Sixth Annual Venezuelan International "Grand Slam" Billfish Tournament

La Guaira, Venezuela - "A marlin every minute" exclaimed Rick Alvarez as he described the non-stop action offshore from 9:18 to 10:32 the final day of fishing. In fact, the bite on and around Venezuela's famous "La Guaira Bank" this morning was so immediate, captains actually had to "wait there turn" to call in there releases. What's more, Rick's log depicted seven white marlin - all released at exactly the same time - 10:32 am!

Extreme back-to-back fishing days had the voice of tournament control exhausted.

Indeed, this year's Venezuelan International "Grand Slam" Billfish Tournament - fished October 11th - 13th - was radical and set several new tournament records. Only 18 boats and 74 anglers participated, but when the salt spray settled, 449 billfish had been caught & released in just three days. This included 404 white marlin (new tournament record), 21 blue marlin & 24 sailfish plus eight "Grand Slams".

The final point total was equally amazing, setting another new tournament record with 100,100 points on the board!

Team Sassy Lady, with Capt. Jimmy Grant led after day one with 11 whites & one sail. However, Dave Fields fishing aboard DASea led all individual anglers, releasing five white marlin & one sailfish.

Day two, and the whites decided to join the party as 143 were let go. Sassy Lady stayed hot, picking up a 500 point bonus for the first "Grand Slam" of the tournament. A-fin-ity and Capt. Dave Noling also "Slammed" and moved into second place. The Bud Man and Capt. Lee Alonzo moved up as well, finishing third with 4,700 points.

Fast & furious can only describe fishing the final day.

The Tropic King moved from fifth to third position, releasing 17 whites and a "Grand Slam" finishing with 8,400 points. Team A-fin-ity also "Slammed" & let go 15 more whites to take second place with 9,100 points. However, no one could catch the Sassy Lady as Hans Kraaz, John Tierney, Mike Nichol & Jose Guanipa released 23 white marlin (42 total) a blue & a sail - "Slamming the door" with 11,200 total points to claim Top Team - a well deserved victory - during the sixth annual "record setting" event.

Next year's dates have been released - the seventh annual will be fished October 16th - 19th, 2003.

Story by Richard Gibson

Final Results

Total points - 100,100 - new tournament record

Total Fish - 449 - new tournament record

Blue marlin - 21
White marlin - 404 - new tournament record
Sailfish - 24

24.9 fish per boat

Top Anglers

1. - Hans Kraaz - 4200 pts.
2. - Dell Dombrosky - 3800 pts.
3. - Luis Fernandez - 3700 pts.

Top Lady Angler

1. Michelle Zelones - 1800 pts.

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