USVI Open/Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament

39th Annual
ABMT "BOY SCOUT" TOURNAMENT

AUGUST 10, 11, 12, 14, 2011

ST. THOMAS' FISHERMAN FRIENDLY EAST END

The East End of St. Thomas' Red Hook area, isn't actually a town, but it's almost a completely self-sufficient "town-let". It contains a shopping center, supermarkets, a drug store, laundromat, bank, deli, postal & secretarial services, car rental agencies, taxis, drop-off laundry, marine supply stores and the public ferry to the U.S. Virgin Island of St. John. Within a 5 to 10 minute drive, find accommodations and even more restaurants and shopping.

It's a good idea to make reservations for dinner. There's no need for men to wear a coat and tie, but do put on a shirt and shoes. Woman can wear skirts, long pants or nice shorts. Please, no bathing suits. Most restaurants accept major credit cards and travelers checks are accepted everwhere. There is ample taxi service available during dinner hours and like everywhere else, be sure to discuss the rate before you get into a taxi. Airport to Red Hook by taxi takes 30 minutes in medium traffic. The residents of the islands are english speaking. It is a custom of the island that you offer a greeting to the locals before you attempt to discuss business or ask questions.

AMERICAN YACHT HARBOR - Sponsor Marina

Located in Red Hook, St. Thomas - and visible for its Danish-style red-roofs - American Yacht Harbor Marina has a 105-slip capacity and two operational fuel docks, metered water and electric and telephone at every slip. A dive shop, 5 restaurants, ice cream shop, video rental store, bank, bait and tackle shop and several luxury stores are located on the AYH property. AYH's high-flying American flag - the largest in the territory - has come to symbolize not only the East End's boating center, but shopping and social hub as well. Monitoring VHF Channel 16. Tel. (340) 775-6454. Fax 776-5970.

AYH's sister marina is the new Yacht Haven Grand Marina. Be sure to check it out during your next visit. Dubbed the most luxurious marina in the Caribbean!

SPONSOR RESORT

THE RITZ-CARLTON. A favorite with our anglers! The beautiful Ritz-Carlton is located on the eastern end of St. Thomas, 8 minutes away from the marinas and tournament headquarters. Nestled within a 30-acre estate, this luxury Caribbean resort overlooks the sparkling turquoise waters and white-sand beaches. At the Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas, guests can explore the underwater world, enjoy gourmet dining and exceptional levels of personalized service. Giving back the tournament participants and the community, the Ritz-Carlton is the location and sponsor of the popular "Full Moon Party" held on the tournament's lay day. Tel. (340) 775-3333. Visit the Ritz-Carlton's web site:go there

SPONSOR RESORT

WYNDHAM SUGAR BAY RESORT AND SPA is located 8 minutes from the Red Hook marinas. So close, it overlooks the fishing fleet as they head to the famous North Drop! Offering comfortable, well appointed accommodations, Sugar Bay is the site of the tournament's Awards Dinner. Sugar Bay's Tel. (340) 777-7100. Be sure to ask for "fisherman's rates". Visit their web site: go there

SPONSOR RESORT

SECRET HARBOUR is one of the nicest of the smaller hotels on St. Thomas. Located just 8 minutes from the marina, it features a popular restaurant and dive shop. Book directly with the property reservations office to receive the special "fisherman's rate". Tel. 340-775-6550 email

TACKLE STORE & FISHING CHARTERS

Neptune Fishing Supplies

Neptune Fishing Supplies is the best-stocked bait and tackle store in the Caribbean! Owner Stewart Loveland and daughter Darcy (center) are shown here with the crew (LR) Joey, Sue, Mark and John. Stewart say’s "you don't have to ask the price at Neptune" because he keeps his prices low to please his customers.

Neptune caters to the needs of both the local and stateside fishing fleet, maintaining their oil supply and battery needs and keeping the shelves stocked with hooks, rods, reels, lures, colorful skirts and even fresh bait - minnows to mackerel - you’ll find what you need!

In addition to their retail sales and rod and reel repairs, Neptune also books fishing charters, inshore and offshore.

Contact Stewart and his trusty crew at 340-775-0115 or email

GET YOUR BVI FISHING LICENSE!

Anglers, if you fish the North Drop - you'll probably spend most of your time in the waters of the British Virgin Islands. A BVI fishing license is needed!

Don't wait until you arrive the VI to apply because it takes time to get one! Your boat captain will advise you of the easy online proceedure.

FISHING CLUB

V.I. Game Fishing Club The V.I. Game Fishing Club (VIGFC) is located in Red Hook, eastern end of St. Thomas. The clubhouse is just a stones throw from the American Yacht Harbor marina. The roots of the club date back to the mid-sixties when it's founders realized the potential of big game fishing in these waters. The VIGFC proudly owns it's own facility and it's members are very active in their community.

The VIGFC operates many year round tournaments (Wahoo, Dolphin, Children, Couples, etc.) but the July Open Tournament is the most looked forward to event by fishermen. The July Open is scheduled around the full moon period when the blue marlin bite is best. If you would like to join the club or find out about it's many functions, tournament prizes and Calcutta - Tel. 340- 775-9144 or email See VIGFC Tournament Schedule go there

PROVISIONS:

MARINA MARKET

This is the place for the freshest meat, poultry and fish on the island. An in-store deli serves up cold salads by the pound, rotisserie chicken and hot entree sides & entrees. Find exotic groceries like curry powders and common items like bread and milk too. Full beverage and snack food selection.

DINING:

Fish Tales - The freshest seafood in St. Thomas! Fried platters, steamed shrimp, oysters and clams. The local fish and lobster are fresh daily off the boats on the dock. Located on "P" Dock (AYH), Red Hook. Tel. 340-714-3188

Caribbean Saloon - Savor the sight of twilight over Red Hook harbor then enjoy prime rib, fresh fish or a steak cooked to perfection. Open lunch and dinner daily. American Yacht Harbor. Tel. 340-779-2261.

Craig and Sally's Restaurant- Located in Frenchtown (near downtown St. Thomas) this is one of the better restaurants of the island. Craig runs the front of the house and Sally is the chef. Great wines and delicious food! Tel. 777-9949 for reservations.

Toad and Tart - Located just west of Wyndham Sugar Bay (8 min. drive from AYH marina, Red Hook) after the second speed bump. Restaurant owner Anna Clark prepares a home cooked prime rib on Saturday nights. Tel. 775-1153

Schnitzel Haus - Located just 5 minutes from Red Hook on the Mangrove Lagoon next to Fish Hawk Marina. Owner Petra cooks up authentic and delicious German dinners. Tel. 779-2069

XO Bistro - Located across the street from American Yacht Harbour Marina. Great wines and delicious food! Home of the Woo Woo Party! Tel. 779-2069

Island Time Pub - Located on the top deck of the American Yacht Harbour Marina. Casual with great pies to stay or go! Tel. 774-2929

Molly Malones - This is down-home food at it's best. Eggs & bacon breakfasts come complete with crispy hash browns. Big meaty burgers, mega-sized salads and seafood dish up at dinner. Open B,L,D daily. American Yacht Harbor. Tel. 340-775-9425.

LOCAL CHARTER BOATS

Marlin Prince - Capt. Eddie Morrison - Best Local Boat - 2009 "Boy Scout" Tournament

The Marlin Prince is one of the best known boats on the North Drop. Capt. Eddie Morrison has spent many years at the helm and he is always on the leader board when it comes to tournament competition. Marlin Prince won "3rd. Place Boat" and "2nd. Place Angler" in the 2005 ABMT "Boy Scout" Tournament.

Contact Capt. Eddie at 1-340-693-5929 or email See the Marlin Prince web page view

Black Pearl - Owners Capt. Jim Estraca and Diane Thigpen

Best Local Boat - 2007, 2008 and 2010 "Boy Scout" Tournament

Black Pearl is a 38' Bertram captained by Capt. Jim Estraca. Capt. Jim and his crew offer you an excellent chance of winning the tournament. Black Pearl is located on "P" dock at AYH Marina and is available for all Caribbean tournaments.

Contact (340) 775-9982. See the Black Pearl web page view or you can email

Bluefin II - Capt. Don Mertens

Bluefin II is owned and operated by Capt. Don Mertens who custom built the vessel himself.

Capt. Mertens has been fishing the waters of the Virgin Islands for almost three decades and if there is a marlin out there - he'll find it! Bluefin II is located at American Yacht Harbor's "P" dock. Telephone (340) 775-6691.

See the Bluefin II web page view or you can email

Abigail III - Capt. Red Bailey

Mention the name Abigail III and fishermen will tell you that Capt. Bailey is one of the best in the business! "Red" as he is better known, was recently inducted into the ABMT's Board of Captains - Hall of Fame.

Fishing the waters of the Virgin Islands for over thirty-five years, Capt. Bailey knows the marlin on a first name basis! Note in the photo left that the blue marlin seem to follow him around! Abigail III is located at Sapphire Beach Marina, just steps away from the Sapphire Beach Resort. Capt. Red will take you straight to the top in any tournament!

Telephone (340) 775-6147 or 775-6024. Visit Capt. Bailey's web page view or you can email

Mixed Bag - Capt. Robert Richards

Experience some of the best sport fishing throughout the world in the Virgin Islands with Offshore Adventures.

Captain Robert Richards has been fishing in the Virgin Islands for 12 years. Robert and his wife Marni are the owners and operators of Offshore Adventures. "Mixed Bag" is a 2000 Luhrs 40' Open Express. The boat is equipped with the latest electronics and top of the line fishing equipment.

Telephone (340) 513-0389 or (340) 776-6730. Visit Mixed Bag's web page view or you can email

ABOUT TIME - Capt. Frank Griffin

About Time is a 31' Bertram Express. Capt. Frank has 25+ years of fishing experience. Charters range from a 2-4 hour inshore excursion - to an exciting full day offshore trip for marlin, tuna and wahoo. Located at American Yacht Harbor, Red Hook.

The vessel is well equipped and ready to go when you are! Telephone (340) 779-9028 or (340) 227-5114. Visit web page view or you can email

2011 - 39th Annual
USVI OPEN/ABMT "BOY SCOUT"

Activities See Entry Fees See Prizes See

Registration Sign Up!

Join us in St. Thomas and fish for blue marlin on the famous North Drop! This is also the final leg of the Bermuda Triangle Series (BTS) and the second leg of the Spanish Main Series (SMS). Anglers in our BTS and SMS series competitions will additionally be targeting sailfish, spearfish and white marlin.

The fishing dates are August 10, 11, 12 and 14. The fishing should be great as the full moon is on the 13th.

Here we fish IGFA 50lb. test tournament line. We are a "Modified Release" format, meaning that you can boat a large fish, but it won't count for tournament "points" unless it's a potential IGFA World Record.

The ABMT or "Boy Scout" is primarily an "Anglers Tournament" and may the best angler win! Visit the RULES button on this site for an explanation of our rules. They have been in development for over 36 years under the scrutiny and supervision of our prestigious Board of Captains (BOC). We are proud of the fact that we were the first tournament in the world to release blue marlin and we haven't boated a billfish in over 25 years! Last year's purse (Calcutta, Dailys and cash prizes) exceeded $450,000 proving that participants in a release tournament can win big bucks without putting the fish on the dock!

THANK YOU VIRGIN ISLANDS!

The VI Council of Boy Scouts would like to say "thanks" the community of the US and British Virgin Island for their kind support of the "Boy Scout" tournament. This tournament is a fund raising event for the VI Council of Boy Scouts.

We ask that our contestants first use the services of our listed sponsors. For more information on the US Virgin Islands visit our Visitor's Information website at go there