We love this idea of doing a tournament recap video when its well done and short. Check out the video from the New Orleans Billfish Invitational 2015. From the mighty Mississippi to the deep blue Gulf waters.The event was rescheduled due to weather and congrats to all the participants for pulling off the event in Louisiana style.

New Orleans Invitational Billfish Tournament 2015 from LandBros on Vimeo.

The New Orleans Big Game Fishing Club holds the 43rd Annual New Orleans Invitational Billfish Tournament in Port Eads, LA.
Tournament Results:
A total of 10 Blue Marlin and 2 White Marlin tagged by 29 boat fleet
First Place Boat: T-Time
Second Place Boat: Live Situation
Third Place Boat: Conundrum
Admiral’s Club Sponsors:
Louisiana CAT
Florida Marine Transport
LeBeouf Brothers Towing
Coastal Cargo Company
Song 1 is Big City Life by Mattafix (LEEX Remix).
Song 2 is music by bensound.com

43rd NEW ORLEANS INVITATIONAL BILLFISH TOURNAMENT

2015 AWARDS

The 43rd New Orleans Invitational Billfish Tournament was hosted at its historical Port Eads location on South Pass on the rescheduled August 19 – 23, 2015 dates. This “Invitational” is regarded as the tournament that put Gulf of Mexico big game fishing on the map and inspired the many offshore tournaments being held currently from Texas to Florida.

The 29-boat fleet from Texas to Alabama enjoyed excellent offshore Louisiana conditions, found a rip-line holding fish 57-miles south of South Pass, and tagged and released 10 Blue Marlin and 2 White Marlin. The weather was perfect and most boats elected to spend the night on the rip-line. Plaquemines Parish President, Amos Cormier, started the 43rd Invitational Billfish Tournament by shooting a flare from the clubhouse. The N.O. Big Game Fishing Club hosted the Billfish Foundation’s Michael Kelly, who discussed billfish conservation efforts with members and accepted a donation from the club to continue their good work.

The Good Samaritan Award went to Gino Rendeiro’s “Voodoo” for sacrificing their fish weigh in to assist another tournament boat with mechanical issues. The “Voodoo” exemplified the spirit of sportsmanship and the highest standard of the New Orleans Big Game Fishing Club. At the Sunday morning awards presentation, the “Voodoo” team received a standing ovation from the fleet.

A very special honorable mention goes to Tommy Westfeldt’s “Dagga Boy” for tagging two Blue Marlin. The seasoned crew of the “Dagga Boy” was leading the tournament at one point and would have finished as second place team along with other awards, but encountered mechanical issues when returning to Port Eads. They made it back to port safe, but late on Saturday night and unfortunately after the weigh station closed. Dagga Boy received a cheer from the clubhouse as they returned late and at the awards presentation.

The First Place team award went to Tony Simmons’ “T-Time” for tagging and releasing two Blue Marlin and one White Marlin. “T-Time” will represent the club at the Offshore World Championship in Costa Rica next April. Second Place team was Chris McClanahan’s “Live Situation” for tagging and releasing one Blue Marlin on time and the tournament’s first Blue Marlin. The Third Place team was Dan Haeuser’s “Conundrum” which tagged and released one Blue Marlin on time.
The Top Tag and Release Billfish Angler was Chris McClanahan on the “Live Situation” for tagging and releasing a Blue Marlin. Top Lady Angler was Maddie Giambelluca on the “Duke” for catching a 131# Yellow Fin Tuna. John Giardina on the “Conundrum” tagged and released a Blue Marlin and was our Second Place Angler. Third Place Angler went to Shane Stewart on the “Whoo Dat” for tagging and releasing one Blue Marlin.

Individual Awards

Judge Leander H. Perez Memorial Trophy (1st Place Billfish Tag & Release)
Chris McClanahan, “Live Situation” Tagged and Released one Blue Marlin – 500pts.

Second Place Angler Billfish Tag & Release
John Giardina, “Conundrum” Tagged and Released one Blue Marlin – 500pts.

Third Place Angler Billfish Tag & Release
Shane Stewart, “Whoo Dat” Tagged and Released one Blue Marlin – 500pts.

Top Overall Angler (Tag & release billfish and weighed points)
Walter Barnes, “T-Time” Tagged and Released one Blue Marlin and a Dolphin – 520pts.

2nd Place Overall Angler (Tag & release billfish and weighed points)
Chris McClanahan, “Live Situation” Tagged and Released one Blue Marlin on time – 500pts

3rd Place Overall Angler (Tag & release billfish and weighed points)
John Giardina, “Conundrum” Tagged and Released one Blue Marlin – 500pts.

Top Lady Angler
Maddie Giambelluca, “Duke” – Caught a 131# Yellow Fin Tuna

Blue Marlin Award
Chris McClanahan, “Live Situation” Tagged and Released one Blue Marlin on time – 500pts

White Marlin Tag and Release
Bennett Biever, “Miss Margaret”, one White Marlin Tagged and Released – 200pts on time

TEAM AWARDS
First Place Team “T-Time” Tagged and Released two Blue Marlin and one White Marlin – 1200pts.
Tony Simmons, Cameron Simmons, Billy Schoen, John Favret, Walter Barnes, Ken Reda

Second Place Team “Live Situation” Tagged and Released one Blue Marlin – 500pts on time.
Chris McClanahan, Richard Coatany, Tommy Carbo

Third Place Team “Conundrum” Tagged and Released one Blue Marlin – 500pts.
Jimmy Crochet, Tristan Armer, Derek Erickson, Kenneth Yarrow, John Giardina, Jason Yelverton, Mike Noling, Zac Mckinney.

INDIVIDUAL FISH AWARDS
Yellow fin Tuna:
1st Place – Maddie Giambelluca “Duke” 131 lbs.
2nd Place – Palmer Rinehart “Bluewater Cat” 46 lbs.
3rd Place – Courtney Crosby “Miss Margaret” 35 lbs
Wahoo No wahoo weighed

Dolphin
1st Place – Paul Colomb “Cay Sal” 38 lbs.
2nd Place – Ryan Easterling “Psyco Fin” 37 lbs.
3rd Place – Kenneth Yarrow “Conundrum” 33 lbs.

TOURNAMENT TOTALS

10 Blue Marlin Tagged and Released
2 White Marlin Tagged and Released
Optional Entry Calcutta Payouts
Conundrum – $30,780
Whoo Dat – $16,875
Duke – $7,200
Uptick – $5,850
Psyco Fin – $4,095

The New Orleans Invitational Billfish Tournament Committee would like to thank these wonderful sponsors for their support and commitment to the Club. Without these sponsors, our tournament could not have been successful and we are proud to have them in our fleet.

Coastal Cargo Company ~ LeBeouf Brothers Towing ~ Florida Marine Transport ~ Louisiana Cat

Boat Stuf/Yamaha ~ Cypress Cove Marina ~ Bayou Marine Electronics ~ Venice Marina ~

Schubert’s Marine ~ Offshore Suppliers ~ Viking Life-Saving Equipment ~ Hilton’s Real Time Navigator