The Antigua and Barbuda Sports
Fishing Association recently held their “Best in the West” Fun Fishing
Tournament. Open to all, the tournament had originally been postponed due to
weather. Rescheduled to the 27th of November, ten boats had their
lines in at 5:00 am to compete for the coveted “Spike Trophy.” The boats braved
rough seas for approximately ten hours in pursuit of this uniquely Antigua
& Barbuda award.
The Spike Trophy is the creation
of Dr. Nick Fuller and Dr. Kelvin Charles. d after a 19th
century Spanish spike that Dr. Fuller found while diving the reefs off Barbuda,
Dr. Charles mounted the spike on a slice of mahogany. The mahogany had been cut
from a 300-year-old tree blown down during hurricane Luis. The tree had been
located on the grounds of the Government House in Antigua.
When all the fish had been
counted and the festivities were underway on Dr. Fuller’s dock in Jolly
Harbour, the awards ceremony took place with the following results: The Junior
prize was rewarded to 8 year old Duquan Roseau aboard “Livin”, Largest Fish
caught by a Female was rewarded to Veronique Lancon from “Whitelure”, Largest
Fish – Male to Doug Holloway on “Miss Fish”, The Boat with the Most Fish went
to Frankie Hart’s “Overdraft”, Champion Boat under 23 feet was rewarded to
Steve Mendes on “Minibite” and finally, The Champion Boat and winner of the
historical Spike Trophy for 2004 was “Overdraft” captained by Frankie Hart.
Special thanks go out to all the
competitors as well as the sponsors of this fun event. Jolly Harbour Marina,
Leeward Island Signs and Engraving, Paradise Boat Sales, Antigua Adventure
Tours, Automotive Arts, Best Cellars Wines & Spirits, Paul Mitchell Antigua
Ltd and Aquasports deserve special kudos for their support.
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