‘Barbie Doll Too’ top game fishers

The 24th annual TTGFA International Game Fish Tournament held off Tobago has been declared a resounding success. The tournament got off to a fine start with beautiful weather on April 15 with 33 boats heading out into the pretty blue and calm waters off Tobago to set their line at “lines down” at 6 am. The first day produced five blue marlin and two sailfish that were released and the anglers brought to the scale 23 dolphins and a wahoo. Day two was a little more productive for the billfish with 15 blue marlin, but only one sailfish being released but 13 dolphins and three wahoo went to the scale.

The final day’s fishing showed a decrease in billfish with four blue marlin being released, one  brought to the scale and two sailfish released. But a whopping 31 dolphins and six wahoo were caught and weighed. The three-day international fishing event produced at total 2,468 pounds of fish caught by 33 boats with 171 anglers, 19 of which were juniors. The foreign participants this year came from Grenada, Martinique, USA, Canada, Germany, Scotland and Norway. As usual the lay day “cook” committee produced a free sumptuous meal of fish broth, geera pork, okra and rice and other delicacies for all of the anglers and families to enjoy. 

The gala prize giving dinner took place around the swimming pool of Crown Point Hotel in a gorgeous setting overlooking Store Bay and caterers, Best of Thymes Restaurant provided dinner for 250 anglers, sponsors and guests. On hand to distribute prizes was Orville London, Chief Secretary of major sponsor, Tobago House Assembly, who presented the “Best Boat Trophy” to team “Barbie Doll Too” and the THA “Best Foreign Boat Trophy” to the boat Derek Steele “Crazy Horse” from Grenada.

The other main sponsors were Auto Rentals Ltd, Black Label Rum, Bermudez Biscuit Company Ltd, Black Bart Lures, Blue Waters, Budget Marine, Buywise Stores Ltd, Caribel, Casfab Ltd, Manta Dive Centre Ltd, National Canners Ltd, Royalston Casino, Skyline Freight, and Tackle Direct. The Skipper of best boat, “Barbie Doll Too said: “We have been fishing this tournament for the past 21 years and top honours have eluded us until this year. The entire crew is elated, but it was not without anxiety as up to the finish there were only eight points between the first and third boats!”. “Barbie Doll Too” havve been on a lucky roll having come third in St Lucia, second in Grenada and first in the Rotary charity tournament in the last four months. The committee has already started plans for next year’s 25th anniversary event in April and is planning a four-day fishing event with twolay days.

The other main results are as follows:-
TTGFA AWARDS
Best Boat — 1 Barbie Doll Too 2186 Points; 2 Mama Mia 2181; 3 Fire-one-again 2178; 4 Grand Slam 2150 
HEAVIEST IN EACH SPECIES
Blue Marlin — Hard Play 426 lbs; Sailfish — Rum Runner 59 lbs.; Dolphin — Predator 40 lbs.;
Wahoo — Dream Weaver 36 lbs.
WOMEN’S AWARD
Best Angler  —- Shannon Kane (Lady M) 550 Points
JUNIOR ANGLER
Female (Under 18 years) Sophie Jenkins (Grand Slam II) 45 Points.