July 15, 2008 – Summer marlin mania kicks into full swing with this week's July Open Billfish Tournament (JOBT), the oldest sports fishing event in the Virgin Islands, which boasts a 45-year tradition of fishing competition. Customarily, this tournament has been fished over the Fourth of July holiday, but since the full moon is better for a blue marlin bite, the host Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club (VIGFC) decided a few years ago to move the date to three days before the month's full moon – July 15-17.
Capt. Red Bailey, who runs the local sports fishing charter boat, Abigail III, earned Best Boat last year. He is looking forward to defending his title, as is New Port Ritchie, Florida, angler, Tim Aylward, who won Top Angler and the prestigious Give 'm Line trophy last year with four blue marlin releases. Aylward fished aboard Abigail III, with his wife, Kathleen, as fellow angler, and Bailey at the helm. The Aylwards are back again this year with Bailey aboard the Abigail III.
Over 60 anglers aboard 16 boats – hailing from the Virgin Islands and U.S. mainland – will take to the seas.
Tournament director Jeff Kreiner said, "This is a 100 percent billfish release tournament. Therefore, we have an IGFA (International Game Fishing Association) certified observer on each boat."
This is the fifth year Bob Malerba, who hails from Connecticut, will coordinate the observers. "About half of our observers are local and the other half are from as far away as Colorado," Malerba said.
"Observers make sure each boat has a level playing field out there on the seas. We're not there to intimidate, but to authenticate the catches and help the boats follow the rules," he said.
Fishing takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., each day. Boats will set their sights on scoring the most release points for blue marlin, white marlin and sailfish.
Dock parties are planned every night. "There will be lots of music, food and drinks at the American Yacht Harbor Marina and at our clubhouse across the street," said Kreiner.
The event made fishing headlines around the world in 1968 when on the first day of competition, St. Thomas angler Elliot Fishman brought in an 845-pound marlin that gained him the world record for this species. In 2001, the VIGFC started a tag and release format and no marlin have been boated since.
Tournament history was made again this year when famous marine artist, Carey Chen, sketched a full-color, life-size blue marlin on the newly renovated club's wall.
Proceeds from the JOBT benefit the Boys & Girls Club of the Virgin Islands.
