10 marlin releases on final day swims Spanish team to the top of the IGFA Offshore World Championship
Team from
and fishing’s prestigious offshore championship title
By Pete Johnson, Johnson Communications, IGFA-PR counsel
CABO SAN LUCAS,
But their luck changed — even with a boat called the Bad Market — as the team bolted to the top with 10 releases on the fourth and final day to win the eighth annual world class competition in
Jose Gomez set the pace for the team from
Copa del Gobernador
In third place was the Caicos (Turks and Caicos) Classic Release Tournament team, with 3600 points. The team comprised of Bruno Ramos, Erick Soderbon, Frank Mallorca, Nelson Fonseca and Mike Moskowitz beat out
Despite not catching any marlin in the final round,
Both teams had 10 releases as did
Finishing eighth was Bermuda Anglers ILTT and ninth was
Finishing 10th was the Blake Bunk Memorial team from South Padre Island, Texas, USA with eight marlin for 2400 points. .
“With an amazing 10 fish finale for the winners this tournament was everything we hoped it would be,†said IGFA tournament director Mike Myatt. “The cream rose to the top and we are proud of the new champions.â€
The Marina Rubicon Marlin Cup 2006 team won engraved watches and trophies. Eighteen other prizes were presented to the three top male and female anglers, top three captains and top three places for the heaviest tuna, wahoo and dorado.
The top male and female angler honors went to Marcolind Mestre of
In the top boat standings for the captains Manuel Romero on the Bad Market from the
Pocoho Charter Fleet scored an amazing 5700 points for the four daily teams he guided.
David Lieras on the Picante from the Picante fleet was second with 3900 points and Benito Agundez on the Valerie from the Pisces Fleet was third with 3000.
Each catch-and-release of a marlin (blue, black and striped) or a swordfish equaled 300 points. The catches are scored and released alive at the boat in accordance with the IGFA tournament rules with all anglers using 30 lb. Momoi fishing line.
Teams also received “weight†points for tuna, wahoo or dorado caught per pound over 25 lbs. Local charities received the donations of all fish weighed at the Cabo docks.
The prestigious four-day tournament hosted what is believed to be the single largest contingent of international anglers and teams (30 countries represented) in a fishing competition. The
The IGFA OWC attracted many of the world’s best angling teams who won one of 132 IGFA sanctioned qualifying offshore events held in 40 countries across the globe during 2006.
Sponsors and partners for the IGFA Offshore World Championship are Secretaria de Turismo de Baja California Sur, Costa Del Mar, Hotel Finisterra, Momoi, Guy Harvey, Inc., Mold Craft Products, Picante Sport Fishing and Yacht Sales, Cabo Yachts, Outdoor Channel, K D & G Sea Life Masterpieces, Shimano, Hook & Tackle, Murray Products, AFTCO Bluewater, Bodo Muche, IWS Scales, King Sailfish Mounts, Stidd Systems, Corona and Modelo S.A. de C.V. Mexico, Trans Cabo Group, API Dock, Daiichi, Minerva’s Baja Tackle, Pisces Fleet Sportfishing and UltraJewels.
Founded in 1939 the IGFA is a not-for-profit organization committed to the conservation of game fish and promotion of responsible, ethical angling practices through science, education, rule making and record keeping. IGFA members are located in over 125 countries and territories. The IGFA welcomes visitors to its 60,000-square-foot interactive Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum in
For more information on the total daily scoring of the 62 teams please go to the IGFA web site at www.igfa.org.