The Bermuda Billfish Blast is underway! The 3rd Annual Bermuda Billfish Blast registered 40 boats during its opening ceremony and kickoff party in the beautiful Harbor View Ballroom at The Fairmont Hamilton Princess.
"We're thrilled with the turnout this year," said tournament director Dan Jacobs.
This year's event will boast a purse of $243,000 in cash and lots of great prizes to be paid to the winning teams!
As teams checked-in they were given a captain's bag filled with great products from AWLGrip, C-Map, Todd's Rigs & Lures, Temperature Control, MTU and Penn. Anglers also received door-prize tickets for chances to win prizes such as Sport Fishing and Marlin apparel, Vanmark Jewelry and sunglasses from Panoptx.
Anglers and friends mingled and enjoyed a spectacular cocktail party with plenty of Bacardi spirits flowing before they set out for the first day of fishing.
Day One begins with lines in at 8:30 a.m. and eager anglers are awaiting bites from white marlin to earn 200 points, blue marlin for 500 points and for sailfish and spearfish teams will receive 100 points.
Day One of the Blast is all release. Up for grabs in the Day One, Level 1 Billfish Release Jackpot is $19,000 and the Day One, Level 2 Billfish Release Jackpot is $33,000. On day two, anglers are allowed to boat one fish, as long as it meets 500 pound minimum weight requirement. Also on day two, anglers are able to fish in conjunction with the World Cup.
The first boat to hook up to a blue on Day One was Paradise One at 8:56 a.m., and released at 9:29 a.m. Front Runner was close behind with two whites hooked up early into Day One. These results remain unofficial until photos are checked.
The Blast marks the first leg of the Bermuda Triple Crown Billfish Series. Anglers fishing in the Blast, the Bermuda Big Game Classic and the Seahorse Anglers Club Billfish Tournament can earn points toward the Bermuda Triple Crown Championship.
