Tobago Intl Game Fishing Tournament set for March 30 thru April 2
What started in 1996 as a one-day event fished by only five boats, with the grand prize being a case of beer, has grown into the 11th annual Tobago International Game Fishing Tournament (TIGFT), an event that is now a qualifier for the IGFA/ROLEX Offshore Championship Series.
Today, this event is fished by anglers not only from Trinidad & Tobago and the neighboring islands of Grenada, St. Lucia and Barbados, but also by anglers from as far afield as Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Holland, Austria, Scotland, Ireland, England, USA and South America.
From its humble beginnings at the Pigeon Point pier, the TIGFT relocated to Charlotteville in 2001 to bring the event closer to the fishing grounds.
Tournament director Gerald “Frothy” De Silva says, “This proved to be a good decision as two giant Blue Marlins were caught just minutes outside the bay. The first of the two giants, a 649-pounder caught by angler Nick Telfer, still stands as the current Trinidad & Tobago tournament record for Atlantic Blue Marlin”.
This year, says Ramona Pazos, one of the tournament organizers, “We are expecting between 30 to 40 boats. Species that anglers will fish for include Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Sailfish, Spearfish, Yellowfin Tuna, Dolphin and Wahoo. Prizes include an assortment of large tackle Penn International Reels and Rods, Trophies by renowned Australian brass sculptor Bodo Musche, Sekark Technology Lures, and a Suzuki Jimny Jeep for the angler who catches a Blue Marlin that tops the 649-pound record.”
Registration will take place at the TIGFT Base, Charlotteville, on March 29th from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., or anytime online at www.tgft.com. The entrance fee is $500 for a team of up to 4 anglers, with additional anglers registered for the cost of $100 each.
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