PUERTO RICO: San Juan International Billfish Tournament
Fishing aboard great
yachts with elite anglers and in a
unique ambiance only has one benchmark:
the International Billfish Tournament of
Club Náutico de San Juan, to be held
Sept. 23-30 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
This invitational & classy nautical
event attracts deep-sea fishing
experienced anglers and boats for a
week-long tournament, including 4
fishing days and wonderful parties.
Our Tournament
follows all IGFA conservation procedures,
including the tag and release format, 50
lb. Tournament Test Line, circle hooks,
among others. Around the world, the
International is recognized for the
abundance of blue marlin just 20 minutes
off the North coast of San Juan; its
fabulous and classy prizes; the most
exclusive visiting group of anglers from
the world; four days of extraordinary
fishing; and last but not least, the
excellence and hospitality of its people
that has set this world-class event
apart from the rest.
Since deep waters surround Puerto Rico,
it is highly possible to find a majestic
blue somewhere around the Island’s
shores, although high season is on July,
August and September, near full moon
periods. In fact, Puerto Rico has
achieved a worldwide place between the
game fishing connoisseurs. They
recognize the Island’s potential,
specially on the “Billfish Pass”, better
known a “Blue Marlin Alley”, a natural
geological trench about a mile and a
half off the North coast of San Juan,
and where at deeps of only 100 fathoms a
blue marlin can be caught. For the most
experienced anglers, Puerto Rico is a
paradise for blue marlin fishing because
when they talk about catching a big
specimen, it is one of the best choices.
Puerto Rico is one of the best options
for marlin of more than 500 pounds and
even for 1,000 granders. In August 2000,
a 1,086 lb. blue marlin was hooked in
130 lb. line by Roger Medlock from South
Carolina, off the coast of San Juan. Not
many ports in the world can offer this
ambitious dream. Furthermore, Puerto
Rico has been a leader on blue marlin
preservation and is the Caribbean
country that has contributed more with
these species research.
T&R Format
As leaders of marine conservation, the
International Billfish Tournament of
Club Náutico de San Juan was the first
institution, worldwide, to establish
today’s sports fishing standard: the tag
and release format for small Blue
Marlin, even before the United States of
America made it compulsory in 1988.
Since 2003 the International Billfish
Tournament is an All Release Tournament
Sunday, September 23
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Angler's Registration
6:00 p.m.
Tournament Boat Parade &
Cocktails
Monday, September 24
12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Late Registration
6:30 p.m.
Captains & Anglers' Meeting
Tuesday, September 25
6:00 p.m.
Flag Ceremony
Wednesday, September 26 -
1st Fishing Day
6:00 a.m.
Breakfast at the Club
7:00 a.m.
Anglers ready at docks
7:15 a.m.
Boats may depart
7:45 a.m.
San Juan - El Morro
Shoot-out (Official Start)
8:00 a.m.
Fishing begins for the day
5:00 p.m.
Fishing ends
5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Cocktails at the Club
7:30 p.m.
IGFA Auction & Cocktails
Thursday, September 27 - 2nd
Fishing Day
6:00 a.m.
Breakfast at the Club
7:00 a.m.
Anglers ready at docks
7:15 a.m.
Boats may depart
8:00 a.m.
Fishing begins for the day
5:00 p.m.
Fishing ends
7:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Tournament's Big Bash
Friday, September 28 -
FISHING DAY OFF
1:00 p.m.
Late Lunch at the Club (Salón
Rojo)
Saturday, September 29
- 3rd Fishing Day
6:00 a.m.
Breakfast at the Club
7:00 a.m.
Anglers ready at docks
7:15 a.m.
Boats may depart
8:00 a.m.
Fishing begins for the day
5:00 p.m.
Fishing ends
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Cocktails at the Club
Sunday, September 30 - 4th
Fishing Day
6:00 a.m.
Breakfast at the Club
7:00 a.m.
Anglers ready at docks
7:15 a.m.
Boats may depart
8:00 a.m.
Fishing begins for the day
4:00 p.m.
Fishing ends
7:00 p.m.
59th International Billfish
Tournament Awards Banquet
