Tournaments

Sights and Sounds from the 2016 Custom Shootout

Don't miss the fun on the docks and and the action on the fishing grounds

By Photos and Information Courtesy Debra Todd

Updated: May 13, 2016

The Custom Shootout 2016 had a record number of billfish, 176, caught this year.

2016 Custom Shootout, Abaco, Abaco Islands, Bahamas, The Abacos

Day One of the Custom Shootout brought attention and fanfare to the Bahamas, where teams worked around the dock to kick off one of the world’s most prestigious billfish tournaments. Courtesy Debra Todd

Captains, owners and sponsors happy to be back for another Custom Shootout tournament. Courtesy Debra Todd

Leah Baumwell of IGFA demonstrates SAT tagging. Courtesy Debra Todd

John Vance of Jim Smith Tournament Boats with his wife Robin at Day One of the Custom Shootout. Courtesy Debra Todd

Some of the sponsors at Day One. Courtesy Debra Todd

The Hit n Run crew with Roy Merritt. Courtesy Debra Todd

Matt from Costa and Mikey Latham from Latham Cams enjoying their work. Courtesy Debra Todd

Ben Haynes with Dometic Marine. Courtesy Debra Todd

Captain Danny Ford with owner Keith Beaty of *Sweet Thing *picking up their tournament swag. Courtesy Debra Todd

Captain Russell Sinclair with owner Jr. Davis from the Wave Paver. Courtesy Debra Todd

The Chaser team waiting for a bite on the first day of fishing. Courtesy Debra Todd

My Lynn backing down on a blue marlin. Courtesy Debra Todd

Big Deal showing off a colorful catch. Courtesy Debra Todd

Blank Check having a good time looking for a bite. Courtesy Debra Todd

Natasha Lloyd from Marlin magazine hangs out during Day Two. Courtesy Debra Todd

Two Cats show off their winning wahoo at 89.4 pounds. Courtesy Debra Todd

Owners Carl and Marlene Coppola enjoy the tournament with friends on their new 80-foot Donzi, Marlene Sea IV. Courtesy Debra Todd

Gladiator owner Roy Cronacher, middle, with his crew. Courtesy Debra Todd

The team on Ma Sheila back at the dock. Courtesy Debra Todd

Two Cats after a great first day of fishing. Courtesy Debra Todd

Goombay smashes are a big hit after a long day of fishing on the Sweet Thing. Courtesy Debra Todd

My Lynn releases a blue marlin. Courtesy Debra Todd

Merritt boat Reel Janie runs back to the docks. Courtesy Debra Todd

1958 Rybovich the Rhino exudes comfortable fishing. Courtesy Debra Todd

Two boats racing back to the docks for those Goombay Smashes. Courtesy Debra Todd

Ohana owner Ed Burr with Bobby Jacobsen from “Marlin Darlin” enjoying time with friends back at the dock. Courtesy Debra Todd

The Elite Fleet of the Custom Shootout 2016 on the water. Courtesy Debra Todd

The Bree team catches the tournament’s largest marlin, 128 inches, and successfully revives her after a long, tiring fight. She swims away much to the delight of the crew in the water and the crew in the air. Courtesy Debra Todd

As you can see, these tournaments take a lot out of you — even the onlookers. Courtesy Debra Todd

While the boys are out fishing, the girls are out playing. Courtesy Debra Todd

Coffee delivery to start the day of fishing. Courtesy Debra Todd

Team Bear Trap Courtesy Debra Todd

Team Two Cats with their lucky crab holding the flag. Courtesy Debra Todd

Team Lo Que Sea with their winning blue marlin flag. Courtesy Debra Todd

The last day of fishing and one of the last hookups: the Bree’s largest marlin called in a couple minutes before lines out. Courtesy Debra Todd

Rainmaker makes her way back to the dock. Courtesy Debra Todd

Horse Play won the Top Tag and Release award. Courtesy Debra Todd

Laura Russell was the Top Female winner for the 2016 Custom Shootout. Courtesy Debra Todd

Tony Huerta, of Lo-Que-Sea, was the Top Angler winner. Courtesy Debra Todd

Bree won the award for the Largest Marlin caught. Courtesy Debra Todd

Bear Trap won third place overall at the 2016 Custom Shootout. Courtesy Debra Todd

Two Cats won second place at the 2016 Custom Shootout. Courtesy Debra Todd

Lo-Que-Sea took home first place hardware from the 2016 Custom Shootout. Courtesy Debra Todd

More: Bahamas, Tournament news, Tournaments

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