International Billfish Tournament Club Náutico de San Juan, August 24, 2021”The International Billfish Tournament (IBT) ended with 66 releases and a triumph of First Class-Rocio boat from Arecibo, Puerto Rico, with four releases in this 54-foot Hatteras with captain Manuel Puchi Sanabria at the helm.
Capt. Sanabria received a sculpture of artist David Wirth as Best Captain, his name to be registered in the Capt. Mike Benitez Best Captain Perpetual Trophy, a Midea air conditioning unit courtesy of Airlogiz & Oldach Associates, a 50 TV and soundbar courtesy of MueblerÃas Berrios and a 70% VIP courtesy card from Maui Jim sunglasses.
Capt Sanabria also step up to receive the Best Crew award with his fellow team members and received a $1,000 check courtesy of Club Nautico de San Juan, and similar prices.
The second best crew with captain Alex Oben and three billfish releases on board Pasion, a 61-foot Viking yacht, had a $750.00 check, VIP cards from Maui Jim sunglasses, and a sound tower from Mueblerias Berrios.
The third best crew with capts Raul RodrÃguez and Ruendo Rosado (three marlin releases for Pink Lady) received a $500.00 check, VIP cards from Maui Jim sunglasses, and a sound tower.
Casellas said consistency prevailed on each of the three fishing days, with 21, 21 and 24 releases, respectively. It has been a tournament fought until the last moment, every day was a battle because there wasnt a clear-cut winner until the end, he said, referring to the seven battlewagons that released three billfish each, other 11 boats with two releases each and the lucky Arecibo-vessel that scored the fourth marlin of victory on the last fishing day.
For more information, check www.sanjuaninternational.com, look up San Juan IBT on Facebook, cnsj_ibt on Instagram or call 787-722-0177.