The 41st U.S.V.I. Open Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament, nicknamed "The Boy Scout Tournament" for the event’s chief beneficiary – opens Sunday for the four-day "Super Bowl of Big Game Fishing Tournaments," organizers announced.
The event kicks off early Sunday with the Blessing of the Fleet, singing of the Star-Spangled Banner, and Flag Raising Ceremony by the Boy Scout Color Guard. It starts at 6:30 a.m. at the flag pole at the IGY American Yacht Harbor Marina and is open to the public.
“The fishing has been good,” tournament director, Jimmy Loveland said. “We predict the bite will really turn on as we get closer to the full moon.”
In the two-day BVI Open, fished out of the Bitter End Yacht Club, and the USVI-based Virgin Islands Billfish Tournament for Haiti, both fished simultaneously Aug. 14 and 15, part-time Virgin Islands resident Curt Richardson’s Buddy Davis’ 58-foot Free Spool, won both events with the release of six blue marlin.
A total of 28 boats are registered to compete and the list reads like a "Who’s Who" of sports fishing, according to the tournament’s news release. The entries include Best Boat defending champion Peje, with Puerto Rico’s Carlos Garcia, Top Angler defending champion Jose Valdes, Jr., Black Gold, Freedom, Gulf Rascal, Marlin Prince, Reel Tight, Therapy and Uno Mas, all from Puerto Rico, and local charter boats Black Pearl, Marlin Prince and Free Spool.
Anglers, captains and crews competing will set their sights on catching and releasing the most blue marlin first. The angling action takes place Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday – three days before and a day after the August full moon.
The public can walk the docks and watch the big rigs come in around 6:30 p.m., counting the number of marlin release flags flying from the outriggers. Anglers in this conservation-oriented tournament have not killed a blue marlin since 1986. The more flags, the more marlin the boat released, and the winner is the one who releases the most blue marlin first.
Commemorative tournament T-shirts, hats and more with original art designed by famous marine artist Guy Harvey will be on sale each night of the event.
Starting at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, the public is invited to "Out Back Night" under the tents at the American Yacht Club. The event includes a feast of brisket, ribs, chicken and all the trimmings.
Beginning at 7 p.m. Tuesday, visitors can enjoy Cheese Burgers in Paradise. The Boy Scouts invite visitors and locals alike to their cookout at Camp Wahoo, located under the yacht club tents.
Tickets are available for both meals as a donation to the V.I. Council, Boy Scout of America.
The ABMT’s final fishing action takes place on Thursday. The Awards Ceremony takes place later in the evening along with the naming of the 2013 USVI Open/Atlantic Blue Marlin Top Angler, who pockets a $10,000 cash prize.
The tournament was started by Chuck Senf in 1972 – and nicknamed the Boy Scout Tournament because that was one of Senf’s favorite charities and a portion of the proceeds have always benefited the V.I. Council of the Boy Scouts of America, one of Senf’s favorite charities. It has grown into one of legs of the Bermuda Triangle Series and Spanish Main Series.
The tournament is fished under International Game Fishing Association rules and is overseen by a professional board of captains and well-qualified observers.
MARLIN FEST
The week’s activities also include the inaugural Marlin Fest, a week of vacation activities planned around the tournament.
“You could say we spent 40 years building the tournament, now we’re putting the bleachers around it,” Loveland said. “Marlin Fest is a great way for visitors to see and experience the Virgin Islands, plus be amongst the tournament activities even if not fishing. It’s also a great way for fishermen to visit this U.S. territory on a recon mission and consider fishing the ABMT next year.”
Marlin Fest activities include:
• Sunday: BVI Day Sail to Jost Van Dyke. Have lunch at Foxy’s, snorkel and swim up to the Soggy Dollar Bar on White Bay.
• Monday and Tuesday: Wet N’ Wild Center Console Tournament. Fish for billfish, wahoo and yellowfin tuna on the South Drop. Prizes for Best Boat and top three anglers. Center console boats are available for charter.
• Wednesday: Golf Tournament at Mahogany Run Golf Course, St. Thomas. First prize is a full-day blue marlin trip aboard Marlin Prince for four anglers. Hit a hole in one and earn free entry into the 2014 Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament.
• Thursday: BBQ Beach Farewell Party. Ribs, chicken and all the fixings at beautiful Lindquist Beach Bay, St. Thomas.
Those interested can join in the BVI Day Sail, Center Console Tournament, Golf Tournament and/or Beach BBQ, by visiting the tournament online at www.abmt.vi/pages/mfweb.htm, to book reservation and pay by credit card. Checks can be made out to the Boy Scouts of America and mailed to: ABMT, 6616 Estate Nadir, St. Thomas, USVI 00802. Some of the activities have limited participation.
