FREEPORT, Grand Bahama – The inaugural BattleGround Bahamas Yellowfin Tuna Fishing Tournament took place June 24-26, 2021, at the Grand Bahama Yacht Club.

The two-day tournament attracted 16 participating teams, including four international entrants.

Tournament Director Alex Saunders said: “The tournament was a good way to put Freeport back on the map and to make sure that everyone remembers us.” Saunders added that “although only four American boats entered, this is one of the most Bahamian/American mixed tournaments that has happened in the recent history of Grand Bahama.”

One of the main goals of the tournament was to bring together members of the offshore fishing community by promoting camaraderie through competition and based on the feedback of event participants that goal was accomplished.

The teams braved choppy seas on the first day of competition with many battling for more than 10 hours each day to see who would bring in the biggest catch. At the end of the two days the results came in.

The winners were chosen based on the aggregate weight of their catch over the two days.

In third place was Murderize (weight 65.4 lbs.), catching the biggest Mahi and Junior Angler prizes; finishing second was Waugh-Hoo (weight 88 lbs.); and taking home the top prize was Yea Ya Sea (weight 123 lbs.), claiming $13,450 in cash, along with a Garmin prize for largest Tuna and Calcutta.

Captain of Yea Ya Sea Tom Paine shared that the most exciting part of the tournament for him and his team was when they caught their biggest fish, a 64.6 lb. yellowfin Tuna. Payne shared that the six-member crew were all under the age of 22 and have been fishing together for a number of years.

Tanya Griffin, international entrant with Game Over Fishing, won the best female angler competition.

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