BERMUDA'S CHARTER BOAT HEAVY HITTERS

Transcription

1 BERMUDA EDITION Official Publication of Bermuda Big Game Fishing BERMUDA'S CHARTER BOAT HEAVY HITTERS ALWAYS A TOURNAMENT THREAT SPORTFISH OF A DIFFERENT COLOR RECOGNIZING BERMUDA'S WHITE MARLIN

2 FOR OVER 130 YEARS A BERMUDA CLASSIC POISED TO CONTINUE TO BUILD ON THE HIGH STANDARDS FOR WHICH WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN KNOWN. TEL PITTS BAY ROAD, HAMILTON HM08 BERMUDA

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4 /// CONTENTS WELCOME 18 AROUND THE DOCKS 44 SPORTFISH OF A DIFFERENT COLOR By Sam Hudson A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN By Dave Lear 52 BERMUDA BILLF ISH TOURNAMENT SERIES 2017 WRAP-UP 62 MANUFACTURER S CUP 76 BOAT SERVICES PLANNING YOUR VOYAGE 78 CHARTER DIRECTORY /// ON THE COVER: Blue Marlin Photo by Roderick Jongschaap 62 Offshore World Bermuda Edition

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8 WHO CARES ABOUT FINDING TROPHY FISH? YOU DO Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.

9 GPSMAP 8600 SERIES GMR 25 KW RADAR GSD 26 SONAR

10 /// WELCOME Bermuda Triple Crown Billfish Championship One of the greatest things about Bermuda is the way we live life on the water. Whether it s commuting to work on the ferry or weekend kayaking along the shore, the crystal clear water is as much a way of life for us as it is a playground to our visitors. Of course, the fishing out here is unlike any place else. No one knows that better than the competitors in the Billfish Triple Crown Championship. As you head out on the water for competition we wish you safe voyages. We look forward to seeing you at the weigh station and hearing the fantastic stories that always return to shore with the fishing boats. Once the Billfish is over for 2018, don t wait until next summer to spend more time with us out here in Bermuda. The island s turquoise seas entice year-round, always at the ready to offer restful reflection or heart-pounding adventure. Sincerely, Kevin Dallas CEO Offshore World Bermuda Edition

11 THERE S A TALE BEHIND EVERY FISH STORY. BLUE WATER ANGLERS CLUB

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14 /// WELCOME Fisherman s Blessings L ife happens. And for everyone who knows me, a big part of my life includes big-game fishing. For that, I have my dad to thank, Don Jacobs, who first introduced me to fishing at a young age. When I was old enough, we did our first head-boat trips out of Florida, then bluewater fishing for dolphin, kingfish and barracuda. I consider fishing a great blessing in my family s life. The offshore fishing community is incredibly strong, and when things go wrong, or there is a need, we know we can count on each other. I have seen acts of kindness firsthand many times, and we should be thankful to have such great people in our lives. Fishermen see more good times than bad, and that s why we are able to live our passion. Whenever I think about Bermuda, a big smile appears on my face. I consider the 20 years I have worked and fished on the island as one of my family s greatest blessings. Capt. Allen DeSilva introduced me to the destination. Him and other fishermen helped make the Bermuda Triple Crown possible. The talent of Bermuda charterboat captains provided the guidance, experience and support needed to convince me to pursue the dream of this dynamic tournament series. I also quickly learned the Bermuda fishing grounds have carved out an incredible group of world-class captains and mates. Dave Lear s feature in this issue touches on a few of the many tournament accomplishments by local captains. Bermuda is known for its larger than average blue marlin bite, and 2017 didn t disappoint, with the largest fish landed in any Atlantic tournament coming from her waters. Congratulations to Capt. Bryce Garvey and owner Kevin Jaffe, who fished aboard Jaffe s new Merritt Flyer, for landing their 871-pound beast. Also, a personal thanks to the crew and owners of No Vacancy, Waste Knot and Galatea for getting me on the water and putting me on five blue marlin, including my personal best, a 600-pounder, that we tagged as part of the IGFA Great Marlin Race. Don t forget about whitey, Bermuda s other great marlin. More often than not, white marlin releases make the difference in winning the Triple Crown. No one knows this better than Capt. Rob Moore and owner Frank Rodriguez, of Fa La Me, three-time Bermuda Triple Crown champs. Sam Hudson s feature in this issue gives Bermuda white marlin the respect they deserve. We are very thankful for our participants traveling to Bermuda and the locals who provide great competition. The quality of our events is made possible by an incredible list of sponsors you will see in the pages of Offshore World. Please make sure to consider them in your purchasing decisions. We sincerely hope you can visit Bermuda in 2018 and look forward to another great season in July. All the very best, Dan Dan Jacobs Tournament Director/Publisher Dan Jacobs Tournament Director/Publisher Lynda Wilson Assistant Tournament Director Sam Hudson Event Media/Consumer Marketing Manager EDITORIAL Sam Hudson Editor Tanya Loranca Art Director Cindy Martin Copy Chief Matthew Miller Copy Editor ADVERTISING SALES Scott Salyers Fishing Group Publisher, Natasha Lloyd Publisher, Marlin magazine, Dave Morel Publisher, Salt Water Sportsman and Sport Fishing magazines, Drew Townes Midwest Sales Manager, Bill Simkins Charter Boats/Marketplace Sales Manager Missie Prichard Executive Assistant, Tabatha Hunsinger Events & Entertainment Marketing Manager PRODUCTION Tracey Voorhees Client Services Manager Alicia Rivera Production Manager Tomas Franzén Chairman Lars Dahmen Head of Business Area, Magazines Eric Zinczenko Chief Executive Officer Joachim Jaginder Chief Financial Officer David Ritchie Chief Operating Officer Elizabeth Burnham Murphy Chief Marketing Officer Sean Holzman Chief Digital Revenue Officer John Graney Vice President, Integrated Sales John Reese Vice President, Consumer Marketing David Butler Vice President, Digital Operations Perri Dorset Vice President, Public Relations Jeremy Thompson General Counsel Offshore World Bermuda Edition

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18 /// AROUND THE DOCKS Where Are They Now? Last Year s Champs, Fa La Me, Takes a Break from Bermuda By Sam Hudson Photo Credit: Michelle Gaylord The globetrotting fishing team, Fa La Me, is a Bermuda Triple Crown juggernaut. Capturing last year s Sea Horse Anglers Club Billfish Tournament and Bermuda Triple Crown championships, Capt. Rob Moore and crew put on a clinic, nearly lapping the field with a record 6,500 points from nine blue marlin and 10 white marlin releases. Fa La Me is one of the winningest teams in the past decade and holds 2012 Bermuda Big Game Classic and Bermuda Triple Crown championships, 2014 Sea Horse Anglers Club Billfish Tournament and Bermuda Triple Crown wins, a 2015 Offshore World Championship ring, and last year s Sea Horse Anglers Club Billfish Tournament and Bermuda Triple Crown titles. We have fished in Bermuda every year from 2012 to 2017, said Fa La Me s owner, Frank Rodriguez. We won the Triple Crown three of the seven years we fished it, and we finished in the topfive boats every year. I m not getting any younger, so I wanted to get back to the Pacific [this year] while I can enjoy it. All that said, I know we will be back to Bermuda soon. Fa La Me arrived in Costa Rica at the start of the 2018 year to fish the entire Los Sueños Triple Crown series, including all three legs from January to March. When we arrived, the Offshore World Bermuda Edition awesome blue marlin bite surpassed the sailfish bite, said Rodriguez. We caught 34 blue marlin in two and a half days at the FADs, and had several days on the edge catching three to five blue marlin on average. Rodriguez expects to be in the Pacific for the majority of We will definitely be in Piñas Bay, Panama, later this year, and we ve briefly discussed fishing the Cabo tournaments in the fall, he said. Rodriguez says he can t really compare 2017 and 2018 fishing seasons because he s spent them in two entirely different oceans. We are happy with our progress learning a new fishery, he said, and enjoying the different views when heading out in the morning in a new direction.

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20 /// AROUND THE DOCKS Bermuda s International Light Tackle Tournament Back in 2018 The popular light-tackle event returned after a one-year hiatus By Sam Hudson Photo Credit: Cindy Pearman, Bermuda Anglers Club Bermuda s International Light Tackle Tournament (ILTT) was back in The success of the 50th running of the tournament in 2016 had anglers pumped for 2017, but event organizers from the Bermuda Anglers Club recognized that given the proximity of the 35th America s Cup, holding their tournament that year would not be feasible. After a one-year hiatus, the ILTT was raring to go in 2018, with a slightly modified format and new lead sponsor, International Financial Planning. The tournament has a tremendous history. In 1982, to celebrate the 21st running of the event, ABC filmed the tournament for their fishing program and entered a celebrity team comprised of Ernest Borgnine, Lynn Swann and Curt Gowdy. World-record fish are a real possibility in Bermuda s waters. In 2001, Colin Rose, from the Bahamas, caught a world-record almaco jack on 12-pound test. The fish weighed pounds. Competitors also regularly release white marlin on 12-pound test. For 2018, the ILTT occurred the weekend of June 23 and 24. Fishing in teams of up to four, anglers targeted popular Bermuda gamefish species on 12-pound-test mono or billfish on 30-pound-test trolling gear. Tournament weigh points were awarded using a unique factor system: (fish weight/12)² X 100. If an angler landed a wahoo, tuna, barracuda or dolphin heavier than 40 pounds while trolling for billfish with 30-pound gear, then the angler was awarded tournament weigh points using the following formula: (fish weight/30)² X 100. Common catches included yellowfin and blackfin tuna, wahoo and almaco jack. Anglers targeting billfish released all their catches, but also had to provide tournament scorers with video footage of each catch. Blue marlin caught on 12-pound test received 20,000 points (7,000 points on 30-pound test). Other common billfish caught on 12-pound test received 2,000 points (500 points on 30-pound test). To encourage younger anglers into the event, any team with a junior angler in its ranks had their junior angler s points increased by 20 percent. Anglers competed for great prizes, including high-quality light-tackle reels and the chance to represent the ILTT at the 2019 Offshore World Championship. For results from the event, check out Offshore World Bermuda Edition

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22 /// AROUND THE DOCKS Bermuda Marlin in the Lead for IGFA Great Marlin Race By Leah Baumwell Year three of satellite tagging in Hamilton, Bermuda, officially concluded when the final tag reported and took home the win in the 2017 IGFA Great Marlin Race (IGMR). The tag popped up on March 12, 2018, after 234 days on a 250-pound blue marlin. The fish swam a remarkable 2,658 nautical miles from Bermuda to about 600 nm northeast of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, just three degrees above the equator. Not only did this fish win the 2017 Bermuda race, but it did so with the longest distance ever recorded by a blue marlin IGMR-tagged in Bermuda. The fish is also currently in the lead for all 58 fish tagged in the entire 2017/2018 race year. Once the data has finished transmitting to Argos satellites, a track will be generated. The track allows researchers to see if the winning blue marlin swam directly or if it traveled through Cape Verde before heading south, a migratory behavior the IGFA observed in a few of the fish tagged in the 2015 Bermuda IGMR. Interestingly, three of the other marlin tagged last summer headed north within their first month after tagging. Such was also the case with fish tagged in the 2016 Bermuda IGMR. One blue marlin weighing 400 pounds swam up toward Nova Scotia until it hit the continental shelf, where it turned east before popping up 950 nm away earning second place in the 2017 Bermuda IGMR. So far, the fish tagged in Bermuda during the 2015, 2016 and 2017 Triple Crown Billfish tournaments have swum an incredible 16,463 nm, with the 2017 Bermuda IGMR contributing about 30 percent of the total distance. The IGMR would like to thank Fa La Me, Mama Who, Foreign Exchange, Reel Steel, Seamaster, Que Mas, Last Stall, Blank Check, Hit N Run and A Work of Art for their generous support of this significant conservation project. Their personal generosity and involvement in sponsoring and deploying tags makes this cutting-edge scientific endeavor possible. The IGFA looks forward to growing and improving this important research program, and the 2018 race season kickoff in Bermuda. Offshore World Bermuda Edition

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24 /// PRIZES & AWARDS Bermuda Billfish Release Cup All teams pay a tournament base-entry fee of $1,500 for the billfish division and/or a $500 entry fee for the game-fish division. Teams may enter one or both divisions. The tournament base-entry-fee prize money will be disbursed to the winners as follows: 50 percent goes to the tournament; the remaining 50 percent goes to the top three team-points leaders in the team billfish and team game-fish divisions. TEAM DIVISION AWARDS THE WEST END FIRST-PLACE TEAM 25 percent PIER 41 SECOND-PLACE TEAM 15 percent ROYAL NAVAL DOCKYARD THIRD- PLACE TEAM 10 percent FISHING TEASE HIGH-POINT BILLFISH LADY ANGLER Trophy and prize package STEVE GOIONE HIGH-POINT BILLFISH JUNIOR ANGLER Trophy and prize package YETI TEAM GAME FISH DIVISION AWARDS KING SAILFISH FIRST-PLACE TEAM 25 percent BONEFISH BAR & GRILL SECOND- PLACE TEAM 15 percent SOUNDVIEW MILLWORKS THIRD- PLACE TEAM 10 percent Lucas Oil Optional Daily Billfish Release Jackpots 90 percent payback The optional daily billfish release jackpot fee is $1,000. The daily billfishrelease jackpots cover both days of fishing. Each daily billfish-release prize consists of one-half of the total available jackpot money. If no billfish are released on a given day, the jackpot rolls over to the next day. If on the final day of fishing no billfish are released, then the finalday jackpot money goes to the previous day s winner. Only teams entered in the daily billfish-release jackpots will be eligible for these cash awards. Garmin Optional Overall Billfish Release Points Jackpots 90 percent payback The optional overall billfish-release-points jackpot fee is $1,000. The top three billfish-release-points teams entered in the jackpot will split the pot as follows: SATCOM DIRECT FIRST-PLACE OVERALL RELEASE POINTS 50 percent of total pot SPARR YARD SECOND-PLACE OVERALL RELEASE POINTS 30 percent HAMILTON PRINCESS THIRD-PLACE OVERALL RELEASE POINTS 20 percent Note: Official rules and awards will be provided at the final registration kickoff party and rules meeting. Offshore World Bermuda Edition

25 JULY 8 - JULY B E R M U D A BILLFISHRELEASECUP The Bermuda Billfish Release Cup is a fun, family oriented, easy-going all-release billfish tournament that also benefits the Bermuda Sloop Foundation s Adam Goodwin Mariner Scholarship fund. Teams can enter the billfish division, gamefish division or both, and compete for cash and prizes and a chance to go to the Offshore World Championship. The Release Cup takes place at the Royal Naval Dockyard and kicks off with a final registration party, Sunday, July 8, at Bermuda Fun Golf. Fishing is Monday and Tuesday, followed by an awards banquet at Bonefish on Tuesday night. So make sure to put the Bermuda Billfish Release Cup on your 2018 tournament schedule! PRESENTED BY: sponsored by: For Dockage at Pier 41, the host marina, contact Willy Freeman at , or dockmaster@pier41.bm. Call our host hotel, The Fairmont Hamilton Princess direct at or the Reservation Center at and mention code FISHO718 to receive the special group rate OFFSHORE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP sponsored by: SVM SOUNDVIEW MILLWORKS For more information about the Bermuda Billfish Release Cup, visit BermudaTripleCrown.com or contact Tournament Director Dan Jacobs at or dan.jacobs@bonniercorp.com.

26 /// PHOTO GALLERY Offshore World Bermuda Edition

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30 /// PRIZES & AWARDS Bermuda Billfish Blast All teams pay a tournament base entry fee of $3,000. This is not optional. The tournament base-entry-fee prize money will be disbursed to the winners as follows: 35 percent goes to the tournament; the remaining 65 percent goes to the top three team point leaders. SCORING SYSTEM The scoring system grants 500 points for each blue-marlin release, 1 point per pound for blue marlin at or over the 500- pound minimum weight (July 4 only), and 200 points for each white-marlin release, spearfish release and sailfish release. TEAM DIVISION AWARDS Bermuda Tourism Authority 1st-place team: 35 percent Miles Market 2nd-place team: 20 percent Garmin 3rd-place team: 10 percent PW Marine High-Point Angler: Trophy and prize package Ocean Blue Graphics High-Point Lady Angler: Trophy and prize package Steve Goione High-Point Junior Angler (age 17 and younger): Trophy and prize package In the event of a tie, the team reaching the highest score first wins, with the other team assuming the next award position. This is based on the time of release and boated time of billfish. Satcom Direct Optional Daily Billfish Release JackpotsThere are two levels of optional daily billfish-release jackpots. You must register in level one to be eligible for the level-two jackpot. Level-one jackpot fee is $1,000; level-two jackpot fee is $2,000. The daily billfish-release jackpots cover all three days of fishing. The level-one and level-two daily billfish-release-jackpot awards go to the team that scores the most billfish-release points each day. The daily billfish-release prize consists of one-third of the total jackpot money. If no billfish are released on a given day, the jackpot rolls over to the next day. If no billfish are released on the final day of fishing, then the final-day jackpot money goes to the previous day s winner or winners. Only teams entered in the daily billfish-release jackpot will be eligible for these cash awards. CAT Marine GPLINK Sailfish Mounts Level One Daily Billfish Release Jackpots $1,000 entry fee, 90 percent payback King Sailfish Day one, level-one billfish-release jackpot one-third of total pot Bacardi Day two, level-one billfishrelease jackpot one-third of total pot Hamilton Princess Day three, level-one billfish-release jackpot one-third of total pot Yeti Level Two Daily Billfish Release Jackpots $2,000 entry fee, 90 percent payback Island Construction Day one, level-two billfish-release jackpot one-third of total pot Island Glass Day two, level-two billfish-release jackpot one-third of total pot Soundview Millworks Day three, leveltwo billfish-release jackpot one-third of total pot Lucas Oil Overall Billfish Release Points Jackpot - 90 percent payback. The fee for this category is $2,000 and is optional. The overall release-points jackpots will be awarded to the top three teams with the most overall billfish Offshore World Bermuda Edition release points for the tournament over the three days of fishing and will be disbursed as follows: first place 50 percent of total pot, second place 30 percent, third place 20 percent. Only teams registered in the overall billfish release-points jackpots will be eligible for these cash awards. Gregory Poole Marine Power, Pantropic Power, Ring Power and Foley Power Systems Caterpillar July 4 Optional Winner-Take-All Blue Marlin Jackpots There are two levels of optional July 4 winner-take-all blue-marlin jackpots. You must register in level one to be eligible for the level-two jackpot. Level-one jackpot fee is $1,000; level-two jackpot fee is $2,000. The team that catches the largest blue marlin over the 500- pound minimum weight will win the entire jackpot. If all teams entered in the jackpot fail to catch a fish over the minimum weight, the jackpot will be awarded to the top three billfish-releasepoint teams based on all three days of fishing and will be disbursed as follows: first place 50 percent of total pot, second place 30 percent, third place 20 percent. Only teams entered in the July 4 winner-take-all blue-marlin jackpots will be eligible for these cash awards. Yeti Winner-Take-All Level-One Blue Marlin Jackpot: $1,000 entry fee, 90 percent payback VanMark Winner-Take-All Level-Two Blue Marlin Jackpot: $2,000 entry fee, 90 percent payback Note: Official rules and awards will be provided at the final registration kickoff party and rules meeting.

31 July 3-7, 2018 Double your pleasure and double your fun with two tournaments in the spread this Fourth of July weekend! The Bermuda Billfish Blast is the first leg of the Bermuda Triple Crown Billfish Championship and is designed to work in concert with the World Cup Blue Marlin Championship. World Cup winning fish have been caught in Bermuda nine times, and two of the largest fish in World Cup history have been caught in Bermuda, including an 1,189- and 1,195-pound marlin. With the Blast, World Cup and Triple Crown up for grabs, there s a real shot at big money and fame. Start the summer season off right and fish the Bermuda Billfish Blast! Team Reel Lax earned 2,100 points and $170,400 to win the 2017 Bermuda Billfish Blast. SPONSORED SORED BY: 2018 OFFSHORE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFYING EVENT STEVE T. GOIONE Marine Artist For more information about the Bermuda Billfish Blast, call or Dan.Jacobs@bonniercorp.com. For discounted room rates call our host hotel, the Hamilton Princess direct at or the Reservation Center at and mention code FISH0718 to receive the special group rate. BermudaTripleCrown.com

32 /// PHOTO GALLERY Offshore World Bermuda Edition

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34 /// PRIZES & AWARDS Bermuda Big Game Classic All teams pay a tournament base entry fee of $3,000. This is not optional. The tournament base entry fee prize money will be disbursed to the winners accordingly: 35 percent goes to the tournament; the remaining 65 percent goes to the top three team point leaders and largest game fish. The scoring system includes 500 points for each blue marlin release, 1 point per pound for blue marlin at or over the 500-pound minimum weight, 200 points for each white marlin, spearfish release and sailfish release. TEAM DIVISION AWARDS Bermuda Tourism Authority First-Place Team - 30 percent Miles Market Second-Place Team - 20 percent Garmin Third-Place Team - 10 percent Fairmont Hamilton Princess Biggest Game Fish - 5 percent PW Marine High-Point Angler - Trophy and Prize Package Fishing Tease High-Point Lady Angler - Trophy and Prize Package Steve Goione High-Point Junior Angler (age 17 and younger) - Trophy and Prize Package OPTIONAL JACKPOTS Butterfield &Vallis Daily Billfish Release Jackpot - 90 percent payback. The fee to get into the optional Daily Billfish Release Jackpot is $2,000 and is optional. The Daily Billfish Release Jackpot covers all three days of fishing. For example, the Jackpot awards go to the team that scores the most billfish release points each day. The daily billfish release prize consists of one-third of the total jackpot money. Lucas Oil Day 1 Billfish Release Jackpot - one-third of total pot Island Construction Day 2 Billfish Release Jackpot - one-third of total pot King Sailfish Day 3 Billfish Release Jackpotone-third of total pot Bacardi Daily Blue Marlin Jackpot - 90 percent payback. The fee to get into the optional Daily Blue Marlin Jackpot is $2,000 and is optional. The Daily Blue Marlin jackpot covers all three days of fishing. For example, the Jackpot awards go to the largest blue marlin (by weight) caught each day that meets or exceeds the minimum weight requirement of 500 pounds. The daily jackpot prize will consist of one-third of the total jackpot money. Yeti Day 1 Marlin Jackpot - one-third of total pot Vanmark Jewelry Day 2 Marlin Jackpot - one-third total pot Island Glass Day 3 Marlin Jackpot - one-third total pot Gregory Poole Marine Power, Pantropic Power, Ring Power, and Foley Power Systems Caterpillar Largest Blue Marlin Jackpot - 90 percent payback. The fee for this category is $3,000 and is optional. The Largest Blue Marlin Jackpot will be awarded to the team catching the largest blue marlin of the tournament Offshore World Bermuda Edition over the three days of fishing. If no teams registered in the Largest Blue Marlin Jackpot catch a qualifying marlin over the minimum weight, the jackpot will be awarded to the top three billfish release point teams of the tournament and will be split accordingly: First place 50%, Second Place 30% third place 20%. Satcom Direct Overall Billfish Release Points Jackpot - 90 percent payback. The fee for this category is $3,000 and is optional. The Overall Billfish Release Points Jackpot will be awarded to the top three teams with the most overall billfish release points of the tournament over the three days of fishing and be awarded accordingly; Dometic First place 50%, Airmar Second Place 30%, Release MarineThird Place 20%.

35 JULY 12-16, 2018 BERMUDA Even the name conjures up visions of warm tropical seas, friendly island people and lost pirate treasures. One treasure that Bermuda has nurtured and shared with the rest of the world, however, is a dynamic, biggame fishery that ranks among the world s best. Grander blue marlin shadow enormous numbers of white marlin, yellowfin tuna and wahoo that thrive in the warm nutrient rich waters that pass around this oasis in the vast oceanic plains. Come July you ll get your chance to experience Bermuda s fishery in the 18 th Annual Bermuda Big Game Classic! Bermuda s stellar amenities and 2-hour flight from the East Coast make this idyllic spot one of the premier tournament venues in the world! Don t miss this fabulous opportunity to spend your summer vacation fishing the incredible waters of this island paradise! The Classic will be the centerpiece of the Bermuda Triple Crown Billfish Championship. Teams fishing in the Classic earn valuable points in the Triple Crown and compete for the largest purse in the championship. And you can still count on nightly parties, discounted fuel, great people and the fabulous marlin fishing that makes the Classic a must for the traveling angler. PRESENTED BY: 2018 OFFSHORE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFYING EVENT BERMUDA TRIPLE CROWN Q U A L I F Y I N G To plan your vacation and view all the world class Bermuda charter boats visit gotobermuda.com Call our host hotel, The Fairmont Hamilton Princess direct at or the Reservation Center at and mention code FISHO718 to receive the special group rate E V E N T For more information about the Bermuda Big Game Classic, visit BermudaTripleCrown.com, contact Tournament Director Dan Jacobs at or dan.jacobs@bonniercorp.com

36 /// PHOTO GALLERY Offshore World Bermuda Edition

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38 /// PRIZES & AWARDS Sea Horse Anglers Club All teams pay a tournament base-entry fee of $3,000. This is not optional. The tournament base-entry-fee prize money will be disbursed to the winners as follows: 35 percent goes to the tournament; the remaining 65 percent goes to the top three team-points leaders and to the teams with the largest game fish. The scoring system grants 500 points for each blue-marlin release, 1 point per pound for blue marlin at or above the 500-pound minimum weight, and 200 points for each white-marlin release, spearfish release and sailfish release. TEAM DIVISION AWARDS Bermuda Tourism Authority First-Place Team 30 percent Gosling Second-Place Team 20 percent Garmin Third-Place Team 10 percent Hamilton Princess Largest Game Fish 5 percent (split between tuna, wahoo and dolphin) Satcom Direct Optional Daily Billfish Release Jackpots 90 percent payback. The fee to get into the optional daily-billfish-release jackpots is $2,000. These jackpots cover all three days of fishing. Each daily-jackpot award goes to the team that scores the most billfish-release points each day. Each daily-billfish-release prize consists of one-third of the total jackpot money. If no billfish are released on a given day, the jackpot rolls over to the next day. If on the final day of fishing no billfish are released, then the final-day jackpot money goes to the previous day s winner or winners. Only teams entered in the daily-billfish-release jackpots will be eligible for these cash awards Canyon Gear Day One Billfish Release Jackpot one-third of total pot PW Marine Day Two Billfish Release Jackpot one-third of total pot C-Mart LYTD Day Three Billfish Release Jackpot one-third of total pot CAT Marine Engines Daily Blue Marlin Jackpots 90 percent payback. The fee to get into the optional daily blue-marlin jackpots is $2,000. These jackpots cover all three days of fishing. Each daily jackpot award goes to the largest blue marlin (by weight) caught each day that meets or exceeds the minimum weight requirement of 500 pounds. The daily jackpot prize will consist of one-third of the total jackpot money. If no fish that reach the minimum weight are caught on a given day, that day s jackpot rolls over to the next fishing day. If on the final day of fishing no fish that exceed the minimum weight are caught, then the final day s jackpot money goes to the previous day s winner or winners. If no qualifying fish are caught, the daily blue-marlin jackpots will be awarded to the top billfish-release-points team from each day of competition. If all teams entered in the daily blue-marlin jackpots fail to earn billfish-release points during any day of competition, the jackpot rolls over to the next day s winner, or the previous day s winner if it is the final day of competition. Only teams entered in the daily bluemarlin jackpots will be eligible for these cash awards. The Docksider Day One Blue Marlin Jackpot one-third of total pot Oliver s Travel Services Day Two Blue Marlin Jackpot one-third of total pot Offshore World Bermuda Edition Steve Goione Day Three Blue Marlin Jackpot one-third of total pot A&M Construction Largest Blue Marlin Jackpot 90 percent payback. The fee for this optional category is $2,000. The largest-blue-marlin jackpot will be awarded to the team catching the largest blue marlin of the tournament during all three days of fishing. If no teams registered in the largestblue-marlin jackpot catch a qualifying marlin over the minimum weight, the jackpot will be awarded to the top three billfish-releasepoints teams of the tournament and will be divided as follows: First place 50 percent, second place 30 percent, third place 20 percent. Only teams registered in the largestblue-marlin jackpot will be eligible for this cash award. Island Construction Overall Billfish Release Points Jackpots 90 percent payback The fee for this optional category is $2,000. The overall billfish-release-points jackpot will be awarded to the top three teams with the most overall billfish-release points of the tournament over the three days of fishing and will be awarded as follows: Lucas Oil First Place 50 percent GPLINK Second Place 30 percent Temperature Control Third Place 20 percent CONTACT INFORMATION Edward Barnes South Apt, 6 Vaucrossons Crescent, Pembroke, Bermuda HM , ealbarnes@gmail.com or John Barnes, , cbear@ibl.bm bermudatriplecrown.com

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40 /// PHOTO GALLERY Offshore World Bermuda Edition

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44 SPORTFISH of a DIFFERENT COLOR RECOGNIZING BERMUDA S OTHER BILLFISH: THE WHITE MARLIN By Sam Hudson Team Fa La Me took home the Bermuda Triple In2017, Crown, scoring an impressive 6,500 points, catching nine blue marlin and 10 white marlin. Second-place winner Legasea caught just three white marlin, and third-place finisher Galatea released none. Although white marlin (200 points each) are worth fewer than half the points of blues (500), Fa La Me proved that whites have plenty of value, winning $140,280 on the way to the 2017 series championship Bermuda Triple Crown winner Reel Addiction caught more whites than any other team. In 2015, just 300 points separated the first-place and second-place finishers, a spread that two extra white marlin catches could have overcome. The fishing teams that are prepared when white marlin show in the spread have the chance to nickeland-dime their way up the leaderboard. White marlin will never trump the Offshore World Bermuda Edition popularity of blue marlin in Bermuda. Few places allow anglers to come hook-to-face with blue marlin surpassing 1,000 pounds. A grander blue marlin, or even the chance at a grander, will always be the main attraction for fishermen making the trek out to Bermuda or chartering boats locally. With that said, white marlin should still play a definite role in your tournament strategy, as more and more fishing teams are figuring out. Photo by: Michelle Gaylord

45 I Get No Respect White marlin are the second most common marlin species in Bermuda, but they don t get much publicity. Why is that? Whites, Kajikia albida, are a popular sportfish throughout the Atlantic, especially in places like Portugal, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and the US mid-atlantic coast. In 2017 s White Marlin Open fishing tournament, the top two fish that were weighed won their respective fishing teams more than $1.5 million each. Heck no, no one is ashamed to catch whites, says Capt. Mike Kennedy of El Cazador, an 85-foot Scarborough. They count as points too in Bermuda tournaments. We re here most of June to August, and during that time, we just see higher numbers of blue marlin than whites, although the whites tend to be good size. Having listened to radio chatter over the years, Bermuda Triple Crown tournament director Dan Jacobs remarked, Many times over, captains say the whites they just released would sure be nice to have in the White Marlin Open because of their size. We see lots of big whites in Bermuda, and usually a few round-scale spearfish, and even shortbill or long-bill spearfish. Throughout the three tournaments in the 2017 Bermuda Triple Crown series, 126 blue marlin were caught compared to 70 white marlin. In 2016, 161 blue marlin and 20 white marlin were recorded. Everyone comes to Bermuda to catch that one, says Capt. Danny Hearn of Blank Check, a 64-foot Bayliss. That s why the whites aren t as popular. Boats are heading over to Bermuda for that grander. Plus, some of the U.S. boats come from areas with even higher concentrations of white marlin than Bermuda. Personally, I m happy to have any flag flying when coming back to the docks. July marlin tournaments incentivize anglers to target big blues based on the payouts. For Bermuda Triple Crown tournaments, anglers earn 500 points for every blue marlin officially released, or one point per pound for every blue marlin weighed and verified over the 500-pound minimum. Tournaments also award cash and prizes to teams that catch the largest blue marlin by weight. The World Cup Blue Marlin Championship, held on July 4, offers a hefty payout for the single largest blue marlin caught anywhere across the world. Day one fishing of the Bermuda Billfish Blast also occurs on July 4, At least on that day, blue marlin will get all the attention from Bermuda fishing teams signed up for both tournaments. One giant blue-marlin catch can make an entire season just ask Capt. Cragin Curly Curtis and angler Stephanie Choate. In 2016, Choate chartered Curtis Reel Addiction, a 48-foot Billy Holden, to fish the Bermuda Triple Crown series. On day one of the Bermuda Billfish Blast, Choate landed a 625-pound blue marlin after an hour-and-20-minute fight. Two more strong days of fishing on the Reel Addiction in the Blast allowed Curtis and crew to capture the win. The 625-pounder also won the World Cup Big Blue Challenge Optional Jackpot for a collective $400,000 payday. Curtis and Choate went on to win the entire 2016 Bermuda Triple Crown. The Right Time and Place White marlin show in Bermuda in the early summer and depart in the early fall, likely because of available prey, and possibly for spawning, says Struan R. Smith, Ph.D., of Bermuda s Department of Environment and Natural Resources. We don t believe they stay here all year, as our water temperatures are too cold for them in the winter. General tagging studies show that white marlin pass Bermuda in their seasonal migrations, something local charter boats and tournament anglers have experienced for years. Heading south or west from Bermuda, whites winter in the eastern Caribbean and the waters off northern South America, although no tagging studies have specifically looked at the movement of Bermuda white marlin departing the island s waters, says Smith. Earlier in the year, March to July water temperatures can be great for white marlin, says Curtis. Water temps are in the 70s, and that s when white-marlin fishing can even be better than blue-marlin fishing, he says. I ve noticed blue marlin prefer 80s water temperatures, while the whites prefer the 70s. July is the last hurrah for whites in Bermuda you might not see as many white-marlin catches in the Sea Horse Anglers Tournament held at the end of July. Curtis sees higher numbers of white marlin when fishing for wahoo in the spring compared to the summer months. Bermuda Edition 45 Offshore World 2018

46 Curtis also detailed a unique chumming technique he used to target tuna and wahoo, but that s a different article for another day. When targeting wahoo in the spring, we use rigged ballyhoo paired with Carolina-style sea witches that we tie ourselves, says Curtis. We ll troll at 5- to 6-knot speeds, and the whites and wahoo will hit them at that time of year. Even then, white marlin are mostly secondary catches. White and blue marlin mingle in Bermuda waters for the majority of summer, allowing tournament fishing teams to target both species. I truly believe the white marlin follow the same upwellings and target the same baits as blue marlin, says Kennedy. Those currents and winds push toward the banks, creating eddies off the seamounts. It attracts the tunas, wahoo and marlin all in the same areas. Kennedy searches out upwellings more than specific temperatures. I d rather find those areas with high nutrients than fish a specific temperature, he says. It s only a 25-mile run to the far end of Argus Bank. At the end of the day, most of the Bermuda boats are fishing the same waters. You know certain boats will be at certain spots. We ve had success at Argus Bank, but there s also the popular Challenger Bank that holds plenty of fish. Hearn prefers to look for temperature disparities. Temperature breaks are a great area to target white marlin, he says. Fish both sides of the break and look for the baitfish. We are not afraid to fish in green water and shallower waters on top of the banks to find fish. No matter where tournament anglers head out for the day, they usually don t have to travel far to the fishing grounds, especially compared to other biggame fishing destinations around the world. We are a tiny pinprick in the ocean, says Curtis. The price of fuel in Bermuda limits our runs each day. We rely on the currents to bring us the fish. Massage Your Spread for Whites Locals call white marlin seaweed, says Curtis, but their points really matter in tournaments. I ve seen private boats come to Bermuda and win, partly because a well-oiled fishing team can rack up points on white-marlin catches. I ve definitely taken notice. Blue-marlin tackle is overkill for white marlin, but that big blue marlin, and even numbers of blue marlin, is what fishing teams really want, says Hearn. We re apprehensive to downsize tackle for whites, because you know as soon as you do that big blue will hit your lightest rod. Although whites hit blue-marlin lures, blue-marlin tackle is not ideal for the lesser white marlin. Usually, you get one shot at white marlin [with bluemarlin tackle], says Curtis. If they feel the sting of the hook, they re gone. A blue marlin might eat a lure 10 times. Fishing teams in Bermuda must make a choice keep their traditional trolling spreads of six big-bodied lures or start incorporating a lighter setup that s meant for whites. Another option: Have some pitch baits ready to present to the white marlin that flashes in the spread. In the past, some teams might put out a couple smaller lures, but no one wanted to downsize too much, staying with the heavier 300-pound leaders, says Curtis. Using pitch baits with lighter tackle is a better option. If specifically targeting whites, Curtis would rig smaller ballyhoo to some 50s. That s not a bad option for whites, trolling at 5 to 6 knots, he says. And you don t need teasers. The year we won the Bermuda Triple Crown, we didn t use a single teaser. I get some weird looks when I tell people that. Offshore World Bermuda Edition

47 But Curtis almost never specifically targets whites, so his normal spread is six rods five 130s and one 80-wide. He prefers purple-and-white lures. The lone 80 is for wahoo, white marlin, mahi-mahi and tuna. To maximize my opportunities with white marlin, I would try to get ballyhoo back to them on a 30-wide, says Hearn. Last year, we had baits ready for the whites. Instead of strictly lure fishing, as is common in Bermuda, we had baits like Spanish mackerel and horse ballyhoo in our spread. There s really no second or third chances with white marlin unless using smaller dink baits. If Kennedy were strictly to target white marlin, he wouldn t drop down below 50-pound tackle. I would pull natural baits behind Iland lures, says Kennedy. I would downscale to smaller Hawaiian Eyes and rig them with ballyhoo. I d still use typical squid chains for teasers and keep the trolling speed about 8.5 knots. In Kennedy s experience, whites tend to stay farther back from the stern, possibly because his crew runs their smaller lures in the longest positions. By contrast, blues will come right up to the teasers in the prop wash, he says. In my experiences from the bridge, I ve had pesky whites come up and look at a bait, then another bait, then another bait, says Kennedy. Never hitting the bait, or at least never coming in contact with the hook. Blues tend to track just one bait. Sometimes turning and going back over an area can be productive, more so for blues than whites. What most fishing teams agree on is that if you want the best chance at whites in Bermuda, keep smaller natural baits ready to go. A pitch bait like a ballyhoo or Spanish mackerel is a perfect presentation. When trolling lures, the bite either happens or it doesn t. Dropping back natural baits is not as clear-cut as lure fishing, so operator error can play a role. If you plan to go au naturel with a bait or two, make sure you brush up on your drop-back technique before that tournament-winning white marlin pops up in your spread. All-In on White Marlin To nail down a rig specifically for white marlin, I reached out to experienced Virginia Beach angler Ken Neill of Healthy Grin Sport Fishing. Lying in the zone between North Carolina and New Jersey, Virginia is right in a sweet spot for white-marlin fishing from July to September. Gear Neill prefers 20- to 30-poundclass tackle, rigged with 30-pound monofilament main line and 100-pound mono leader. Many anglers will go even lighter on the leader, but blue marlin are around Virginia waters, and much of Neill s white-marlin fishing is tied to research that requires billing the fish for pop-up tag placement and genetic sampling. Presentation Neill utilizes mostly small, naked ballyhoo rigged on a 7/0 circle hook rigged to swim, as opposed to skipping. He also does some live-baiting with tinker mackerel caught on-site. He catches them on mackerel rigs, bridles them to a circle hook (up to 8/0 size) and starts trolling. He runs a squid daisy chain off each rigger and deploys at least one dredge, often two depending on conditions. For whites, troll speed is about 6 knots with ballyhoo, only 2 knots when live-baiting. Water Temperatures Neill has caught white marlin in dirty water in temperatures from the low 60s to mid-80s, but he prefers clear water in the mid-to-upper 70s. He uses recent temperature maps to find where the temperature breaks are offshore. Then he uses radar to find birds. A temperature gauge allows him to stay on the warm or cool side of a break, and he s not afraid to try both sides. A bottom machine should mark the bait when you find the bait, stay with it. Bermuda Edition 47 Offshore World 2018

48 A League of Their Own Bermuda s seasoned charter boats are always players on the big-game tournament circuit. By Capt. Dave Lear One of Bermuda's many top charter captains, Capt. Cragin "Curly" Curtis heads offshore in his boat, Reel Addiction. Captain Alan Card, winner of the first-ever Bermuda Big Game Classic in THE welcome mat is always out in Bermuda. A friendly attitude matched by beautiful beaches and luxurious accommodations draws tourists from around the globe. The island nation s world-class blue marlin fishery is another major attraction. The Bermuda Triple Crown was created to showcase the island s trophy potential, and to offer Captain Allen DeSilva, winner of the 2016 Sea Horse Angler's Club Billfish Tournament. an extra incentive for traveling game boats to cruise over and compete. When they do, however, visiting boats go up against the Senior Circuit. Bermuda s biggame charter crews are among the most experienced in the sport, and they should never be taken lightly, as the scorecards clearly show. Take Capt. Allen DeSilva, a likely Capt. Craigin Curtis, winner of the 2017 Bermuda Big Game Classic. Hall of Fame candidate after a charter career spanning decades. DeSilva won the 2016 Sea Horse Anglers Club Billfish Tournament at the helm of Es Mucho, a 65 Hatteras. In 1995, aboard his previous boat, De Mako, he landed a 1,352-pound blue marlin, the current Bermuda record and the second-largest blue marlin ever caught in the Atlantic. Offshore World Bermuda Edition

49 Captain Peter Rans, aboard Overproof, finds himself atop the leader board. Capt. Peter Olander is another possible Hall of Famer. Olander runs Albatross for his charter business, but he takes the wheel of the private Queen of Hearts during tournaments. Olander and his team won the 2007 Blue Marlin World Cup Championship with a 728- pound blue, which was also good for third place in the Billfish Blast. He took home a nice payout in the Big Game Classic that same season. He repeated a World Cup victory in 2012 by boating a 768-pound blue. That fish also earned the Blast s largest jackpot. If DeSilva is the Babe Ruth of Bermuda anglers, Capt. Alan Card is the Ty Cobb equivalent. This veteran has been fishing professionally for 50 years, the last 18 aboard Challenger, a 40 Gamefisherman, with his son Ian alongside him. Card often fishes with the same tournament anglers every year, although he ll be hosting a new team during the 2018 Billfish Blast and World Cup. Card won the 1993 World Cup and the first Big Game Classic in The World Cup fish weighed 1,195 pounds. Card also has six other granders on his ledger, including fish of 1,130.5 pounds (1983), 1,190 pounds (1989), 1,153 and 1,162 pounds (both in 1995), 1,199 pounds (2002) and 1,289 pounds three years ago. Alan also has a 782-pound bluefin tuna to his credit, while Ian holds the Bermuda record for the largest mako shark at 821 pounds. Card says more than 25 granders have been caught in Bermuda waters, with Challenger having had the honor of catching the first. Except during tournaments, fish weighing more than 1,000 pounds are typically released. I started using 130-pound-test line back in 1980, Card explains. Before that we were getting our asses handed to us. We were hooking plenty of big fish, 800-, 900-pounders, a few granders probably. But with 80-pound line, we kept breaking them off. We really had no idea how big these fish were until we started using 130 in earnest and landed a few. If you re deliberately going after bigger fish around here, you need that heavier line. But I tell people I don t know what a grander looks like, cause all mine have been over 1,100 pounds. Card says six of his seven trophies were aged by the Bermuda Department of Fisheries. The biologists determined those fish were 18 to 28 years old. Bermuda is in the middle of nowhere, Card says. So we don t get the pressure like other big marlin hotspots. The oceanic currents can come from any direction, east to west, north to south. The island is basically a platform with a couple banks around it and deep warm clear water. We see a ton of bait small tuna, bonito, squid. It s a natural draw for marlin to stack up around here and feed. We get a lot of big females, with the prime time for spawning during June and July. Card doesn t feel like the locals have an edge over the U.S.-flagged competitors, but he is convinced they can hold their own against any team. Wahoo Too Giant marlin are not the only targets for Bermuda s charter fleet. White marlin and smaller blues are frequent catches as well. Yellowfin tuna swim through these remote Atlantic waters with frequency too. But the island shelf and surrounding banks are a huge magnet for wahoo, in terms of both numbers and size. Double-digit tallies are common. The prime months are April and May, although the bite can carry over into June. It picks back up again in the fall. Capt. Cragin Curtis on Reel Addiction set an island record with a 43-fish day in Then Capt. James Robinson on Wound Up eclipsed that the next year with 51 wahoo boated in a single May trip. We often catch 20 fish a day in the spring months, Curtis says. Wahoo weighing more than 100 pounds are not unusual. We catch them on rigged Sea Witches with ballyhoo and trolling weights. When the bite is really on, they ll hit lures. We have a really good wahoo fishery here, Capt. Alan Card adds. The fish average 45 to 50 pounds with plenty of smaller and larger sizes in the mix. Ballyhoo behind Sea Witches is the favorite offering. We troll them at 8 to 9 knots around the bank corners below downriggers. The charter fleet here is full of really good wahoo and tuna fishermen. We get along great with the visiting teams. They re all first class, with A-1 boats and great crews. But the charter boats are just as capable, based on the number of fish we catch each year. Not all have landed granders. But most have 600- to 800-pounders to their credit. These guys have been fishing for years. Capt. Peter Rans was born and raised in Bermuda and has been fishing Bermuda Edition 49 Offshore World 2018

50 Capt. Craigin Curtis' crew aboard Reel Addiction landed this 562-pound blue marlin in the 2016 Sea Horse Angler's Club Billfish Tournament. professionally for 22 years. Like the others, he has an impressive tournament track record. Competing aboard his 42-foot Carolina custom sportfisher Overproof, he was named the top Bermuda boat in the 2003 and 2005 Classics. His 850-pounder in 2005 earned third-place honors. He won the second-place trophy in the 2008 Sea Horse tournament and third place again in the 2016 Classic based on points. Rans does feel the charter skippers have a slight advantage due to local knowledge. It helps to know where the bait is, where the fish are, he says. The tide constantly changes, so knowing which side of the bank to fish on has some advantage. But after a day or so, everybody has zeroed in on things. Like many of the locals, Rans normally fishes lures during tournaments. He adds an extra mate to help clear lines or man a pitch bait. We can hold our own against the visiting boats, Rans adds. We ve got a lot of experience in the big-fish department. Capt. Sinclair Lambe is another 20-year veteran charter skipper. He fishes aboard Mega Bucks, a 43 Torres. Lambe scored a 661-pound blue in the 2008 World Cup. That same year he boated an 832-pound fish, good for a second-place finish in the Classic. That was also the biggest overall fish that season. The next year he straightened the Beware of the Lobster Boats It s the maritime version of the classic David versus Goliath fable. Large, fast and well-equipped custom sportfishers with professional teams go up against atypical commercial boats half their size. But U.S. crews coming over to compete in the Bermuda Triple Crown quickly learn to never underestimate the local lobster-boat teams. The lobster-boat nautical design features rounded chines and a single screw, which produces a turbulence-free wake that definitely raises fish. A 35-foot Willis Beal, originally named Sea Scorpion, is a prime example. In 2005 Sea Scorpion won the World Cup by boating a 712- pound blue. The boat was later sold and renamed Legasea. Last year, the family-and-friends team with Capt. Brian Hines at the helm put their native experience to work. Team Legasea released three blues and a white, earning 1,700 points and First Place Team honors. They also took home $106,350 in release jackpot money and a stage-full of merchandise. Other lobster boats have enjoyed similar success. Capt. Bounce Barnes fished for many years aboard Shakedown, a 35-foot Bruno Stillman lobster boat. The family team has transitioned to a 41 Hatteras for the 2018 tournament season, but it was Shakedown on the troll when a 741-pound blue came to the wire during the 2015 Big Game Classic. That fish turned out to be the largest of the tournament. We ve always done well in the lobster boat, Barnes says. We d run traps in the winter and fish tournaments out of it in the summer. Shakedown doesn t burn much fuel and leaves a real clean wake so we can fish everything up close. There is just no whitewater. That lets us watch the lures all the time, which is a real advantage. You probably won t ever see a lobster boat on the cover of Marlin magazine though. The reason I fish a lobster boat is simple economics, says Capt. James Robinson. His Wound Up is a 37-foot Duffy, which has a long resume of tournament accomplishments. Most of us commercial fish when we re not competing in tournaments, and I needed a boat I could handle myself. The Duffy is a singlescrew design that s built like a tank. It s also very economical on fuel. I could fish for a couple weeks on what it would cost me to buy a Lindgren Pitman dredge reel. The lobster-boat style also really works well for pulling lures. The fish will swim right up under the transom because of the clean wake. Bermuda s lobster boats may be diminutive and slow. But like David, they re all quite capable of delivering a lethal blow when it comes to putting trophy-winning blues on the scales. Offshore World Bermuda Edition

51 hook on an even bigger one, according to his estimate. The charter boats always have a good chance because of everyday, local knowledge, Lambe says. Most can only run so far because of their size, so we just stop and start trolling. You have to be at the right spot at the right time to catch that big one. The Barnes family tournament team is led by Capt. David Bounce Barnes, a 25-year charter pro. He is joined by his dad, two brothers and a cousin, who all take vacation, chip in on expenses and fish for fun during the local contests. The team boated the largest fish in the 2015 Big Game Classic, a 741-pounder. They ll be campaigning aboard a 41-foot Hatteras this season. The charter fleet has proven its own against the private boats, Barnes says. We re not as pretty, but we re effective. And on any given day, we ve got as good a chance as anyone at winning. Capt. Cragin Curley Curtis and his team were the first Bermuda-based boat to win the Triple Crown in Curtis, another native islander, has been fishing professionally for 30 years and is now operating his third boat, Reel Addiction, a 48 Billy Holton Carolina custom. Winners of the Blast in 2008, Curtis and his team also boated a 625-pounder to win the 2016 Blast and the Big Blue Optional Challenge in the World Cup. The team earned third place overall in last year s release division and have pocketed numerous daily cash prizes over the years. Capt. James Robinson's crew landed this 865-pound marlin in the 2009 Bermuda Billfish Blast. I ve never caught a grander, but I do have a fair amount in the 800- to 900- pound range and tangled with a couple larger than that in my career, Curtis says. Bermuda is a premier bigmarlin spot in June and July. August can be great too. I m a lure fisherman now. We all grew up here fishing big ballyhoo, but not on circle hooks. So we pull plastics. Even our pitch baits are lures. Once those fish are fired up, they ll eat anything. Curtis says the visiting boats are typically bigger, with large professional crews and state-of-the-art equipment, but he welcomes the challenge of competing against them. It s all about timing and having your stuff right. I ve learned, if you re getting bites, stay in that spot and sooner or later you ll get lucky. Even though he has been fishing since 1989, Capt. James Robinson represents the latest generation of Bermuda charter-boat skippers. He learned his trade by mating for Alan and Ian Card, as well as Allen DeSilva. These days Robinson runs Wound Up, a 37 Duffy, and he quickly established his own legacy. It started with a 1,049-pound blue in That fish was the only grander ever boated by a lady angler in Bermuda, Capt. David Barnes helped land this 741-pound blue marlin in the 2015 Bermuda Big Game Classic. and it was her first time fishing offshore. The next year Wound Up combined to win the World Cup and Blast with an 865-pound blue. The team missed winning the Triple Crown in 2009 by a mere four pounds. Top money prizes in 2012 and a third-place finish in the 2014 Classic confirm the team as a perennial contender. Bermuda is the same as everywhere else, Robinson explains. Bottom structure and currents are the key. So I don t think there is a local advantage. Pointswise, the edge goes to the visiting boats. They have the money to compete with the technology, large professional crews and investment in baits, dredges. But if you look at what hangs on the scales, fish 700 pounds plus, most of those fish were caught by locals. It's a matter of risk and reward, he adds. Do you sacrifice points to hang the big fish? You have to get rid of the weak links for a better chance of catching that one big one. But if my anglers are calm under pressure and stubborn, I ll be happy. For Robinson, Curtis, Card and the other seasoned members of Bermuda s charter fleet, the game s biggest stage isn t October. For these boys of summer, July is when the spotlight shines the brightest and the odds favor their chances when big blue marlin are on the line. Bermuda Edition 51 Offshore World 2018

52 2017 WRAP UP We chatted with the winners of 2017 s Bermuda fishing tournaments. For the 2017 Wrap Up, we went a different direction from our usual rehashing of last year s events. If that s what you re looking for, all that information is readily available online. Visit each tournament s specific website for complete breakdowns. Instead, we reached out to some of last year s tournament-winning owners, anglers and mates. The following Q&A sessions covered everything from winning tactics to favorite Bermuda hangouts to 2018 plans and beyond. Getting in touch with last year s winners wasn t easy. Many of the anglers continue to fish all year long, in Bermuda or in different oceans entirely. Bermuda Release Cup Winners, Uno Mas Bermuda Release Cup Winner, Uno Mas, Brooks Smith, Owner Offshore World: We noticed Uno Mas placed well in the Los Sueños Triple Crown in How does preparation differ when targeting blue marlin in Bermuda versus marlin in Costa Rica? While the preparation is similar, Bermuda requires much heavier tackle and lures. Knowing that big fish are around in Bermuda means that we must be prepared to fish for them. We use a similar style of teaser fishing in Bermuda, just like anywhere else, but we use 30- to 130-pound tackle, and lures in our long riggers. In Costa Rica, we only use 30-pound tackle. Most teams in Bermuda pull lures exclusively. Sometimes the big fish like those big lures going fast. The problem is lower hookup ratios with big lures, particularly with smaller blues and white marlin. We are one of the few teams that fish a hybrid of lures and bait teasers. Sometimes, it s a few white marlin that determine a win or loss. Offshore World: What keeps you guys coming back to Bermuda every year? Bermuda is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful destinations on our itinerary. Also, the quantity of bigger marlin is very attractive. Offshore World: Uno Mas placed second overall in the Bermuda Triple Crown in 2011, 2013 and 2015, along with numerous other high finishes. What do you think it will take to win the Bermuda Triple Crown this year? We just need to get a little lucky and stay consistent. Like other fishing teams, it s that one bad day that can hold us back. Offshore World: What is Uno Mas best catch in Bermuda? That s a tough question. We ve not killed a fish in Bermuda, although we certainly are hunting for that Blue Marlin World Cup winner every year. So far, we have caught many fish in the 700-pound range, though never on the right day. We have not captured a grander yet in Bermuda, but we ve definitely seen a few in the spread. Offshore World: What advantages do you think the new Uno Mas, a 77-foot Willis, will have in Bermuda? So far, the 77 has proven to be a serious fish raiser. She s very smooth and the fish are coming hard to her. We fished in Costa Rica earlier this year and, including practice days, caught marlin consistently each day. A bigger boat is not necessarily an advantage in Costa Rica when turning on sailfish. Without a doubt in Bermuda, the 77 will provide a fantastic tournament platform. While her speed was awesome for the long runs in the Los Sueños Triple Crown, 45 to 50 miles, it won t be as important in Bermuda because of the shorter runs. Here, we will probably throttle her back and sip the fuel. Offshore World Bermuda Edition

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54 /// 2017 WRAP UP Bermuda Billfish Blast Winners, Reel Lax Bermuda Billfish Blast Winner, Reel Lax, James Barnes, Captain Offshore World: What did you guys do differently from other teams that allowed Reel Lax to hook and release the winning fish at last year s Bermuda Billfish Blast? We had a great group of anglers and crew. We all felt our chances of winning were high. We had an incredible second day of fishing where we missed only one fish. The second day propelled us into first place. We really didn t do anything different from our everyday fishing plans when in Bermuda. Offshore World: Do you remember a favorite moment from the tournament last year? The last day we sweated it out, having only one bite. Meanwhile, we were hearing the fleet, especially the nearest competitors, calling in hook ups. Having Raul call lines out was the highlight of the tournament, and a long third day. Offshore World: What is your preferred trolling spread? We pull four lures, with two dredge teasers and two bridge teasers. Also, we have several pitch rods available for feeding a fish off one of the teasers. Offshore World: What advice would you have for anglers that want to come fish for blue marlin in Bermuda? Fishing in Bermuda is an experience to be shared with all. First-time visitors should know that they may get their chance to catch the fish of a lifetime. Gear up accordingly. If they don t bring their own boat, there are several talented, extremely professional charter boats available. Proper planning and preparation of tackle and boat, and having a good core group of anglers and crew is a must. Offshore World: When the Reel Lax is not competing in Bermuda tournaments, where do you take the boat and crew fishing? Reel Lax is usually based in Chub Cay, Bahamas. We move to Boat Harbour, Bahamas, to fish the tournaments in April and May, before heading up to Bermuda. We also extend ourselves all around the world having fished in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Dominican Republic and St. Thomas. Offshore World Bermuda Edition

55 FISHING MAKES YOU Reel Hungry FOR CAPE COD CHIPS! AVAILABLE AT STORES THROUGHOUT BERMUDA.

56 /// 2017 WRAP UP Bermuda Big Game Classic Winner, Legasea Bermuda Big Game Classic Winner, Legasea Adam Hines, Mate Offshore World: Local Bermuda teams usually do well in Bermuda Triple Crown tournaments. To what do you attribute your success and other teams successes in these international events? Our team is made up of a group of experienced guys who just want to enjoy the time on the water with no real stress involved. Win, lose or draw, Legasea is getting what they came for when the boat leaves the dock. I think a big piece of our team is karma. Everyone is in a great mood and happy to be on the water. It s what the whole team has been waiting for all year, so we are all on our toes at the same time. Without the team [cohesiveness] we are useless. We go by the saying, Teamwork makes the dream work! Offshore World: What are the differences between fishing out of a modified lobster boat compared to a sportfish boat? The single-screw lobster boat has always been on the list to watch out for. I think there is an advantage with getting the fish so close to the boat on a bite. The prop wash is crystal clear. After raising a fish, it s all downhill after that. Let s face it, with a lobster boat control is limited. We fish heavy drags and pull on the fish. There is no 10 knots astern here. Offshore World: Is the Legasea boat still around? The boat is still in Bermuda and was sold to another young fisherman. The Hines group purchased a larger 43-foot Torres, still a single-screw lobster boat. We are on our sixth lobster boat. Don t ask. We like projects for some reason! Offshore World: What are your favorite species to target out of Bermuda when you're not tournament fishing? I would have to say fishing the edge around the island for mangrove and yellowtail snapper at nighttime. We use a tactic known as sand-balling where your bait is packed in a ball of sand mix. You may catch over a hundred fish on a good night. That s fishing at its finest for us. Offshore World: Are there any baits, lures or teasers you always make sure to have in your spread when trolling in Bermuda? We have all the typical lures that every boat has. Our preference is one-off lure makers from all over the world. I truly enjoy the passion that goes into luremaking, and I am an avid collector. The less popular the maker, and the farther away in the world, the better to me. I use a lot of Blue Dog lures from Australia. I have a few secrets from Hawaii too. I prefer slant-face lures with no jets. Offshore World Bermuda Edition

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58 /// 2017 WRAP UP Sea Horse Anglers Club Billfish Tournament Winners, Fa La Me Sea Horse Anglers Club Billfish Tournament Winner, Fa La Me, Frank Rodriguez, Owner Offshore World: What about Bermuda allows the Fa La Me team to be so successful there? You never master the blue-marlin bite anywhere; just sometimes you get lucky and it all seems to go your way. Our style of fishing is keep it simple. We have a certain spread that we use in Bermuda, which we fine-tune as the season goes on. Most of the time, it stays the same. Offshore World: Were you guys doing anything different from other teams? We pull pretty much what everybody does, and at the same speeds, in Bermuda that s a combo spread of lures in the riggers and dead natural baits on the flat lines. We do have a team that has been together for quite some time. We know what everyone s job is, so the operation is pretty welloiled. For example, Rob Moore has been my captain for 15 years and has run all three of our Vikings. Offshore World: What teaser or lure colors do you always make sure to have in your spread when fishing Bermuda? Our spread isn t quite as colorful as others. We do throw a bit more color into our teasers, but all in all, we have a pretty conservative color palette of lures. Offshore World: What s the Fa La Me bite to hookup ratio? The thing that separates good fishing teams from great ones is that great teams maximize those opportunities when a fish comes into the spread. Of course, you always would like to be at 100 percent hookups. Some days it does happen, but there are also those days when nothing seems to stick. I would say in Bermuda, because it s not a quantity bite but more a quality bite, hookup ratios definitely matter. If you don t have a high ratio, you can t be successful unless you get lucky. One lucky bite could wind up at the scales as the tournament winner. Offshore World: When visiting Bermuda, what s that one thing you always make sure to do? My wife, Mary Ellen, and I have been traveling to Bermuda for 33 years. It s one of our favorite spots on earth. The people are the friendliest, and it s very safe. Bermuda has great restaurants, great fishermen, and a beautiful European feel. Some of our many favorite restaurants are Blu, for a great view of the sound and sunset; Harry s, for an awesome burger; Ascots, for a romantic dinner; Waterlot Inn, with the best steaks on the island; and Port O Call, with a real solid veal chop. My list could go on and on! Offshore World Bermuda Edition

59 ALWAYS LEAD, NEVER FOLLOW...

60 /// 2017 WRAP UP Bermuda Triple Crown Winners, Fa La Me Bermuda Triple Crown Winner, Fa La Me, Frank Rodriguez, Owner Offshore World: Can you talk briefly about how it feels to take home a Triple Crown victory? It s the only series of its kind, typically 40-plus boats competing, with about half of them traveling from the United States to this small rock island nation in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. With that said, to win the series is quite a thrill. To win three times as we have, including last year, is beyond anyone s wildest big-game tournament fishing dreams. Consistency is the true answer to winning and being competitive in any tournament. Competing in a series across three separate tournaments, consistency plays an even greater role in winning. Offshore World: Do you have a favorite Bermuda Triple Crown victory? The first time we won in 2012 was the sweetest because we had just come to Bermuda from the Bahamas, where we had just won the Bahamas Billfish Championship Series. At the time, no boat had ever won both those series in the same year, or for that matter, won them both period. The second time we won the Bermuda Triple Crown in 2014 was also a bit mind-boggling, as no team had ever won the Bermuda Series twice. To win in 2017, the year of the America s Cup in Bermuda, and to win it on a 92-foot enclosed-bridge boat was beyond spectacular. We almost doubled the next closest boat, scoring a Triple Crown record 6,500 points. Not to mention, I had previously arranged for 50 of my wife s and my family s closest friends to fly in the day after the series ended, to surprise her for her 60th birthday. The short answer is all the Bermuda Triple Crown victories were memorable in their own way. Offshore World: What s the largest blue marlin you have hooked and landed in Bermuda? We have never boated a fish in Bermuda. We have had some fish that were right at the 500-pound mark, but we opted not to take the chance of having the fish fall short on weight and lose points. Outside of the tournaments, when fun-fishing, we have caught more big fish in Bermuda than anywhere we have fished, including several fish in the 600- to 800-pound range, with one or two north of those weights. There s nothing more exhilarating than catching a blue marlin, no matter what size it might be. Offshore World: How do you keep your fishing team together year after year? There s so much turnover in the industry. We have been very fortunate to surround ourselves with quality crew. Our captain, Rob Moore, has been with us for 15 years and is the cornerstone of our team. He s also a great fisherman. Each trip, he is prepared to the most minute detail, and he expects the same of his crew. We are a family operation. Yes, we have fun, but it s family first and fishing second. Offshore World: What change would you love to see happen in the Bermuda Triple Crown? I think the most important change would be to get away from the minimum weight of 500 pounds to weigh a marlin. Make it a minimum length instead. Bermuda waters can be rough, and when you have a fish at the boat, trying to make the right call on its weight is very difficult, especially if it s close. A minimum length would put less stress on fish, because a team knows right away if a fish is long enough to qualify. That way, you re not precariously hanging onto the fish boat-side, trying to make an iffy call. Over the years, I ve seen teams make the call to bring a marlin back to the docks, only to find out it was underweight by a couple pounds. Nobody wants to kill a fish for no reason. Offshore World Bermuda Edition

61 Chasin Tail : 67 Bayliss List of Commissions: Alexis, Benchmark, Bid Time, Blank Check, Blue Heaven, Bodacious, Challenger, Chasin Tail, Clean Living, Desperado, Double B, Eye-Catcher, Fa La Me, Fish On, Game On, Gladius, Gulfrascal, Hatterascal, Honey Hush, Line Dancer, Lookin Back, On Ice, Rameseas, Ravaganza, Reel Obsession, Safari, Svengali, Uno Mas, Waste Knot, Weez in the Keys Steve Goione s art combines classical beauty with technical accuracy, making him one of the very best of the marine painters and highly sought after for private boat commissions. His talent alone has propelled him to the top of his feld. Tel: P.O. Box Wilmington, NC SteveGoione@ec.rr.com SteveGoione.com

62 /// MANUFACTURER S CUP Marlin Magazine Manufacturer s Cup WIN ON A SPONSORED BOAT, TAKE HOME A CASH PRIZE Marlin magazine recognizes the huge effort made by those crews who come to Bermuda from the States and the Caribbean to fish the Bermuda Big Game Classic the longest sea crossing for any billfish tournament without any fueling station, watering hole or landmass along the way. To support you, we ve found an exciting way to showcase your talents: the Marlin Magazine Manufacturer s Cup. AMERICAN CUSTOM YACHTS More than a boatyard, American Custom Yachts 63-acre facility accommodates the construction of our world-famous custom sport fi shermen and provides a full range of marine services on site, including yacht repair, repowering and refi tting, complete painting services and storage for over 300 vessels. Our stunning sportfi sh boats are meticulously built by hand, blending traditional cold-molded wooden boatbuilding techniques with the latest in composite technology. The result is a one-of-a-kind, high-performance showpiece unsurpassed in strength, speed and effi ciency. With affi liated companies Bausch- American Towers and Venture by American on site, along with a host of associated marine specialists, ACY is fully equipped to handle any project large or small. JARRETT BAY Jarrett Bay Boatworks, founded in 1986, has delivered more than 100 custom and semiproduction sportfi shing boats, and it services more than one thousand boats per year through its 175-acre Jarrett Bay Marine Park located at ICW MM 198 in Beaufort, North Carolina. The company has been recognized as an ABBRA Boatyard of the Year, was named the 2015 NC Manufacturer of the Year and twice received Best Power Yacht Feet Refi t Excellence Awards. Jarrett Bay has more than 175 employees and 135,000 square feet of building space, making it one of the East Coast s largest and most respected all-inclusive boating facilities. MERRITT At Merritt s Boat & Engine Works, Roy Merritt and his team have spent the last two years designing and tooling for the Merritt 77, which returns to the classic look that defi nes this iconic brand. The company is well on its way to completing Hull 107, which will be the fi rst of many Merritt 77 models delivered over the next decade. Utilizing fully molded advanced composites in its construction process, Merritt s leads the way building high-tech, lightweight, strong and fast sportfi shing yachts, which continue to prove that luxury, performance and tournament fi shing go hand in hand. Come see for yourself why Merritt s continues to be where boat building tradition and technology converge. Offshore World Bermuda Edition

63 MANUFACTURER S CUP /// SPENCER YACHTS The craftsmen at Spencer Yachts artfully blend generations of Carolina boatbuilding knowledge with the most advanced technological resources in the industry. The powerful combination of designs proven in the waters off Oregon Inlet and engineering confirmed through exceptional performance is unbeatable. This is Spencer Yachts join us as we celebrate the launch of Hull #100 this tournament season and as we work toward the next 100. VIKING Following our mantra to build a better boat every day, Viking continues to lead the world in the design and construction of convertible sportfishing yachts. Committed to producing 90 percent of each boat in-house, Viking prides itself on its renowned manufacturing capabilities. Our modern manufacturing facilities in New Gretna and Mullica, New Jersey, are equipped with the latest technology and machinery and define cutting-edge yacht building. Our largest convertible, the 92 C, is the most technologically advanced boat in its class and a proven winner on the tournament trail. WILLIS MARINE Willis Marine was founded in 1990 in Stuart, Florida. Surrounded by a talented group of craftsmen, mechanics and engineers, Mark Willis has always been driven to grow and improve upon each build. With its newest creation the Uno Mas 77, Willis has reached higher than ever before. This was a collaborative effort between the builder and a very knowledgeable owner. Using cutting-edge computer analysis and aerospace materials, they created a lightweight, strong, fast and aesthetically beautiful boat. Her gorgeous curvaceous interior was masterfully crafted in teak and reflects the attention to detail that Willis Marine is known for. How it works: Each boatbuilder entered in the Manufacturer s Cup posts a $2,000 entry fee into the division. With six manufacturers entered, the purse will total $12,000, and any team fishing aboard a boat built by a sponsoring manufacturer will compete for the total cash purse and the title on its behalf. The 2018 sponsors of the Marlin Magazine Manufacturer s Cup include Jarrett Bay Boatworks, Merritt Boat & Engine Works, Spencer Yachts and Viking Yachts, American Custom, Willis Marine, so all teams fishing aboard boats built by these manufacturers are automatically entered in the division and have a chance to win. We want to thank the manufacturers that have already signed up, and encourage others to register their brands and support their owners. Bermuda Edition 63 Offshore World 2018

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67 Good Luck to all in the Bermuda Big Game Classic! BUILDING A BETTER BOAT EVERY DAY. 80 C Made in America with Experience & Pride vikingyachts.com

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71 industry leader in viking yacht & custom sportfish sales J s At Sea Weaver Call Dave Meyer: Viking Call Dave Meyer: NEW 72 Viking Call Scott Levin: Nimbus Merritt Call Dave Meyer: Makara Viking Call Steve Moynihan: Lisa K Paul Mann Call Dave Berard, Sr: Pescaria Viking Call Dave Meyer: Stihl Leader Viking Call Brian Weaver: NEW 62 Viking Call Dave Meyer: Crazy Blue Viking Call Tony Lazzara: Piracy Shearline Call Dave Meyer: Reel Haupt Viking ST Call Mike Scalisi: Argus Middleton Call Andrew Dean: DEMO 52 Viking Call Dave Berard, Sr: Deb s Reel Jem Viking Call Jerry Gilpin:

72 CONGRATULATIONS TO JARRETT BAY BOATWORKS From left to right Sales de la Barre, Elaine Jones, Bill Turbeville, Captain Wil Thornhill, Charlie Lewis, Robert Davies and Sean Albury

73 And the crew on Mama Who, winners of the Marlin Magazine Manufacturer s Cup and second-place team in the Bermuda Big Game Classic Marlin Magazine recognizes the huge effort made by crews steaming from the United States and the Bahamas to participate in the Bermuda Big Game Classic the longest sea crossing without a fueling station, watering hole, or landmass along the way for any billfish tournament. The banks off Bermuda offer the most consistent large blue marlin fishery in the world. The visiting and Bermuda-based crews fishing the event are among the most competitive teams in tournament angling and run some of the top boats built by the world s best boat manufacturers. Veteran fishing team Mama Who, past Bermuda Triple Crown Billfish champions aboard Elaine Jones' amazing 77-foot Jarrett Bay, released three whites and one blue, and boated one 540-pound blue for junior angler Sales De Labarre, earning 1,640 points to win their first Marlin Magazine Manufacturers Cup award and claim secondplace team honors in the 2017 Bermuda Big Game Classic. Our sincere congratulations, thanks and admiration go to Jarrett Bay Boatworks and the crew on Mama Who.

74 Bermuda s favourite network and proud Silver Sponsor of the Bermuda Big Game Classic Prepaid Grab & Go Phones SIM Packs Wireless Modems info@onecomm.bm JUPITER, FLORIDA chance_rods Offshore World Bermuda Edition

75 CELL:

76 /// BOAT SERVICES Planning Your Voyage WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IF YOU PLAN TO BRING YOUR BOAT TO BERMUDA All participants in the Bermuda Big Game Classic are entitled to a fuel discount! Thanks to the support of Rubis Energy and PW s Marina, the Bermuda Triple Crown is happy to offer all participating boats a substantial markdown on fuel. Call Mike Carey at or dockmaster@thewaterfront.bm to place your order. Fuel to foreign boats is also duty-free when you are ready to leave port heading out of the country. This will provide additional savings on your last fill-up of 45 percent. The duty-free fuel is available at the Dockyard on departure; contact Ricky Powell (cell). Register Your Vessel Upon arrival in Bermuda, you must contact the St. George Yacht Reporting Center or the Fairmont Hamilton Princess Marina. You must then check in with customs, register your boat and obtain fishing permits before fishing in Bermuda. Call the St. George Yacht Reporting Center at or or contact Larry Dean, Dock Master, Fairmont Hamilton Princess, Phone: x 7780, or cell hamiltondockmaster@fairmont.com. For information on fishing permits, contact Head Fisheries Enforcement Officer Warden John Edmunds at or jedmunds@gov.bm, or call Albert Trott at Provisions & Specialty Items Miles Market is Bermuda s premier specialty market catering to those looking for great service, quality foods, specialty items and gifts for loved ones. Conveniently located at The Waterfront, it offers guests at the marinas and hotel quick access to the world s first Café Godiva bar, located in Miles Market. Miles also prides itself on its selection of aged beef, daily lunch specials and delivery services. For more information on all Miles has to offer, call , enquiries@miles.bm, or visit the website at miles.bm. Boat Repair and Service Offshore Yachting & Maintenance can assist you with yacht repair and maintenance, as well as hauling services. The crew is experienced and well equipped, and they understand the needs of the traveling tournament competitor and active boater. If you want the job done right, call Derek Excell at Offshore Yachting & Maintenance, , or theboatyard@logic.bm. Steaming to Bermuda We will be collecting a list of boats that plan on coming across to Bermuda, and always encourage boats to travel together. Please call tournament control and register your float plan. We ll gladly pair you up with other vessels steaming across. If you need any additional information, contact Tournament Director Dan Jacobs at , or Dan. Jacobs@bonniercorp.com. RESERVE YOUR SLIP Please contact the following marinas for slip space information for visiting boats: PW S MARINA >> Michael Carey dockmaster@thewaterfront.bm ROYAL BERMUDA YACHT CLUB >> Reggie Horseman (cell) marina@rbyc.bm ROYAL HAMILTON AMATEUR DINGHY CLUB >> Jared Hollis, Dockmaster dockmaster@rhadc.bm FAIRMONT HAMILTON PRINCESS MARINA >> Larry Dean hamiltondockmaster@fairmont.com CAPTAIN SMOKES MARINA >> Robert Oatley voatley@northrock.bm smokes@northrock.bm PIER 41 MARINA >> Willy Freeman dockmaster@pier41.bm TS MARINE LTD >> Tonka simpson t.smarine@live.com ST. GEORGE S DINGHY & SPORTS CLUB >> Mark Soares mark@bdayacht.com info@bdayyacht.com BERMUDA YACHT SERVICES >> Mark Soares mark@bdayacht.com info@bdayyacht.com CAROLINE BAY MARINA manager@carolinebaymarina.com Offshore World Bermuda Edition

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78 /// CHARTER DIRECTORY An Angler s Paradise BERMUDA S FINEST CHARTER BOATS ARE READY TO GO FISH ALBATROSS FISHERIES AND CHARTERS Owned and operated by captains Peter and Hans Olander, this air-conditioned vessel is equipped with the latest electronics and a full range of world-class tackle. Based at St. George s on the east end of Bermuda, it s just 20 minutes from fishing the best blue marlin waters in Bermuda. For rates and more information, call or (boat), albatross@ibl.bm or visit albatrosschartersbda.com. CHALLENGER SPORTFISHING CHARTERS This 40-foot game fisherman, owned and operated by Capt. Alan Card and his son Ian, is fast, clean and well kept. The Challenger has captured, in Bermuda waters, six blue marlin weighing from 1,130 to 1,195 pounds (winner of the World Cup in 1993). Challenger won the inaugural Bermuda Big Game Classic in Call or (cell), ajcard@northrock.bm or visit bigfishbermuda.com. GRINGO CHARTERS Just one hour away from the fishing grounds, this 31-foot custom JC is fully equipped for offshore fishing. Chum for yellowfin and blackfin tuna, or troll for wahoo, dolphin and blue marlin whatever baits your hook. The season runs from April through November, with the marlin bite peaking in June, July and August. Contact Capt. Joey Dawson at or (boat). HAKUNA MATATA Hakuna Matata is Bermuda s newest charter fishing boat. She is a 51 Custom Carolina sport fishing boat with a single 700hp Iveco Motor. Specializing in deep sea fishing, father/son team Michael and Scott Skitchy Barnes together have more then 40 years experience fishing in Bermuda. We fish all year round and there s nothing we don t catch. Every season in Bermuda sees different fishing but we re equipped to catch you whatever you want to fish for. To book, visit us on the web at hmcharters.com, call or hakunamatatacharters@gmail.com and let us get you out fishing on Bermuda s water for some big fish! JUMP DEM BONES Bermuda s premier fly and light-tackle fishing guide for bonefish, hogfish and other inshore species. Capt. Ian Linnell has 35-plus years of fishing expertise from light tackle to marlin, and will give you a truly Bermudian experience around the island s clear waters on Jump Dem Bones, a custom-built 18-foot Dolphin skiff. Tackle and soft drinks are provided; just bring a love for fishing. Open year-round with full or half-day trips at competitive prices. Pickup at various spots around the island. Non-fishing partners welcome. Call , jumpdembonesbda@gmail.com or visit bermudabonefish.com. MAKO CHARTERS Fish with Captain Allen DeSilva on board the 65-foot Hatteras Es Mucho! Equipped with four staterooms and four baths, the Es Mucho! has a cruising speed of 28 knots designed to get you out to the great fishing spots quicker. Mako Charters is celebrating 40 years of charter operations and Captain Allen specializes in big blue marlin. He has released many granders and currently holds the island record with a 1,352-pound Atlantic blue marlin. Bermuda also offers some tuna and wahoo fishing, DeSilva and son Jeffrey would love to show you! Call (office) or (boat), fishbermuda@ gmail.com or visit fishbermuda.com. Offshore World Bermuda Edition

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81 /// CHARTER DIRECTORY MEGA BUCKS If you re planning a trip to Bermuda, get hooked up onboard Mega Bucks, a 43-foot Torres. Mega Bucks is fast, spacious and air-conditioned. It offers full, three-quarter and half-day trips for deep-sea fishing; including marlin, tuna, wahoo, dolphin and shark. It also runs reef-fishing and night-fishing trips. For more information, contact Capt. Sinclair Lambe at , megabuckscharters@gmail.com or visit megabucksfishing.com. OVERPROOF CHARTERS Capt. Peter Rans is an accomplished captain and runs one of the top operations in Bermuda. Overproof is a 42-foot custom Carolina fishing machine. The fast, comfortable boat is equipped with top-shelf tackle. Overproof won second place in the 2008 Sea Horse, and in 2007 won the Bermuda Triangle Billfish Tournament. In the 2005 and 2003 Classics, Overproof won top Bermuda boat, and won third overall in the 2005 Classic with an 850-pounder. Call (home) or (cell), overproof@northrock.bm or visit overprooffishing.com. PARADISE ONE Paradise One is a fabulous 54-foot sport-fishing CAT that is luxurious, spacious, comfortable and very fast, and is fully equipped with the best fishing tackle and gear. Brothers Allan and Delvin Bean have fished Bermuda waters, as well as Florida and the Bahamas, for more than 25 years. They take great pride in all they do. You ll never be dissatisfied! Contact Delvin Bean at or Allan Bean at , paradiseonecharters@ yahoo.com or visit paradiseone-fishingcharters.com. PLAYMATE CHARTERS Fish with Bermuda s tuna specialists on Playmate, a 43-foot custom-built sport-fisherman with large open flybridge, air-conditioned cabin and spacious fishing cockpit. Join the crew for the best chunking action available. Playmate supports tag-and-release for all billfish and sharks, and is Bermuda s No. 1 releaser of tuna its tags have been recovered worldwide, providing valuable information to stock-management scientists. Playmate has also guided clients to 25 world records! Call Capt. Kevin Winter at , playmate@logic.bm or visit playmatefishing.com. A REEL ADDICTION CHARTERS Discover Bermuda s deep-sea action on Reel Addiction. Whether fishing for wahoo, chumming for tuna or trolling for marlin, Reel Addiction has what it takes. There is no better way to experience the very best of Bermuda s sport fishing than on Reel Addiction! Call or , info@reeladdictionbermuda.com or visit reeladdictionbermuda.com to make a reservation. REEL HOT CHARTERS If you re fired up to catch big fish in Bermuda, book a day on board Reel Hot. This 43-foot Torres was built specifically for fishing in Bermuda, with a spacious flybridge, air-conditioned cabin and huge cockpit with three fighting chairs for when the action gets reel hot! Top-shelf tackle, the latest equipment and the newest techniques complete the package. Capt. Nick New has been fishing local waters for more than 25 years. Call , reelhot@gmail.com or visit bermudacharter.com for rates and photos. SANCTUARY Sanctuary is a Riviera GII built in Australia to a very high standard, including watertight bulkheads. Riviera yachts can be found all over the world and have a reputation for being a true offshore blue-water boat. She is equipped with twin 710-horsepower Caterpillar C12 diesel engines and a full complement of equipment, including a water maker, Raymarine electronics and all the comforts of home, including a Bose Lifestyle surround-sound system and three flat-screen televisions. Call , captain@sanctuary.bm or visit sanctuary.bm. Also available for charter is Solace, a 31 Bertram Bahia Mar 1969 with towerand Cat hp engines. Offshore World Bermuda Edition

82 /// CHARTER DIRECTORY SHAKE DOWN CHARTERS We find em; you wind em is the motto on this fully equipped 35-foot Bruno charter boat, operated by Capt. David Bounce Barnes. For more information, call (cell) or (home) or WOUND UP Spend a day offshore with Capt. James Robinson aboard Wound Up a custom 37-foot Duffy. Winner of the 2009 Blue Marlin World Cup, 2009 & 2011 Bermuda Billfish Blast, 3rd Place in the 2014 Big Game Classic, and biggest marlin jackpots in the 2009 & 2010 Triple Crown and 2013 Sea Horse. Wound Up weighed a 1,049 pound blue marlin in 2008 and holds the Bermuda record for catching 51 wahoo in one day! Tournament proven and family approved. To book call , freshfish@northrock.bm or visit woundupbermuda.com. ATLANTIC SPRAYY Capt. Sloan Wakefield 38-foot Luhrs atlanticspray.net atlanticspray@me.com CAPT. JOSEPH ROBINSON Specializes in reef fishing doubleplaybermuda@gmail.com ELLEN B Capt. Michael Baxter 32-foot Shoreline (home) (cell) baxtersreef@northrock.bm FISH CAKES Capt. Craig Soares 38-foot Lobster Sportfisher Deep-sea and reef fishing fishcakes@northrock.bm FOUR REEL Capt. Dean Soares 36-foot BHM Deep-sea and reef fishing fourreel@northrock.bm JOLLY ROGER Family and party fishing boat 56-foot Chesapeake jollyrogerbermuda.com consort@transact.bm LAST CHANCE Capt. Robert J. Lambe 35-foot Bruno & Stillman Deep sea & reef fishing MOBY DICK CHARTERS Capt. Peter Rodday Fishing Charters & Private Tours 40-foot Classic mobydickchartersbermuda.com mobydickcharters@hotmail.com R & D TIME Capt. Derek Exell 40-foot Luhrs theboatyard@logic.bm THE OTHER WOMAN Capt. Vernon Bridgewater 46-foot Bertram Deep-sea and reef fishing bridgev@northrock.bm TROUBADOR James & Blake West 42-foot double-ender Deep-sea and reef fishing Offshore World Bermuda Edition

83 PARTS ROOM ENGINES MECHANICAL SYSTEMS ELECTRICAL CLEANING & WAXING HAULAGE 70 TONS PAINTING FIBERGLASSING WELDING & MACHINING BERMUDA S FULL SERVICE BOAT YARD! offce@sparyard.bm offshoreworldchampionship.com 83 Offshore World 2018

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