Day Two – 41st USVI Open/Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament
The marlin slept in late this morning, but woke up hungry and treated anglers to a hot afternoon bite on the second day of fishing in the USVI Open Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament (ABMT) or ‘Boy Scout Tournament’ so nicknamed for the event’s chief beneficiary. The 28-boat fleet spread across a 45-mile stretch of sea from the North Drop to off Anegada and collectively released 26 blue marlin. This combines for a total of 62 released marlin in the first two days of tournament fishing.
The team aboard, Wave Paver, a 61-foot Garlington, moved into first place with the release of one blue marlin today and five total for the tournament.
“We stayed on the Drop today,” says Jr. Davis, the Kissimmee, FL-based owner/angler of Wave Paver. “We had one fish fire up for a tug on the teaser around Noon, but it didn’t bite. Then it was around 4 p.m. when we finally released our one fish for the day.”
This one fish was just enough to power Wave Paver past the team on Casca Dura, an 80-foot Brazilian-based Merritt. Casca Dura anglers went fishless for the day and dropped to second place with four blue marlin releases for the tournament.
The team on the St. Thomas-based charter boat, Free Spool, a 58-foot Buddy Davis, added a blue marlin release today to tally up to four total, enough to secure a third place in the boat standings.
Marlin Prince, a 45-foot Viking and long-time member of the St. Thomas-based charter fleet, was one of six tournament boats to release their first blue marlin today.
“We stayed on the North Drop today because most of the fleet headed up to Anegada and we thought it would be really crowded up there,” says Fred Kopko,Marlin Prince’s owner/angler. “We ended up seeing three marlin, hooking up two and I released one.”
It’s a real family affair aboard Marlin Prince this year. Kopko was angling with his son, Thomas, while Capt. Eddie Morrison, employed his 15-year-old son, Travis, as mate.
_Blank Check _also took its place on the scoreboard today and did so in a big way – with three blue marlin releases.
“Yesterday, we were right next to boats that were catching fish and we didn’t catch any,” says Dan Doyle, Sr., owner/angler aboard the 77-foot Jarrett Bay. “Today, the boats around us weren’t catching and we were.”
In angler standings, Mike Brauser aboard Betsy is leading by releasing three blue marlin first. In second, also with three blue marlin releases is Scott Glasscock aboard Wave Paver, and Mike Callahan aboard Gulf Rascal is in third with three releases also.
The angling action continues Tuesday and concludes on Thursday.
The public can catch the spirit of the sport by walking the docks and watching the big rigs come in around 6:30 p.m. and counting the number of marlin release flags flying from the outriggers. Anglers in this conservation-oriented tournament have not killed a blue marlin since 1986. The more flags, the more marlin the boat released, and the winner is the one who releases the most blue marlin first. Commemorative tournament T-shirts, hats and more with original art will be on sale each night.
On Tuesday, starting at 7:00 p.m., enjoy Cheese Burgers in Paradise. The Boy Scouts invite visitors and locals alike to their cookout at Camp Wahoo, located under the AYH tents. Tickets are available as a donation to the V.I. Council, Boy Scout of America.
The ABMT’s Awards Ceremony takes place Thursday along with the naming of the 2013 USVI Open/Atlantic Blue Marlin Top Angler, who pockets a $10,000 cash prize.
Started by Chuck Senf back in 1972 – and nicknamed The Boy Scout Tournament since a portion of the proceeds have always benefited the VI Council of the Boy Scouts of America, one of Senf’s favorite charities – the ABMT has evolved into the competitive saltwater sports fishing events in the world. It’s one of legs of the prestigious Bermuda Triangle Series and Spanish Main Series.
The ABMT is fished under International Game Fishing Association (IGFA) rules, and is overseen by a professional Board of Captains and well-qualified observers. The ABMT benefits the V.I. Council, Boy Scouts of America.
For more information and tournament results, visit www.abmt.vi or visit the event’s Facebook page.
