The Tribune

THE opening leg of the 2016 Bahamas Billfish Championship (BBC) in Guana Cay last week was won by Bamboo, a 40ft Cabo owned by Bill Canida, which released fish on each of the three days of the contest.

Bamboo started off the tournament releasing a Blue Marlin on day one and went on to release two White Marlin and capped off the win releasing two Blue Marlin and a Sailfish on the last day.

Wave Paver, a 61ft Garlington owned by Jr Davis and captained by Russell Sinclair, also made the scoreboard on all three days with a Blue Marlin on day one, a White Marlin on day two and a white and a blue on the final day to finish second.

The 62’ Ocean Sandrita, owned by Kevin Fish and captained by Kyle Sherman, took third place, releasing two blues and a white.

The BBC have made changes this year to the points structure. Blue Marlin remain 600 points per release, White Marlin are now 100 points and Sailfish are 50 points.

Also new this year is the $5,000 Grand Slam Bonus, which will be awarded to the first boat in each leg to catch a Blue Marlin, White Marlin and Sailfish in one day.

The $1 Million Dollar Marlin is also on offer this year to the angler who catches a Blue Marlin that breaks the current Bahamas record of 1,119 pounds.

All of the prior ‘granders’ have been caught during BBC tournaments.

Many boats saw big fish last week at Guana Cay and hopes are high for the next leg of the series in Marsh Harbour at the Abaco Beach Resort on May 18 to 21.

Some notable parties and dinners in Guana Cay included an opening night captains’ meeting and dinner at the infamous Grabbers Bar & Grill, sponsored by AIG; a pig roast at Nippers, sponsored by Vetus Maxwell; and a closing-night awards dinner at Sunsetters restaurant at Orchid Bay Marina sponsored by Anglers Journal Television, which begins airing in July and will be filming the Marsh Harbour leg.

For information, results and overall standings, or to register for tournaments, visit www.bahamasbillfish.com, follow on Facebook (Bahamas Billfish Championship) or on Twitter @Bahamasbillfish.