GRAND BAHAMA ISLAND, THE BAHAMAS: “Hoy Boyz”, a 44’ Luhrs owned and captained by John Hoy of Edisto Beach released a blue marlin on the second day of fishing and won the 30th Annual Bacardi Rum Billfish Tournament.
On the fourth and final day of fishing, “On Ice”, a 65’ Viking owned and Captained by Lars Vinjerud of New Bedford, MA also released a blue marlin and was awarded second place on a time basis. Third place went to “Juel Marie”, a 54’ Hatteras owned by Dugan McLaughlin and captained by Mark McDevitt with a sailfish release.
The Game Fish Division of the tournament was hotly contested and Bahamas based “Llangus”, owned by Dan Riggs, won with a 79.5 pound Wahoo. Another Bahamas based boat, “Plane to Sea” won the Dolphin division with a 50 pound Dolphin.
In the Tuna category, Dan Swanson’s “China Girl” out of West Palm Beach, Florida won with a 52 pound Tuna.
The 31st Annual Bacardi Rum Billfish tournament will be held in March, 2010. The exact dates and venue will be announced shortly.