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 If You Don't Enter, You Can't Win
Registration for the Bahamas Billfish Championship's 39th season is well underway. By all indications, participation in all five tournaments will be above this past year. You'll see many of the 'regulars' back trying to capture the BBC title and there will be some well-known teams returning that have been absent for a few years. Of course you can look for a new crop of anglers and teams ready for the challenges that can only come from the world's oldest billfish tournament series. The activity level at the Bahamas Billfish Championship office is in high gear as preparations continue for the 2012 season. A great deal of the planning for BBC 2012 started back in September because early forecasting is essential when organizing and purchasing for five tournaments spanning a three month period at five different locations in the Out Islands of The Bahamas. All of the give-away merchandise, 'goodie bags,' T-shirts, crew prizes, sponsors' collateral material and banners, trophies and communication gear are just some of the items that have to be acquired and transported to The Bahamas well in advance of the first tournament in April. Menu planning with the host resorts is already underway as well. In many cases, the BBC tournament constitutes the largest group the resort will host all year. Again, lead time is critical for purchasing and transporting the food that will feed a hungry crowd of anglers and crewmembers in the far reaches of the Out Islands. "Because of the logistical issues and the necessary government approvals involved in producing tournaments in the Bahamas, it is vital that our forecast numbers match actual participation," said BBC president, Al Behrendt. "So, while the first tournament is not until April, your timely registration insures that our staff's projections for merchandise purchasing and catering services will be on-target." Whether you want to fish one tournament or the whole Series, there is no better time to register than right now. Registration is easy and can be accomplished online, by FAX or by mail. To Register & Enter online click here. To download the 2012 BBC Tournament Entry package, click here. |
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2012 BBC Winner to be Awarded
Steve T Goione Original
As Saltwater Sportsman's Gary Caputi recently wrote, "There is no better way to preserve the memories of your dearest fishing partner (your boat) while sharing her great good looks with friends  and business associates than with an original commissioned artwork by renowned marine artist Steve T. Goione." And there is not a more appropriate award than this unique and personal illustration for the overall winner of the 2012 Bahamas Billfish Championship. "I am thrilled to once more be creating this extremely exclusive award. The privilege of again partnering the BBC and the high caliber anglers, crew and yachts makes this project much more exciting for me," said Goione. The illustration, which will depict the yacht in a scene created by Steve and the owner, will be awarded at the fifth and final BBC leg in Treasure Cay, June 23rd during the Overall Awards presentation.
Read the complete story and see samples of Steve work here ...
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New Sponsorship Opportunities
Opportunity 1 - The Bahamas Billfish Championship is developing an 'app' for Apple mobile devices that will provide the user with real-time scoring for each tournament as well as the overall BBC standings.
Opportunity 2 - The BBC will have live, streaming audio of the Committee Boat Radio at each of the five tournaments. The service will be accessed through a link on the BBC's website.
Anyone interested in taking advantage of these sponsorship opportunities or knowing a potential sponsor should call the BBC office at 800-920-5577 or click here to email your interest.
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A Picture's Worth a Thousand ...
By Jennifer Dudas
OK - so it's not as easy as it sounds! But it should not be scary either. To illustrate my point, this summer I was fortunate enough to ride along for a tournament in Charleston. I was a registered angler; however, I was a little rusty so my job became the official release photographer. I thought, "Hey, no problem! I've got this."
As the first sail came in the spread, I was ready with my camera. Our angler was hooked up and I started shooting the fish as it jumped toward the boat. When the mate had the leader, I was hanging half off the gunwale waiting for the fish to surface just a little bit more so I could get the clear shot. "Come on, fish - cooperate!" Finally Mr. Sail popped his head up just enough that I got the shot I needed. That was not easy! As the day continued, we released five more sailfish and the photo taking did not get any easier. However, I did learn some valuable lessons I want to share with you about getting the best shot possible of your fish.
First - Make sure you have more than one person taking the photos. In fact, have one person take still pictures and another take video.
Read more about making your picture count here ...
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Selective Harvesting and Selective Criticism By Capt. Skip Smith
Do you know the difference between a recreational and a commercial fisherman? Typically, the commercial fisherman doesn't take pictures; although, due to today's technology and regulations, they are starting to use photography. Plus, the commercial fishermen gut and 'head' the fish to keep it 'fresh,' put the fish in the hold and then it is on to the next fish. No time for a 'photo session!'
Among recreational fishermen, catch and release has been a huge success, as it gives recognition to the best fishermen who deserve the credit. Circle hooks have also been another great step in letting us enjoy this sport. Recently at a seminar, someone asked Capt. Bouncer Smith about the effects of leaving a circle hook in the fish's mouth and his answer was classic, "Look at teenagers these days; they look like they went face first into my tackle box and they are just fine!"
We live in such a sensitive world these days. You can't even put a hanging marlin on a tournament t-shirt without being criticized.
Read Capt. Skip Smith's complete article here ...
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Gulfstream Goes Silver
Long-time Bahamas Billfish Championship sponsor Gulfstream International Airlines has a new name. VPAA Co. dba/Gulfstream International Airlines announced its adoption of a new name and brand: Silver Airways. The name, along with its crisp and  distinctive logotype, exemplify the airline's dynamic growth potential, as well as its unwavering commitment to providing highly professional, safe and efficient operations. VPAA Co. dba/Gulfstream International Airlines was founded in May 2011 when Victory Park Capital, a Chicago-based investment firm, acquired select assets from the former Gulfstream International Airlines, which filed for bankruptcy in November 2010. Silver Airways continues the evolution of the carrier under Victory Park. "Starting in May, we hit the ground running with a mandate to transform this airline from top to bottom," said Darrell Richardson, CEO of Silver Airways. "Our goal: to create the dream airline - one that's financially sound, safe and professional, but also fun to fly and a great place to work. Adopting the Silver Airways brand is the latest step." Read more about the new Silver Airways planes and new routes here. Back to Top |
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Boaters receive a $300 instant fuel credit for a 4-night consecutive hotel stay at Bahama Out Islands Promotion Board member resorts and marinas.
Booking window: Now -June 26, 2012
Travel period: Now -June 30, 2012
Blackout dates: April 02-06, 2012
For details about this and other offers from the Bahamas Out Island Promotion Board and a list of participating resorts and marinas click here.
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As The Propeller Turns ...
Look for the new Viking Fa La Me at all five BBC tournaments this year ... Glenn Cameron has been nominated for In The Bite's 'Captain of the Year' ... Evolution of the much needed new terminal and control tower at the Marsh Harbour Airport are on schedule. The modern terminal will have facilities for pre-screening of departing passengers ... As the New Year progresses, it appears, rather than musical chairs, there are a few captains playing 'musical boats.'
Be sure to ask about the Billfish SunPac when you contact Silver Airways ... Another great job on T-shirt artwork by RJ (Bobby) Boyle ... Former BBC Champion, Don McKinney is out-for-the-season with a badly injured foot. Don's first missed Series in twelve years of BBC participation ... Stephen Kappeler, general manager at Cape Eleuthera Resort & Yacht Club wants to try his hand at catching a swordfish ... Tanya Angel says, "Gary wants a bigger boat," so ............
Congratulations to all the winners - at Pirate's Cove Tournament (Stuart, Florida); 1st Place Krazy Salts and 2nd Place Cowpoke - at the Finest Kind Quickie Tournament; 1st Place Chasin Tail, 2nd Place Cowpoke and 3rd Place Boneshaker - at Pelican Yacht Club Tournament; 1st Place Boneshaker, 2nd Place Lo Que Sea and 3rd Place Cowpoke - at Jupiter Billfish Tournament; 2nd Place Miss Annie.
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Dolphinfish Research Newsletter
A High-Performance Fish
Yellowfin and skipjack tuna are two highly migratory species that share many characteristics. They are worldwide in distribution, voracious predators, and known for their fast rates of growth. Studies have shown that their gills possess large surface areas with thin  blood-to-water interfaces, a physical feature that permits high oxygen diffusion capacity, supporting elevated metabolic rates. Dolphinfish share these same behavioral and physiological high-performance characteristics exhibited by the tunas and billfishes. Physiological studies have shown that yellowfin and skipjack have a high metabolic rate that supports their high-speed travel and rapid growth. These studies have also found that the common dolphin's metabolic rate is comparable to those of yellowfin and skipjack tunas. To support such an elevated metabolic rate requires large volumes of food and fast digestion of that food. Food habit studies conducted in the Caribbean, off Florida and North Carolina have shown dolphin to feed on a wide range of organisms. They have been found to eat squid, rock shrimp, crabs, seahorses, puffer fish, ballyhoo, jacks, sardines, other dolphin, tunas and even juvenile sailfish and marlins. Read the complete February Dolphinfish Research Newsletter here ... Back to Top |
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