Reeling and Dealing in 2017 Marlin Tournament

Reeling and Dealing in 2017 Marlin Tournament

The Trinidad and Tobago Game Fishing Association’s 37^th International “Marlin Madness” tournament that was held on April 4^th to 8^th 2017, at Pigeon Point, Tobago, was once again a huge success with The Ministry of Sport and the Tobago House of Assembly as the main sponsors of the tournament.

The winning team Reeling and Dealing, captained by Adrian De Silva and crew members Shane Ferreira, Christian Valdez, Peter Reid, Aaron Kirton, Michael Kirton, released eight billfish to win the top prize of best boat. The team goes on to represent Trinidad in the Offshore World Championship in Quepos, Costa Rica in 2018.

Team Blue Fever, captained by Travis Ali, placed second overall with Braveheart, captained by Brendan Bernard in third place.

At the prize-giving function, which was held at Crown Point Hotel, the advisor to the Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, Mr. Gavin Warwick congratulated the TTGFA for running a successful tournament for the last 37 years and spoke on the importance of Sport Tourism and how fishing can be instrumental in achieving that. She also thanked the many anglers who came from the US, Canada and Grenada to participate in the annual event.

Of the 89 anglers fishing on 18 boats, there were two female and two junior anglers. Between them all, they released thirty four Billfish, nine Blue Marlins and twenty five Sailfish. A total of 3,043 lbs. of fish were brought to the scale, include Dolphin, Wahoo and Yellow Fin Tuna. This year the scale was graced with over 2,800 pounds of Yellow fin Tuna, a count of 81 Tuna brought to the scale. The tournament Director noted that the last time this tournament had seen so many Tuna was back in 1992 where 9,200 pounds of Tuna were brought to the scale.

Andy Ramnanan, on board Knot 2 Shabby was named best overall angler and Isaiah Aleong on board Pair a Dice was named best Junior Angler.

At the prize-giving function, the Treasurer of the TTGFA, Alan Sheppard, complimented the teams for their outstanding performances.

Sheppard thanked the many sponsors including the Ministry of Sport, the Tobago House of Assembly, Carib Pilsner Beer, Malabar Farms, Reel Tackle & Seafood Ltd, Casfab Ltd, AB Delima & Co and Digicel.

PHOTO CAPTION: 2017 TTGFA “MARLIN MADNESS” WINNER, TEAM “REELING AND DEALING ” COLLECT THEIR PRIZES AT THE PRIZE GIVING FUNCTION AT CROWN POINT BEACH HOTEL