Many sports in the Cayman Islands are gearing up for another busy year in 2012. Among them is fishing.
In 2011 competitive angling saw a number of events that attracted local talent and produced big catches. Among those pleased with that activity is Cayman Islands Angling Club President Franklin Thompson.
“On the whole it went well,” Thompson said. “We had a number of large fish weighed, including a big 167 pound yellowfin tuna that could have been a record out in West Bay. There were a number of tournaments and they all went well. The awareness of Cayman as a fishing destination has been increased.
“This year a number of good tournaments are on the way with good cash prizes. We’re also expecting another TV show to be filmed here, this time by Sport Fishing Television to air on NBC Sports (different from George Poveromo’s crew) focusing on the Cayman Islands International Fishing Tournament in May.
“At the end of the day the goal is promoting Cayman fishing and attracting boats to come here and fish.”
Last year saw roughly eight major tournaments in the Barcadere Classic, Cayman Swordfish Challenge, Rooster Shootout, Brac Jackpot, Kirk Slam, the international fishing tournament, Family Ties junior angler event and the All-Tackle fishing competition. All featured fishing across the Cayman Islands for three major species in dolphin, wahoo and yellowfin tuna.
Bruce Bush started the year off with a 53 pound wahoo at the Barcadere event. He was aboard Howdy and earned $5,000. Oliver Dubock aboard Makaira 2 had a 22.4lb dolphin and Marlon Bodden of Outcast nabbed a 44lb tuna, earning both men $2,000 apiece. Thom Guyton of More Time earned $7,000 in the swordfish tournament thanks to catches of 62.2lbs and 51.6lbs.
The men of the Mustache Man walked away with roughly US$10,000 for dominating the Rooster Shootout. Captain Roger Wood, his 15-year-old son Johann Wood, Albert McLean, angler Robert Whorms and boat owner Danny Ebanks had the heaviest dolphin at 37.5lbs and the heaviest yellowfin tuna at 49.2lbs (Arlon Powery’s 52.9lb tuna was disputed and eventually disqualified).
Julian Lee, Shervie Moore and Kristofer Thompson of the High Maintenance crew earned some $6,000 in the Kirk Slam. They had a 56lb, one ounce dolphin and a total of four fish with a combined weight of 129.7lbs.
Nicholas Ebanks, along with Risky Business crew members Theon McCoy and Larue Nixon Senior, earned US$7,000 for nabbing a 95lb, 11oz tuna in the international tournament.
Charles ‘CJ’ Ebanks-Evans dominated the Family Ties event with a 25lb wahoo and three heavy tuna catches of 30.9lbs, 24.4lbs and 18.9lbs on board his father Charles Ebanks’ boat Patriot. Leon Dilbert, aboard Miss Nyah with Joel Francis, earned $3,000 for a 38.6lb wahoo and a 26.2lb dolphin in the All-Tackle tournament.
The 2012 fishing calendar sees its first competition in roughly two weeks. Thompson states the rest of the events will be announced from there.
“Our first tournament is the Barcadere Classic 21-22 January. Once we get through with that look out for more information about the other tournaments.”
For more information about Cayman fishing, log on to fishcayman.com
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