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Anglers excited about 2011 Tobago Bill Fish
Bonanza
Next year’s international bill fish tournaments
in Tobago will be revolutionary for our twin
island state as the two major game fishing
associations, the Trinidad and Tobago Game
Fishing Association (TTGFA) and the Tobago
International Game Fishing Tournament (TIGFT)
will team up to host a week of fishing and fun
for the first time in their long history of
hosting these tournaments in the sister Isle.
In previous years the two tournaments used to
compete for the right time to host their
tournaments which relies heavily on the moon
phases and other factors that make it most
suitable for fishing to be successful in our
waters. The tournaments are usually held between
March and April every year.
The TTGFA’s tournament has been around for 30
years and the TIGFT celebrated their 15th
anniversary this year so both committees have
substantial experience in hosting their
respective tournaments and other events
surrounding their tournaments such as the lay
days and prize giving dinners.
The idea of having a one week Tobago bill fish
Bonanza came about as both associations saw the
need to give more value to their participants,
many of whom are foreigners. It also was an
opportunity to streamline the efforts of both
organizations to continue to place Tobago as a
premium destination for game fishing.
Tobago was recently featured in the
international news when two very large Blue
Marlins were caught in the TTGFA Marlin Madness
tournaments in 2008 and 2009. The headlines the
world over were splashed with the news of the
new IGFA male junior Atlantic Blue Marlin world
record catch of 890lbs caught by 15 year old,
Sean Mendonca on board “Indigo” in 2008 and the
825 lbs catch of Jovan Jango on “Reel Finatic”
the following year.
The Presidents of the two associations, Reginald
MacLean of the TTGFA and Captain Gerard “Frothy”
De Silva of the TIGFT both indicated that the
tournaments will continue to be IGFA Offshore
World Championship Qualifying Events. They also
reminded anglers that participants of each of
the two tournaments will also compete in the
Southern Caribbean Bill Fish Circuit. Also of
great interest will be special prizes for boats
and anglers entering both tournaments.
Participants entering both tournaments would
also enjoy a lower entrance fee.
The Tobago bill fish Bonanza 2011 schedule
of events will be as follows :
Saturday March 26th - Registration for both
tournaments - TTGFA Marlin Madness and TIGFT at
Pigeon Point.
Sunday March 27th - TTGFA 1st day fishing.
Monday March 28th - TTGFA 2nd day fishing and
Prize Giving.
Tuesday March 29th - TTGFA Lay Day.
Wednesday March 30th - TIGFT Registration at
Charlotteville
Thursday March 31st - TIGFT 1st day fishing.
Friday April 1st - TIGFT Lay Day.
Saturday April 2nd - 2nd day fishing and Prize
Giving.
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