To our Fishing Friends,

The 12th annual New Smyrna Beach Billfish Invitational sponsored by Mercedes-Benz of Daytona Beach was a great success, with boats tallying 121 sailfish releases along with good wahoo, tuna and dolphin fishing in two days of calm seas and perfect fall conditions. Day one started with birds working and sailfish cutting the surface looking for bait. The first sailfish was released at 8:12am by the team on the “Wild at Heart” with the fleet continuing to enjoy a good bite through the morning.

Capt. Glen Cameron on the “Zues” caught nine fish to win the day followed closely by Capt. Darrin Cobb on the “Playtime” with eight releases Friday. A total of forty nine sailfish were released by the fleet on day one. Several boats were in position to challenge after Friday’s fishing with Saturday bringing better billfishing conditions and more releases for the fleet.

Day two started with cool fall temperatures but the action heated up within minutes after the ‘lines in” call. By 8:07am, Capt. John Lloyd on the “Grand Slam” had scored the first release of the day with the fleet releasing another seventy fish on Saturday as the battle for the final standings were fought. The “Playtime” added two releases to secure a second place finish with 1,000 points. “Grand Slam” captured six fish on the day for a 1,000 point total as well but based on time, resulted in third place overall. “Decoy” with Captain Scott Laney caught seven fish on day two earning a fourth place finish with 900 points total.

The “Zues” held off all contenders by releasing a day two winning total of eleven fish, adding to his nine releases from day one to secure an impressive first place standing with 2,000 points. The crew of “Zues” is now qualified to represent the New Smyrna Beach Billfish Invitational next year in the IGFA Offshore Championship in Cabo San Lucas.

A popular new addition for 2010 was the Small Boat Division or vessels 38’ and smaller including all outboards. The Small Boat Division winners went to Capt. John Hulsey aboard the “Double Trouble” followed by Capt. Jon Zeller on the “Joker II” with second place.

First place wahoo was awarded to “Outlaw” with the top tuna and outstanding dolphin to the “Bid Time”. Top female angler was awarded to Keadie Higginbotham on the “Double Trouble”, with both “nooner” awards going to the “Joker II”. Top male angler along with WBS Top Angler award went to Mike Cioffi aboard the “Playtime” which qualifies him for the WBS Championship in Costa Rica.

This year’s New Smyrna Beach Billfish Invitational is proud to set the stage for what should be a very competitive 2010/2011 Sailfish tournament season. The NSBBI is continuing its tradition of raising funds for education with over $130,000 being donated for Volusia County High School Scholarships. Please mark your calendars for the 13th annual New Smyrna Beach Billfish Invitational October 6 – 9, 2011.