Early reports of numerous blue marlin catches combined with the announcement that the Bertram-Hatteras Shootout will now be a biannual event have sparked registrations for the Bahamas Billfish Championship's first 2012 tournament April 24th - 28th at Guana Cay. Entries are currently on a pace to exceed the thirty-five boats that participated in the first tournament last year.

      The Guana Cay Championship is sponsored by Hatteras Yachts and MarineMax. Of course the 'Hatteras Hangover Clinic' will be in full swing each morning of fishing. And don't be surprised to see another Bacardi drink contest at Nipper's on Thursday evening. With the strong involvement of Hatteras and MarineMax together with the support from a growing list of social sponsors, the Guana Cay Championship is going to be a great way to kick-off the 2012 BBC season.

Don't be disappointed because you waited and missed the deadline. Whether you want to fish the Guana Cay Championship, three of the five tournaments 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. 

Dear Al,

      I am writing you to report on the candidates who received scholarship awards for the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 academic years from the generous donation of the Bahamas Billfish Championships. Over the years, a number of outstanding Bahamian students were able to pursue their dream of a higher education in the field of Marine Biology and Marine related studies. As always, we are extremely grateful for the support of the BBC.

      As you are quite aware, Marine Studies remain an area of much demand in the country due to the environmental nature and geographical landscape of The Bahamas. Therefore, we, at the Lyford Cay Foundation continuously salute the visionary efforts of the Bahamas Billfish Championship Foundation to secure scholarship opportunities for a much needed field in the country. 

      Enclosed is a report on the 2010-2011 Bahamas Billfish Championship Scholarship students along with the financial report.

Sincerely,

LYFORD CAY FOUNDATION, INC.

Monique A Hinsey

Director of Educational Programs

To read the complete BBC Scholarship report click here. 

You do not have to be fishing a BBC tournament to take advantage of this fuel credit. Boaters receive a $300 instant fuel credit for a 4-night consecutive hotel stay at Bahama Out Islands Promotion Board member resorts and marinas. Both Cape Eleuthera and Treasure Cay are  BOIPB members 

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.

Just as the proverbial question "Who done it?" is associated with paperback mystery novels, "Which way did it go?" is the question associated with long-distance fish movements. The latest tag recovery highlights this question.

This story begins off Miami, Florida, on July 14, 2011, when Capt. Bouncer Smith tagged seven dolphin during a charter trip aboard his boat Bouncer's Dusky. One of these fish, estimated at 19 inches, was recovered 223 days later, February 22, 2012, by Alex Sturges of Charlotte, North Carolina, in the northern end of Exuma Sound, Bahamas, during a fishing trip on the Patsea VII. The fish was estimated to be 42 inches in fork length and weighed approximately 20 pounds. This fish grew an estimated 23 inches in the 32-week liberty, which would mean that it averaged growing 0.7 inches per week.

To read the complete March newsletter click here ...