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Don't Forget the Lures!
Just because you're a dead-bait aficionado in billfish tournaments, that doesn't mean lures (like the ones above from Pro-Soft Dirty Birds) don't have an important part to play in your arsenal.
First because lures don't "wash out" you can troll them at higher speeds than dead bait, which allows you to cover a lot more real estate while your getting located. Once you find the fish and know you're working that area, then swich back to your dead-bait setup and troll at the slower speeds.
Of course, if you're fishing a multi-species tournament like white marlin and blue marlin (and/or tuna), leaving a hooked lure on the shotgun is never a bad idea. We've seen everything from wahoo to blue marlin whack the shotgun lure while the close-to-the-boat spread was dead bait with a few teasers in the mix.
*Do you have a tournament angler tip? Just write it up in an e-mail and send it to patrick@tournamentangler.org. If we use it on the homepage, you'll earn yourself a Tournament Angler long-sleeve T-shirt. So start sharing, and you'll start wearing.
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Tournament Angler's Forum Member Photos
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Here's the team onboard Tijerata looking for the wily blue marlin during the recent La Guaira Shootout. Many thanks go to Rick Alvarez for the awesome shots. See more from the tourney below.
This blue marlin isn't quite ripe yet! However, this fesity fish was eventually cooperative and, soon after, released for points and to fight another day.
Almost there.... This Venezuelan sailfish had one last headshake for this wireman before heading back to finish hs swim. Anglers one, fish zeero. While blue marlin get a majority of the attention here, these sailfish make for some great light-tackle action.
The Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfsh Classic is coming June 4-8. If you sign up prior to May 1, you'll receive two tickets to possibly win the $5,000 "Early Bird" incentive drawing compared to just one for registrations during the month of May. The area is known for solid blue marlin, tuna, wahoo, and dolphin fishing. Some notable catches from past tournaments include: 529.7-pound blue marlin; 205.8-pound yellowfin tuna 205.8: 445.4-pound bluefin tuna; 1,054.6-pound blue marlin.
This 170-pound sword fell to Tournament Angler's founder, Capt. Patrick Sciacca. The fish took a deep dead-squid bait. See hundreds more great big-game pics in our Photo Gallery. New pictures added every week!
Rockin' the House in Key West! Let's hear for it team Rockstar. During three days of down-to-the-wire, nailbiting fishing, the crew came up with 15 sailfish releases to edge out the compettion at the World Sailfish Championship, and earn themselves a six-figure payday. Roudning out the top five positions were Team Jichi (15 releases), Vitamin Sea Too (15 releases), Que Mas (13), and Owl's Nest (13). Congrats to all the competing teams for a great event.
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To Advertise with Tournament Angler call: 917-297-1634
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| Welcome to Tournament Angler's Five Questions |
In this edition, we chat with Joan Vernon (above middle), tournament director for the Presidential Challenge of Central America and The Billfish Foundation's Vice Chairperson.
TA: How did you get started in sportfishing? And then organizing multiple tournaments in Central America?
Joan: "I have fished all of my life. My parents were avid anglers and I followed in their footsteps. I began the Presidential Challenge as an attempt to call attention to the growing sportfishing industry in Central America as well as promote ethical catch-and-release practices by sportfishing fleets in the region."
TA: The Presidential Challenge of Central America is comprised of several events over several months. Could you tell us a little bit about how it came about, where and when they take place, and what's the targeted species?
Joan: "Currently we produce events in Costa Rica, Venezuela,and El Salvador, and Guatemala. Anglers accumulate points per event for their team and Angler Series Grand Championships. Teams fish for sailfish and marlin using 20-pound test Berkley line and Eagle Claw non-offset circle hooks. The Costa Rica leg is currently taking place and the Venezuela dates are September 12-14; El Salvador November 8-10; and Guatemala November 21-23.
TA: I see one of your events is El Salvador, which seems to be real
up-and-comer in this region. What kind of marina facilities and accommodations can owners/anglers expect to find here?
Joan: "There is a small marina at the Bahia Del Sol Hotel and Casino. The hotel offers villas in various sizes, a nice pool area, and walking distance to the beach and good food!"
TA: Being in the fishing business, do you ever get to fish?
Joan: "I fish every chance I get! I try to schedule a few days in each venue before and/or after the tournaments. Plus, I do try to fish two or three billfish tournaments a year."
TA: We all know everyone has a great fish story, what's yours?
Joan:"My best fish story is a happy one: Fishing with Capt. Ron Hamlin on the Capt. Hook in Guatemala a few years back. I was fortunate enough to release 40 sailfish n one day on #12 line. It was a memorable experience."
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Big Oh Wins
La Guaira Shootout!!
CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY
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