Caicos Classic 2009: Big Fish, Big Fun

[Jer]

With an exceptionally slow start the 14th Annual Caicos Classic Release Tournament delivered another close finish with eight boats and ten Blue Marlin, plus three White Marlin releases, recently near Turtle Cove at Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. Captains and observers reported many pulled hooks and missed fish in the spread during the four day event.

Day One proved to be a quiet day for most of the fleet except for D.A. Sea, skippered by Rob Valco who had pulled hook on three Blue Marlin before noon. They finally got their act together and released a blue at 4:12 pm, just minutes before the deadline for lines out. Lady Tamara released a White a few minutes later. The daily went to D.A. Sea.

Day Two picked up a little as No Excuse, skippered by Tony DeMoya released a White Marlin at 9:09 am. Trouble Maker a strong contender in past tournaments released a Blue at 9:34 am. Not to be out done was last year's winner Chucke II, releasing their first Blue at 10 am. Trouble Maker was awarded the daily on time of release.

Day Three heated up as lead boat D.A. Sea released a White early morning and a Blue in the afternoon to further extend their lead. Chucke II and Trouble Maker both released blues, moving Trouble Maker into second place on release time. Long Distance also got on the board with there first Blue. D.A. Sea went on to take the daily.

Day Four was a very quiet day for releases but not on missed fish. Panoply got their first Blue Marlin release after missing a double hitter and another Blue in the spread on the release. As Panoply was not in the daily contest the daily rolled over to D.A. Sea with the most release points.

As always, Classic contestants enjoyed the adventure and excitement of billfishing the Turks And Caicos in mid-summer, the camaraderie of world-class anglers in action and the tropical setting of a little piece of paradise known as Turtle Cove Marina.

In May, 2010, the winning team from D.A. Sea will be representing the Turks and Caicos in the worlds largest offshore tournament, the IGFA Offshore World Championship, competing against more than 65 other countries. The captain and crew of D.A. Sea are John Conrad, Chris Gonell, Rob Valco, Valerie Dunn and Ed Dunn.

Tournament Director Art Pickering passed out trophies to all the winners with congratulations for all tourmanent sponsors while announcing the dates for next year's Caicos Classic tournament which will take place June 19-24, 2010.

For more information about the annual Caicos Classic Release Tournament in the Turks And Caicos Islands, visit the web site: http://www.caicosclassic.com or call Art Pickering 649-231-0278

[HawaiianMarlin]

Thank you very much for the report. Headed down there on the 5th of Aug. Hope the fishing is great in Aug. Will be about a 5 day run from S Fl.