The Cajun Canyons Billfish Classic, presented by H&E Equipment Services, has always been about the fishing, fun and camaraderie among the teams in the upper Gulf of Mexico. Sure, there is some serious cash to be won but unlike most other events in the prestigious Gulf Coast Triple Crown, the Classic is more informal. The teams really have a chance to enjoy themselves.
Case in point: When the tournament kickoff party is catered by the world-famous Acme Oyster House, you know a good time is in store.
The following day the fleet of 46 participating boats departed after receiving the tournament’s traditional blessing of the fleet from Father Gerry Stapleton from St. Patrick’s Cathedral of Port Sulphur, Louisiana. The wide-open waters of the Gulf beckoned, as the fleet spread out from the nearby rigs to the distant Green Canyon in search of productive water.
The first team to weigh in a blue marlin was Reel Addiction, a 56-foot Viking owned by Rocky Jones. His 111-inch blue marlin weighed 545 pounds for angler Tyler Massey to take the lead. Meanwhile, several other boats were calling in blue marlin releases, including Dennis Pastentine’s Relentless Pursuit with three blues and other boats with two each.
The final day’s weigh-in was highlighted by Wynsong, owned by Will Wilson and captained by Allen Staples. They arrived at Cypress Cove Marina with a 699.3-pound blue marlin that held on as the largest blue marlin of the event. Reel Addiction slid to second and A Work of Art, a 92 Viking owned by Art Favre and skippered by Capt. Ronnie Woodruff, landed in third with a blue marlin weighing 521.3 pounds.
In the tournament’s release division, Relentless Pursuit was first with three blue marlin, followed by Wynsong, also with three blues, and Chasin’ Tail with two. The Bob Potter Memorial Award for top billfish boat went to the team on Wynsong, along with an invitation to compete in the Offshore World Championship in 2019. Done Deal‘s Katie Gonsoulin was the top lady angler and Ryan Cooper was the top junior angler on Triple C.
