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On the Docks at the 2017 Quepos Billfish Cup, Costa Rica

Marina Pez Vela hosts the sixth annual tournament
2017 Quepos Billfish Cup
A marlin airs it out during the Quepos Billfish Cup. Courtesy Allison Wigley

Marina Pez Vela in Quepos, Costa Rica, welcomed some of the top teams from around Costa Rica and the U.S. for the 6th annual Quepos Billfish Cup. The sailfish bite was definitely hot, with many teams posting some incredible daily catch totals in the days leading up to this year’s tournament. The weather conditions were also near-perfect as well. The Quepos Billfish Cup is held the weekend before the Superbowl, which creates an incredibly exciting level of competition prior to the big game.

This year it was the team aboard Billfish emerging victorious. They led the first day but gave up the lead to Fish Tank on Day Two. However, they rebounded on Day Three with an incredible performance that included 15 sailfish and three marlin releases for the win. Matt Rabenstine from the Billfish team was the tournament’s top angler.

The Fish Tank team came on strong but settled for second place with their 39 sailfish releases in three days. Seventeen of those came on Day Two, where they were the top team. Laura Jessen was the event’s top lady angler. Wybulu was third with 25 sailfish releases in the tournament. The top junior angler was Sebastian Holmann from Showtime.

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Next year’s Quepos Billfish Cup will include the largest purse and prize money in tournament history, and event organizers are expecting the largest and most competitive fleet of boats in tournament history. Marina Pez Vela will also host the Offshore World Championship, slated for April 22 to 28, 2017.

2017 Quepos Billfish Cup
Marina Pez Vela has grown rapidly in the last few years. Courtesy Quepos Billfish Cup
2017 Quepos Billfish Cup
It wouldn’t be a billfish tournament without plenty of rum. The ladies at Flor de Caña kept everyone supplied with great drinks. Courtesy Quepos Billfish Cup
2017 Quepos Billfish Cup
Heading out into the calm Pacific in search of action on Day One. Courtesy Quepos Billfish Cup
2017 Quepos Billfish Cup
Fish Tank returns to Marina Pez Vela after winning the daily award on Day Two with 17 sailfish releases. Courtesy Quepos Billfish Cup
2017 Quepos Billfish Cup
This is now you keep a crowd of thirsty anglers happy! Courtesy Quepos Billfish Cup
2017 Quepos Billfish Cup
Tackle prep is always important in any tournament. Courtesy Quepos Billfish Cup
2017 Quepos Billfish Cup
Running against a beautiful backdrop of Manuel Antonio National Park, just outside Quepos, Costa Rica, on the final day of fishing. Courtesy Quepos Billfish Cup
2017 Quepos Billfish Cup
The Billfish team was first with an incredible finish on Day Three. Courtesy Quepos Billfish Cup
2017 Quepos Billfish Cup
Fish Tank landed in second place overall. Laura Jessen was the event’s top lady angler. Courtesy Quepos Billfish Cup
2017 Quepos Billfish Cup
In third place was Wybulu. Courtesy Quepos Billfish Cup
2017 Quepos Billfish Cup
Matt Rabenstine from Billfish was the top angler for this year’s Quepos Billfish Cup. Courtesy Quepos Billfish Cup
2017 Quepos Billfish Cup
Sebastian Holmann, fishing aboard Showtime, was the tournament’s top junior angler. Courtesy Quepos Billfish Cup
2017 Quepos Billfish Cup
Capt. Josh Ruskey accepts the top tagging award. Courtesy Quepos Billfish Cup
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