Smith Robin collecting his winnings. Photo: Javon Liburd/ VINO

A beach full of spectators watch the fish as they are being weighed. Photo: Javon Liburd/VINO

Hubert O’Neal and his prize winning fish, 185lbs Blue Marlin. Photo: Javon Liburd/ VINO

The event which is traditionally held on the public holiday ‘Territory Day’ by the Conservation and Fisheries Department, was well attended by fishermen and patrons yesterday July 2, 2012 at Long Bay Beach on Beef Island.

After a day of fishing, the fishermen were rewarded for their hard work.

Andrew Stoutt, with a total of 47 Lionfish at 22 pounds, was awarded first place for catching the most Lionfish. He received an IPad sponsored by Outerbox and an additional $200 cash.

Gary Richardson received second place prize for catching 7 Lionfish at 8 pounds.

In the reef fishing category, veteran fisherman Robin, earned himself $1000 and 55 gallons of fuel for catching 196 pounds of fish.

Tiger, who was the closest behind Robin with 114lbs of fish, was awarded $800, a pliers and a file with Dwayne Richardson and the crew members of the boat ‘Overboard’ receiving 3rd place prize, $500, a boat battery and a trophy for the heaviest fish for reef fishing, which was a grouper at 35 pounds.

Among all the prizes and catches of the day, the most anticipated was the 185 pounds Blue Marlin brought in by Dr. Hubert O’Neal.

In amazement, as persons drew near to watch the huge fish being weighed, nothing but laughter was heard in every area of the beach, when the “monster fish” broke the scale.

According to Dr. O’Neal, he caught the enormous fish 20 miles North of Anegada. He stated that in retrieving the fish from the water, “it was a lot of trouble. It took four men to get it on the boat in 45 minutes.”

He said even though he is pleased with his catch, this is not his biggest catch. “My biggest catch was a 500lbs Blue Marlin fish in St. Maartin.”

For his effort, Dr. O'Neal was awarded with a special prize of a boat battery charger, and a battery.

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