Bones Babes Reel Them In 2018

Thu, Apr 19th 2018, 02:47 PM

The highly anticipated Bahamas Rotary Tuna Classic returned in grand style last weekend, as teams of fishing enthusiasts took to the high seas for two days of friendly competition. Now in its sixteenth year, the 2018 Tuna Tournament saw thirteen teams from around the country, battle it out in various categories including largest dolphin, Mahi Mahi and tuna and then the coveted Grand Slam.

With weighing stations in North Eleuthera, the Berry Islands, New Providence, Abaco and Grand Bahama participating teams did not have to go far to weigh their catch, which were all caught in local waters.

Grand Bahama’s happiest watering hole, Bones Bar, at Pelican Bay Resort was a weigh station but also entered the fishing fray with a team of its own. The ‘Bones Babes’, led by team captain Siobhan Antoni-Bates and her teammates Nicole Waugh, Kristi Long and Nikki Rose, were the only all-female boat who participated this year. There was a second female angler team ’Reel Gals’ who also did very well representing fisherwomen in The Bahamas.

“We jumped at the opportunity to support an all-women’s team” explained Bones, General Manager Jason Franklin. “Their very presence in this competition and their amazing performance breaks the perceptions about what women are able to accomplish, even in areas that are traditionally dominated by men.”

For a second consecutive year, the four-member team not only displayed their prowess as fisherwomen but also proved the level of camaraderie that can exist for all in this great sport. Adding to the already intense competition was the showdown between the Bones Babes and their husbands who also participated in the competition.

“Over the past few years we watched our husbands plan for and participate in this tournament” explained Bones Babe, Nicole Waugh, “Until we thought, why not us? We are waiting for the final results but we believe almost all of us were able to catch larger fish than our significant others!”

Despite not winning the tournament, ‘Bones Babes’ are already planning for next year’s tournament and looking to encourage more women to join them. “We’re so happy with the outcome this year. We did even better than we did our first time out and next year, we plan to win,” said Captain Bates.

Tournament results are set to be announced during special ceremonies at Green Parrots on Saturday April 21 at 6:30 pm. To learn more about the Tournament, visit the rotary official website at bahamasrotaryfishing.com or follow Harbourside Marine via their Facebook page.

Bones Babe team member KRISTI LONG works hard to reel in her catch during the 2018 Bahamas Rotary Tuna Classic (Photo courtesy of Bones Bar for Barefoot Marketing)

Bones Bar Owner, Jason Franklin, poses with his all-female fishing team, Bones Babes. ( Owner Photo courtesy of Bones Bar for Barefoot Marketing)

Bones Babe Team member Nikki Rose poses along with this massive wahoo ahead of weigh-ins which took place at the Bones Bar in Freeport Grand Bahama. (Photo courtesy of Bones Bar for Barefoot Marketing)

These Bones Babes mourne the one that got away. (Photo courtesy of Bones Bar for Barefoot Marketing)

Nikki Waugh shows off her wahoo catch on the first day of fishing. (Photo courtesy of Bones Bar for Barefoot Marketing)

Not happy to just run the boat, Captain Bates-Antoni reeled one of her own in on the second day of fishing. (Photo courtesy of Bones Bar for Barefoot Marketing)

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