2022 RECAP: The 13th Belikin Blue Water Classic in Belize

Two days. Fifteen boats. Sixty-six anglers. One grand prize winner.

Belize Game Fish Association’s flagship tournament made its mark on Belize City last week with the 13th Annual Belikin Blue Water Classic, our 2-day fishing tournament event.

The weekend officially started with the tournament briefing at our Captain’s Meeting, held at Old Belize in Belize City, Belize on Thursday, October 13, 2022. Over the next few days, Old Belize became the hub for all things fishing as the official tournament base.

DAY ONE: OCTOBER 14, 2022

Echoing the rising sun over the Caribbean Sea on day one, a fleet of 15 strong lined up just meters away from the tournament base at Old Belize, Belize City. At exactly 6:00 am, a single air horn signaled captains to rev their vessel’s engines and throttle up towards the horizon in search of their winning catch.

With lines out at 4 pm sharp—which also doubles as the deadline to report all fish to Weighmaster—boats began returning one by one to bring wahoo, dorado, and tuna to the scale. While they waited, the VIP weigh station bar kicked off with a DJ; all anglers enjoyed complimentary happy hour from 4-6 pm sponsored by Belikin Beer and Cuello’s Distillery, as did any (non-fishing) guests with the all-inclusive and all-access Onshore Package. Simultaneously, guests also enjoyed a pop-up shop on tournament base from 1 pm - 6 pm of local artisans.

Of the 15 boats, four qualified to rank on the scoreboard at the end of Day 1 in the 13th Annual Belikin Blue Water Classic. Unofficial results on day one confirmed team Amber Marie leading with 156 points, Jolly Mon with 126, and No Worry Bout Nothing in third place with 46 points. Team Bejeweled held fourth place with 20 points.

DAY TWO: OCTOBER 14, 2022

The call for “lines out” signaled teams to stop fishing at exactly 4:00 pm at which time the weigh station was once again opened to score the team’s heaviest tuna, wahoo, kingfish, and dorado. Although with an ongoing pop-up shop from 1-6 pm, a complimentary VIP weight station happy hour, and a complimentary dinner inside the new Old Belize Food Market for anglers to choose from any four vendors, there was plenty to keep one entertained.

The 4 pm deadline to dock at the tournament base inside Old Belize’s Cucumber Beach Marina also meant scoring was made official for any points brought to the board. Prize giving kicked off at 7 pm inside the Old Belize Food Market as hosts Madelyn Bowen (BGFA President) and John Palacio (tournament partner Belikin Beer’s rep) introduced us to this year’s winners.

A few of our BGFA board members! Our Administrator Jason Valdez (far left), Vice President of Sponsorship & Marketing Louise Roe (middle left), President Madelyn Bowen (middle right), and Weighmaster Giovanni "Jovy" Duran (far right).

Ultimately after two days at sea, it was team Amber Marie of Ambergris Caye that secured the win overall, bringing home the coveted 1st Place trophy and a nice check for $45,910.00 BZD.

Here’s how the rest of the numbers played out.