| Second Annual Ixtapa Zihuatanejo Total Tag & Release Tournament |
Stan Lushinsky
The Second Annual Ixtapa Zihuatanejo Total Tag & Release Tournament was held from November 10th to November 13th, 2002. And newly included this year was a total release Inshore Division for fly fishing. The arrival of a strong series of storms in the week prior to the tournament dumped large amounts of rain on the area and made for some difficult fishing conditions.
While the offshore teams were having difficulty finding the action, the inshore “FLY GUYS” were racking up the points. The addition of an Inshore Division that was only for fly fishing as well as total release allowed for several different strategies to be considered by the participants. Under a unique inshore scoring system each team was awarded 5 points for each fish landed and released. Additionally, each team was allowed to measure 6 fish. That measurement in inches was added to the total score for the day. To make the scoring even more interesting a degree of difficulty (or multiple) was also taken into consideration when computing the final score in which any ROOSTERFISH would receive triple points, any JACK would receive double points, and all other species of fish receiving only the measurement.
The opening day of fishing was a 7:00 AM shot-gun start, captured by Mexican television along with an interview with tournament director Stan Lushinsky. The first day of fishing ended at 3:00 PM. The field of nine boats successfully released 6 SAILFISH. After the first day of fishing a cocktail party was held at the Riviera Beach Resort and Spa where the anglers could enjoy a fresh cold drink, some hors d’oeuvres, and swap fish stories. Additionally, both international and local merchants donated items for auction, and with the help of THE CORONA GIRLS the tournament officials, Stan Lushinsky and Susan Richards, reported raising a total of $2000, which was donated to the IGFA Junior Angler Program.
With just two fish separating the first and last place teams, the second day started with an elevated sense of competition. At the day’s end the field of 9 teams almost doubled the first day’s total with 4 teams landing 2 SAILFISH each and one team landing 3 SAILFISH. On Day 3, instead of going on a wide-open feed, the fish once again “turned off” and became even more difficult to catch. The final day of the tournament was due to be the most challenging for nerves, patience and skill, with just 5 SAILFISH tagged and released.
In the Offshore Division, Day 1 and 2’s first and second place teams Branoff/Levine and Parker/Belles failed to score on the final day, and this left the door wide open for John Van Horn and Karl Wertz.
The crew of the “Vamanos II” was able to find 2 hungry fish, and they did not waste the opportunity. Tagging and releasing 2 SAILFISH on the final day, the team of Van Hern and Wertz brought in 250 points, capturing not only the day’s Calcutta but also the overall tournament prize with 600 points.
Second place went to Tom Branoff and Ellen Levine and the crew of “La Bamba” with 500 points, narrowly edging out team Parker and Belles on the “Vamanos III” who also had 500 points, but whose last fish was landed after the one by Branoff and Levine.
The Inshore Division was also a “shoot out in the swamp” as the team of Mike Casten and Bob Lawrence fishing aboard the “Janeth” poured it on once again and took the third day’s Calcutta with 264 points and overall tournament prize with 796 points. A strong finish was also turned in by the second place finishers Russ Hampton and Dennis Sinclitico on the “Secuestro de Amor” with 132 daily points and an overall score of 522 points. Finishing third was the team of John Homer and Bob Mclaughlin with a tournament total of 290.5 points
The 2002 Ixtapa Zihuatanejo Total Tag & Release Tournament had a full 88% payout to tournament participants. This high percentage payout was largely due to the contributions made from generous tournament sponsors such as the Ixtapa Zihuatanejo Office of Conventions and Visitors Bureau (OCV) as well as Corona Beer and a host of U.S. sponsors including ANDE LINE, PRADCO OUTDOOR BRANDS, SILSTAR CORP., TICA REELS, NEKTON INC., POWER PRO LINE, SUN DOT FLAGS, CABELA’S, OCEAN COMMOTION LURES, and ALL AMERICAN ROLLER GUIDES.
For more information and complete tournament statistics of the 2002 Ixtapa Zihuatanejo Total Tag & Release Tournament or to find out how you can join them for next year’s tournament go to: www.ixtapasportfishing.com
January 2003
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