Team A-Fin-ity Wins Presidential Challenge of El Salvador

A-FIN-ITY GOES WIRE TO WIRE FOR WIN
The Presidential Challenge Of El Salvador

FINAL RESULTS: Tournament: 147 SAILS

COSTA DEL MAR TEAM DIVISION 1ST PLACE TEAM: A-FIN-ITY 3500 pts 2ND PLACE TEAM: USA 2400 pts 3RD PLACE TEAM: MARCIANO 2400 pts

BAPTIST HEALTH INTERNATION/ KING SAILFISH ANGLER DIVISION 1ST PLACE ANGLER: DAVIS CLAPP 1400 PTS 2nd PLACE ANGLER: DAN PIMENTAL 1300 PTS 3RD PLACE ANGLER: PACO SACA 1200 PTS

MASPOR MARINE BOAT DIVISION TOP BOAT: A-FIN-ITY 3500 PTS 2ND BOAT: MOJO 2400 pts 3rd BOAT: MARCIANO 2400 pts

The final day of the PCCA El Salvador brought a slight change in the weather. The skies were cloudy and there was a breeze. The fleet with anxious anglers aboard departed the dock promptly at 6am. With A-Fin-Ity having a substantial lead, the battle today was going to be for second and third place on the leader board. Mike Viveiros released the first fish at 7:52am fishing aboard the White Marlin for Team OBX. The morning action was steady with ten fish called in an hour. Marciano made their move early with their anglers releasing eight sails first thing in the morning. Not to be left in the dust, Team OBX anglers put nine on the leader board to creep into third place. As the day progressed, Team USA overtook OBX and tied Marciano for second place. Fishing really slowed up for the teams this afternoon. By the time Scorekeeper Dan Kipnis called lines out of the water A-Fin-Ity was the winner leading wire to wire. Davis Clapp caught the first fish of the tournament and never slowed down. Teammates Dan Pimental and Louis Fernando were right behind him. USA with anglers Bill Easum, Jimmy Taylor and JW Bones fought hard and it paid off with a second place finish. Team Marciano with anglers Jose Gonzalez D., Ricardo Gonzalez, Jose Gonzalez G. and Rodrigo Gonzalez did some fine fishing to finish in third place,tied with USA on time. The Baptist Health International Angler Division was another hard fought battle. Finishing in second place behind Davis Clapp was teammate Dan Pimental. Paco Saca fishing on team Sandy Ita fished a great tournament to finish in third place.

The IGFA School of Sportfishing

The IGFA School of Sportfishing is getting ready to kick off Session 13 onNovember 3. The lineup of classes will be focusing on offshore species such as wahoo, marlin and sailfish with instructors to includeRonnie Hamlin, Bouncer Smith, and Karl Anderson. The IGFA’s Jeff Mackin said updated information can be found at the school’s website atwww.igfa.org/schoolofsportfishing.asp. “Session 12 wrapped up in early October and was highly successful,” said Mackin. “Participants enjoyed a class lineup that covered different aspects of both inshore and offshore fishing including bottom, kite, and surf fishing. Participants also benefited from the School of Sportfishing’s partnership with Yo-Zuri, receiving free Crystal Minnow lures and spools of fluorocarbon in addition to the customary rod, lure, and tackle giveaways. “Attendees can expect us to provide and continue improving on the finest series of fishing courses available,” he added. The IGFA School of Sportfishing classes are held on Tuesday nights from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum in Dania Beach, Florida and are limited to the first 24 anglers to sign up.

Presidential Caribbean Cup moves to Aruba

The island nation of Aruba has become one of the most sought-after vacation destinations in the world, and now it's poised to become one of the hottest fishing venues in the entire Caribbean. For 2010, the Presidential Caribbean Cup will call this island nation home, as it hosts its first truly international billfishing competition. The event is tentatively scheduled for October 20-22, 2010, which should coincide perfectly with the height of the marlin season. Aruba enjoys a sunny climate and offers a stable government, safe, family-friendly environment, good year-round weather out of the hurricane belt and convenient air service, in addition to magnificent beaches, world-class SCUBA diving and fantastic billfishing. While the island's offshore action has mostly flown under the radar of the international angler, the 2010 Presidential Caribbean Cup is set to change that, as teams from around the world descend upon the island. "For years, the area's marlin fishery has been somewhat unknown just because there haven't been many boats fishing specifically for billfish," according to tournament coordinator Joan Vernon. "But in the past few seasons, Capt. Bubba Carter, Capt. Butch Cox and others have made exploratory trips to Aruba and have found excellent fishing for both blue and white marlin with the occasional sailfish. We look forward to bringing the Presidential Caribbean Cup to Aruba in order to showcase just how good the fishing can be here." For more information on this exciting new event, please visit www.preschallenge.com

El Salvador Presidential Challenge

El Salvador is emerging as the future billfish Mecca along the Eastern Pacific Rim. Join the PCCA circuit at Bahia del Sol Hotel, Casino & Marina on October 22-24, 2009 for the newest event in our growing Presidential Conservation Series. El Salvador is home to some of Central America’s prime fishing waters. The sailfishing in the coastal waters is just as good as the neighboring countries of Costa Rica and Guatemala. There is a mix of blue marlin which adds excitement to your days of fishing! Flying to El Salvador is fast and simple. It is a two and a half hour flight from Miami and a three hour flight from Houston. Most major airlines service El Salvador International Airport daily from many cities around the U.S. From the airport you will have a short twenty minute drive to the hotel. Bahia del Sol is an all suites hotel. Rooms are located in individual townhouses with all the amenities including air conditioning and satellite TV with over 200 channels. The marina can handle up to 25 boats but for 2008 they expect to be able to accommodate many more. There is 50 amp. Power, fresh water and a diesel dock as well. El Salvador is anxious to share its proud culture and abundant natural resources with our Presidential Challenge anglers. From ancient Mayan ruins to world class malls, El Salvador is a great and safe place to experience sport fishing at its best.

IGFA Now Offers Catch Certificates

Got a catch you’re proud of, but isn’t quite big enough for a record? Now you can commemorate it w ith an IGFA Catch Certificate. IGFA now offers certificates for both fresh and salt water species and getting one couldn’t be easier. Simply download an application from IGFA.org. All that’s needed is the angler’s name, species, date of catch, place of catch and estimated weight. Each certificate features a beautiful selection of fresh or saltwater fish species, a gold embossed IGFA logo and President’s signature. At a price of $15 each, it’s a great way to venerate any catch.

TBF's Speakeasy Shindig!

TBF is celebrating another great year of billfish conservation through research, education, and advocacy and the 2009 Conservation Dinner & Auction will be our biggest celebration of the year- TBF's Speakeasy Shindig! The boss himself, Big Billy Blue, invites you to join us at his speakeasy for a night of good eats and hot hooch! There will be a swell array of items up for bids in the auction, along with some intriguing entertainment from the Boss' top enforcer... better hope you haven't done anything to make him mad, or you might end up sleeping with the fishes!

The Shindig will be held at the Hyatt Regency Pier 66 in Fort Lauderdale on Friday, October 30th. Cocktails, hors d' oeuvres and the silent auction will start at 6 p.m., with dinner and entertainment beginning at 8 p.m. This is a 1920s themed event, so costumes are highly encouraged- come as your favorite gangster or flapper! Remember, all the proceeds from this event go DIRECTLY to billfish conservation, so come out and have a great time while helping keep the fish and our oceans healthy!

Individual tickets are available for $130 each and VIP Tables (seating ten guests) are available for $1600. To purchase your tickets (or for any other questions regarding the event), please contact Julia at 954.938.0150 ext. 102

BLUEFIN Tuna Update

The National Marine Fisheries Service recently released its Final Amendment I to the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species plan, officially designating a vast area of the western Gulf a special conservation zone to protect breeding bluefin tuna from human-induced impacts. Western Atlantic bluefin tuna are severely depleted, and this area is the western bluefin's only known spawning ground. The designation is a Habitat Area of Particular Concern, or HAPC. HAPCs are not required to have any specific management measures and a HAPC designation does not automatically result in closures or other fishing restrictions. Rather, the areas are intended to focus conservation efforts and bring heightened awareness to the importance of the habitat. http://bit.ly/35I8ZB

2009 St. Lucia Billfish Tournament

2009 St. Lucia Game Fishing Association 19th Annual International Bill Fish Tournament was hosted in IGY Marina,Rodney Bay between September 28th and October 2nd and was won by "Par-T-Time" of Trinidad & Tobago. Second place went to "Free Enterprise" of St. Lucia and third place team, "Magic Lady" was also from Trinidad and Tobago.The win by the "Par-T-Time" team resulted in them qualifying for the 2010 International Game Fishing Association (IGFA) Championships held in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.The all Trinidad and Tobago team includes Captain Robert Stauble, Graham Barber, Michael Chin Leung Fatt, Mark de Verteuil, Christian Hadeed, Anthony Flynn and Allison Deveaux."Part-T-Time" also won best foreign boat and team member Allison Devaux also won best lady angler. Another Trinidadian, Francois Mouttet of "Magic Lady" won best angler. Allison Devaux and Christian Hadeed both members of team "Part-T-Time" placed second and third respectfully. The Trinidadians took all three top spots in a highly competitive tournament that had 95 anglers (competing on 23 boats) from England,Scotland,Barbados,St.Lucia,St. Vincent,Martinique,Guadeloupe,Antigua and Trinidad & Tobago. http://bit.ly/BNSyb

Presidential Sailfish Tournament

The Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tournament, January 21-23, 2010, is also once again part of the Florida Keys Gold Cup Sailfish Tournament and the World Billfish Series. The Gold Cup Championship is a series of three light tackle tournaments held right here in Islamorada. These include the Islamorada Sailfish, the Cheeca Presidential Sailfish, and the Islamorada Fishing Club's January Sailfish tournaments. Anglers may compete in any or all of the tournaments. Those who wish to participate in the Gold Cup series must participate in all three. Beginning in late August, you will be able to visit the brand new www.cheeca.com to download the official tournament entry form and tournament rules. Forms may be submitted to presidentialsailfishtournament@cheeca.com or faxed to 305-664-2839.

Enhancing Billfish Populations

The Billfish Foundation (TBF) is the only non-profit organization dedicated solely to conserving and enhancing billfish populations around the world. TBF's comprehensive network of members and supporters includes anglers, captains, mates, tournament directors, clubs and sportfishing businesses. By coordinating efforts and speaking with one voice, we are able to work for solutions that are good for billfish and not punitive to recreational anglers. Over 90% of marlin mortality is the result of bycatch in commercial fisheries outside the U.S. Yet tremendous pressure continues to be placed on our oceans from fishing fleets trying to meet the demands of a hungry world. TBF maintains it is time for a sea change. Established in 1986 The Billfish Foundation by the late Winthrop P. Rockefeller is the only non-profit organization dedicated solely to conserving and enhancing billfish populations worldwide. With world headquarters in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., USA, TBF’s comprehensive network of members and supporters includes anglers, captains, mates, tournament directors, clubs, sport fishing and tourism businesses. By coordinating efforts and speaking with one voice, the organization works for solutions that are good for billfish, not punitive to recreational anglers and good for the local economy. TBF’s web site is www.billfish.org and its phone number is 800-438-8247, ext 108 for Ellen Peel or (561) 449-9637 for Dr. Nelson.

99 releases in four fishing days

International Billfish Tournament reports 99 releases in four fishing days

With 99 releases, the 56th edition of the International Billfish Tournament of Club Náutico de San Juan successfully concluded. Out of 46 registered boats, 40 of them released. "Almost all competing boats reported action on board," said Gonzalo M. Ferrer, Chairman of the 56th edition. The Rum Bum, which traveled from the United States specially for the Tournament, kept its winning place since the second day of competition and won with six releases (2,400 points), followed by local boats Bimba and Reel Affair, each with five releases (2,000 points). Local angler Carlos Ramirez won the first position as angler when in the last few moments he hooked and released two marlins that, along with other previous two pieces, pushed him to the winning position with 1,600 points, followed by visiting angler Doug Covin, and local anglers Jorge Pavia and Nicolas Carvajal, all of them with three releases each (1,200 points). The most coveted International Winning Team award went to United States 05 with Doug Covin, Luis Bacardi and Salim Merheb. They received an entry for three anglers to participate in the Rolex/IGFA International Championship to be held in Cabo San Lucas on 2010, and three plane tickets to Panama courtesy of Copa Airlines. The Guatemala angling team composed by Antonio "Che" Kozina, Juan Cobar, Jr. and Midel Gómez, came in second position for the International category, followed Venezuela with lady anglers: María Rivera, Carolina Figueredo and Ivette Rodríguez. In fact, the Best Lady Angler award went to local angler, Maria Rivera with two releases or 800 points. From IBT.