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Cowpoke takes top honors at 11th Annual Boat Harbour-HMY Billfish Blast
Fourteen teams joined the competition with themed events including the Memorial Day Kick-Off Dinner, Sports Night Dinner, Rockstar Karaoke/Talent Competition Dinner, Lay Day Pool Party and Lunch, and the Awards Banquet. Tournament Coordinator Laurie Bass states, "We added a few new contests for participants and we kept the tradition of morning and afternoon gifts as well as an hourly raffle drawing on the VHF. I believe our formula for family, fun and fishing create a hybrid event like no other."
Kicking off in patriotic fashion on Memorial Day, registration and team check-in provided a smooth transition to the Kick-Off Dinner sponsored by Viking Yachts. Immediately following dinner, the Fireworks Extravaganza sponsored by Pirate's Cove Resort and Marina provided a special treat for everyone in Marsh Harbour along with a definite feeling that the Blast is back and underway.
The first day of fishing resulted in several hookups and two blue marlin releases. Aquaholic's Jason Suzar released the first and Cowpoke's Cruiser Crews released the second. The action doubled the second day with seven hookups and three releases. Perry Osman on Sea N Double released the first blue on Wednesday, and then after several pulled hooks, Dave Meyer on Cowpoke fought and released the team’s second blue marlin. Closing out day two, Bill Byers on Intents released the day's final blue at 3:48 PM.
The final day of fishing offered the hottest bite of the entire week. A total of eight hookups resulted in six blue releases and one white. Cowpoke's strong showing of two blue releases and one white by female angler Christy Crews pushed the team over the top and kept them in the top spot at lines out. Perry Osman on Sea N Double released a blue which secured second place. Junior angler, Van Wichers, on Outlaw released a blue to capture top honors for the Doc Austin Memorial Top Junior Angler award, and other blue marlin releases came courtesy of Kim Domel on Dequello, and Tracy Paterson on Coastal Angler. However, based on release time, Aquaholic held on for a third place finish.
Overall results are as follows:
1st Place Overall, 1st Place Release, 1st Place Crew: Cowpoke, 61' Viking
Owner Cruiser Crews
Captain Mike Brady
Mate Mike "Dewey" Price
Anglers Christy Crews, Cruiser Crews, Dave Meyer, Greg Jones
Four blue releases and one white marlin release
Kicking off in patriotic fashion on Memorial Day, registration and team check-in provided a smooth transition to the Kick-Off Dinner sponsored by Viking Yachts. Immediately following dinner, the Fireworks Extravaganza sponsored by Pirate's Cove Resort and Marina provided a special treat for everyone in Marsh Harbour along with a definite feeling that the Blast is back and underway.
The first day of fishing resulted in several hookups and two blue marlin releases. Aquaholic's Jason Suzar released the first and Cowpoke's Cruiser Crews released the second. The action doubled the second day with seven hookups and three releases. Perry Osman on Sea N Double released the first blue on Wednesday, and then after several pulled hooks, Dave Meyer on Cowpoke fought and released the team’s second blue marlin. Closing out day two, Bill Byers on Intents released the day's final blue at 3:48 PM.
The final day of fishing offered the hottest bite of the entire week. A total of eight hookups resulted in six blue releases and one white. Cowpoke's strong showing of two blue releases and one white by female angler Christy Crews pushed the team over the top and kept them in the top spot at lines out. Perry Osman on Sea N Double released a blue which secured second place. Junior angler, Van Wichers, on Outlaw released a blue to capture top honors for the Doc Austin Memorial Top Junior Angler award, and other blue marlin releases came courtesy of Kim Domel on Dequello, and Tracy Paterson on Coastal Angler. However, based on release time, Aquaholic held on for a third place finish.
Overall results are as follows:
1st Place Overall, 1st Place Release, 1st Place Crew: Cowpoke, 61' Viking
Owner Cruiser Crews
Captain Mike Brady
Mate Mike "Dewey" Price
Anglers Christy Crews, Cruiser Crews, Dave Meyer, Greg Jones
Four blue releases and one white marlin release
2nd Place Overall, 2nd Place Release, 2nd Place Crew: Sea N Double, 61' Viking
Owner Perry Osman
Captain Rich Stallings
Anglers Perry Osman, Shane Davenport, Kyle Osman, Sabrina Davenport
Two blue releases
Owner Perry Osman
Captain Rich Stallings
Anglers Perry Osman, Shane Davenport, Kyle Osman, Sabrina Davenport
Two blue releases
3rd Place Overall, 3rd Place Release, 3rd Place Crew: Aquaholic, 50' Hatteras
Owner/Captain Michael Rogers
Anglers Jason Suzor, Rob Davenport, LeAnne Rogers, Dan Suzor
One blue release
Owner/Captain Michael Rogers
Anglers Jason Suzor, Rob Davenport, LeAnne Rogers, Dan Suzor
One blue release
A new award was added to the event this year, the SEA WOLFE Good Neighbor Award, presented in honor of Chester Wolfe. Chester and his wife, Barbara, fished out of Boat Harbour for many years and often opened their boat, Sea Wolfe, to friends and anglers. With Chester's passing in 2009, Barbara wished to pay tribute to her husband by donating an award which would stand as a testament to Chester's love of fishing and friendship. This new award was presented to John Samuels and the Princess Lily team who constantly had their tool box and bar open, plus they gave taxi rides to other islands to everyone who needed it. Their neighborly attitude in general was evident when Mr. Samuels graciously accepted the award which included a perpetual plaque along with a donation from Abaco Gold.
After the Awards Banquet sponsored by MAN Engines and Components, platinum selling music artist and American Idol® winner, Taylor Hicks, took the stage to entertain everyone for the first ever musical act in Billfish Blast history. Featuring songs from his new album, "The Distance," along with several acoustic numbers, Taylor thrilled the crowd with his soulful tones and brilliant harmonica.
HMY Yacht Sales owner, Steve Moynihan, expressed, "This year's Blast may have not broken any records, but the turnout was perfect. From the smiles on everyone's faces, our nightly dinners and theme nights brought out the best in both HMY and Boat Harbour." Abaco Beach Resort owners Peter Sweeting and Manny Alexiou continue, "We are both proud and privileged to join HMY Yacht Sales as co-owners and hosts of the Billfish Blast; This legendary tournament represents the finest in fishing competition and sportsmanship and we are grateful to the many sponsors and fishing teams that participated."
About Abaco Beach Resort:
Abaco Beach Resort at Boat Harbour is the premier destination in the Bahamas Out Islands. Located on 52 scenic acres with white sandy beaches, lush tropical gardens and surrounding cays, the Abaco Beach Resort offers a total vacation experience with endless opportunities for recreation, relaxation and luxurious oceanfront accommodations. As the largest hotel in scenic Marsh Harbour on the Sea of Abaco, the Resort is just five miles from the Marsh Harbour Airport and a short, enjoyable flight from Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Palm Beach and Miami. And now, at Abaco Beach Resort at Boat Harbour, a limited number of luxury condominiums are available at the Harbour Residences. For more information, visit http://www.abacobeachresort.com/or call 1-800-468-4799.
After the Awards Banquet sponsored by MAN Engines and Components, platinum selling music artist and American Idol® winner, Taylor Hicks, took the stage to entertain everyone for the first ever musical act in Billfish Blast history. Featuring songs from his new album, "The Distance," along with several acoustic numbers, Taylor thrilled the crowd with his soulful tones and brilliant harmonica.
HMY Yacht Sales owner, Steve Moynihan, expressed, "This year's Blast may have not broken any records, but the turnout was perfect. From the smiles on everyone's faces, our nightly dinners and theme nights brought out the best in both HMY and Boat Harbour." Abaco Beach Resort owners Peter Sweeting and Manny Alexiou continue, "We are both proud and privileged to join HMY Yacht Sales as co-owners and hosts of the Billfish Blast; This legendary tournament represents the finest in fishing competition and sportsmanship and we are grateful to the many sponsors and fishing teams that participated."
About Abaco Beach Resort:
Abaco Beach Resort at Boat Harbour is the premier destination in the Bahamas Out Islands. Located on 52 scenic acres with white sandy beaches, lush tropical gardens and surrounding cays, the Abaco Beach Resort offers a total vacation experience with endless opportunities for recreation, relaxation and luxurious oceanfront accommodations. As the largest hotel in scenic Marsh Harbour on the Sea of Abaco, the Resort is just five miles from the Marsh Harbour Airport and a short, enjoyable flight from Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Palm Beach and Miami. And now, at Abaco Beach Resort at Boat Harbour, a limited number of luxury condominiums are available at the Harbour Residences. For more information, visit http://www.abacobeachresort.com/or call 1-800-468-4799.
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Posted on Friday, June 11, 2010
