Yamaha Contender Miami Billfish Tourney Results

The Yamaha Contender Miami Billfish Tournament concluded another successful and exciting fishing tournament and fundraiser for marine conservation and education. The 2012 tournament, which marked its 30th Anniversary, produced a winning weekend for everyone at the Miami Beach Marina on South Beach in Florida, March 22-March 24. Two-hundred and ninety-eight anglers aboard 61 boats fished for over $154,000 in cash, plus valuable prizes and trophies. Thanks to its anglers and sponsors, this non-profit organization donated almost $18,000 to area marine conservation organizations.

Bar South had 11 releases and 2,200 points, bringing their 2 day total to 3,200 points, which made them the Top Inboard Boat and Grand Champion of the 2012 YCMBT!  With this win, they were awarded $54,750. This was a result of the Championship Boat prize of $15,000, the Top Inboard Boat prize of $10,000, the Winner Take All prize in the 3K Hook-up for $22,950 and 1st place in the 2-day Pot of Gold for $6,800.

Second Place went to 4 Aces with 3,000 points. They took home $13,351.25 made up from the $5,000 prize for 2nd place Inboard Boat, $2,231.25 from the Half Day Daily, $2,040 form the Inboard Daily and $4,080 from 2nd Place in the Pot of Gold.

Third Place, with 2,600 points, went to Get Lit winning them $9,780 made up from the 3rd Place Inboard Boat prize of $4,000, $3,060 from the Inboard Daily and $2,720 from the 3rd Place Pot of Gold.

The Top Outboard Boat and $10,000 went to Captain Jack.

The Funfish Division was not without its excitement. No Vacansea captured the Top Funfish Boat for the second year in a row with a combined 56.50 pounds winning them $4,306. This was from $1,500 in prize money for 1st place Kingfish at 25.70 pounds brought in by Shawn Sherwood and a 17.80 pound 3rd place Kingfish brought in by his son Tyler Sherwood, along with $2,805 from 1st Place Kettle of Fish.  Tyler Sherwood also won Top and 2nd Place Junior in the Funfish Division, as well as the Heaviest Funfish by a Gentleman. The Top Dolphin was 20.30 pounds, caught by Chip Sheehan on No Mercy winning him $2,683 for Top Dolphin prize and 2nd place Kettle of Fish. Top Wahoo was caught by Bill Flynn, Jr. on Weez in the Keys.

In other divisions, Top Captain for the tournament was Jim Multahy and Top Mate was Greg Sage, both aboard Bar South with 3,200 points; Master Angler went to Gene Lebron aboard Jichi with 1,600 points; Top Lady Angler went to Sandra MacMillan aboard Sandman with 800 points and she also captured the heaviest fish by a lady with her 11.4 pound Dolphin; and Top Junior Billfish Angler was Ridge Murphy for the second year in a row with aboard Contender One with 1,000 points.

The One Day Outboard Only Tournament brought 28 new boats and 134 more anglers into the competition to compete for over $23,000 in cash prizes. At the end of the day, Team Swordafish had 4 releases to earn them the top Billfish Boat and total winnings of $4,360. On their heels was Double Diamond in second place. They took home $5,716 as a result of winning $3,400 from the Winner-Take-All Billfish Bonanza Added Value category, along with $816 from the One Day Pot of Gold and $1,500 for the second place boat prize. Team Lina captured third, also with800 points. The One Day Top Funfish Boat went to Howyareelin with a 27.2 pound Kingfish that was brought to the scales by Nick Stylianoudakis, winning them $5,360. Not a bad return on a $395 entry fee! Second Place Funfish Boat went to T/T Bandit with a 16 pound Kingfish. They were able to take home $3,460 with a combination of winning the 2nd Place Funfish Boat prize, 4th Place Billfish Boat, 3rd Place Pot of Gold and 2nd Place Kettle of Fish. In addition, Jorge Amores on T/T Bandit was named Master Angler with 400 points. The Top Female award was won by Lyndsay Woske on Reel Deal with 200 points and Top Junior honors went to Zach Ruwitch aboard Old School with 200 points.