Article by: Marlinmag.com | Originally Published: 9/24/2024 | Please click here for original article.
The 2024 Scrub Island Billfish Series showcased how impressive the late summer billfish bite can be in the Caribbean. This year a total of 13 teams and 98 anglers fished the series, which awarded a total cash purse of $345,700. The fleet released 59 blue marlin and seven sailfish during the first leg leading up to the full moon, followed by an even hotter bite during the second leg with 73 blue marlin and two sailfish releases. During the six full days of tournament fishing, 132 blue marlin and nine sailfish were released.
Showtime!, a 75-foot Spencer hailing from Stuart, Florida, was crowned champion of the 2024 Scrub Island Billfish Series. Led by Capt. Jon Meade, the team released 20 blue marlin over the six tournament fishing days. Anglers Fred and Nancy Hardwick, Thomas and Gail Russell, Mark Wodlinger, Ayrton Pryor and Thomas Key collectively tallied a tournament-record 10,000 points in the series while securing second place in the first leg and first place in the second leg. In addition to taking home three crystal trophies and an invitation to the 2025 Costa Offshore World Championship in Costa Rica, the team also earned a total of $142,576 in prize winnings.
Marlin Darlin, a 66-foot Spencer, claimed second place in the series and third place in the second leg, winning $29,370. The team comprises Capt. Shay Danzig and anglers Bobby Jacobsen, Beecher Jacobsen, Colby Jacobsen, Roman Davila, Vinny Delgado and Humberto Quintana.
Third place in the series was won by the team aboard Juben of Charleston, South Carolina, fishing aboard their 63-foot Weaver. Capt. Jay Weaver and his team of Billy Freeman, Sallie Freeman, Brad Benners, Michael Giannelli, Wils Hartnes, Colton Richardson, Donnie Todd, Michael Smith and Brock Sandish also won second place in the second leg to take home $37,913.
Doña Lucy, a 58-foot F&S based out of San Juan, Puerto Rico, took first place during the first leg of the 2024 Scrub Island Billfish Series, winning $104,466 in prize money. Led by Capt. Efrain Rodriguez, the team comprised of Ricardo Quiñones, Rafael Caicedo, Joselo Hernandez, Jose Deveer, Bryan Ramos and Antonio Lopez released nine blue marlin during the three days of competition. Ricardo Quiñones released five of the team’s blue marlin, earning him the title of Top Overall Angler during the first leg of the series.
Ohana, based out of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, took third place in the first leg after releasing seven blue marlin and one sailfish fishing aboard their 68-foot Viking. Capt. Luke Hickey and his team of Ed Burr, Austin Burr, Dennis Doyle, Casey Roohan, Jimmy Contreras, Kent Shoemaker, Eric Silagy, Shane Strum, Nathan Stuart and John Cashman took home $13,040.
The title of Top Angler for the second leg was earned by Chad Damron of Sodium for releasing seven blue marlin. Top Lady Angler for the first leg was awarded to Michelle Espinosa for releasing one blue marlin aboard One Up, and the Top Lady Angler award for the second leg was earned by Stacey Parkerson who released two blue marlin aboard Trilo Bite.
“We’re absolutely thrilled with how this year’s Scrub Island Billfish Series turned out,” said tournament director Jennifer Dudas. “The fishing was phenomenal, the weather was perfect, and the energy from all the participants was off the charts. We’re already counting down the days to 2025!”
