Blue Fever of Trinidad and Tobago captured the top spot in the normal class boats category of the Saint Lucia Billfish Tournament by mere seconds, edging Saint Lucia’s Par Tee Time after both boats finished on 4,800 points.
With the two teams locked on points, timing ultimately separated them, delivering a dramatic finish to this year’s tournament. Lucky Penny placed third with 4,500 points.
The nail-biting result capped a tournament that attracted a record 173 anglers, despite competitors battling difficult fishing conditions.
Ryan Devaux, President of the Saint Lucia Game Fishing Association, said seaweed posed a major challenge throughout the tournament, but boats still averaged approximately 3.5 billfish each.
“We’ve had a thrilling finish. We’ve had more anglers, more boats, it has been a bit of tough fishing, but we are pleased with this year’s outcome,” Devaux said at the prize-giving ceremony.
The margins were tight across several categories. The junior angler competition was separated by just 20 minutes, with Saint Lucians Rhys Barton and Adam Douboulay each finishing on 600 points and being recognised as Best Junior Anglers.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Ryan Agar captured the Best Male Angler title, while Barbados’ Kathryn Mitchell was named Best Female Angler.
Republic Bank Country Manager Ron Leon said the record turnout demonstrated the tournament’s growing appeal, including among competitors from outside the Caribbean.
“This year we had 173 anglers, the biggest that it’s been,” Leon said. “It is an amazing show of persons from all over, not just the Caribbean, internationally as well, coming to enjoy our waters, our marine life.”
Leon said Republic Bank was proud to continue its partnership with the Saint Lucia Game Fishing Association as title sponsor, pointing to the camaraderie and teamwork among competitors as part of the tournament’s appeal.
“You can see the camaraderie, you can see the team working, you can see their togetherness. That is what we love,” he said.
Devaux thanked the anglers, sponsors and other partners who contributed to the event, including international boats supporting Saint Lucia’s fish aggregating device programme.The tournament ran from September 23 to 26.
