WWW.VIGFC.COM

August NEWSLETTER

Updated 2/24/2010

47th July Open Billfish Tournament

July 23, 24, 25, 2010

See Tournament Home Page

"It's always the first 3 days before the Full Moon!"

World Billfish Series Caribbean Division

2010 Budget Rent-A-Car

Dolphin Derby

MERTENS TOP ANGLER, C-HUNTER TOP BOAT AT BUDGET RENT A CAR DOLPHIN DERBY FISHING TOURNAMENT

Carol Bareuther, RD
April 12, 2010

2010 Dolphin Derby Winner

Kevin Lambert (L) from Budget Rent A Car presenting Ryan Mertens (C) with the 1st Place Awards with Tournament Director Jim Jamison (R).

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. The catch of a 37.48-pound dolphin (mahi-mahi) earned St. Thomas angler, Ryan Mertens, Top Angler and a $1,000 cash prize, at the Budget Rent A Car Dolphin Derby Fishing Tournament, held April 11 and hosted by the Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club (VIGFC).

Fishing aboard the 44' Custom Sportfisherman, Bluefin II, helmed by his father, Capt. Don Mertens, Ryan Mertens says, "We headed south and we were fishing about three hours when we saw a few frigate birds. That's when we got the big one."

The winning fish was just over 17 pounds shy of the over 55-pound criteria to win the tournament's ultimate prize - $25,000 in cash.

St. Thomas' Dr. Edward Saunders, fishing aboard Irving's Son, earned both the Second and Third Best Angler awards with catches of a 36.05-pound and 32.52-pound dolphin.

The Best Boat award for greatest number of dolphin caught by count came to a tie between St. Croix's C-Hunter and St. Thomas' Mixed Bag, both with 6 dolphin. However, C-Hunter, a 55-foot Hatteras owned and captained by Festus 'Fes' Pemberton, won the Best Boat title and pocketed the $1000 cash prize based on total length of fish caught. C-Hunter's 6 dolphin collectively measured 243.50 inches while Mixed Bag's catch measured in at 241.73 inches.

C-Hunter angler, Paul Stewart, says, "We headed north to C-FAD (Fish Attracting Device) about 18 miles north of St. Croix and there was nothing."

Skunked at the FAD, Pemberton turned C-Hunter around and headed back towards St. Croix trolling all the way. Twelve miles out, small birds and a floater in the water made for an 'X' marks the spot.

"Boom, all the lines went off at once," says Stewart. "We caught about 40 fish, both wahoo and dolphin. It was just mayhem until we finally ran out of bait."

Baitless, C-Hunter left the fishing gold mine and were headed to the weigh-in in St. Thomas when they saw some local fisherman and passed on the tip about the good fishing hole.

The next morning, Stewart says, "They met us on the dock with a 65-pound bull dolphin they had caught in the same spot were we were fishing. That would have been our $25,000 fish if we had caught it!"

Tournament director, Jim Jamison, who himself fished aboard his boat, Bare Down, says, "The fishing was good and there were several dolphin caught. Many boats also caught marlin, both blue and white. Everyone had a really good time. That's what it's all about."

The fleet of 14 participating boats and 64 anglers collectively caught 27 dolphin for a total of 590.8-pounds. Many boats donated one of their catch to the host VIGFC, where this was the featured entrée at the Awards Dinner held April 12.

The VIGFC's next event is the 47th Annual July Open Billfish Tournament, set for July 23, 24 and 25. For more information, visit www.vigfc.com

2010 Pictures Registration Weigh-In Awards

Awards Dinner is Monday, April 12, 2010, 6:30 PM

Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club, Red Hook

Free dolphin dinner for all anglers, guests $15

Team Budget Rent-A-Car Showing off their catch

See 2010 Weigh-In Pictures

2010 Pictures Registration Weigh-In Awards

2010 Budget Rent A Car Dolphin Derby

April 11, 2010

$25,000 Grand Prize

Captains Meeting April 9, 2010, VIGFC Clubhouse

See Dolphin Derby Home Page for more information

2009 WAHOO WIND-UP

ST. CROIX'S DIAZ TOP ANGLER,
ST. THOMAS' GATCLIFFE SECOND TOP ANGLER
AT 2009 TOYOTA WAHOO WIND-UP

by Carol Bareuther, RD
November 2, 2009

None of the 114 anglers aboard 27 boats competing in the 2009 Toyota Wahoo Wind-Up fished on November 1 caught a 75-plus pound wahoo to win the highly prized Toyota 4-wheel drive extended cab truck. But, that didn’t mean there wasn’t good fishing, and good catching, including some real whopper wahoos reeled in.

St. Croix’s Curtis Diaz, fishing aboard the Wild Cat, caught the Largest Wahoo, a 51.5-pounder, and pocketed a $1000 cash prize

“We started out of Green Cay and worked our way west along the northshore of St. Croix to Ham’s Bluff. That’s where we caught our first wahoo,” Diaz explains. “Then we went down to Frederiksted and south to Sandy Point. We were getting bored when all of a sudden the reel started screaming with line peeling off. That’s when we knew it was a big one.”

Eight-year-old Nathan Gatcliffe of St. Thomas, aboard the Double Header IV, caught the second largest wahoo, a 47.4-pounder.

“Two months ago I told him we were going to fish the wahoo tournament together this year,” says Nathan’s father, St. Thomas charter captain, Jonathan Gatcliffe. “When we went out, I told the guys to let my son be the first up. It just so happened that the first fish was the biggest. We put him in the chair, winched him in and he reeled in the wahoo.”

Nathan adds, “It only took me about 10 minutes. It was the biggest we got all day.”

The secret to catching plenty of wahoo, says Gatcliffe, “is trolling at high speed. You can cover more ground that way too.”

Winning St. Thomas Boat Team, Double Header IV, with Capt. Jonathan Gatcliffe (second from left) and Second Top Angler, Nathan Gatcliffe (third from left). Steve Morgan (far right) (Photo D. Barnes)

Gatcliffe, driving Double Header IV, earned the Best Boat prize for St. Thomas with the catch of five wahoo weighing 173.07 pounds. Meanwhile, St. Croix’s Two Fersure won Top Boat for St. Croix with the catch of three wahoo weighing 91-pounds. Both captains won $1000 cash.

Anglers who caught one of the ten largest wahoo were awarded cash prizes. In addition to Diaz and Gatcliffe, winners were: St. Croix’s Tom Hobbs, with a 45.7-pounder off Big Bills; St. Thomas’ James MacNeil, with a 42.9-pounder from Mixed Bag; St. Croix’s Tom Sedgwick, with a 39.9-pound wahoo aboard Two Fer Sure; St. Croix’s Daniel Griffin, with a 39.6-pounder off Maragata; St. Thomas’ Steve Morgan, with a 38.58-pounder from Double Header IV, St. Croix’s Dieter Oelschlager, with a 38.2-pounder from Wild Cat; St. John’s Andrew Hollen, with a 35.27-pounder from Cloud Break, and St. Thomas Steve Morgan, with a 34.17-pounder from Double Header IV.

A total of 28 wahoo, collectively weighing 934.7 pounds, were caught. Personal from the Department of Planning & Natural Resource’s Fish & Wildlife Department conducted the weigh-in.

Over $5,500 in cash and prizes, plus the possibility of winning the Toyota truck, made up the prize booty in this tournament.

“This year we had some of the best weather in a Toyota Wahoo Wind-Up that anyone can remember,” says tournament director, Jim Jamison. “It made for a nice day, especially for the smaller boats.”

The big thrill – and challenge – in this tournament was that both St. Thomas-St. John-based anglers and St. Croix-based anglers competed at the same time. The suspense leading up to the Monday night Awards Ceremonies on both islands was palpable as anglers waited to hear who won once results were tallied and merged.

Both the Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club on St. Thomas and Golden Hook Fishing Club on St. Croix hosted the 2009 Toyota Wahoo Wind-Up.

2009 Pictures Registration Weigh-In Awards

2009 Wahoo Windup Angler Results

Angler Boat
Island

Weight (lbs)

1 Curtis Diaz Wild Cat
STX

51.5

2 Nathan Gatcliffe Double Header IV
STT

47.4

3 Tom Hobbs Big Bills
STX

45.7

4 James MacNeil
Mixed Bag

STT

42.99

5 Tom Sedgwick Two Fersure
STX

39.9

6 Daniel Griffin Maragata
STX

39.6

7 Steve Morgan Double Header IV
STT

38.58

8 Dieter Oelschlager Wild Cat
STX

38.2

9 Andrew Hollen
Cloud Break

STX

35.27

10 Steve Morgan Double Header IV
STT

34.17

WAHOO WIND-UP Set For NOVEMBER 1

Catch the largest wahoo over 75-pounds and win a Toyota 4-wheel drive extended cab truck. That's the top prize in the Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club's 2009 Wahoo Wind-Up, sponsored by Toyota of St. Thomas/St. Croix and set for November 1, 2009.

It's possible!

In 2005, St. Thomas' Mike Kuszewski, fishing aboard the Black Pearl, reeled in a whopping 94.1-pound wahoo. This is a tournament record that's never been beat.

That's not all. There's over $30,000 in awards.

The angler who catches the largest wahoo of the tournament - but doesn't catch one big enough to win the truck - will still pocket $1000. The anglers who catch the next 9 largest wahoo will also win cash and prizes. The best boat, based on the most wahoo by count, wins a $1000 prize. There is a best boat award for St. Thomas and one for St. Croix.

The big challenge, and thrill, in this tournament is that St. Thomas-St. John-based anglers and St. Croix-based anglers are both competing at the same time. The winners can come from either of these destinations.

Register on St. Croix at Sharkey's Bait Stand on Thursday,October 29 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Register on St. Thomas at the Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club in Red Hook on Friday, October 30, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

For more information, call 340-775-9144 on St. Thomas or 340-690-8252 on St. Croix.

See Wahoo Windup home page for more details.

Thursday Night Game Night

JOIN THE FUN

GAME NIGHT AT THE CLUB

Every Thursday Night

The Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club

Is Hosting the

“game club”

Try your skills at bowling, tennis or golf on the wii.

Try your hand at the card table

cards

See how your backgammon game is!

backgammond

Every Thursday from 6-10pm

Food available to purchase

Cash Bar

FOR FURTHER QUESTIONS CONTACT

Club Manager
340-775-9144 Office
USVIGFC@GMAIL.COM

46th Annual July Open Billfish Tournament

Dedictated to the memory of Ralph Christiansen

July 3, 4, 5, 6

World Billfish Series Caribbean Division

"PESCADOR" Ralph Christiansen R.I.P.

by Real Lady Fishing Team
February 21, 2009

Ralph G. Christiansen, Jr., an IGFA International Representative since 1978 and member of the Board of Trustees since 1996, has been lost at sea. On Sunday, February 8, 2009, Christiansen was returning to Puerto Rico from a fishing trip to La Romana, Dominican Republic, when his plane went down.

Son of Ralph G. Christiansen, Sr., a pioneer blue marlin fisherman who helped encourage government officials to develop the sport in Puerto Rico and a founder of the Club Naútico de San Juan, young Ralph started fishing at age four. It was his fathers close friend and fishing companion, Esteban Chilo Bird, who became the young mans mentor (his father remained a light-tackle angler). While fishing with Don Chilo, Ralph increased his knowledge and perfected his technique, caught his first five blue marlin, and learned the importance of keeping meticulous records on every fish.

Ralph was also a founder of the Puerto Rico Game Fishing Association and, at age 30, was the youngest Commodore of Club Naútico de San Juan. During his fishing career he caught more than 600 Atlantic blue marlin, releasing and tagging most of them. Dedicated to conservation and the sporting ideals of the IGFA, he implemented a catch-and-release policy on his boat in the mid-1970s that continued throughout the remainder of his life.

In this video, family and friends of Club Nautico San Juan , say goodbye to Ralph,leaving his ashes where he wished at sea.We will miss you Ralph. R.I.P.

2009 Pictures	General	Registration	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Awards

GULF RASCAL TOP BOAT, POLSELLI TOP ANGLER AT 46TH ANNUAL JULY OPEN BILLFISH TOURNAMENT

by Carol Bareuther, RD
July 6, 2009

The third day proved a charm for Gulf Rascal. Though anglers aboard the Florida-based 54-foot Hatteras went fishless this third and last day of fishing in the 46th Annual July Open Billfish Tournament (JOBT), the collective catch of five blue marlin first earned Gulf Rascal the Top Boat award.

The Crew of Gulf Rascal. (Photo by Dean Barnes)

"We had one fish up on the teaser this afternoon, but it didn't bite," says Gulf Rascal's captain, Billy Borer. "We bit our nails instead, especially that last hour of the day."

It was just after 3 p.m. when Florida angler, Rudy Polselli, Jr., aboard his 55-foot Viking, Rude Awakening, released his vessel's fifth blue marlin, a feat that tied Gulf Rascal on count.

"We either hoped we'd catch another or they (Rude Awakening) wouldn't," says Gulf Rascal's Borer, who got his wish.

Rude Awakening finished second best boat.

"I've got a great captain," says Rude Awakening's Polselli, crediting Capt. Alan Fields. "We really worked hard to get that last fish."

Polselli, catching and releasing all five of his team's blue marlin, earned the prestigious Captain Johnny Harms 'Give 'Em Line' trophy, awarded to the angler who catches and releases the most blue marlin first.

Rudy Polselli receiving the prestigious Captain Johnny Harms 'Give 'Em Line' trophy (photo by Dean Barnes)

Steve Swindal's 60-foot Bertram, Blue Heaven, rounded out the top three in the boat prizes with three blue marlin releases.

The 19-boat fleet released a total of 34 blue marlin and 1 white marlin over the three-day tournament.

Interestingly, big fish created a real buzz on the docks this year - something that happened back in the 1968 JOBT when angler, Elliott Fishman, caught an 845-pound blue marlin, a fish that set a world record for its weight at the time. The Reel Escape, not fishing in the tournament, hooked up, fought for 8 1/2-hours, and ultimately released a grander-plus blue marlin on July 5. The next day, tournament and Texas angler, Don Schmidt, fishing aboard his 64-foot Viking, Omi Gosh, hooked up another grander-plus blue marlin at mid-day.

"It was easily over 1200 pounds," says Schmidt.

Schmidt's nephew, James, offered a more graphic description: "It looked like a big truck barreling down at us."

A certified IGFA observer was on board Omi Gosh, as there were all the boats in this all-release tournament.

"The bad thing about letting the fish go was that we thought no one would believe us," says Schmidt. "The good thing was having the observer onboard who verified the catch and the marlin's size."

This year, the Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club (VIGFC) brought back the tradition of hosting an onshore fishing tournament for kids. Forty kids came out to try their luck. Sebastian Silva earned Most Fish and Biggest Fish in the 3- to 6-year old category, with the catch of 7 fish, one being 9-ounces. In the 7- to 12-age group, Lerrent Erdem caught the biggest fish, 15-ounce, while Nathan Gatcliffe won the Most Fish award with the catch of 20 fish. Finally, in the 13- to 15-age group, Catherine Phelan caught the Most Fish, 16, and Biggest Fish, 1 pound 3-ounce.

This year's tournament was dedicated to well-known Puerto Rican sports fishermen, Ralph Christiansen, who was killed in a plane crash in February. Christiansen was one of only two anglers in the history of the JOBT to win the Captain Johnny Harms 'Give 'Em Line' Trophy.

Sue Boland, president of the VIGFC, said at the Awards Ceremony, "Ralph was a member of the club since 1969. He was one of the most able and ardent blue marlin fishermen in the world and we miss him a lot. This is his tournament."

Proceeds from the JOBT benefit the Boys & Girls Club of the Virgin Islands.

GULF RASCAL STAYS ON TOP FOR THE SECOND DAY AT THE 46TH ANNUAL JULY OPEN BILLFISH TOURNAMENT WITH THREE MORE BLUE MARLIN RELEASES

by Carol Bareuther, RD
July 5, 2009

The rain poured down and the bite picked up during the second day of fishing in the 46th Annual July Open Billfish Tournament, fished out of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.

The 19-boat fleet caught and released a total of 16 blue marlin, nearly double the first day's release of 9 blue and 1 white marlin.

photo Dean Barnes

"The bite turned on, especially in the afternoon," says Capt. Billy Borer, who is helming the 54-foot Hatteras, Gulf Rascal. "We pitched baited three and hooked all three. Really cool."

The release of five blue marlin total gives Gulf Rascal the top boat lead for two days in a row.

In second place, Florida angler Rudy Polselli, Jr., aboard his 47-foot Viking, Rude Awakening, released three blue marlin total. This sum all by one angler puts Polselli in the lead for the prestigious Capt. Johnny Harms 'Give Him Line' Trophy, presented to the angler who releases the most billfish first.

Finally, Alican, a 72' Tribute, is third in the top boat standings by being the first to release two blue marlin.

Five boats total released two blue marlin for the tournament so far. One of these was the Cabo 40, Peje, from Puerto Rico. "It would have been three for us, but we lost one after a 30-minute fight," said owner/anger, Carlos Garcia.

Any doubts that dream-catching granders continue to lurk in Virgin Islands waters were dispelled early Sunday morning. That was when Florida angler, J.R. Bergeron, aboard his 47-foot Cabo, Reel Excuse, released what Capt. Rusty Watters judged to be a 1000-plus-pounder at 2:30 a.m. after an 8 1/2 hour fight.

"We were just out for a fun day of fishing, me, the captain and our mate, Vince Vanmeerten," says Bergeron. "We saw two 300- to 400-pounders in the morning and pulled the hook on both. It was about 6 p.m. when Watters said lets make one more turn on the Drop. Bam. We knew it was a big one when I hooked up."

Bergeron fought the mega blue marlin and dusk turned to dark and beyond. The fish sounded for a long time before Bergeron finally got it up to the back of the boat where it took all three of them to wire it and make the release.

"Its bill and tail fin extended a foot or two on either side of the transom, so we estimated it was a good 18-foot long and wide," says Bergeron.

Knowing that a blue marlin this big is female made it a no-brainer to release, said a conservation-minded Bergeron.

Reel Excuse's no-show at the dock by midnight combined with no way to communicate with the vessel since cell phones and VHF radios don't reach 20-plus miles offshore led Bergeron's frantic family to put a call into the U.S. Coast Guard. A rescue helicopter dispatched from Puerto Rico located the vessel and didn't leave until guardsmen got a thumbs up from the crew that all was well.

Fishing concludes tomorrow with lines in at 8:30 a.m. and lines out at 4 p.m.

Up for grabs is not only the Top Boat award, but the prestigious Capt. Johnny Harms 'Give Him Line' Trophy for the angler who releases the most billfish first. The Awards Ceremony will be held at 8 p.m. at the Virgin Islands Game Fishing Clubhouse in Red Hook.

Proceeds from the JOBT benefit the Boys & Girls Club of the Virgin Islands.

GULF RASCAL LEADS FIRST DAY OF 46TH ANNUAL JULY OPEN BILLFISH TOURNAMENT WITH TWO BLUE MARLIN RELEASES

by Carol Bareuther, RD
July 4, 2009

Fishing proved red hot aboard the 54-foot Hatteras, Gulf Rascal, where the St. Thomas father-and-son team of Rick and Lee Steiner released a blue marlin apiece to put the team in the top boat lead during the first day of the 46th Annual July Open Billfish Tournament.

"We had a great day," says Gulf Rascal captain, Billy Borer. "We saw four, had three bites and released two.

Gulf Rascal angler, Rick Steiner, caught and released the first blue marlin of the tournament.

Meanwhile, Alican, a 72-foot Tribute owned by Florida-based Andres Fanjul, with Capt. Doug Heaton at the helm, finished second for the day with a pair of blue marlin released after those on Gulf Rascal.

Nelson Morales' Prime Time PR, out of Puerto Rico, rounded out the top three boats with Morales release of a blue marlin early in the day.

"I made my release about 11 a.m.," says Morales. "It was a beautiful day. Calm seas."

In total, the 19-boat fleet caught and released nine blue marlin and one white marlin.

A nearly full-moon light up the docks at American Yacht Harbor where the evening's dock party celebrated the Fourth of July as much as a good fishing day.

Fishing continues tomorrow with lines in at 8:30 a.m. and lines out at 5 p.m.

The JOBT concludes Monday. Up for grabs is not only the Top Boat award, but the prestigious Capt. Johnny Harms 'Give Him Line' Trophy for the angler who releases the most billfish first. The Awards Ceremony will be held at 8 p.m. at the Virgin Islands Game Fishing Clubhouse in Red Hook.

Proceeds from the JOBT benefit the Boys & Girls Club of the Virgin Islands.

46TH ANNUAL JULY OPEN BILLFISH TOURNAMENT SET FOR JULY 4, 5 & 6
by Carol Bareuther, RD
July 3, 2009

The 46th Annual July Open Billfish Tournament (JOBT) – the longest annually held angling contest in the Virgin Islands – will kick-off tomorrow with a fleet of 19 boats hailing from St. Thomas, St. Croix, Puerto Rico and the U.S. mainland.

The economic downturn hasn’t dented participation.

“I think a lot of people said, ‘I have a boat, it’s Fourth of July, let’s go fishing and have some fun’,” said tournament director, Jeffrey Kreiner.

Anglers will set their sights on catching and releasing the most blue marlin, white marlin and sailfish. “This is an all-release tournament,” says Kreiner. “No fish will be boated or brought to the dock for weigh-in.”

Lines go in the water at 8:30 a.m. and out at 5 p.m., except on the final day of the three-day tournament when lines out will be at 4 p.m.

The public is invited to greet the fleet as the boats come back to the dock around sunset. The number of flags flying on the outriggers indicates how many billfish the boat’s anglers caught and released for the day. There will also be dock parties each night at American Yacht Harbor marina.

Past winners of the prestigious Capt. Johnny Harms ‘Give Him Line’ Trophy read like a Who’s Who of blue marlin sport fishing. Angler Elliot Fishman’s winning 845-pound catch in 1968 set an all-tackle world record. Only two anglers have reeled in this honor two times – the late Howard Crouse in 1965 and 1988, and Puerto Rico’s legendary angler Ralph Christiansen in 1973 and 1984. Christiansen, who died in February following a plane crash, will be posthumously honored.

“Ralph was the premier sports fishermen in the Caribbean,” says Capt. Red Bailey, who fished this tournament for all but its first year, often with Christiansen as competition. “We always had good friendly competition. I respected Ralph a lot. Win, lose or draw, he always had a smile.”

Proceeds from the JOBT benefit the Boys & Girls Club of the Virgin Islands.

See the July Open page for boats and more information.

14th Annual Offshore Marine Dolphin Derby

DASHER TOP ANGLER, DOUBLE TROUBLE TOP BOAT AT 14TH ANNUAL OFFSHORE MARINE DOLPHIN DERBY FISHING TOURNAMENT April 27, 2009 Carol Bareuther, RD St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. The catch of a 33.40-pound dolphin (mahi-mahi) earned St. Thomas angler, Richard Dasher, Top Angler and a $1,000 cash prize, at the 14th Annual Offshore Marine Dolphin Derby Fishing Tournament, held April 26. Fishing aboard the SeaVee 39', Silver Fox, Drasher tells how he caught the winning fish: "We started off the back side of St. John and fished down sea looking for birds and floaters." Silver Fox was just past Frenchcap, trolling on the South Drop, when Drasher hooked up his whopper on rigged ballyhoo. "I knew it was a big one the minute I picked up the rod, but since we were running down sea it was a piece of cake to reel in," he says. Drasher adds, "We had been catching mahi all week, so we knew they were out there. But, with the green algae bloom, unless you saw birds or found a floater, it was pretty much a crap shoot." The winning fish was some 22 pounds shy of the over 55-pound criteria to win the tournament's ultimate prize - $25,000 in cash. St. Croix's Carl Holley, fishing aboard the Calypso 32', Double Trouble, earned Second Best Angler with the catch of a 29.87-pound dolphin, while fellow angler Adam Adcock caught a 28.99-pound dolphin to round out third in the angler prize category. Double Trouble, with Capt. Hiram Maldonado and Capt. Carl Holley sharing the helm, won the Best Boat prize and $1000 cash with the catch of 11 dolphin. This number of fish collectively weighed 252.42-pounds. Holley, who was defending his Largest Dolphin and Top Boat wins from 2008, says of this year, "Most of the day I didn't feel like we were defending anything. We had to really work for our fish." Offshore Marine Dolphin Derby Winners L to R: Adam Adcock, Carl Holley, Richard Drasher (Photo Dean Barnes) Tournament director, Jim Jamison, who himself fished aboard his Bare Down, says, "It was slow and spotty out there. But, I think everyone had a really good time. That's what it's all about." In spite of a little less than perfect fishing conditions, the fleet of 28 participating boats and 118 anglers collectively caught 51 dolphin for a total of 1050.1-pounds. Many boats donated one of their catch to the host Virgin Islands Gamefishing Club (VIGFC), where this was the featured entrée at the Awards Dinner held April 27. New this year, the VIGFC's Youth Committee hosted a lure making activity for juniors during the tournament's sign up night. "We'd really like to have young anglers and families be a part of our tournament activities," says Ali Slimming. As a result of his lure-making skills, Jahmal Quandt won a new fishing rod and tackle box compliments of Neptune Fishing Supplies. The 14th Annual Offshore Marine Dolphin Derby Fishing Tournament is the second of the Budget Rent A Car Small Boat Tournament series events for 2009. The VIGFC's next event is the 46th Annual July Open Billfish Tournament, set for July 4, 5 and 6. For more information, visit www.vigfc.com . See Dolphin Derby Photos
Dolphin Derby Tournament home page!

Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club
2009 Local Tournament Schedule


Tournament	Date(s)

VIGFC Couples	TBA
Golden Hook Marlin	March 7, 8
Golden Hook Dolphin	April 11
VIGFC Offshore Marine Dolphin Derby	April 26
Frenchtown Mothers Day	May 3
Frenchtown Fathers Day	June 14
Northside Kingfish	July 12
VIGFC July Open Billfish	July 4, 5, 6
Golden Hook Kids	July 26
ABMT Boyscouts Billfish	August 3, 4, 5, 7
Golden Hook Guy & Gal	September 26, 27
VIGFC Offshore Four	TBA
VIGFC Toyota of St Thomas Wahoo Wind-Up	November 1
Golden Hook Wahoo Finals	November 14, 15

Introducing The 2009
Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club
Board of Directors

VIGFC Newsletter

Check out the November Newsletter (PDF)

The VIGFC is a active fishing club with a schedule of 9 events over the year, encompassing the full spectrum of fishing to suit all member anglers, and species in the VI.

Members of the VIGFC are a distinguished group of anglers having set world records, winning TBF awards for most tagged Blue Marlin, Sailfish, and indeed the Club won the inaugural TBF Club Conservation Challenge, in 1997. Out of 16 sport fishing clubs, participants reported tagging 367 billfish, the Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club won with 207 tags. A tribute to the member anglers and their dedication to conservation of the worlds Billfish population.

For Registration Forms or more information contact
the Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club
6501 Red Hook Plaza #201
St. Thomas, VI 00802
Phone 340-775-9144
Email usvigfc@gmail.com

47th July Open Billfish Tournament

July 23, 24, 25, 2010

See Tournament Home Page

"It's always the first 3 days before the Full Moon!"

2010 Budget Rent-A-Car

Dolphin Derby

MERTENS TOP ANGLER, C-HUNTER TOP BOAT AT BUDGET RENT A CAR DOLPHIN DERBY FISHING TOURNAMENT

Awards Dinner is Monday, April 12, 2010, 6:30 PM

Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club, Red Hook

Free dolphin dinner for all anglers, guests $15

See 2010 Weigh-In Pictures

2010 Budget Rent A Car Dolphin Derby

April 11, 2010

$25,000 Grand Prize

Captains Meeting April 9, 2010, VIGFC Clubhouse

See Dolphin Derby Home Page for more information

2009 WAHOO WIND-UP

ST. CROIX'S DIAZ TOP ANGLER,
ST. THOMAS' GATCLIFFE SECOND TOP ANGLER
AT 2009 TOYOTA WAHOO WIND-UP

2009 Wahoo Windup Angler Results

WAHOO WIND-UP Set For NOVEMBER 1

Thursday Night Game Night

JOIN THE FUN

GAME NIGHT AT THE CLUB

Every Thursday Night

“game club”

46th Annual July Open Billfish Tournament

Dedictated to the memory of Ralph Christiansen

14th Annual
Offshore Marine Dolphin Derby

DASHER TOP ANGLER, DOUBLE TROUBLE TOP BOAT AT 14TH ANNUAL OFFSHORE MARINE DOLPHIN DERBY FISHING TOURNAMENT

See Dolphin Derby Photos

Dolphin Derby Tournament home page!

Introducing The 2009
Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club
Board of Directors

VIGFC Newsletter

Check out the November Newsletter (PDF)

47th July Open Billfish Tournament

July 23, 24, 25, 2010

See Tournament Home Page

"It's always the first 3 days before the Full Moon!"

2010 Budget Rent-A-Car

Dolphin Derby

MERTENS TOP ANGLER, C-HUNTER TOP BOAT AT BUDGET RENT A CAR DOLPHIN DERBY FISHING TOURNAMENT

Awards Dinner is Monday, April 12, 2010, 6:30 PM

Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club, Red Hook

Free dolphin dinner for all anglers, guests $15

See 2010 Weigh-In Pictures

2010 Budget Rent A Car Dolphin Derby

April 11, 2010

$25,000 Grand Prize

Captains Meeting April 9, 2010, VIGFC Clubhouse

See Dolphin Derby Home Page for more information

2009 WAHOO WIND-UP

ST. CROIX'S DIAZ TOP ANGLER, ST. THOMAS' GATCLIFFE SECOND TOP ANGLER AT 2009 TOYOTA WAHOO WIND-UP

2009 Wahoo Windup Angler Results

WAHOO WIND-UP Set For NOVEMBER 1

Thursday Night Game Night

JOIN THE FUN

GAME NIGHT AT THE CLUB

Every Thursday Night

“game club”

46th Annual July Open Billfish Tournament

Dedictated to the memory of Ralph Christiansen

14th Annual Offshore Marine Dolphin Derby

DASHER TOP ANGLER, DOUBLE TROUBLE TOP BOAT AT 14TH ANNUAL OFFSHORE MARINE DOLPHIN DERBY FISHING TOURNAMENT

See Dolphin Derby Photos

Dolphin Derby Tournament home page!

Introducing The 2009 Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club Board of Directors

VIGFC Newsletter Check out the November Newsletter (PDF)

ST. CROIX'S DIAZ TOP ANGLER,
ST. THOMAS' GATCLIFFE SECOND TOP ANGLER
AT 2009 TOYOTA WAHOO WIND-UP

14th Annual
Offshore Marine Dolphin Derby

Introducing The 2009
Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club
Board of Directors

VIGFC Newsletter

Check out the November Newsletter (PDF)