Fintastic’s Total Tag and Release Billfish & Marlin Tournament, November 10-13th

"Check my totally irreverent, action packed blow by blow tournament commentary, entitled “Hunting Monsters in Zihuatanejo."

--Catherine Krantz--

On November 10-13th, Zihuatanejo was host to Fintastic’s 1st Annual Total Tag and Release Billfish and Marlin Tournament, sponsored by Fintastic Fish Mounts, Ixtapa Sportfishing Charters, Ande monofilament, Mustad hooks, Johnny Morris Off Shore Angler, Scotty Downriggers, Nekton Z-wing Downriggers and M & E Marine Supply. It was one of 51 worldwide tournaments endorsed by the International Gamefish Association. It was a qualifying event for the I.G.F.A.’s Tournament of Champions, and was covered by ESPN. Local and International Anglers competed for cash and prizes and the opportunity to be invited to the March Tournament of Champions in Kona, Hawaii.

The three day event culminated in an awards dinner at Paul’s Restaurant for winning Anglers and boat Captains, who also received cash and prizes. The 1st place boat was The Marlin Azul, Capt. Javier, Anglers: Jose Moreno, Monica Moreno and Jessica Moreno. 2nd place boat was The Capullo, Capt. Cheva, Anglers: Jay Bradshaw and Fernando Mauries. The 3rd place boat was The Whisky I, Capt. Alfredo, Anglers: Steve Lamb and Paul Phillips III. The Top Jackpot Angler for all three days and the newest entrant into the Tournament of Champions in Kona, Hawaii is Jose Moreno. The Marlin Azul caught, tagged and released nine fish over the course of the tournament.

The Tournament was 100% Tag and Release. The practice of catch and release or tag and release is finally becoming more popular throughout the world, in daily practice as well as in tournament fishing. The benefits are obvious. It maintains the species for future generations of anglers, so fisherman can continue to enjoy the thrill of sport fishing and local economies can continue to reap the benefits for many years to come. Tagging also provides monitors with useful information about the species, by keeping track of when and where the fish was originally caught. Tags, Tag Flags and information about tag and release in Zihuatanejo are available locally at Casa Lobato Pineda on Juan Alvarez in front of Plaza Municipal. With today’s high quality replica fish mounts only requiring a photograph or species description to reproduce, even the angler who wants a trophy need not kill his catch to have a beautiful specimen on the wall. The added bonus of a replica is that it is substantially lighter than the real thing and will never decompose.

Tournament promoters, Paul Phillips and Stan Lushinsky brought Tag and Release to Zihuatanejo in a big way. The tournament was a huge success, we applaud their efforts and look forward to seeing everyone again next year.

November 1999

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