The Tribune

BIMINI’S Big Game Club Resort & Marina is holding its second Wahoo Smackdown II Tournament in February.

The legendary resort kicked off the Wahoo season run in November, with some 60 anglers competing for more than $30,000 in cash and prizes. Participating teams landed nearly a ton and a half of fish.

Tournament director, Captain Paul Cameron, hopes the fishing Gods will back in force on February 21-23 with the season-ending Wahoo tournament run.

“We listened to what the anglers wanted, and have come up with what we feel is a good combination, blending reasonable entry fees with great prizes,” said Mr Cameron, who confirmed the entry fee for the Wahoo Smackdown II (which includes four anglers per boat) is $1,250. The first place prize is $5,000, followed by $1,500 for second and $1,000 for third.

“Great fishing is what put Bimini on the map,” said Michael Weber, general manager of the 51-room Big Game Club Resort & Marina. “Weather and the fishing was perfect in November, and we’re hoping for even a better turnout in February.”

Bimini’s location along the Gulf Stream (a ‘river’ of warm water) is at the apex of a superhighway for migrating fish, and acts as a kind of sushi conveyor belt carrying abundant food to the local fish.

Deepwater game fish include marlin, tuna, sailfish, wahoo and swordfish, while big grouper, barracuda and schools of snapper can be found on the reefs.

Bimini’s flats are home to the fishermen’s favourite prey, bonefish. With more than 50 record-setting catches in the waters around the island, Bimini has earned its title of Sport Fishing Capital of the World.