| White Marlin Tournament, Dominican RepublicBy J Godwin
This tournament is held in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic and is next to our hotel, Grand Oasis.
The fishing grounds are the well known Mona Passage, the body of water between the island of Hispaniola (Haiti and Dominican Republic) and Puerto Rico, a terrific white marlin fishery. There are no docks in Punta Cana, only the fuel dock--everyone anchors out and we get to the boats by panga or dingy.
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In this tournament of 26 boats, 69 billfish were caught --mostly whites but several sails and maybe a blue marlin or two.
IGFA rules: 20# test line, circle hooks--EC2004el 8/0 provided by the tournament-- no fence, no limit on teasers or dredges, one rod per angler, rotation optional. All boats I was on used medium hoos rigged differently and no lures. 2 anglers minimum-4 anglers max.
There were clear blue seas during the three days, seas were moderate for the most part, 2-3 with some white caps and large long swells, light winds. Early day one was a little dusty but laid down late morning. Clear skies for the most part although it did rain some during each day. Boats may leave the dock at 7:30, lines in at 8:00 lines out at 5:00--last day 3:30.
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I served as an observer on these boats:
DAY ONE----BARBIE--a 45' Morris, built in Brazil, convertible. A very light red boat. 4 anglers using TLD 20 2 speed on 6-1/2' custom rods--2 long not twisted, one flat and one short--both twisted in the clips. Owner showed up to the boat at 8:04--we were fishing at 8:20 in 40-60 fathoms. Catch report--2 white marlin, 6 san cocho.
DAY TWO---BLUE BIRD--a 68 Hatteras enclosed bridge. A very impressive boat. The attached pictures of the control panel, the cockpit, and the wash while running are this boat. 26.7 kts cruise, 114 gal/hr. The cockpit is huge, 21 1/2' wide X 10' deep plus mezzanine seating--I could not get all of it in the frame. 3 anglers using Tyrnos 30 2 speed on 7' custom rods. 2 long, 1 flat all twisted. Lost a sail at 8:15. 4 san cocho total. Started early in 40-60 fathoms, moved to 80 fathoms at late morning and fished 20 fathoms late in the day. Catch report--3 white marlin and pulled the hook on a blue they had on for 5 minutes-- the cockpit was knee deep in water because the boat was backing down so fast.
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DAY THREE--EL CAIMAN (ALLIGATOR in english)--a 45' express Hatteras w/tower. 2 anglers, Tyrnos 30, 2 speed, 6 1/2' Shimano rods; one long--twisted, one pitch. Catch report--1 dorado, missed a blue about mid-day. A very slow day for the whole fleet.
There were 13 Observers working this tournament - Bob Malerba, John Treat, Doc Kretkowski, Don Gaynor, Bruce Kadota, Larry Gabriel, Bill Slaughter, Lee Fickinger, Scott Kallis, Marvin Badler, Ian Bose and Rick Alverez.
I'm going back to Dominican Republic in 6 days for Rick Alverez's International Shootout Tournament. We will be fishing out of Cap Cana, the new marina complex about 12 miles south of the Grand Oasis.
Buena Suerte, J
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