Among the dozens of seasoned anglers heading out for some wahoo action next month will be three ladies to prove that women winning a popular Bahamas fishing tournament is far from being "nearly impossible".
Jessica Hawkins, Jill Mercado and Katie Colville - all experienced anglers - have entered the tournament hosted by the Bimini Big Game Club Resort & Marina as "Team Nearly Impossible" along with first mate Dominic Miller and Hawkins' charter captain husband Ralph Hawkins. With an anticipated 30-plus boats, the Hollywood, Florida-based team will be up against tough competition fishing for wahoo and vying for $10,000 in cash and prizes.
Another tournament first is a $1,000 bounty for anyone breaking the current International Game Fish Association (IGFA) all tackle wahoo record for The Bahamas.
"Interest and early registration for this November 12-14 tournament has been very strong," said Tournament Director Misty Wells. "Naturally, I'm an advocate for women anglers competing and having 'Team Nearly Impossible' onboard should give the guys an extra incentive."Wells said last November, the wahoo smackdown tournament attracted a record 29 boats.
"Team Cash Out" took heaviest fish honors with 47.6 pounds. The heaviest five fish over two days trophy went to "Team Fishin A Loan"; and the heaviest fish (first day) winner was "Team Snow Cone's Revenge".
For Wahoo Smackdown VII, Wells has added new species categories and a youth division along with the female competitors. Registration fees are $1,500 per boat. Sponsor FishBrain, which is offering the $1,000 bounty for breaking The Bahamas' wahoo record, will also provide teams with a free upload of its fishing app, the world's largest social network for anglers.
Tournament sponsors include FishBrain, Bost Lures, Sands Beer, Tito's Vodka, Bucket Innovations, Don Ray Marine Artist, Island Air Charters and Salt Life Sunglasses. JVC Broadcasting - 900 AM The Talk, 95.9 The Palm and 93.5 The Bar will be broadcasting live from Bimini during the tournament. To register, interested persons are asked to go to the website www.biggameclubbimini.com/smackdown or call 242-347-3391.
The Bimini Big Game Club Resort & Marina is owned by the Southern California-based Hankey Group and is managed by Horizon Hotel Group, www.horizonhotelgroup.com.
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