshore World Championship in Costa Rica, among other prizes.
The team also tallied enough points to be named the Overall Series Winner for the 2023 Scrub Island Invitational Billfish Series. They released 13 blue marlin over the course of the series, and showcased consistency and professionalism en route to the winner’s circle.
Marlin Darlin, hailing from Clearwater, Florida, on their 66-foot Spencer, claimed second place in this year’s second leg by releasing seven blue marlin, to win a clear crystal trophy and $20,850. The team comprises Capt. Shay Danzig and anglers Bobby Jacobsen, Beecher Jacobsen, Colby Jacobsen, Roman Davila, and Humberto Quintana.
Third place was won by the team aboard Juben of Charleston, South Carolina, who released seven blue marlin fishing aboard their 63-foot Weaver. Capt. David Copleston and his team of Ben Freeman, Billy Freeman, Michael Giannelli, Wils Hartnes, Ross Holquist, and Brock Sandish took home a clear crystal trophy and $16,600.
The cobalt crystal top overall angler trophy was awarded to Eric Salas fishing aboard Sweetums. Salas released a total of five blue marlin during the three-day tournament with Capt. Spencer Sullivan at the helm.
Eight teams and 39 anglers fished Leg 2 of this catch-and-release tournament, which offered a total cash purse of $75,800, plus an additional $22,500 as part of the 2023 Scrub Island Invitational Billfish Series jackpot. The fleet released 35 billfish in Leg 2, all of which were blue marlin.
Click here for more information about the Scrub Island Invitational Billfish Series or contact tournament director Jennifer Dudas at [email protected].
