| Novice Angler Sweeps Tournament |
by Catherine Krantz
Ixtapa Sportfishing Charters came back to Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa again this month to prove once more we have a world class fishing destination. Along with the IGFA, The Billfish Foundation AeroMexico Airlines and AeroMexico Vacations, Mexico Office of Conventions & Visitors, Cabelas Outfitters, Sundot Marine Flags, Nekton-Zwing, All American Roller Guides, Fish & Wildlife Unlimited Taxidermy, Power Pro, Budo Muche Studio Foundry, Tag & Brag Sport Fishing Apparel and the Riviera Beach Resort Ixtapa among others, Stan Lushinsky and Susan Richards of Ixtapa Sportfishing Charters sponsored the Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo Total Tag & Release Tournament 2001 held Nov 7,8,9, and no one left disappointed. With staggering results, despite it’s modest size, the Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo Total Tag & Release Tournament 2001 became one more success story for Tag & Release efforts in Zihuatanejo.
To insure the strict IGFA and Billfish Foundation guidelines for tournament fishing and successful tag & release practices, all boats had tournament officials on board. This dedicated group of spotters came from as far away as Delaware and Maryland to enjoy a few days on the water, to pitch in to promote Billfish conservation and prove Tag & Release, even in tournament fishing, can and does benefit sport fishermen and fishing economies alike.
Over the three day tournament 71 sailfish hook ups were reported, 34 were successfully tagged and released, 4 were released without tags and only 5 were landed and unable to be released. Additionally, 7 Dorado were caught. Cash prizes, and Equipment Team prizes and Captains’ prizes were awarded at the awards banquet on Nov 9th. 4th place went to Larry Kent and Brian Buschel on the R 3 Marias II with Captain Lenny Alvarez. 3rd place went to Al Mannhalter and Randy Mannhalter on the YellowFin II with Captain Chiro Barragan. 2nd place went to Tom Branoff and Kenny Branoff on the La Hawaiiana with Captain Hiram Verboonen. But the big story of the week has to be the first place angler-Tom Davis of New Hampshire, fishing on the Dos Hermanos with Capt. Adolfo Espinoza. Davis, fishing alone, beat out all other angler teams to sweep the tournament with a staggering 16 sailfish tagged and released in 3 days, not to mention 2 released without tags and two more that were unable to be released. Day three, alone, ended with Davis having had 12 hook ups. A phenomenal week for any angler, but this was only Davis’ 3rd attempt at billfishing. Normally a trout and salmon fisherman, Davis’ illustrious billfishing career began only one year ago with a trip to Zihuatanejo and first ever billfishing last May. He returned to Zihua this May and enjoyed himself so much he decided to come back to fish the tournament, and 20 Billfish later it seems Zihuatanejo has made a convert of him. Arriving a day early to fish before the tournament and staying a day late to keep on fishing, I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of Mr. Davis.
Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo was ranked 2nd in the world for Billfishing last year, but its not every day we get to prove it. The success of Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo’s Total Tag & Release Tournament 2001 and especially Tom Davis’ lucky week should be a baseline for next year´s event as all participating teams have already registered for the 2002 tournament. Friendly competition, great prizes and hungry sailfish will make sure the fun will continue well into the future.
For more information about the tournament or Ixtapa Sportfishing check www.ixtapasportfishing.com/tournament
November 2001
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