InTheBite

ZF Offers Free Repower Seminar at Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show

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Repower banner for Ft Lauderdale Boat Show

If you’ll be at FLIBS 2019, October 30 to November 3, and you know that it’s the right time to be Rethinking about your Repower, then sign up for our seminar “Everything you wanted to know about a repower but we’re afraid to ask.”

These one-hour seminars, held at the ZF Booth at Bahia Mar Land #1042 on Friday 11/1 and Saturday 11/2, will be presented by Steve D’Antonio, a consultant in the marine industry for over 10 years. The one hour will consist of his 45-minute presentation on the repower process, and then a 15-minute Q&A session.
Please register for one of the times listed below.

  • Friday, November 1, 11am-noon
  • Friday, November 1, 2pm-3pm
  • Saturday, November 2, 11am-noon
  • Saturday, November 2, 2pm-3pm

To Sign Up Follow This Link

BUBBA™ Releases New Fall Fishing Apparel Line

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Leaders in premium angling equipment announce new UV-protective apparel line

(Columbia, MO) October 1, 2019 – BUBBA™, a fishing lifestyle brand known for its high-quality angling equipment designed by fishermen, for fishermen, is excited to announce the debut of its first ever premium athleisure fishing apparel line.

The new BUBBA apparel line is composed of both Men’s and Women’s short-sleeve, long-sleeve and hooded long-sleeve UV-protective tops, as well as durable, lightweight UV-protective shorts that feature angling-specific design details like built-in plier pockets and abrasion resistant fabric in critical areas. The mid-weight tops are made with an ultra-soft material derived from Bamboo that is known for its moisture-wicking and anti-microbial properties, as well as its extremely soft next-to-skin feeling.

BUBBA Bahura™ Short Sleeve | MSRP: $39.99

The Bahura™ Short Sleeve Tee is geared toward ultimate performance for the everyday angler. Made with an incredibly soft, odor-resistant material, this piece can be worn straight off the boat and into the bar after a long successful day out on the water.

BUBBA Bahura™ Long Sleeve | MSRP: $49.99 (Men’s)/$44.99 (Women’s)

The Men’s and Women’s Bahura™ Long Sleeve is made to combat the cool ocean breeze. Constructed with solar shade UV protection and moisture-wicking material derived from Bamboo, the Bahura Long Sleeve regulates moisture and body temperature perfectly. This technical piece will help you stay cool, comfortable and protected while on the water, yet features a lifestyle aesthetic perfect for going from boat to bar.

BUBBA Bahura™ Hoody | MSRP: $69.99 (Men’s)/$59.99 (Women’s)

The Bahura™ Hoody features the same ultra-soft next to skin feeling and technical properties as its non-hooded counterparts but offers a bit more protection from the sun. The entire shirt, including the hood, is made of UPF 50+ fabric, protecting often exposed areas like the neck and head from harmful UV rays.

BUBBA Men’s/Women’s Koralli™ Shorts | MSRP: $79.99 (Men’s)/$69.99 (Women’s)

The BUBBA Koralli™ Activewear Hybrid shorts are made with a pocket designed specifically for your fishing pliers, as well as a lanyard-friendly D-ring for easy access and security. These shorts are extremely durable yet sport a soft and lightweight feel.

“With this being our first venture into fishing apparel, we set out to develop a clothing line that fully captures the ‘Water to Plate’ mentality of our brand,” says Josh Neville, brand manager at BUBBA. “While this apparel line is built with advanced performance materials capable of taking on harsh weather conditions, these pieces are designed to be worn anywhere and everywhere, from boat to bar, or in other words, from water to plate. Our design team has created feature-rich technical pieces that translate perfectly into casual clothing for all aspects of the adventure angler’s lifestyle.”

BUBBA apparel will be available to consumers nationwide beginning October 1st via www.bubbablade.com.

For more information about BUBBA, please visit www.bubbablade.com.

National Marine Electronics Association Names 2019 Award Winners at Annual Conference & Expo

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  •  NMEA Product of Excellence Awards presented in 16 categories
  •  NMEA Best New Product Award goes to Vesper Marine Cortex
  •  NMEA Technology Award goes to Raymarine/FLIR ClearCruise AR
  • NMEA Manufacturer of the Year goes to Garmin

SEVERNA PARK, MD-Manufacturers scored big at the 2019 NMEA/RTCM Marine Electronics Conference & Expo, held last week at the Renaissance Hotel in Portsmouth, Virginia. A total of 18 products received top-dog honors in three separate award competitions-NMEA Product of Excellence Awards and Manufacturer of the Year (voted on by the NMEA membership), the NMEA Technology Award, and new this year-the Best New Product Award for manufacturers who introduced new products for the first time at the NMEA/RTCM Conference.

“On behalf of the NMEA Board of Directors, staff, and membership body, we congratulate all 2019 award winners,” said Mark Reedenauer, NMEA President & Executive Director. “The entrant count for the Best New Product Award exceeded our expectations, which sends the message that there is extreme value for manufacturers to introduce new products at the NMEA Conference, where only the trade can view these new innovations. We will continue to improve the awards for 2020 by adding categories as the industry evolves and we get feedback from the membership.”

2019 Product of Excellence Awards

NMEA members selected the winners of the annual Product of Excellence Awards through an online voting process. Awards were given in 16 categories. Here are the 2019 recipients.

  • Marine VHF-ICOM M605
  • Satellite TV Antenna-KVH TracVision TV3
  • Radar-Furuno DRS4DNXT
  • Fishfinder-Furuno DFF3D Multi-Beam 3D
  • Satellite Comm. Antenna-KVH TracPhone V3HTS
  • Marine Camera-FLIR M400XR
  • Multi-Function Display-Garmin GPSMAP 8616xsv
  • AIS-Furuno FA170 Class A
  • Multimedia Entertainment-Fusion Apollo RA770
  • Autopilot-Garmin Reactor 40 with SmartPump v2
  • NMEA 2000 Sensor-Furuno SC33 Satellite Compass
  • Remote Monitoring-GOST Apparition SM GPS XVR
  • Marine PC Software-Nobeltec TZ Professional
  • WiFi/Cellular Device-KVH TracPhone LTE-1
  • Marine Apps-Utility-Garmin ActiveCaptain
  • Commercial-Furuno FAR2228BB IMO Radar

Manufacturer of the Year Award

NMEA members also voted on a particular manufacturer who had demonstrated superior support of their products to all who install and service them in the field. NMEA and the membership congratulate Garmin on winning this award.

Best New Product Award

The combined NMEA/RTCM event which a panel of five judges deemed best in the areas of innovation, benefit to boaters, practicality and value. Twelve new products were entered in the competition.

Taking top honors was Vesper Marine’s Cortex, the world’s first marine VHF with wireless touchscreen handsets, built-in Class B smart AIS transponder and remote vessel monitoring. Pressing the man overboard button (MOB) activates a track-back mode and marks the MOB location on the multi-function display. Cortex sports a host of other functions as well, including anchor dragging alert and collision alarm.

NMEA Technology Award

The NMEA Technology Award names a single marine electronics product that scores highest in the same four criteria categories that were used for the Best New Product Award. The judges chose Raymarine/FLIR’s ClearCruise AR as the winner from among 11 entries.

“ClearCruise AR is an industry-first technology that combines augmented reality and advanced image stabilization to help boaters make smarter and faster navigation decisions by placing visual overlays of nav aids, AIS traffic and destination waypoints on Raymarine Axiom multi-function displays,” the judges said. “The overlays identify nearby AIS-equipped vessels with color-coding to warn of traffic that could pose threats. At the heart of the system is a blending of high-definition digital or thermal video from networked Raymarine or FLIR marine cameras and dynamic graphics.”

Judges this year for both the Technology and New Product Awards included marine electronics specialists Kevin Boughton of Mid-Coast Marine Electronics, Aaron Held of Octopus Yachts and Mark Roche of QCS Marine Electronics, along with veteran marine writer/editor Lenny Rudow and Marine Electronics Journal editor Jim Fullilove.

NMEA congratulates all 2019 winners and looks forward to an even better awards program in 2020.

About the NMEA

Founded in 1957, the NMEA has led the way in establishing technical standards for data exchange in marine electronics, with the widely accepted NMEA 0183 data protocol, NMEA 2000® and certification standards for marine electronics technicians. NMEA standards and programs focus on ensuring that the boating consumer is provided with reliable products and professional service. For more information, visit the NMEA website at www.NMEA.org or call (410) 975-9425.

nmea award winners at banquet

A Message from the Bahamas Blue Marlin Cup

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The following message is from Mr. Gerard Brutus, tournament director of the Bahamas Blue Marlin Cup and resident of the Abacos.

As you all know earlier this month our beautiful home here in Abaco was almost entirely destroyed from the devastation of Hurricane Dorian. The devastation is worse than even being reported on the news!

Since the storm has hit, we have gotten many people asking us either in comments or directly messaging us, both if we are still intending to hold the tournament next May, and also asking for information about trustworthy charities to send aid to the people of the Bahamas, in particular those of us from Abaco.

As to the Blue Marlin Cup Tournament, YES, we are still on for next May. The tournament allows fisherman to fish the entirety of the Bahamas with six weigh stations throughout the islands.

For the best place, in our opinion, to send aid to we recommend Austin Serving Abaco, they can be found here: www.austinservingabaco.org.

Austin Serving Abaco, ASA, is a registered 501(c)3 founded to assist Haitian immigrants and native Bahamians in need, with a focus on helping children receive an education, assisting them in meeting their basic needs, and creating an atmosphere of hope and encouragement. We invite you to make a difference in the lives of these children! They are currently on the ground making a huge difference to those suffering from this storm.

Concerning the tournament, we will be donating 10% of all registration fees to Austin Serving Abaco! For more information about the tournament, please visit www.bahamasbluemarlincup.com.

Airmar Announces New Wide Beam Chirp-Ready Transducer Aimed For Freshwater and Inshore Anglers

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TM165HW Enhances Performance of Today’s Leading Fishfinders

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  MILFORD, NH. (August 2, 2019) – AIRMAR® Technology Corporation, a world leader in ultrasonic sonar and Chirp technology, is pleased to announce the TM165HW, a 600 watt, Chirp-ready transducer in an easy-to-upgrade transom mount housing. “Anglers in the freshwater market have asked us for a high performance, 600 watt, transom mount Chirp option as an alternative to conventional 600 watt transducers,” stated Jennifer Matsis, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “The TM165HW provides anglers with better ability to find bass and crappie in structure and more sensitivity to detect bottom hugging walleye on soft bottom. Anglers, overall can expect more detailed returns of fish and baitfish targets over a greater area under their boat” Matsis added.

The TM165HW delivers an ideal combination of power, sensitivity and coverage for bass, walleye, and inshore anglers looking to enhance their fishfinder’s performance.  Traditionally, high frequency transducers provide the best resolution, but normally have a narrow beamwidth that limits the viewable area under the boat. The patent-pending, ceramic design enables the TM165HW to deliver an average beamwidth of 30° across the entire high frequency band of 150-250 kHz. The results are three times the total coverage and more fish revealed in a wider area under the boat than is possible with traditional non-Chirp transducers. In addition to providing vast bottom coverage, the wide beam enables excellent fish detection in the upper water column, an area missed by most narrow beam transducers. Airmar’s expanding series of wide beam transducers deliver large, crisp return images on the display with a noise-free, clear picture of the action below. The TM165HW is perfect for fishing boats up to 25 feet (8 meters).

The TM165HW is initially available with an Airmar Mix & Match cable that easily pairs with all major fishfinder brands when connected with the appropriate adapter.  At this point, the sonar unit connected to the TM165HW may need to be manually set to High Chirp at power up.  With manual setup, the TM165HW is compatible with with Lowrance HDS Live/ HDS Carbon, Humminbird Helix, Raymarine Axiom Pro and Simrad EVO 3 sonar units.  All Sonar manufacturers will have future releases of software which will recognize Transducer ID™ in the TM165HW and will automatically set to the correct parameters.

Dealers can order the TM165HW by contacting Gemeco Marine Accessories or AIRMAR EMEA.   MSRP for the new TM165HW is $499.00.

Marine Industry Veteran Joe Schwab Joins BlueWater Chairs

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BlueWater Chairs Adding Marine Industry Veteran
 
(Fort Lauderdale, Florida, July 2019) Tom Ackel, founder and CEO of BlueWater Chairs, proudly announced that well known marine industry veteran Joe Schwab has joined BlueWater as President. 
 
Joe will be responsible for continuing and expanding BlueWater’s growth and success as one of the largest and longest operating U.S. based manufacturers of fighting chairs, rocket launchers, helm seats and custom high-end furniture for fishing, cruising and mega yachts. “Joe’s extraordinary career and emphasis on customer service excellence is a perfect fit for BlueWater” said Tom. 
 
“I have known Tom for over 25 years and have watched him build BlueWater’s reputation for well designed, high-quality, customer focused custom teak chairs and furniture. I’m excited to lead the company in its next phase of growth,” said Joe.
 
Joe previously spent 28 years with Viking Yachts in New Gretna, NJ where he held various positions and most recently Vice President of Sales. “I am eager to continue the relationships with all of my clients and look forward to meeting many new customers. I understand the needs, desires and expectations of yachting and sportfishing owners and crew when it comes to the product. Equally important, I also recognize the level of service that must be provided once the product is delivered. This insight coupled with my OEM and diverse manufacturing experience will allow me and BlueWater to equally service clients and address the day-to-day operations of the BlueWater team,” said Joe.
 
Spending his youth fishing and boating in Cape May, NJ, Joe graduated from LaSalle University in Philadelphia with a degree in Finance. After graduation, he started his career with Viking Yachts. During his time there, various roles and responsibilities provided him exposure to all aspects of sales, marketing, engineering, manufacturing and service. 
 
“I am grateful for the privilege of working at Viking with the Healey family for that many years, I truly understand the importance of delivering the finest possible product and value along with standing behind it with service that is second to none. This comes from an unwavering dedication to the product and people that starts with the owners and is carried through the management and every employee,” said Joe. “Tom and the entire team at BlueWater Chairs reflect this philosophy and I look forward to working with everyone to realize BlueWater’s future growth.” 
 
Tom and the BlueWater Chairs’ family has been building the industry’s finest wood products and marine accessories for over 30 years. Located in Fort Lauderdale on the “Marina Mile,” BlueWater is the go-to name when it comes to anything that involves helm and fighting chairs, wood tables, furniture and accessories in Florida and throughout the world. Visit them at bluewaterchairs.com or call (954) 522-4238.

Yacht Club of Stone Harbor 53rd Annual Marlin Tournament Held at Canyon Club Resort Marina

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The timing couldn’t be any better! As white marlin and blue marlin take up residence at the canyons off the mid-Atlantic coast, the Yacht Club of Stone Harbor is in the final stages of planning the Yacht Club of Stone Harbor Marlin Tournament. Hosted by Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May, New Jersey, this year marks the 53rd installment of this event making it one of the longest running billfish tournaments on the east coast. The Yacht Club of Stone Harbor has a rich history dating back to 1911 and this event is always popular with members, guests and tournament anglers alike each year. Various awards will be up for grabs including 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place Boat, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place Angler, Top Female Angler, Top Junior Angler (16 and under) as well as 1st and 2nd Heaviest Tuna and 1st and 2nd Heaviest Dolphin. 1st and 2nd Place Team Award will also be presented and teams will consist of up to four boats each that will be picked lottery-style at the Captain’s Meeting. The Warren Buckingham Memorial Trophy will be presented to the angler with the Most Outstanding Catch while the Walt Hendee Captain’s Award will be go to the 1st Place Boat captain. 

As noted earlier the beautiful Canyon Club Resort Marina in Cape May will host the tournament and also serve as the event’s designated weigh station. Those needing dockage for the event should contact Paul Hoffman at 609-884-0199 to reserve a slip. The tournament gets underway on Thursday, July 25 with a Captain’s Meeting and Cocktail Party from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Yacht Club of Stone Harbor located at 9001 Sunset Drive in Stone Harbor. Fishing days are Friday, July 26 and Saturday, July 27. Cocktails, music and dinner will be provided overlooking the infinity edge pool at Canyon Club Resort Marina after each fishing day. The Awards Banquet complete with cocktails, dinner and music is set for Sunday, July 28 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Yacht Club of Stone Harbor. 

All boats must sail and return through Cape May Inlet and may not pass the inlet’s sea buoy prior to 4 a.m. on each fishing day. Fishing hours are 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and daily catch reports with released billfish information as well as any tuna or dolphin to be weighed must be at Canyon Club Resort Marina by 9 p.m. on each fishing day. There is no limit to size of tackle, number of lines, teasers or anglers. There is no minimum weight for tuna or dolphin and all billfish including white marlin, blue marlin, sailfish and spearfish will earn 100 points per release. All point ties will be broken on time of catch. The 53rd Annual Marlin Tournament is a billfish release competition with all entrants considered good sportsmen and their fishing (catch) reports will be accepted in the sportsmanlike manner and honor in which the tournament is held. 

Whether you’re new to big game tournament fishing or a seasoned veteran, the Yacht Club of Stone Harbor 53rd Annual Marlin Tournament is a great opportunity to connect with new friends or renew old ones. With a modest entry fee of $2000 which includes admission to all events for tournament participants, this family-oriented event is a low-keyed fun tournament you’re sure to enjoy. Come join us for a few days of friendly fishing competition, camaraderie, hospitality and fun! 

For more information contact Jamie Diller at 609-827-0020 or Aaron Hoffman at 609-412-3778. 

New SiriusXM Marine Fish Mapping Available on Garmin GXM 54 Satellite Weather & Audio Receiver

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OLATHE, Kan./July 16, 2019/Garmin International, Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd., today announced that its latest satellite weather & audio receiver, the GXM 54, will support SiriusXM Fish Mapping, the most comprehensive SiriusXM Marine service package designed to help saltwater anglers locate fish faster, saving time and fuel.

In addition to essential weather information provided by SiriusXM, like radar, lightning, marine zone forecasts, wind and wave information, the new Fish Mapping service provides regularly updated, science-based data directly to a compatible Garmin multi-function display1, well beyond cellular range. Offering premium marine features like recommended areas to find specific game fish, weed lines, sea surface temperatures and front strength, sub surface sea temperatures, plankton concentration data, and more, the new Fish MappingTM service is ideal for all salt-water anglers who travel offshore – whether they spend a significant amount of time fishing in tournaments, taking clients on charter trips, or just fishing for fun.

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GEMECO Releases New NMEA 2000(R) Temperature Sensors

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SmartSeal® Prevents Shaft Seal Damage or Failure from Over-Temperature Conditions

Lake City, South Carolina, July 9, 2019 –

Gemeco is pleased to introduce a unique and innovative solution for early detection and prevention of shaft seal failures on recreational, commercial, and municipal vessels. New from Tides Marine, their SmartSeal® Temperature Sensors monitor the temperature of a boat’s shaft seals and triggers a series of alarms when the water temperature exceeds the normal operating temperature range. “SmartSeal is an inexpensive and easy solution that works with any brand of shaft seal and operates as a standalone system or communicates over an NMEA2000® network, or both,” stated Peter Braffitt, General Manager of Gemeco Marine Accessories. “The sensor’s ability to communicate early warnings of potentially costly or life-threatening failures provide peace of mind to both family and crew,” Braffitt added.

SmartSeal solid-state temperature sensors detect an increase in water temperature within the shaft seal and will cause a warning alarm to sound, providing the crew with advanced notice of a problem. Further temperature increases trigger a critical alert indicating that a seal failure will occur if not corrected. Designed for quick connection to Tides Marine’s SureSeal® products, this system also works with other manufacturers’ dripless shaft seals by simply changing the existing NPT water injection fittings.

The control unit has a built-in engine room air temperature sensor and includes an output for an optional remote siren or for connection to an onboard warning/alarm system. Available for single or dual-engine installations, the SmartSeal kit includes a bulkhead mount control unit and sensor cable(s). Remote units designed for mounting at helm or flybridge positions as well as various NMEA components are also available. SmartSeal main and remote units are IP66+ rated (waterproof for heavy spray and brief submersion) allowing units to be mounted in damp or wet locations. The panel mounted remote units are additionally O-ring sealed allowing use in locations that are exposed to rain or sea water (e.g. mounting on a flybridge). Installation guidelines and diagrams for NMEA and non-NMEA systems are available at www.gemeco.com/tidesmarine.

About Gemeco Marine Accessories
Gemeco Marine Accessories (GEMECO) is a wholesale distributor to thousands of marine electronics dealers throughout the USA and abroad. In addition to being the largest worldwide distributor of AIRMAR transducers, GEMECO offers products from over 150 manufacturers including NMEA 2000® networking components, radar mounts, antenna and GPS mounts, electrical and wiring accessories, hard-to-find and specialty marine connectors, as well as a broad range of installation and diagnostic tools. Located in Lake City, South Carolina, GEMECO has become a clearinghouse of marine products, technology and service. The company’s extensive inventory reflected in an expansive 700+ page catalog is available via same-day shipping, ensuring that GEMECO customers always have access to the products they need, and that orders arrive on time. www.gemeco.com

 

2019 Bermuda Billfish Blast Winner – Congratulations Team “Reel Steel”

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More than 200 anglers competing on 38 teams experienced three days of record fishing, releasing 91 blue marlin, 17 white marlin and a spearfish.

HAMILTON, Bermuda (July 8, 2019) – An army of fishing talent experienced flat-calm conditions offshore Bermuda for the 2019 Bermuda Billfish Blast. A total of 248 anglers on 42 boats fished hard for three days, July 4-6, competing for marlin releases and coveted qualifying blue marlin to weigh in. Three days of fishing produced 38 blue marlin and 10 white marlin releases during the event, with most blues ranging in the 200- to 400-pound class. After lines out on day three, Team Reel Steel totaled two blue and two white marlin releases to win the 2019 Bermuda Billfish Blast.

As the competition intensified each day, no one team was able to pull away from the pack. In fact, no team that won a Daily Marlin Release Jackpot finished in the overall top three. The blue marlin bite increased each day but wasn’t as spectacular as 2018. Day one recorded 10 releases, day two saw 12 releases, and day three logged 16 blue marlin releases. Blue marlin releases were worth 500 points, garnering all the attention, while species such as white marlin and spearfish scored 200 points.

DAY ONE, JULY 4

Team Bree, captained by Kyle Liane, jumped out to an early lead on day one of the Bermuda Billfish Blast. The team released two blue marlin (1,000 points) by anglers Karl Minzenberg and Randy Ringhaver. The two blues were enough to win both levels of the Daily Marlin Release Jackpot and control the leaderboard.

Team Waste Knot, captained by Michael Tickle, was close behind with 700 points from one blue and one white marlin. Angler Scott Poole caught and released both fish. Teams Freyja, Legacy, Flyer, Big Deal, Blank Check, Reel Addiction and Auspicious all had great days too, recording one blue marlin release. The leaderboard was tight after day one.

DAY TWO, JULY 5

Team Stacked Up, captained by Snick Akers, got in on the action in a big way during day two. The newcomers to the Bermuda Triple Crown landed a blue marlin and white marlin for 700 points to win both levels of the Daily Marlin Release Jackpot. Angler Mike Engelman was in the chair for both fish. Team Reel Steel, captained by Jason Parker, was close behind, landing a blue marlin and a white marlin. Although Reel Steel and Stacked Up both caught the same number of fish, for the same amount of points, tournament rules dictate whichever team caught their fish earlier breaks the tiebreaker.

After two days of fishing, Bree held the lead with two blue marlin releases (1,000 points). Teams Flyer and Legacy also had two blue marlin releases (1,000 points). Team Stacked Up and Reel Steel were behind the top three places with 900 points each. Just one white marlin release was the difference between the top five teams after two days of fishing. Also, after two days of fishing, no team landed a marlin to weigh for the Largest Marlin jackpots.

DAY THREE, JULY 6

On day three, two teams that blanked the first two days stole the show.

Team Uno Mas, captained by Brooks Smith, landed two blue marlin and a white marlin for 1,200 points on day three. Anglers Jeremy Cabillo and Drew MacDowell each caught a blue, with MacDowell also releasing a white marlin. Uno Mas’ second blue marlin made the team think twice about boating the fish. A lengthy fight and oversize head had the blue marlin close to the 500-pound mark. For their three releases, Uno Mas won both levels of the Daily Marlin Release Jackpot. The points they scored on day three had them just 200 points behind the eventual winners

Team Sea Angel, captained by BC Angel, hooked one fish all tournament — but that fish was a game changer. On day three, angler Austin Angel came tight on a blue marlin and fought the fish for less than 2 hours. When they got the fish boat side, the team made the right call to gaff the fish and boat it. Back at the weigh-in docks, the fish weighed 509 pounds, just 9 pounds heavier than the 500-pound qualifying weight.

The Bermuda Billfish Blast offers optional winner-take-all Largest Marlin jackpots at two levels. The team that catches the largest blue marlin over 500 pounds wins the entire jackpot if they enter levels one and two. In the past, if the Largest Marlin Jackpot wasn’t won on July 4, the jackpot money was awarded to the top three boats in the Overall Billfish Release Jackpot. Tournament rules changed in 2019 allowing teams to weigh-in qualifying blue marlin on days two and three if no fish were weighed the prior day. For their catch on day three, Sea Angel won both levels of the winner-take-all Largest Marlin Jackpot.

WINNERS 

Team Reel Steel, captained by Jason Parker, scored 1,400 points to win first-place team, totaling two blue marlin and two white marlin releases. The team of anglers consisted of Mike Verzaleno, Marc Verzaleno, Drake Cropper, Big Mike Verzaleno and Charles Coats. They also won the first-place Overall Release Points Jackpot. Total Winnings were $77,400 and an invitation to the 2020 Offshore World Championship. Other prizes included King Sailfish Mounts trophies, Maui Jim sunglasses, VanMark Jewelry Designers marlin pendants, a Yeti cooler, Steve Goione prints, Release Marine custom trophy, Soundview Millwork trophies, Big-T lures and Bacardi spirits.

Team Sea Angel, captained by BC Angel, landed a 509-pound blue marlin to win both levels of the winner-take-all Largest Marlin Jackpot. The team of anglers consisted of Nolan Raunswinter, Randy Estes, Andrea Angel, Greg Angel, Austin Angel and Tyler Lindorf. Total Winnings were $100,800.

Team Waste Knot, captained by Michael Tickle, scored 1,200 points to win second-place team, totaling one white marlin and two blue marlin releases. The team also won second-place Overall Release Points Jackpot. Waste Knot anglers included Scott Poole, Ven Poole, Chelsea Poole, Scott Poole, Jr, Thompson Brown and Chase Dalce. Total winnings were $45,180. Other prizes included King Sailfish Mounts trophies, Steve Goione print, Big T Lures, Soundview Millworks trophies, Maui Jim sunglasses and Bacardi spirits.

Team Auspicious, captained by Edward “Cookie” Murray, scored 1,200 points to win the third-place team, totaling one white marlin and two blue marlin releases. The team also won third-place Overall Release Points Jackpot. Team Auspicious consisted of Kevin Stafford, David Soares, Carl Copeland, Joseph Rahman, Mark Brochu, John Copeland and John Given. Total winnings were $25,920. Other prizes included King Sailfish Mounts trophies, Steve Goione print, Big T Lures, Soundview Millworks trophies, Maui Jim sunglasses and Bacardi spirits.

Team Bree, captained by Kyle Liane, scored 1,000 points on day one from two blue marlin to win both levels of the Day One Marlin Release Jackpot. Team Bree consisted of Colin Murphy, Ian Fletcher, Randy Ringhaver, Royal Hendrix, Karl Minzenberg and Shelley Minzenberg. Total winnings were $33,600. Other prizes included King Sailfish Mounts trophies, Steve Goione print, Big T Lures, and Maui Jim sunglasses.

Team Stacked Up, captained by Snick Akers, scored 700 points on day two from one white marlin and one blue marlin to win both levels of the Day Two Marlin Release Jackpot. Team Stacked Up consisted of Scott Miller, James Nantz, John Seitzer, Mike Engelman, Heather Serriani, and Lisa Serirani. Total winnings were $33,600. Other prizes included King Sailfish Mounts trophies, Steve Goione print, Big T Lures, and Maui Jim sunglasses.

Team Uno Mas, captained by Brooks Smith, scored 1,200 points on day three from one white marlin and two blue marlin to win both levels of the Day Three Marlin Release Jackpot. Team Uno Mas consisted of Maria Smith, Sean Gallagher, Drew MacDowell, David Mothershed, Jeremy Cabillo and Jeremy Quinos. Total winnings were $33,600. Other prizes included King Sailfish Mounts trophies, Steve Goione print, Big T Lures, and Maui Jim sunglasses.

TOP ANGLER AND JUNIOR ANGLER

Angler Marc Verzaleno, of Team Reel Steel, scored 1,400 points to win the top junior and top angler of the 2019 Bermuda Billfish Blast. Verzaleno’s 1,400 points came from two blue marlin and two white marlin releases. His prizes included King Sailfish Mounts trophies, Soundview Millworks trophies, Steve Goione print, Big T Lures and Maui Jim sunglasses.

TOP LADY ANGLER

Angler Laura Russell, of Team Hit N Run, scored 1,000 points from two blue marlin, to win the top lady angler of the 2019 Bermuda Triple Crown. Other prizes included King Sailfish Mounts trophies, Soundview Millworks trophies, VanMark Jewelry Designers earrings, Steve Goione print, Big T Lures and Bacardi Spirits.

The 2019 Bermuda Billfish Blast tournament, presented by the Bermuda Tourism Authority, culminated in a highly popular awards banquet dinner in the Harbourview Ballroom at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel. More than 350 people were in attendance. The tournament awarded $350,000, plus trophies and prizes. For more information, visit www.bermudatriplecrown.com.