The inaugural IGFA Open took place at Marina Pez Vela in Quepos, Costa Rica, drawing considerable attention from fishing enthusiasts and professionals alike. With 28 teams participating, the event witnessed an impressive catch of over 1,000 fish, which included 988 billfish. This tournament marked a significant step for the International Game Fish Association, introducing a calcutta structure managed by CatchStat in its events for the first time.
One of the standout performances of the tournament came from Team Galati, a seasoned group of competitors. They claimed the top spot with a total of 8,100 points, resulting in an impressive $150,250 payout. "We’re really proud of our team’s performance this weekend and thankful for the support from our sponsors," said Captain Tony Carrizosa, who led the team alongside anglers Sean Dooley, Carmine Galati, Thomas Garmany, Justin Healey, and Pat Healey. The team released a remarkable 81 sailfish, solidifying their status as leading competitors.
Finishing in a commendable second place was Tarheel, a 62-foot Bayliss captained by John Bayliss. They amassed 7,000 points by releasing 66 sailfish and one blue marlin, which earned them a payout of $28,625. "It was an exhilarating experience. The fish were really biting, and our team performed admirably under pressure," Bayliss stated.
Rounding out the top three was Sea Base, a 69-foot Spencer captained by Wendell Black. They earned 6,900 points from releasing 69 sailfish, which brought them a prize of $24,000. "This tournament was a fantastic display of both skill and sportsmanship, and I’m proud of my team’s contributions to it," remarked Capt. Black.
Individual feats were also celebrated at the tournament, with Jill Yates from Poco Ocho awarded the Top Angler title in recognition of her 3,200 points. Following her were JC Gonzalez from Pura Vida with 2,400 points and Maria Smith from Uno Mas with 2,200 points. Additionally, the Top Junior Angler title went to Chris “Marlin” David of Catch 23, who secured 1,100 points.
The awards didn't stop there, as Carlos Perez from Crush’Em brought in an impressive 53.3-pound dorado to win the Heaviest Dolphinfish award. Meanwhile, Steve Kehoe from Gladiator took home the Heaviest Tuna award for his 128.5-pound yellowfin catch.
Reflecting on the tournament's success, Jason Schratwieser, IGFA President, emphasized the event's significance, stating, "The IGFA Open was an incredible showcase of skill, sportsmanship, and the world-class billfishing that Costa Rica has to offer. Seeing more than 1,000 fish caught under IGFA rules in our inaugural event is a testament to the passion and dedication of the anglers and teams who participated. We are thrilled with the tournament’s success and deeply grateful to our sponsors and Marina Pez Vela for their outstanding support. This is just the beginning, and we look forward to growing the IGFA Open into one of the premier billfish tournaments in the world."
The resounding success of the first IGFA Open indicates a promising future for the tournament as an annual highlight in the sport fishing calendar. The combination of competitive spirit, exceptional fishing, and a well-organized event has surely laid the groundwork for future tournaments to come, offering anglers from around the world a platform to showcase their skills in Costa Rica's rich waters.
