Record success for Team Dogs Bollocks
The popularity of the Cape Verde Islands continues to grow and now another world event is taking place, the unique Blue Marlin 2024 fishing competition.
The Blue Marlin World Cup is a prestigious one-day fishing tournament held annually on 4 July around the world. The 2024 tournament saw record-breaking success when the Dogs Bollocks team from the Cape Verde Islands landed an 845kg (1,863lb) blue marlin for a total prize of $1.27 million. The catch set a new payout record in the tournament’s history.
The winning team and the catch
Fisherman Ron Kawaja, founder of Pelagic Gear, caught a huge marlin under the guidance of Captain Stuart Simpson. The fish, which measured 320 cm (126 inches) from lower jaw to fork and had a girth of 178 cm (70 inches), was caught on a Viper Bonze lure. The Dogs Bollocks team not only won the main competition, but also dominated the Big Blue Challenge (BBC) division, earning them all the prize money.
Social impact
They decided to donate part of their winnings to local Cape Verdean deckhands and support crew, who will use their share to build houses and educate their children. This generous gesture added even more meaning and joy to the victory, which took place during the 40th anniversary celebrations of the Blue Marlin World Cup.
Tournament course
A total of 162 teams from around the world competed in the tournament. The entry fee was USD 5,000 per team, with the optional Big Blue Challenge costing an additional USD 8,000. Teams fished from 8:30am to 4:30pm in their respective time zones and weighed their catches on certified government scales.
Other notable catches
In addition to Dogs Bollocks’ winning catch, there were several other notable catches in the tournament. Team Sorted from Madeira landed a 253 kg (557 lb) marlin, Laura Russell and Team Hit & Run from Bermuda landed a 289kg (636lb) marlin and Team Big Deal, also from Bermuda, landed a 305kg (673lb) fish after a four-hour fight. However, none of these catches could match the record marlin landed by the Dogs Bollocks team.
History and Future of the Tournament
The Blue Marlin World Cup has a long history of excitement. Team La Onda Milla won the event in 2020 with a 437kg (964lb) marlin, followed by Blue Hunter with a 478kg (1053lb) marlin in 2021 and Team My Victoria with a 431kg (950lb) marlin in 2022. This year’s success by Dogs Bollocks continues this rich history of amazing catches.
The 2025 Blue Marlin World Cup will take place on 4 July 2025. Registration for this tournament will open no later than 1 November 2024. For more information, please visit the official tournament website at www.bluemarlinworldcup.com.
We congratulate the Dogs Bollocks team on their phenomenal success and look forward to another exciting edition of the Blue Marlin World Cup!
source:
www.bluemarlinworldcup.com
https://fishbazaruto.com
