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World’s Top Billfish Release Skipper Honored

Capt. Brad Philips is recognized by The Billfish Foundation as the top billfish-release captain in 2016.
Capt Brad Philipps - record for billfish releases
From his boat Decisive, Capt. Brad Philipps released 66 blue marlin in 2016. Courtesy Jason Brice / Guatemalan Billfishing Adventures

Continuing his remarkable string of billfish-release records, Capt. Brad Philipps is being recognized by The Billfish Foundation as 2016’s Top Overall Release Captain and the Top Pacific Sailfish Release Captain (which he’s won 16 of the past 17 years).

The Guatemala skipper has released more billfish — more than 30,000 to date — than any other captain anywhere.

Philipps cites the past year as another banner season. From his 40-foot Gamefisherman, Decisive, “We released 3,713 billfish in 2016. Our Guatemala fishery just gets better and better; there’s simply no place like it!” he says.

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Capt Brad Philipps - record for billfish releases, sailfish at the boat
The year’s breakdown: 3,602 Pacific sailfish, 66 Pacific blue marlin and three striped marlin released. Courtesy Guatemalan Billfishing Adventures
Capt Brad Philipps - record for billfish releases, a big blue marlin leaps
Philipps went four for four on blue marlin to 600 pounds one day in 2016. His best sailfish day saw 84 sails released out of 107 strikes. On average for the year, Decisive released an amazing 24 sailfish per day. Courtesy Guatemalan Billfishing Adventures
Capt Brad Philipps - record for billfish releases, with son darrel
Continuing in his father’s footsteps is Philipps’ son Darren, age 8, who has won three TBF awards: Top Overall Youth Release Angler in 2016, as well as — in his age group — top Pacific sailfish-tagging angler and sailfish-release angler. Courtesy Guatemalan Billfishing Adventures

Philipps also fishes Cape Verde for marlin, in June and July. He released 42 blues aboard the 43-foot G&S Hooker in 2016, with his best day seeing seven blues to more than 800 pounds released from 10 bites.

For more information, visit Guatemalan Billfishing Adventures.

Capt Brad Philipps - record for billfish releases
All in the family for Capt. Brad Philipps. Courtesy Guatemalan Billfishing Adventures
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