ABACO, The Bahamas -- It was a race to the finish for Southern Comfort, as the team captured top honors at the 30th Annual Treasure Cay Billfish Tournament (TCBT), at Treasure Cay Beach, Abaco.

Owned by Peter Angel from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Southern Comfort clinched first place on the last day of fishing when they released their fourth blue marlin, bumping Domarlo, owned by Doug Macdonald from West Palm Beach, Florida, to second place. Southern Comfort earned Top Team and Top Release Team, releasing a blue marlin on each of the four fishing days. Peter Angel released two blues to win the Top Angler trophy.

 Domarlo claimed the Ultra Champ award for most points earned by prior TCBT winners. The team celebrated a grand slam on the first day of the tournament, with a blue marlin and sailfish double-header, followed by a white marlin release. Their honors included Top Dolphin for a 29.7 lb. fish, plus Top Lady and Second Place Angler, awarded to Heather Macdonald.

 Big T's Too owned by Bob Wolsey from Sarasota, Florida, dashed from zero to 800 points on the last day of fishing with a blue and white marlin release to snag third place. The Top Junior Angler award went to 14-year-old Mason Daughterty from Auburn, on board Pandemonium, owned by Kim Kuhnle from Treasure Cay, The Bahamas. Kilowett, owned by Eddie and Lisa Flack, from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, caught the first blue marlin of the tournament, earning Third Place Angler for Lisa Flack.

 Eight competitors released a total of 14 billfish during the four days of fishing.

For the lay day, Kettle O'Fish tournament Big T's Too took first place in the Bottom Fish Division with 20 snappers. Pandemonium took first place in the Lionfish Division with 70 fishes. Social events included crab races and a lay day dock party with delicious dishes prepared by the anglers. To commemorate the tournament's 30th anniversary, an incredible sand castle was sculpted and lighted on the lay day by Victor Leong.

 Known as the best tournament value in The Bahamas, the TCBT is a modified release tournament with four days of fishing, parties, dinners and fun competitions. Proceeds from the tournament were donated to the Treasure Cay Primary School. The winner of the TCBT received an invitation to fish at the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) Offshore World Championship. Sponsors included Rubis Bahamas Ltd., Silver Airways and Treasure Cay Beach, Marina and Golf Resort. Co-sponsor/official weather provider was Weather Routing, Inc.

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