Antigua and Barbudas 43rd Sports Fishing Tournament
With over 40 boats and fierce competition, the 43rd annual fishing tournament was a resounding success, despite the relative lack of fish
In late May this year, with over 40 boats and fierce competition, the 43rd annual fishing tournament was a resounding success, despite the relative lack of fish. The change of venue to Nelson’s Dockyard, English Harbour was greatly appreciated and the organizers excelled themselves. The event was extremely well attended by fishermen, tourists and residents alike, with a terrific party atmosphere.
This beautiful historic setting, near the old Copper & Lumber Store (now a beautifully restored hotel), provided the perfect backdrop to all the drama of the fishing tournament, with Greg Petruluzzi on Nossi be from Guadeloupe coming in late on the first day with the winning 438 lb Blue Marlin that he had been battling with all afternoon, after losing a similar battle in the morning.
This year Claude Paraguel’s Why Not from Martinique was champion boat in the Marlin section, with the most tag + releases and 1050 points; last year’s winner, Antiguan John Fuller’s Blue Rapid, came in second with 900 points. Antiguans Vanessa Hall (Miss Ashley) and Joel Paterson (Blue Rapid) were champion Female and Male respectively with 700 points each.
Other 2009 Antiguan fishing events will include the 2nd Francis Nunes Junior Annual Memorial Fishing Tournament and Seafood Festival, also at Nelson’s Dockyard, on October 3, and Nick Fuller’s “Best in the West” Tournament at Jolly Harbour in November.
Plans to continue the 44th Antigua and Barbuda Sports Fishing Tournament in Nelson’s Dockyard, English Harbour next year have already been drawn up for 28-30 May 2010: register online at www.antiguabarbudasportfishing.com.
Gilly Gobinet has written for ALL AT SEA since 2007.
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