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Game On
Blue-water anglers converge on Bermuda from around the Atlantic on a quest for blue marlin, as well as white marlin, sailfish, tuna, wahoo and dolphin — especially in July. “The Bermuda Big Game Classic has become one of the sport’s greatest tournament proving grounds,” says Dan Jacobs, who leads the team that organises Bermuda’s largest billfish event. (www.bermudabiggameclassic.com)
 In 2009, the 72-foot Merritt sportfishing yacht Bree, from St. Augustine, Fla., won the tournament and a record $312,166 in cash. Other goodies included an invitation to compete in the IGFA Offshore World Championship, plus King Sailfish Mounts trophies, Vanmark jewellery, Geoffrey Smith sculptures and Steve Goione prints. The well-known winners — Captain Bryce Garvey, owners Randy and Paula Ringhaver, and their team — also won a standing ovation at the awards ceremony.
Bree released three blue marlin on Day Two, and then boated a 558-pounder near Argus bank on Day Three to earn 2,058 points and the lion’s share of the jackpot. Off Piste finished second, with two blues released, two whites released, 1,400 points and cash winnings of $22,500. Attitude came in third, with one blue boated, one blue released, one white released, 1,216 points and $15,000.
Bermuda Triple Crown. Three events each July — the Bermuda Billfish Blast, Bermuda Big Game Classic, and Sea Horse Anglers Club Billfish Tournament — qualify participants for the Bermuda Triple Crown Billfish Championship (www.bermudatriplecrown.com). “The Bermuda Triple Crown billfish tournaments are among the most prestigious events in the Caribbean, and they attract big blue marlin,” says Charlie Levine, senior editor of Marlin magazine.
In 2009, the crew of Bree evaded a late charge by the crew of Wound Up to take top honours in the Triple Crown. With a big blue marlin onboard, Wound Up headed confidently to the docks on the final day of fishing. But even after weighing in at 590 pounds, the big blue was not enough, and Bree won the championship by just three points. Fifty-four teams competed in the Triple Crown for a total of $896,700 in cash and prizes.
2010 Tournaments
 Bermuda Billfish Blast. July 2–5, 2010. This first event is a fun open tournament designed to work in concert with the Blue Marlin World Cup, won by anglers fishing Bermudian waters in five out of the past seven years. Entry is $2,000 per team.
Bermuda Big Game Classic. July 7–11, 2010. The largest, most prestigious big-game tournament in Bermuda — centrepiece of the Triple Crown — celebrates its 10th anniversary. The biggest parties will swirl around this event, which provides fantastic gifts and an estimated purse of $500,000. Traditions include a boat parade, fleet blessings, Bacardi cocktail reception and gala awards banquet. Entry is $3,000 per team.
Sea Horse Anglers Club Billfish Tournament. July 14–18, 2010. This open event is the oldest Bermudian billfish tournament and the final leg of the Triple Crown. Entry is $2,000 per team. Several parties, both official and impromptu, swirl around each event. Entry fees cover up to six anglers onboard and include six passes to the kick-off parties, weigh-station bars and awards banquets. The Fairmont Hamilton Princess serves as host hotel and offers special rates for participants. (www.fairmont.com/Hamilton)
One related event held before the others is the Bermuda Billfish Release Cup, on June 26–28, 2010. This open tournament, designed to be fun for the whole family, launches from Royal Naval Dockyard, features a relaxed format, and provides cash and prizes. Entry is $1,000 per team, including six passes to the kick-off and award parties.
Relax, enjoy, save and see Bermuda by bus. A blue or pink pole indicates bus stops. If the pole is topped with blue, the bus travels from Hamilton; if the pole is topped pink, the route is toward Hamilton.
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