TTGFA, TIGFT hosting 2011 Bill Fish Bonanza New Games

TTGFA, TIGFT hostingt 2011 Bill Fish Bonanza New Games

For a decade and a half, the Trinidad and Tobago Game Fishing Association (TTGFA) and the Tobago International Game Fishing Tournament (TIGFT) have competed for the best time of year to host their respective tournaments.

But next year, the two bodies will team up for the Tobago Bill Fish Bonanza 2011 from March 26-April 2, an event they are hoping will see eight days of fishing and fun in Charlotteville.
Previously, the two tournaments contended for the late March/early April period, when it is most suitable for fishing due to the moon phases and other factors.

The TTFGA tournament has been around for 30 years, while the TIGFT celebrated their 15th anniversary this year.  Given the logistical difficulties, the two parties decided to "streamline" their efforts to make the Tobago tournament even better.


Tobago has been earning exposure as an attractive fishing venue, especially after record blue marlin hauls in the TTGFA Marlin Madness tournament in 2008 and 2009.
This included a new IGFA male junior Atlantic blue marlin world record catch of 890 pounds by Sean Mendonca on board Indigo in 2008, and another 825lb catch by Jovan Jango on Reel Finatic last year.

TTGFA president Reginald MacLean and TIGFT head captain Gerard "Frothy" De Silva have also stated that the two events will continue to be IGFA Offshore World Championship qualifying events.
Anglers participating in the two tournaments will also be eligible for competing in the Southern Caribbean Bill Fish Circuit.
There will also be special prizes for boats and anglers in each tournament, for which the entrance fee has been lowered.

Updates for the events can be found at www.ttgfa.com and www.tgft.com, as well as the TTGFA and TGIFT Facebook pages.

Tobago Bill Fish Bonanza 2011 schedule of events:

Saturday March 26 – Registration for both tournaments – TTGFA Marlin Madness and TIGFT at Pigeon Point
Sunday March 27 – TTGFA 1st day fishing
Monday March 28 – TTGFA 2nd day fishing and prize givin
Tuesday March 29 – TTGFA Lay Day
Wednesday March 30 – TIGFT registration at Charlotteville
Thursday March 31 – TIGFT 1st day fishing
Friday April 1 – TIGFT Lay Day
Saturday April 2 – 2nd day fishing and prize giving

Posted in: fishing sport