New Orleans INVITATIONAL
BILLFISH TOURNAMENT

The 52nd Anniversary of the New Orleans Invitational Billfish Tournament added to the
storied history of camaraderie and sportsmanship that started with the first Invitational in 1971. The NOBGFC’s clubhouse was filled with passionate anglers, cocktails from the Joe Yurt bar, delicious meals, and generations of members eager to compete. The Dock catered to the Wednesday evening registration, Thursday morning Captain’s Meeting, and Saturday Dinner and Awards Presentation. The Invitational returned to its traditional three-day format, allowing boats to depart at 10 am on Thursday morning. The
Plaquemines Parish Sheriff Department escorted the fleet out of Cypress Cove Marina to start the tournament. The weather was nearly ideal with light seas, scattered thunderstorms, blue water, and a few rare riplines that were available to fish.

 

When the scales closed on Saturday night, the Invitational fleet had released 34 Blue Marlin, 2
White Marlin, and weighed a 585-pound Blue Marlin. Relentless Pursuit finished strong with
6-blue marlin releases to take First Place Billfish Release on time. Rising Sons had 6-blue marlin releases also and a 585-pound weighed blue marlin that allowed super angler, Jaselyn Berthelot, to win Top Lady Angler, Top Blue Marlin Angler, and the Judge Leander Perez Top Billfish Angler awards. Long-time member Jeremy Ball’s
Balls to the Wall came in Third Place Billfish Release for 4-blue marlin releases.

Vincent Pisciotta on the Heads N Tails caught the only dolphin to sweep the dolphin category. As always, tuna was a knife fight, Share-E came in First Place with a 125- pound yellowfin, Free & Easy came in Second Place with a 72-pounder, and Top Outboard Boat, and Relentless Pursuit came in Third Place with a 71-pound tuna.
George Newman on the Heads N Tails caught the First Place wahoo at 29-pounds to earn Top Youth Angler, and Connor Caplinger on the Tenacious took Second Place with a 21-pound wahoo.

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