2nd Annual Gamefish Grande Tournaments Are a Success
The 2nd annual Gamefish Grande Tournaments wrapped up June 13th in Havana, Cuba! The first of 2 tournaments took place at Marina Gaviota in Varadero, Cuba June 5th – 8th. Our host was the amazing Marina Gaviota, a 1200 slip marina on the Cuban peninsula. Tournament boats fished 3 days off the coast and released 2 blue marlin.
The first place honors went to team Seamaster, a 78’ Rybovich with owner Dan Devine fishing. The Seamaster released a blue marlin on day one to take home the top trophy. Second place went to Wayne Carmignani on the Hog Wild, a 52’ Viking. Wayne released a blue marlin on day three. The Hog Wild also released the largest dolphin of the tournament weighing 32.4 pounds.
Participants in the Varadero tournament were treated to gourmet meals at the Kike-Kcho Restaurant where they dined on fresh lobster, giant prawns and paella. The staff at Marina Gaviota extended amazing hospitality to our teams!
From Varadero the teams traveled to Havana June 10th – 13th. After checking into Marina Hemingway, the participants were treated to a Cuban dinner at El Laurel Restaurante. The fleet fished just offshore for 3 days and released 7 blue marlin, 1 white marlin and 5 sailfish. Team Hog Wild a 52’ Viking from Naples, FL placed first with 5 blue marlin, 1 white marlin and 3 sailfish released. William Ray, aboard his 43’ Ocean No Fly Zone, came in second releasing 2 blue marlin. Blue Heron finished up the leaderboard with a third place win releasing 2 sailfish.
Our hosts at Marina Hemingway were very accommodating and made us all feel welcome. The Cuban Fishing Federation was also present to help judge the releases.
The top teams at each tournament received custom designed trophies from tournament trophy sponsor King Sailfish Mounts.
Page 2
Thanks to sponsor Mantus Anchors, the official anchor of the Gamefish Grande; Mantus Anchors are multipurpose, high-performance, new generation boat anchors. Sponsor Cuba Travel Services provided the t-shirts for the anglers as well as arranging travel, tours and accommodations for the tournament guests. Zeidel & Co. supplied the hats for the tournament as well as custom printed burgees for each participating boat. Tournament sponsor RMK Merrill-Stevens awarded certificates to the winners of each tournament for a haul out, power wash, yard services and a Pettit paint voucher.
The Gamefish Grande is produced and managed by AIM Marine Group. For more information on the Gamefish Grande, please visit our website gamefishgrande.com and be sure to follow us on Facebook (Gamefish Grande). To contact the Gamefish Grande email: jdudas@aimmedia.