San Juan International Billfish Tournament

September 3-9, 2014

The tournament is updating facebook for results and has a new app. Here is the link to facebook- click here

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Mayte wins the International Billfish Tournament of Club Náutico de San Juan

September 10, 2014

Local boat Mayte, a 68-foot Hatteras, kept its leading position and won the 61st International Billfish Tournament (IBT) of Club Náutico de San Juan, over other top boats as 64-foot Caramba and 50-foot Pink Lady which came in second and third positions. All three boats released three marlin each, and other seven boats released two each.

“In the last 10 years the average has being 91 releases,” said Ricky Jaén, chairman of this 61st edition. “We will continue to use satellite images to find the best fishing areas. We want every billfish out there! This is the only tournament that gives anglers and captains a spot to easily find billfish and the chance to release them.” This year, the tournament registered 42 releases.

Reknown marine artist, Carey Chen, won as best visiting angler followed by Juan Manuel Cobar from Guatemala and Eric Visser from South Africa, who had won this award in previous editions.

Best overall angler went to local Rhamses Carazo who established his leadership early in the competition followed by local anglers José Rodríguez Santana and Félix del Río, all with two releases each.

Lady anglers had an outstanding performance. Three ladies released two each, including Mei-Ling Vicente who fished her second big one using 30-pound test line to climb to a top position over other lady anglers who fished with 50-pound test line, receiving less points. Mei-Ling Vicente, daughter of renown angler and IGFA Trustee Ralph “Agie” Vicente, won the prize for best lady angler.

“Next year we are going to fish with 30-pound test line, except for lady anglers to whom we are going to keep giving them the opportunity to fish in 50-pound test line,” said Jaén. “Actually, Mei-Ling proved she is ready to fish light tackle.”

Best international team went to Puerto Rico 14 with Rhamses Carazo, Pepo Cestero and Miguel Donato, followed by United States 11 with José Jiménez del Valle, Francisco de la Cruz and Jeffrey See, while Venezuela 01 fishing team got a third position with lady angler Carolina Stubbe, Jesús di Masse and Silvino Díaz.

In the local interclub competition, Puerto Rico 05 team won with del Río, Club’s commodore Alberto Gual and “Agie” Vicente, and Palmas del Mar fishing team in second place with Marcos Alemán, Guilad Barlia and Sebastian Carazo, while third place went to Club Deportivo del Oeste with Juan Mongil, Marcelo Oben and Manuel Saavedra.

“We are extremely proud of international anglers who registered and competed in the tournament. They made us feel so proud. We love to have them on board our fishing yachts and be able to share with them so many fishing experiences,” said Jaén.

This year 193 anglers, including 43 internationals from seven countries, participated in the 61st edition with a fleet of 49 boats, averaging 52-foot, and a new mobile app with up-to-minute results and information.

The IBT is the longest consecutively held big game fishing tournament in the world and attracts anglers from all over the world to fish in marlin alley, a natural geological trench about a mile and a half off San Juan. It is a well-orchestrated fishing competition with nightly parties, special Ladies Program, a Shootout start past the famous El Morro castle, and a tournament finale Gala Awards Banquet with over 30 prizes. The IBT also boasts a strong conservation ethic that promotes marlin release for future generations to enjoy.

For details visit www.sanjuaninternational.com or send an e-mail to chairman@sanjuaninternational.com