The 15th Belikin Blue Water Classic Fishing Tournament

Back in Belize City, 2024 marks our 15th year of the Annual Belikin Blue Water Classic: the flagship fishing tournament for us here at the Belize Game Fish Association! For three days, Old Belize transformed into our tournament base as a fleet of 22 strong vied to be one of the top teams on the scoreboard, competing for over $100,000 in cash and prizes. Initially postponed due to Tropical Storm Nadine, here’s our official recap of the tournament weekend held October 24th, 25th, and 26th, 2024.

DAY ONE: OCTOBER 24, 2024

First up on our #15BWC2024 agenda is Meet The Weighmaster: a new addition to our usual event schedule. Perhaps the heaviest role during tournament time, Giovanni—better known as Jovy—is responsible for the accuracy and transparency that BGFA prides itself on, governed by IGFA’s rules. Acting as essential personnel at our sportfishing tournaments, Jovy has served as BGFA’s weighmaster for nine years and counting since being elected in 2014. The Captain’s Meeting followed closely behind on Thursday night, where anglers could get excited about the competition ahead, pick up tournament packages, and catch up on buzzing camaraderie from familiar faces.

With our Weighmaster Duran manning the scale on the dock of the tournament base, here’s a breakdown of anglers’ catch-of-day for Friday, October 25, and Saturday, October 26.

DAY TWO: OCTOBER 25, 2024

A Bimini Start, more commonly known as a shotgun start, is how we began the 15th Annual Belikin Blue Water Classic fishing tournament! On Day 1, each registered boat must report to Tournament Base for check-in with the Weighmaster before start time. Approximately 22 boats queued from the Cucumber Beach Marina of Old Belize—whose complimentary docking was included within tournament registration—to await the 6:00 AM official opening. With a rising sun just over the horizon, a single air horn (and a few colorful streamers) signaled each captain to rev towards their catch-of-the-day.

With lines out at 4:00 PM sharp—which also doubles as the deadline to call in or report all fish to the Weighmaster—boats began returning one by one to bring wahoo and dorado to the scale. Also at 4 PM, Happy Hour kicked off at The Market Bar inside the Old Belize Food Market, which also hosted local marine artist Ernest Garcia with ready-to-purchase original artwork and graphic tees on display all weekend long. At the end of Day 1, a total of ten boats qualified to rank on the scoreboard with unofficial results placing JollyMon at the top stop, thanks to a slew of wahoos.

Angler Jules Diab opened up the #15BWC2024 with the first call-in of the day, adding one wahoo to his team’s boat, Donzi. The Navy secured themselves a $1,000 cash prize as the first boat to the weigh station with a qualifying fish, thanks to angler Jailene Ancona with a 22lb wahoo. At the end of day one, a total of 24 wahoos and one kingfish qualified. For the scoreboard, Wahoos adds 1 point per pound while Dorado adds 1 point per pound. Full tournament rules can be read here.

DAY THREE: OCTOBER 26, 2024

As the final day of fishing, all boats MUST dock at the tournament base before 4:00 PM for any fish to qualify. While Happy Hour from 4 PM to 6 PM takes us straight into the Prize Giving Ceremony, the final few hours of the day are spent tallying points.

Ultimately, nine wahoos, one kingfish, and one dorado were qualified at the scale on Day 2 between six boats. For wahoo: Junior angler Stefan Musa Jr. of “Shelby Dee” 27.5 lbs; Dr. Adrian Heusner of “Mad Storme” with 20.5 lbs; Allen Valdez of “Jolly Mon” with 18.5 lbs; with Tino Campos adding 49.95 lbs of wahoo to “Catch N Bills”; and a cumulative 74 lbs by female angler Madelyn Bowen of “Jolly Mon”. While no qualifying tuna were brought to the scale, Ellis Metzgen added a 10 lb dorado to “Larsha Flo”, while female angler Carla Rodriguez landed the heaviest kingfish at 24 lbs for her team “Lucky Strike.”

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

Prize Giving Ceremony

Led by our Conservation Director Jacinta Usher, first things first on the agenda was our lucky winner for the Manta Island all-inclusive prize package raffles for 3-nights. Grateful for the support of all participants, and our Platinum Sponsor Manta Island Resort, we take this opportunity to congratulate once again Paula Griffith, who gets to enjoy the 12-acre private island on the edge of Glover’s Reef Atoll with a guest! Ultimately, after two days at sea, team “Jolly Mon” of Belize City secured the win overall, bringing home the coveted 1st Place trophy and a nice check for $48,000.

WINNERS

1st PLACE: JOLLY MON

“Jolly Mon” wins 1st Place in the 15th Annual Belikin Blue Water Classic! Representing Belize City, Captain Brandon Bowen and his team leave with an immaculate hand-carved cluster trophy, an original Ernest Garcia art piece, and a total of $48,000 —which includes First Place’s $25,000, 60% Calcutta of $18,000, the Top Angler prize of $2,500, and the Top Female Angler prize of $2,500.

2nd PLACE: CATCH N BILLS

Captain Richard Zetina returns his crew to San Pedro Town as sub-champions of the 15th Annual Belikin Blue Water Classic, taking 2nd Place with a total 164.2 points and $15,000 in total earnings. Not to mention, a Zericote trophy, an original Ernest Garcia art piece, and a complete prize package too! Field images via San Pedro Sun.

3rd PLACE: MAD STORME

Captain Dr. Adrian Heusner and his “Mad Storme” crew out of Belize City are our 3rd Place winners with 154.5 points from a haul of wahoo. Besides the 3rd Place cash prize of $10,000, “Mad Storme” also earns themselves the second place payout of Calcutta having purchased their own, which at 30% accounts for an additional $9,000!

4th PLACE: KEILA

Shoutout to Keila’s owner making the trek from Benque Viejo to participate, and not for naught! Captian Imer Hernandez and his “Keila” crew celebrate their $7,500 earnings for 4th Place. Additionally, female angler Keila Hernandez also nabs this year’s Heaviest Wahoo, clocking in at 33 lbs for an additional $2,500.

5th PLACE: JUST ONE MORE

No stranger to our scoreboard, “Just One More” rounds out our top five placements of the 15th Annual Belikin Blue Water Classic, with Captain Emiliano Rivero and his team for another win! With a hand-carved Zericote 5th Place trophy, this crew heads back to Ambergris Caye with a $5,000 cash prize.