The Boat Harbour Championship, leg 2 of the 2016 Bahamas Billfish Championship, was held last week at Abaco Beach Resort. Winning team Uno Mas wasted no time in finding the fish and releasing a grand slam to earn them the $5000 Grand Slam bonus on day one!
The 69’ Bayliss Uno Mas started off the tournament releasing a blue marlin, 2 white marlin and a sailfish on day one. They went on to release a white marlin and a sailfish on day two and capped off the win releasing 3 blue marlin and a white marlin on day three. Sandrita, a 62’ Ocean, made the scoreboard all 3 days as well releasing a blue and a white on day one, a blue marlin on day two and 2 blue marlin the 3rd day. Angler Sandra Fish caught 2 of those blue marlin earning her the award for Top Lady Angler. BBC Series leader, the 40’ Cabo Bamboo, released 3 blues and 3 sailfish to give them the 3rd place win.

The $1 Million Dollar Marlin is still up for grabs! The BBC will issue the award to the angler that catches a blue marlin that breaks the current Bahamas record of 1119 pounds. All of the prior granders have been caught during BBC tournaments. Fishing is red hot in the Abacos right now with boats in the Boat Harbour Championship releasing 28 blue marlin, 24 white marlin and 10 sailfish. As we get further into the season the fish only get bigger!
So far this year’s BBC has been marked by good times both on the boats and at the tournament festivities. The opening night captains meeting and dinner was sponsored by AIG. Friday night’s cocktail party was sponsored by Abaco Cays Realty. The premiere episode of Anglers Journal TV was shown. Host and Executive Producer John Brownlee and his team were filming the fishing action this week for the upcoming season which airs July 3rd on Destination America.

Saturday night’s awards ceremony was held in the Anglers Restaurant at Abaco Beach Resort and sponsored by Angler Journal TV. Vetus Maxwell had the trophies custom designed just for the BBC winners. The first, second and third place trophies were made with an actual Vetus Windlass with a gold-plated billfish on it. Winners received not only trophies, but also Costa Sunglasses and a gift certificate from ROFF’s. The top captain and mate received beautiful trophies designed and made by Inside Design.
The $5000 Grand Slam Bonus check was presented to Brooks Smith, owner of the Uno Mas. The Top Lady Angler, Sandra Fish, was awarded a 14kt gold blue marlin designed by Abaco Gold in Marsh Harbour.

Tournament sponsors HUK Performance Fishing and Required Team Gear supplied the anglers with amazing sportswear with the BBC logo and artwork by the tournament artist Carey Chen. Along with the sportswear, visors, hats and buffs kept everyone looking their best!
A big thanks to the tournament’s major sponsors, which included: AIG, Costa, ZF Marine,
Vetus-Maxwell, Aqualuma, Roff’s, Starbrite, Huk Performance Fishing, Required Team Gear, Black Bart Lures, and Silver Airways, the official airline of the BBC. All of these brands worked in coordination to make sure the tournament had great resources and great parties.
Anglers are looking forward to the next leg of the series, which takes place in Marsh Harbour at the Abaco Beach Resort on June 1st – 4th, and promises to have tons of fish, lots of fierce competition, and a whole lot of fun!

Overall Championship leaders after the first 2 legs are: 3rd Place – Uno Mas with 4800 points. 2nd Place – Sandrita with 4900 points. 1st Place – Bamboo with 5200 points.

The Bahamas Billfish Championship is produced and managed by AIM Marine Group. For the very latest information, results, and overall standings, or to register for any of the remaining tournaments, visit our Web site at www.bahamasbillfish.com. Be sure to follow us on Facebook (Bahamas Billfish Championship) or on Twitter @Bahamasbillfish. You can also download the BBC app for your Android or Apple device. Search “Bahamas Billfish Championship” in the Play Store or App Store. To contact the Bahamas Billfish Championship call 954-761-7073 or email: jdudas@aimmedia.com.