Tony Huerta was in the Abacos celebrating his wedding anniversary and doing some marlin fishing on his Torres 43, Lo Que Sea (Whatever), when he decided to enter the Bahamas Billfish Championship's fourth leg at Abaco Beach Resort & Boat Harbour Marina. Although Lo Que Sea was a last-minute entry, there was certainly nothing last-minute about the team's performance during the tournament. Lo Que Sea scored an impressive 2,600 points catching and releasing four blue marlin and one white marlin during the three-day tournament sponsored by Bertram Yacht and Allied Marine.
Huerta's team from Longwood, Florida release a blue marlin on day one, a blue and a white marlin on day two and two blues on the final day to achieve the winning 2,600 point total. For the win, Lo Que Sea received the Randy Rich designed First Place trophy from Alton Herndon, president of Bertram and Robert McDougal, president of Allied Marine. As Top Release Team for the Boat Harbour Championship, Lo Que Sea was presented with an original bronze trophy awarded by BBC sponsors Murray Products, High Seas Technology and PipeWelders. Steve Lewis of the Lewis Marine Group presented Top Crew trophies to Capt. 'KP' Kevin Paul and the crew of Lo Que Sea.
Another BBC newcomer, Orion, finished in Second Place. Justin Hudgens' Jupiter, Florida based Hatteras 77 caught a blue marlin each day to get a total of 1,800 points. The Cabo 48 Deguello owned by Gary Domel grabbed the early tournament lead by catching and releasing two blue marlin and one white marlin on day one. Because team Deguello was the first team to achieve 1,400 points, the team from Spicewood, Texas finished in Third Place. In addition to the Randy Rich acrylic trophies, the top three teams all received gift certificates from Roffer's Ocean Fishing Forecast and BoatMat Corp.
The Smith Merritt Insurance and International Special Risks 'Customer Appreciation Award' was presented to Gary Domel and Team Deguello. Smith Merritt and ISR award a Carey Chen print to their insured scoring the highest points at each individual leg of the BBC.
During the three day tournament the 39 participating boats caught a total of 37 billfish. June's warmer water produced 28 blue marlin, 7 white marlin and only 2 sailfish. The Bahamas Billfish Championship utilizes time and date stamped digital images to validate species and release times of all billfish. Affidavits signed by all participants fishing on each team releasing fish further confirms that the billfish was released in accordance with IGFA and Bahamas Billfish Championship rules.
The good fishing during the Boat Harbour Championship enabled the top three contenders for the 2010 BBC crown to improve their point totals. Current leader in the Overall standings, Miss Annie was able to add 1,500 points at Boat Harbour for a cumulative total of 5,000 points. Team Ticket added 700 points and maintains their Second Place Overall position with 3,900 points. Team Blue Heron, winner of the Central Abaco Championship, also added 700 points at Boat Harbour for a total of 3,600 points to hold on to Third Place Overall. For the complete listing of the overall standings visit http://www.bahamasbillfish.com/bbc_results/2010_results/
The season's fifth and final leg of the Bahamas Billfish Championship takes place June 23rd through 26th at Treasure Cay Resort & Marina. The Treasure Cay Championship will decide who wears the 'Championship Ring' and the title of 2010 Bahamas Billfish Champion. The "Championship Ring' was designed and is presented annually by Abaco Gold of Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Bahamas.
Now celebrating its 37th season, the BBC 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 Champions. In an effort to give-back to the Bahamian people, the Bahamas Billfish Championship has two endowed scholarships that enable Bahamian students the opportunity to pursue a degree in marine biology or advanced education in marine technologies.
For the very latest information, registration forms and tournament photos visit our fact-filled Internet website at www.bahamasbillfish.com or contact the Bahamas Billfish Championship at 866-920-5577 or e-mail: info@bahamasbillfish.com.
