InTheBite

New American Custom Yachts 68′ Mon Chari Wins Scrub Island BVI Tournament

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Mon Cheri is a sportfishing team from Louisiana

Overall Scrub Island Invitational Winner

Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina Announces Winners of

2019 Scrub Island Invitational

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS (Sept. 16, 2019) – Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina, a AAA Four Diamond resort in the British Virgin Islands, recently concluded the 2019 Scrub Island Invitational, a four-day fishing tournament sponsored by Lewis Marine Supply. With an impressive lineup of 21 boats competing for nearly $200,000 in prize money, participants enjoyed beautiful weather and unfettered access to the famous North Drop, known as the “honey spot” for world-record Blue Marlin fishing.

“This was a first-time tournament for the resort and I’m happy to say it was a huge success,” said Scott McArdle, general manager of Scrub Island Resort. “We had great support from the BVI Department of Conservation & Fisheries and tremendous feedback from participants. We’re already making plans to grow this experience and make next year’s tournament even bigger and better.”

The tournament’s First Place Boat was Mon Chari, owned by Damon Chouest, with Wave Paver (owner James Davis) and Uno Mas (owner Brooks Smith) taking second and third place respectively. The top three anglers were James Davis (Wave Paver), Damon Chouest (Mon Chari), and Maria Magalhaes (Uno Mas), who also won top female angler. More than $184,400 was distributed to the tournament winners and an additional $5,250 was raised through a live auction of original paintings by Carey Chen, with the proceeds split between the BVI Red Cross, H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, and the Caribbean Fishing Academy.

During the tournament, anglers and their families enjoyed the resort’s top-tier amenities, including Ixora Spa, world-class restaurants, two private beaches, a four-tiered pool with waterfalls, a 55-slip marina and more. Scrub Island’s Marina is the departure point for most of the water-oriented activities available at the resort. Yachts and watercraft of all sizes are available for group and private charters, from sightseeing to deep sea fishing. Here, visitors can explore the breathtaking sea life surrounding the island, in addition to the famous North Drop for the best Marlin fishing in the world.

For more information on Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina, call (877) 890-7444 or visit www.scrubisland.com.

Jichi Wins Scrub Island BVI Blue Marlin Tournament

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Team Jichi

Team Jichi

With many requests for a Custom Shootout like tournament from owners and Captains that fish the USVI and the BVI, Captain Skip Smith and Skip’s Tournaments responded with a blue marlin tournament event which took place at the gorgeous Scrub Island Resort and Marina in the BVI on August 13-17, 2016.

With typical trade winds blowing and a fleet that all had won tournaments before, it was not long before the boats started to call in their hookups as the blue marlin were chewing!

On day one, Captain Ray Walters along with angler CURT RICHARDSON and their new boat GRANDER released three blue marlin to take the lead and win the first daily of the tournament. MARLIN DARLIN along with HIT n RUN, AUSPICIOUS and INDIGO all released two blue marlin each to stay close to the leader. The 14-boat fleet racked up a total of 18 blue marlin releases on the first day of this inaugural tournament.

Going into the second day, the blue marlin had been found off Anegada and the rest of the fleet managed to take advantage of the teams who located them by converging the area and racking up the points. This good fortune was also realized by Captain GENE LEBRON and his team JICHI as they caught six blue marlin to take a commanding lead on day two. The NEVER SAY NEVER stayed close by catching three blue marlin and PREDATOR, COMMITTED and HIT n RUN all caught two blue marlin each to bring the day two’s total to 21 blue marlin for the 14 boat fleet.

The blue marlin continued to bite on day 3, as Captain JUAN CARLOS TORRUELLAS and team PREDATOR caught four blue marlin to win the day three daily. Team RUCKUS caught 3 blue marlin along with HIT n RUN, PRIME TIME and MARLIN DARLIN to fight it out for the close finish as they closed in on the leader JICHI.

At the end of the day, it was JICHI who held on to win 1st place and took home the Kent Ullberg sculpture and a check for $54,380. In 2nd place was HIT n RUN and they received a check for $36,000. 3rd place went to PREDATOR and their check was for $16,380. MARLIN DARLIN took home a check for $17,820 for a couple dailies and GRANDER won a daily for $16,380. Top angler was Luis Isaias from the JICHI who also received a Kent Ullberg sculpture. The top Lady Angler was Lisa Evans on the PRIME TIME. The PRIME TIME also weighed in a 58-pound wahoo to take home the largest wahoo award.

At the awards dinner, Captain Skip Smith thanked the sponsors by presenting them with plaques commemorating this first-ever event. The sponsors included, Scrub Island Resort & Marina, Otter Box, Yacht Center Brokerage, Diamond Fishing Products, Lindgren-Pittman, Shimano, XL Catlin Insurance, Don Q Rum, El Coqui Coffee, Costa and Smith-Merritt Insurance.

In all, over $162,000 was awarded in cash and prizes by the Scrub Island Blue Marlin Invitational, making this inaugural tournament one for the record books. At the end of the night, every boat said they would be back next year as SCRUB ISLAND RESORT was a great host and the blue marlin put on a great show as usual in these rich waters of the BVI.

For information on this and other Skip’s Tournaments, please visit www.skipstournaments.com.