How about swapping flowers and chocolates for fishing lines and ballyhoo this Valentine’s Day? Couples can come out and try their luck in the Virgin Islands Gamefishing Club‘s Couple’s Tournament, set for February 13.
“This half-day fun tournament is designed to bring ladies into fishing and expose them to the tournament world,” says Harry Clinton, the VIGFC’s executive director. “Fishing is only for a half day, with weigh-in and a big beach party with food and music to follow at Honeymoon Beach on Water Island.”
Last year, luck was with St. Thomas couple Harold and Zona Tapp, although it was bad luck that started out the day when the boat the Tapps were fishing aboard experienced electrical problems that necessitated a tow back to shore. Undaunted, the Tapps jumped into a smaller 25-foot craft and headed back out. With only two hours of fishing left, they headed west to Savannah Cay where in less than 10-minute intervals, including one double header, the couple reeled in three barracuda apiece.
“We definitely had a rough start, but the finish was sweet,” Tapp said after last year’s win.
Registration for this year’s tournament starts at 7 pm at the VIGFC Clubhouse in Red Hook on February 11. The entry fee is $50 per couple. Lines in at 7:30 am follow lines out and weigh-in by 12 noon on February 13. Eligible species for this inshore tournament include kingfish, dolphin, wahoo, tuna and minimized-sized barracuda.
“This is one of the only tournaments that includes barracuda,” Clinton said. “We allow barracuda because there are a certain number of ladies that have never caught a fish. The more species we allow, the better their odds.”
For more information, call: 340-775-9144.
2005 VIGFC 7th annual small boat tournament series
- February 13: Couple’s Tournament. Registration: February 11, 7 pm*
- April 24: Dolphin Derby. Registration: April 24, 7 pm*
- May 27 to 29: Memorial Weekend Tournament. Registration: May 26, 7 pm*
- July 4: July Fourth Kid’s Tournament. Registration July 1 and July 2 at Offshore Marine in Subbase and the VIGFC Clubhouse in Red Hook.
- November 13: Wahoo Windup. Registration: November 11, 7 pm*
*Registration at the VIGFC Clubhouse, top floor of Frigate Restaurant, Red Hook, St. Thomas. Tel: 340-775-9144.
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