As has become the ‘way to win a BBC tournament’, Marlin Darlin’s three Blue Marlin, one White Marlin and a Sailfish earned them the victory in the Treasure Cay Championship. Like the winners of the Guana Cay Championship and Green Turtle Cay Championship, the 3-1-1 combo of releases added up to 2100 points for the win. Bob Jacobsen’s 62’ Spencer from Clearwater, Florida clinched the victory in the third leg of the 2014 Bahamas Billfish Championship series. Their win earns them the overall top spot on the leaderboard.
2012 BBC Champion Frank Rodriguez, guided Team Fa La Me to a second place finish with three Blue Marlin releases and a White Marlin release. The 70’ Viking from Indian Shores, Florida released a White Marlin on day one, two Blue Marlin on day two and on day three released their third Blue Marlin.
Team Wave Paver, led by team captain Jr. Davis, added their points by releasing a Blue Marlin each day. Consistency was the key for the Kissimmee, Florida team as it earned them the third place finish.
All of the Bahamas Billfish Championship teams received a warm welcome from host resort Treasure Cay. The resort rolled out the red carpet with first class hospitality and fabulous food. The Treasure Cay Championship win earned Bob Jacobsen and team Marlin Darlin a Chris
Costello hand-carved trophy as well as a gift certificate for a pair of Costa Sunglasses from tournament sponsor Costa and a gift certificate from Roffer’s Ocean Fishing Forecasting (ROFFS), longtime BBC sponsors. Captain Ed Wheeler and his crew each received Randy Rich designed crew trophies sponsored by the Lewis Marine Group.
The Second Place Chris Costello trophy went to Fa La Me led by team Captain Frank Rodriguez. Jr. Davis and Team Wave Paver received the Third Place Chris Costello trophy. In addition, the second and third place teams also received gift certificates from Roffer’s Ocean Fishing Forecasting Service (ROFFS) and Costa sunglasses. The Chris Costello trophies are sponsored by Murray Products.
The Treasure Cay Championship, hosted by Treasure Cay Resort & Marina, produced 17 blue marlin, 3 white marlin and 4 sailfish. All billfish were released. All catches in Bahamas Billfish Championship tournaments are validated using time and date stamped digital images. Affidavits signed by all participants fishing on each team further confirms that the fish was released in accordance with IGFA and Bahamas Billfish Championship rules.
The Blue Marlin are here in Abaco! Every boat fishing the tournament reported bites and seeing large blue marlin on the fishing grounds. This has everyone excited for the final leg of the 2014 Championship in Marsh Harbour June 18th – 22nd at Abaco Beach Resort & Boat Harbour Marina.
At present, the lead for the 2014 Championship belongs to Team Marlin Darlin with 5200 points, Wave Paver is second with 3200 points and team Torta is third with 2900 points. Teams Marlin Darlin and Torta are not fishing the last leg. Therefore, the 2014 BBC is wide open! Everyone has a chance for the Championship ring.
The Bahamas Billfish Championship is the oldest billfish tournament series in the world. Anglers can fish any or all of the tournaments with cumulative points determining the overall Bahamas Billfish Champion. The BBC endowed two scholarships that enable Bahamian students the opportunity to pursue a degree in marine biology or advanced education in the marine technologies.
For the very latest tournament information, results, and overall standings or to register for any of the remaining tournaments, visit our website at www.bahamasbillfish.com. Be sure to follow us on Facebook (Bahamas Billfish Championship) or now on Twitter at bahamasbillfish. View tournament photos at SportfishPictures.com. You can also download the BBC App for your Android or Apple device. To contact the Bahamas Billfish Championship call 866-920-5577
