The Budget Marine and TTGFA Wahoo Blowout 2017 was held on Saturday 11thand 12th of March 2017 out of the Trinidad and Tobago Yacht Club, Bayshore.
The Tournament comprised of two days (2) of fishing with 66 anglers competing on 17 boats for cash and prizes (63Males, and 6 juniors). Hampered by rough waters experienced during the two day tournament, a total of only five fish were brought to scale including one Wahoo, three Dolphin and one Kingfish, a total of 112lbs, certainly not an ideal situation for the eager participants.
Team ‘Dilligaf’ with anglers Robert Auerbach and Geoffrey Pollard was awarded the Best boat and Heaviest Wahoo prize, with their catch of 37.25 lbs.
Heaviest Dolphin prize was awarded to Kent Lee on the Boat ‘Family III’ and heaviest Kingfish prize was awarded to William Carr on the ‘Boat Aquaholics’.
Treasurer of the TTGFA, Alan Sheppard thanked the title sponsor Budget Marine, along with other major sponsors, Carib Brewery and the Ministry of Sport for their continued support. The Assistant Director of Sport, Mr. Ronson Hackshaw, who attended the prize giving function, commended the anglers on their successes and commended the Association on once again maintaining a high standard of competition.
Although the weather seemed to be a major reason for the low amount of fish caught, a first in the history of this fishing tournament, there was much speculation about other reasons that may have played a role. Some mentioned higher temperature surface water, others mentioned there was little bait feed (flying fish, bonito, baby dolphin and/or baby tuna) in the water so the wahoo probably simply moved on. From a TTGFA perspective, they will look at scheduling next year’s tournament at a possibly more ‘productive’ and calmer time in terms of Mother Nature.
