The Tobago International Game Fishing Tournament (TIGFT) concluded its 13^th annual event on Sunday 09^th March, 2008. The Charlotteville based event hosted a total of 55 boats of which 31 boats participated in the International/IGFA Division and 24 boats in the Local Division. 

 

Over the 3 days of fishing, anglers released a total of 15 Blue Marlin, 10 Sailfish and 1 White Marlin. Also “Released” was a Long Bill Spearfish, a rare catch, by Angler Kent Costa of Team Mar Caribe. Unfortunately the Mar Caribe team mistook what would have been a Tobago Island Record Spearfish for a Blue Marlin and set the prize catch free.

 

Junior Angler Justin Amann of Team Hard Play landed the tournaments only Billfish, a 67.1 lb. Sailfish. The Largest Tuna weighed in at 56.7 lbs. and was caught by Angler Jonathan Dela Rosa of Team Gud Tyme. Angler Adam Clarke of Team Legacy from Barbados took home the prizes for the Largest Wahoo, 43.1 lbs. and the Largest Dolphin, 51.3 lbs.

 

The B-Class Mercedes Benz sponsored by Sterling Service Limited as the prize for the record breaking Blue Marlin went unclaimed as no Blue Marlin were brought to scale in the event. That is not to say that they are not out there; angler Chris Aqui of Team Abigail fought a large Blue Marlin which he unfortunately lost after a 4 hour battle. Team Workshop and Team Surf n Turf also reported large Blue Marlin lost. 

 

However, the prizes of Penn International Reel & Rods, Bodo Muche Trophies, Black Bart Lures, Yeti Coolers, and much more were presented to the many winners at the Awards Ceremony and Prize Giving Dinner on Sunday 9^th March, 2008. An exciting video of the 4 day event was shown to participants before the presentation of prizes took place. The Honourable Orville London, Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly, a major sponsor of the event presented the prizes to the Best Boat – Team Viking IV. Team B’ Boss took 2^nd Place and 3^rd Place went to Team Luhred Away. Best Male Angler was Goran Quardfordt, Best Female Angler was Sara Aleong of Team Barracuda and Best Junior Angler was claimed by Sean Mendonca of Team Indigo.

 

The use of Digital Cameras and Memory Cards for “Release” photos was implemented for the first time in the event. This afforded participating teams the guarantee of an eligible photo. Also, implemented this year was a Bimini Start on the first day of fishing and additional points for the use of Circle Hooks in an effort to promote conservation of the billfish species.

   

The TIGFT was the 2nd of the 6 tournaments of the newly founded Southern Caribbean Billfish Circuit (SCBC) which started in Grenada at the SIIBT tournament in January of 2008. Other events of the circuit are Barbados Game Fish Tournament, TTGFA Marlin Madness Tobago W.I., St. Lucia International Billfish Tournament and MBA Martinique Billfish Tournament. Teams will be judged on their 3 best performances of the 6 SCBC events. 

 

The TIGFT is known for its heavily contested fishing among teams as well as for the Lay Day fun and the “relax and let loose” Angler’s Party during the event. The Tournament Committee prides itself of hosting a well organized and exciting TIGFT adventure for participants and looks forward to an even bigger and more exciting event in 2009. The dates for next year’s event are 19^th-22^nd March, 2009.

 

Attached is the listing of all the results for this year’s event.

 

Tight Lines.

 

Capt. Gerard “Frothy” De Silva

President

TIGFT