Miami Billfish Tournament

PROSPECTOR · #1 (**permalink**) 04-14-2005, 03:19 PM

Just returned from Miami Beach for the Yamaha Contender Miami Billfish Tournament. What a first class run event. Berkley was the presenting sponsor and they treated us like royalty. The tournament produced a record number of released sailfish- 554 releases in 3 days of fishing. We had 125 anglers signed up for our Berkley Challenge and fishing Berkley Big Game line. FREEDOM took 1st place (also 1st in Coco Plum), followed by two of our Berkley sponsored boats GET LIT and MISS BRIT- CONGRATS to Ray Rosher and Alex. There was one 120# blue released, also on #20 Berkley, and two spearfish, lots of dolphin, tuna, and kingfish. I am impressed that the anglers can run a 100% release tournament with $92,000 for first prize and no issues. Judy Lane and Wendy Wood did an excellent job- if your going to one south Florida billfish event next year- consider this one. We were blown out on the swordy trips, but did release 6 big tarpon out in front of Monty's at night on 4" Powerbait shrimp. I heard Bouncer's team had a 200# swordy jump in the spread during the second day of the tourney- so you know a few big ones around. South Beach was in full spring break / models galore mode- plenty of action there too.

For southern California captains, check out Ray Roshers custom live bait tanks- his wife Charmain runs that side of the business and they work perfect for curing live bait between tournaments.

ps. do not rent a car- no parking anywhere.

:7

Marlinator · #2 (**permalink**) 04-14-2005, 04:35 PM

"South Beach was in full spring break models galore mode- plenty of action there too."

Hoose, next time whip out the 7Strand Big Daddy when trolling South Beach, it really produces LOL

By the way, I'm dying here hoarding some remaining legendary 7Strand skirts, back to work with you :} Still awaiting for a 1200CC in bleeding mac too, amigo!

Good fishing,

Larry

Finnseeker · #3 (**permalink**) 04-14-2005, 07:21 PM

Bob, Ray is one of the best, I just have fished again with them on the Miss Brit just a few weeks ago in Miami for swordies, again he put us on the swordies. I was scheduled to fish the event but my boat was not finished in time, next year some of us CA guys will be doing this tourney.

Wideopen · #4 (**permalink**) 04-15-2005, 08:32 AM

Bob, Does anyone in that tourney that you know pull the EAL's there, or are we the only insane ones out here to pull $200 lures :7 Also, Did you release any of those skirts on South Beach :P

WahooKing · #5 (**permalink**) 04-15-2005, 11:12 AM

I used to fish the Miami Billfish, Pompano Beach and the Ft. Lauderdale Billfish tournaments as a kid. I was 11 yrs old when I first entered (1986) and fished as a jr. angler. Back then, the S Fla. tournaments were all Kill. That only lasted a couple of yrs for obvious reason.

Kite fishing is the choice method to target Sails in these tournaments. We would fish 2 Kites with 3 lines off each kite. Choice bait is Goggle Eyes, Pilchards and Speedos.

I had some good times in those tournaments.....won some $$$ and trophies, fished with master anglers, and learned about competitive fishing at a young age....Great Tournaments

Your best method at South Beach is to troll the BIG expensive lures with heavy expensive tackle....you'll catch em' up for sure.;)

Anthony

PROSPECTOR · #6 (**permalink**) 04-15-2005, 11:17 AM

Greetings,

Larry, I sent you an email on the 1200C's in bleeding mack- got em.

The tournament is 100% circle hook live bait fishing, and even goes over specific hooks by manufactures that are exceptable. Most of the fleet is fishing 4-6 kite baits- and they have this technique down- you look out in the sky over the fleet and it appears to be an invasion of flying AFTCO birds...

There are a few Florida captains pulling EALS down there later in the season when the sails move north and spread out along the reefs and edges holding bait- this time of the year, live bait is #1. If I was to troll , I would run a pair of EALs on the SCers, a 1200C in pink LC, a Softop rigged ballyhoo SR, and a bird / swimming ballyhoo SG- let the fish gods sort out whats hot.

As for the $200 bucks, when you look at the cost of fuel, boat payments, slip, insurance, etc etc- and how tough the So Cal fishery has been last ten years- $200 bucks is okay by me to see/catch striped billys.

Our tagging studies at South Beach indicate- yes, there are plenty of 'skirts' for the tease, hook, tag, release programs... =)

PROSPECTOR · #7 (**permalink**) 04-15-2005, 01:16 PM

Anthony,

Your comments were right on. Live bait rules and 100% release format with cash is just too cool. I was impressed with the honor system amongst the fleet- even when $92K is on the line or end of your line for that matter. Hope to see you next year?

David Brackmann · #8 (**permalink**) 04-18-2005, 11:38 AM

Bob:

Thanks for the report! I highly recommend Ray Rosher - a top notch charter operation! I fished with him two years ago and learned a bunch of tricks from him, even though I ruined his amazing swordfish streak. I look forward to fishing with him again.

What is the word on Sevenstrand skirts? I heard a rumor about them not being available anymore - line was dropped?

Dave

P.S....why did you ever come back from Miami to So. Cal...lol. Florida is hard to beat!