IGFA Offshore World Championship May 8-13
IGFA Offshore World Championship
May 9, 2011
IGFA OFFHORE WORLD CHAMPIONHIP 2011
May 9th News Release: Fifty Nine teams headed for the fabled Cabo San Lucas marlin grounds hoping to have a successful first day of fishing in the 2011 IGFA Offshore World Championship.
The marina was buzzing with teams stepping aboard the boats at IGY Marina Cabo San Lucas. Anticipation was high as the marlin bite has been steady the past two weeks with many teams pre-fishing before the tournament.
The tournament fishing officially started with the Governor of Baja California Sur, Marcos Covarrubias, and the Mayor of Los Cabos, Antonio Agundez, shooting the flairs that signaled the Bimini start. This prompted a final total of fifty-nine teams from twenty five countries to race off to the fishing grounds. Guests of anglers, the Mexico Government, and the Navy Officials witnessed the beautiful site of Cabo's legendary charter fleet heading into the morning sunrise.
The bite started early with many teams finding striped marlin to cast live baits to. Others used lures to toll them up while some teams pulled dredges and teasers followed by ballyhoo. At the release check in table director Dan Jacobs inspected the tackle noting fish were caught using all techniques.
By the end of the day the fleet successfully caught, videoed, and released fifty-nine striped marlin, one sailfish, one blue marlin and one swordfish. Team Senegal leads all others with 1,000 points with five striped marlin releases for the family team of Eric, Jean Robin, and Carole Dubochet. Eric caught three of the marlin earning enough points to hold third place angler position.
Trailing close behind with 800-points is the 2008 IGFA Championship team from Florida led by Robert Collins Jr., the only angler to ever win the IGFA Offshore and IGFA Inshore World Championships. Robert's teammates including Richard Black, Kenneth Longaker, Scott Salley and Erik Akins are no strangers to the tournament winners circle giving this team a great chance to contend for the Championship rings.
Currently holding third with 800-points from four striped marlin releases is the VIII Desafio Mediterraneo team from Spain including Marc Casulleras, Arturo San Juan, Pedro Sierra and Omar Valles. The team spread the fishing wealth as each angler released one marlin for the day.
In the angler division Campeonato de Pesca Open angler Fernando Garcia from Brazil currently leads with 700 points anchored by a very impressive estimated 250-pound swordfish release and striped marlin release on the 30lb IGFA class Momoi line. This is the first swordfish ever caught in the tournament and a great angling achievement by Fernando.
The only blue marlin caught so far was by angler Robert Evans of Grenada representing the TTGFA Marlin Madness Game Fishing Tournament. The 500 points for the release puts Robert in the second place angler position.
In the game fish division Carl Cavossa on the Falmouth Offshore Grand Prix team currently has the largest dorado at 30-pounds. No tuna or wahoo were weighed in.
Angler's will clean up tonight and attend the IGFA silent action party. The tournament participants recognize the great wok done by the IGFA and are very generous in raising funds for their conservation and education programs.
Interested parties can keep up with the action by clicking on our live scorekeeper at www.IGFAOWC.com
All compliments of our many fine sponsors: Los Cabos Visitors Bureau, Baja California Sur, Costa Del Mar Sunglasses, Geoffrey Smith, Hotel Finisterra, Momoi Hi-Liner, Marlin, Salt Water Sportsman, Sport Fishing, Reactor Watches, Fin-Nor, Baja Brewing Company, Guy Harvey, IGY Marina, Hook & Tackle, King Sailfish, Marina Pez Vela, Transcabo, Vanmark, Accurate, IWS Scales, Eagle Claw, Minerva's Baja Tackle, Williamson Lures and VMC Hooks.
Thank you for being part of the IGFA Offshore World Championship series. We look forward to welcoming you in Cabo.
All the best,
Dan Jacobs
Contact Info: Dan Jacobs; dan.jacobs@bonniercorp.com ph: 407-571-4680; fax: 407-571-4681
Lynda Wilson; lynda.wilson@bonniercorp.com; ph: 407-571-4517, fax: 407-637-3531
