The 71st International Billfish Tournament (IBT) of Club Nautico de San Juan saw the Doña Lucy fishing team emerge victorious after releasing three blue marlin into the ocean. The team, aboard their 58-foot F&S sportfisherman, was closely followed by Hook Up and Salty Mood, both local boats that also reported three releases each.
“It was a close fight up to the last moment,” said Richard H. Christiansen, Jr., the tournament chairman, reflecting on the intense competition. Nearly a dozen battle wagons had reported two billfish releases each by the final day of the three-day event, making the outcome unpredictable and thrilling for participants and spectators alike.
In total, 34 blue marlin were released during the tournament—16 on the first day, 10 on the second, and eight on the final day. Efrain Rodriguez, owner of Doña Lucy, earned the title of Best Captain, while his daughter Nathalie Rodriguez, who released a blue marlin, won Best Lady Angler. The father-daughter duo has been fishing together for 15 years, participating in numerous tournaments across Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.
Local angler Lorenzo Ferrer achieved remarkable success with two releases, earning him 500 points and the titles of Best Angler Overall and Best Local Angler. His name will be engraved on two perpetual trophies: the “Murray Products Ralph Christiansen, Jr. Perpetual Award” for overall angler and the “Gustavo X. Ferrer Perpetual Trophy” for best local angler. Notably, Ferrer’s grandfather won the first edition of the IBT 71 years ago.
José “Joche” Valdés, an experienced angler, secured second place with two blue marlin releases, earning 500 points aboard his 66-foot Viking, Lady Abi. Miguel Hernandez followed in third place with 250 points.
In the team category, “Club Náutico of San Juan #4” led with 750 points, thanks to the efforts of Ferrer, Tom Downey, and Maria Rivera. The team “Chiflados” came in second with 500 points, while “Guaguaguá” secured third place, also with 500 points.
The competition attracted 45 fishing boats and 200 anglers from five countries: Guatemala, South Africa, the Dominican Republic, the United States, and Puerto Rico.
For more information, visit www.fishclubnautico.com or follow the event on social media: Facebook (San Juan IBT) and Instagram (CNSJ_IBT). You may also contact Club Nautico de San Juan at 787-409-8465.
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