Team Inside Out, who came into the 25th annual Cayman Islands International Fishing Tournament with something to prove, regained bragging rights after coming up short in last month’s BK Big Fish tournament.
Inside Out took second place for the heaviest dolphin (mahi-mahi) category during last month’s tournament, behind team Rehab. However, Inside Out delivered the top three heaviest dolphins over the weekend of 28 April – 1 May.
“They beat us by two pounds and took first place; so, we had a point to prove, and I think we came and proved it,” Leon Dilbert, captain of Inside Out, told the Cayman Compass on 1 May, during the tournament’s final weigh-ins.
Dilbert, who has been angling for more than 18 years, caught the heaviest of the three dolphins for his team during the tournament, at 39.2 pounds.
Teammate Josh Bodden reeled in the second heaviest at 34 lbs, ahead of Reena Medina’s 33-pounder, which earned her the honour of top female angler for the tournament.
Dilbert said claiming all three podium places was no easy task. “It was rough,” he admitted.
“We travelled, probably overall, 250 miles up and down. Just today (1 May) alone, we made four trips to South Sound and back to East End. It’s been more difficult with the gas prices, but what can we do? We just have to adjust.”
The 25th annual tournament featured 162 anglers aboard 39 boats, including several overseas competitors.
“The tournament was another success this year,” Frank Thompson, president of the Cayman Islands Angling Club, said. “We were very pleased to see the return of our visiting anglers, primarily from North America, coming back to fish.”
One of the main attractions for anglers during the tournament was the conservation ‘catch and release’ initiative, where the team who catches the most billfish wins the Cayman National jackpot of over $70,000 in cash and prizes.
Team Scotch Bonnet took the honours by reeling in and releasing two blue marlins, which earned them the most points at 832.8.
“By winning this event, they have qualified to compete in the [2023 Offshore World Championships] in Costa Rica,” Thompson said.
He added, “Scotch Bonnet has represented the Cayman Islands at the Offshore World Championships before, and we are delighted to have them return next year.”
The heaviest wahoo went to Runnin Rough at 47.4 lbs and the heaviest yellowfin tuna was caught by team In God’s Hands, tipping the scale at 66.2 lbs.
Meanwhile, the heaviest eligible fish caught in the Sister Islands was a 36.4 lb wahoo, at the line of team Soul Rebel.
Thompson added that, with the borders now reopened, he is hoping for an even bigger and better Cayman Islands International Fishing Tournament in the future.
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