45th Annual July Open

Billfish Tournament

July 14, 15, 16, 17

World Billfish Series Caribbean Division

Best Boat Winners Reel Tight (photo Pat Ford)

Day 1 Release Times

Abigal III - 11:09 a.m.
Uno Mas - 11:46 a.m.
Big Oh - 12:55 p.m.
Gulf Rascal - 1:15 p.m.
Game On - 3:23 p.m.

Day 2 Release Times

Big Oh - 8:43 a.m., 2:45 p.m.
Black Gold - 8:54 a.m.
Rude Awakening - 9:00 a.m.
No Excuse - 9:56 a.m.
Revenge - 10:26 a.m.
Reel Tight - 11:30 a.m., 11:47 a.m., 3:17 p.m.
Abigal III, 12:12 p.m.
Da Bait - 3:30 p.m.
Black Pearl - 4:59 p.m.

Day 3 Release Times

Abigal III, 8:50 a.m.
Reel Tight - 8:51 a.m., 10:59 a.m., 1:54 p.m.
Black Gold - 9:01 a.m., 10:30 a.m.,12:21 p.m.
Big Oh - 9:37 a.m., 11:23 a.m.
Golden Eagle 11:53 a.m.
Gulf Rascal 3:12 p.m.
No Excuse - 11:55 a.m.
Revenge - 10:30 a.m.
Black Pearl - 3:29 p.m.

 

The tournament director this year is Jeffrey Kreiner. Sue Boland, a long time member of the Game Fishing Club is the Co-Director. Bob Malerbas is the IGFA Certified Observer Coordinator.

The tournament is limited to the first 25 boats. Basic entry fee is $3,000 donation (deposit of $1000.00 will reserve your early entry). Entry fee entitles the Boat to entry in the 45th July Open Billfish Tournament, tickets to social events, and Tournament Shirts. Registration/Captains meeting will be July 14, 2008. Fishing will start on July 15 and continue on July 16 and 17, 2008.

American Yacht Harbor - Red Hook, St. Thomas

The Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club is a 501c Not for Profit Virgin Islands Corp. 20% of all boat pool Donations, and all of the entry donation from this event will be used to cover the cost of conducting this event, and provide badly needed equipment for the Boys and Girls Club of St. Thomas. 80% of all boat pool dollars are paid to winning entrants! Total across the board donation $15,500.00.

Tournament Rules - PDF or HTML

2008 Registration Form (PDF): Registration Form

Register On-Line here: Register On-Line

BVI Forms: See BVI Forms

Observer Application Forms in PDF or HTML .

 

Tournament Schedule:

Printable Schedule of Events: PDF or HTML

 

The Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa extends a a special welcome to the fisherman and observers of the 2008 VIGFC July Open.

Please call the resort for special fisherman's rates. Rates apply to fisherman and their families. This special is for 2008. Rates may vary according to the time of year. Please call 800-927-7100 and give the Special Rate Code  DISFISEP or ask for the Fisherman's Special.  

Past winners are a who's who of Marlin fishing, and the competition for the Give Him Line Trophy is tremendous, with the winner never certain until the last minute of the last day.

The first worlds record Blue Marlin caught in a tournament was set by angler Elliot Fishman (845lbs.) in the 1968 July Open. The Woman's current World Record Blue Marlin (1073lbs.) was caught July 6, by Maudi Lopez.

The long standing World record (1282lbs.) was held by Larry Martin and only recently broken. The Virgin Islands, the only place to be for serious Blue Marlin in July.

This tournament benefits the Boys and Girls Club, of the Virgin Islands.