Utila’s Annual Billfish Tournament is Underway.
The influx is fancy fishing boats moored along the docks in the bay are due to the kick-off of the Annual 2014 Utila International Billfish Tournament, hosted by Laguna Beach.
The lucky winner will walk away with an $8,000 purse when they provide proof of the largest Billfish catch caught on video.
This is a catch and release sport fishing tournament where the process of the catch needs to be caught on video from the time the fish is caught on the line until after it is pulled onto the boat for a visual inspection and verification of size and weight. It must then be released.
Billfish are a species of pelagic fish that travel long distances migrating with the major ocean currents path for spawning and feeding grounds. Called ‘Billfish’, for the distinguishable spear like protrusion or ‘bill’, this extension of their bodies is used to slash at or stun prey.
Billfish have often been considered trophy fish and commonly sought after in tournaments due to their strength, size and power. In the past these fish were legendary in their elusiveness and it took considerable skill (and luck), to find, hook and land one of these magnificent fish that used to be recorded of up to 1000 pounds.
The Utila Billfish Tournament also consists of two other divisions for participation:
The Fishing Rodeo allows teams to catch Wahoo, Tuna and Kingfish weighing a minimum of 20 lbs. Prizes will be given to the heaviest weighing fish.
There is also a Dory Division for smaller boats, whereby prizes will be distributed to the top three heaviest weighing fish.