THE SHORT REPORT - ST. THOMAS - REFRESH (F5) OFTEN
11/24/11 We take time today to be thankful for our many friends in the Big Game Fishing Industry. We also want to remember those who have passed because they too helped to mold the sport. The ABMT encourages the release of all billfish ... we ask that you look the big girls (large egg layers) in the eye before you decide to gaff them!
11/24/11 Interesting article taken from IGFA newsletter: See IGFA Article
11/20/11 Taking the liberty to share with our readers the note below from dedicated observer and friend Larry I'Anson.
Hi Larry,
Thank you for your sincere note. Aside from the annual migration of blue marlin past our beautiful shores, the primary reasons for the success of the ABMT and its release efforts are due to the fact that the contestants (anglers and crews) are provided the assurance that their catches will be properly recorded and later fairly judged should there be a dispute. We salute you, our judges and your fellow observers for a job well done!
Jimmy
________________________________________
Jimmy, I have decided to "retire" from observing at billfish tournaments. Much to my disappointment, I find that I'm slowing down physically and mentally, and I believe it best to quit before I create a problem. It's been a wonderful 10 plus years; I've met some wonderful people and made lasting friendships. It's hard to give it up. I'm far from giving up on life as I have my photography and bicycle riding and of course grandchildren to make sure that my days are full. I admire all of your efforts to promote catch and release over the years and to make such tournaments meaningful to all anglers. Best wishes as you continue to expand your efforts and provide support to the Boy Scouts of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Larry
Capt. Lawrence I'Anson, USN Ret.
11/19/11 See Dolphin (the fish) tagging report under our Global Reports section Fishing Reports
MARINE VOCATIONAL PROGRAM (MVP) - TIME TO SEARCH AROUND FOR FUNDING!
We are asking our fishing friends to get behind our Marine Vocational Program (MVP). Can't think of a better gift to give a youngster than a career path into the Marine Industry. With the program on solid ground (operating now as a program offered by the VI Council, BSA) we feel that we can grow it to eventually include even the youth of the poorer countries that fishermen like to visit (they can be brought here to the VI for summer training programs and take their learning back to their homeland). We are already seeing results with our local students as they are now leading the tourist on dives, earning money on the weekends and one student has landed a part-time, year-round job in a busy marine store. Next our young divers (45 are PADI certified so far) will want to get their US Coast Guard license in order to captain the diveboats. Two (2) have already earned their PADI "Assistant Instructor" rating and are ready to work on the next goal. The MVP is a marine trade school in its infancy and the saying "Teach a man to fish... is its simple philosophy.
A PADI dive certification class is $250 per student, a beginners swimming class is $75 per child and our US Sailing certification course is $225 per student. The MVP program is being managed for the VI Council, Boy Scouts by the ABMT's all-volunteer committee and we are proudly operating it with zero administrative costs! The training classes are all sub-contracted out to industry professionals (putting the money back into the economy) in each field and therefore your donation is going directly into the training of the kids. The "basic" courses mentioned above are so important to keep going because they help us to recruit (lure) the teenagers (boys and girls) off the streets and under the umbrella of the VI Council, Boy Scouts of America and its Marine Vocational Training Program.
We are attempting to fund the program through self-sufficient means (grants, t-shirt sales, magazine ad sales, etc.) but an appeal for private and corporate donations from the ABMT's fishing friends is probably our best hope for immediate funding. Please write your tax deductable check to the Boy Scouts of America and mail to: 6616 Estate Nadir, St. Thomas, VI 00802. You can also donate through Pay Pal here on our website at Support Here Viewers wanting to learn more about the MVP program can go: MVP Overview We promise you results!
Read about the adventures of some of the best anglers and crews in the sport! Now online for viewers around the world!!
ABMT WEBSITE INFORMATION
11/18/11 - See the latest 200 "hits" to our website and you might recognize your own! Thus far in 2011 there have been 43,956 unique visits from fishermen who read 109,153 pages! Thank for your readership and we invite you to come fish our tournaments!
Angler Profile - November 2011 Chris Berian - SF Coral C - Stuart Florida
“What I enjoy is feeding the fish, watching it come right up behind the boat when we’re pitch-baiting,” he says. “I like to have my hand on the rod rather than a blind bite and just hear the click of the line coming out of the rigger. To me, the hook up is the challenge and test of skill as an angler.”
2010 Spanish Main Series Features Bernard Passman Award
The Pirates of the Caribbean eyeball this booty with envy! The Spanish Main Series (SMS) offers a unique angler prize that is designed and sponsored by the famous Bernard Passman Galleries. See Feature on Passman. The coin is a handstruck 1570's King Philip II gold 4-escudo. The coin is framed between black coral and a gold backing. The piece is numbered and signed on the back by the Passman Galleries and further enrichment comes when an emerald is inset into the gold knobs on the front frame to indicate the number of times that an angler has won a leg of the series. The pendant itself becomes a once in a lifetime award, the angler's career goal is to load it up with emeralds!
The Bernard Passman privately commissioned pendant w/rare gold coin is valued at over $25,000.
The Challenge
The Spanish Main Series is made up of 3 events. Each leg is fished in a destination that abounds with billfish! 2010 Teams will compete in Cap Cana, Dominican Republic, St. Thomas, VI and Anegada/Virgin Gorda, BVI. The Spanish Main requires team participation of at least 2 anglers. Each leg is also an "Open" meaning that the cash prizes, tackle prizes and local pots may be won by non-series boats. The gold coin pendant however, is reserved for the top scoring "series angler" of each leg.
The Spanish Main Series was designed to attract experienced anglers and crews. Those who desire to compete with others of equal skill. "Points" are earned for the release of blue marlin, white marlin, spearfish and sailfish. Line test varies from 20-50lb. IGFA test, the exception being the St. Thomas "Boy Scout" leg which is fished on 50 lb. test. Naturally the lighter the line, the higher the number of points. Members of a team may change from event to event. Observers are supplied.
Treasure Chest - The Booty
$10,000 per team (optional and amount negotiated +/- by the team leaders) is placed into the "series" Treasure Chest to be won (50/30/20) by the top 3 high scoring teams (BSA receives 15% of series pot). It takes team strategy, anll and a bit of luck to win the Spanish Main Series! A minimum of two legs must be fished in order to win the 'Treasure Chest' and the only required leg is the St. Thomas leg.
2010 Bermuda Triangle Series A True Bluewater Series!
A tournament tradition was introduced during the 2004 debut of the Bermuda Triangle Series (BTS). The top "series" angler of each leg becomes the recipient of a beautiful Ed Pang gold pendent in the shape of an ancient bone hook.
The pendant is a once in a lifetime award, the angler's career goal is to load it up with precious stones! Special in meaning, the Bahamas leg is represented by a beautiful Sapphire, Bermuda a fine Ruby and the ABMT "Boy Scout" Tournament, a sparkling white Diamond.
The winning team's name is recorded on the Ed Pang perpetual trophy.
The BTS consists of three legs. The Bahamas leg is fished in Abaco, Bahamas. The Bermuda leg out of Hamilton and the St. Thomas, USVI leg is fished inside of the ABMT "Boy Scout" Tournament. A minimum of two legs must be fished in order to win the series 'Triangle Pot' and the only required leg is the St. Thomas leg. There must be a minimum of 2 anglers on each team and team members may change from event to event.
Each leg of the BTS is also an "Open" meaning that the cash prizes, tackle prizes and local pots may be won by non-series boats. The Ed Pang Gold Hook however, is reserved for the top scoring "series angler" of each leg.
The Bermuda Triangle Series is designed for experienced anglers and crews. Those who desire to compete with others of equal skill. "Points" are earned for the release of blue marlin, white marlin, spearfish and sailfish. Line test varies from 80lb. - 130lb. IGFA test, the exception being the St. Thomas "Boy Scout" leg which is fished on 50 lb. test. Naturally the lighter the line, the higher the number of points. Observers are supplied.
The Triangle Pot
$15,000 per team is placed into the "series" pot to be won (50/30/20) by the top 3 high scoring teams (BSA receives 10% of series pot). It takes team strategy, angler skill and a bit of luck to win the Bermuda Triangle Series! Limit of 10 teams.
THE PROS SHARE THEIR PHOTOS! Photos below are for the enjoyment of our readers and they are not to be used for commercial purposes without the consent of the photographer.
Click here to view collection
2011 USVI OPEN ATLANTIC BLUE MARLIN TOURNAMENT "The Super Bowl of Sport Fishing Tournaments"
"BOY SCOUT" WINNER'S CIRCLE (Photos - Richard Gibson)
2011 ABMT ENDS WITH 107 RELEASES TOP ANGLER: DAMON CHOUEST 8 BLUE MARLIN TOP BOAT REVENGE 11 BLUE MARLIN
AVERAGE FISH PER ANGLER 1.81 AVERAGE FISH PER BOAT 5.35
TOP ANGLERS
First - Damon Chouest - Chach - Capt. David Dalfo - 3200 Points (8 BM)
Second - Sam Jennings - Revenge - Capt. Mike Lemon - 2400 Points (6 BM) Third - Buddy Hardiman - Triple Seven - Capt. Craig Baldwin - 2400 Points (6 BM)
TOP BOATS
Best Boat - Revenge - Capt. Mike Lemon - 4400 Points (11 BM) Second Place Boat - Gulf Rascal - Capt. Billy Borer - 4000 Points (10 BM) Third Place Boat - Chach - Capt. David Dalfo - 4000 points (10 BM)
TOP JUNIOR ANGLER
Tristan Lambert - Reel Tight - Capt. Eddie Herbert - 1600 Points (4 BM)
TOP LOCAL BOAT
Mixed Bag - Capt. Rob Richards - 1600 Points (4 BM)
BOAT MOST TAGS
Triple Seven - Capt. Craig Baldwin - 8 Tags
GLOBAL REPORTS
Send us your photos and fishing reports and we'll share them with our readers. Fishing Reports
"I started the day with no fish and I still have plenty left"
We take time today to be thankful for our many friends in the Big Game Fishing Industry. We also want to remember those who have passed because they too helped to mold the sport. The ABMT encourages the release of all billfish ... we ask that you look the big girls (large egg layers) in the eye before you decide to gaff them! 
A PADI dive certification class is $250 per student, a beginners swimming class is $75 per child and our US Sailing certification course is $225 per student. The MVP program is being managed for the VI Council, Boy Scouts by the ABMT's all-volunteer committee and we are proudly operating it with zero administrative costs! The training classes are all sub-contracted out to industry professionals (putting the money back into the economy) in each field and therefore your donation is going directly into the training of the kids. The "basic" courses mentioned above are so important to keep going because they help us to recruit (lure) the teenagers (boys and girls) off the streets and under the umbrella of the VI Council, Boy Scouts of America and its Marine Vocational Training Program. 
11/18/11 - See the latest 200 "hits" to our website and you might recognize your own! Thus far in 2011 there have been 43,956 unique visits from fishermen who read 109,153 pages! Thank for your readership and we invite you to come fish our tournaments!
The Spanish Main Series (SMS) offers a unique angler prize that is designed and sponsored by the famous Bernard Passman Galleries. 
of each leg becomes the recipient of a beautiful Ed Pang gold pendent in the shape of an ancient bone hook.
