High winds and twelve foot waves described the weather conditions during the 20th year of the Spanish Town Fisherman’s Jamboree (STFJ) – Wahoo Madness tournament. It is said that the high winds and sea was the second worse weather since the tournament’s inception which was the cause for several other boats to pull out from the competition, including four from St. Maarten.
Despite the weather, the anglers all had a good two days of fishing with Lady Evelyn, stealing the spotlight at the Jamboree, after capturing the first and second prize for the heaviest wahoo, the heaviest overall wahoo and the heaviest other catch in the two-day competition.
“I feel really good, we went out there and we did a good job and win it;” Leslie “Shabba” Shortte one of the anglers of the Lady Evelyn vessel said at the prize giving ceremony at the Fischer’s Cove Beach Hotel in Spanish Town on Sunday 27 March 2016.
The famous vessel brought in the heaviest wahoo at 43.8 lbs which was caught by Trevor John and captained by Dr. Hubert O’Neal who is also the 9th District representative in the Virgin Islands.
As a result, they captured the first prize trophy, $7,000.00 in cash, two nights at Fischer’s Cove, Dinner for four at Sam’s Piano Bar/Rock Café, Free entry to Wahoo Madness 2017, four lay Day at Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbor, Power Tool combo compliments of Clarence Thomas Ltd., Wahoo Madness 2016 gift pack and $250.00 worth of insurance from Colonial Insurance.
The third prize of the heaviest overall wahoo weighed 80.3 lbs was another catch that the vessel had under its hat. This time, it was caught by William Bridgewater and Trevor John.
That catch earned the third prize trophy, $1,000.00 as well as dinner for four at Rock Café Tree House, a Wahoo Madness 2016 gift pack and $250 worth of insurance thanks to Colonial Insurance.
In addition, the heaviest other catch of 32.3 lbs was another catch of William Bridgewater aboard the Lady Evelyn.
That team won the STFJ Wahoo Madness Trophy, 3 nights at Fischer’s Cove, Wahoo Madness 2016 Logo T-Shirt and logo bag.
Trevor John deservingly caught the star angler award – STFJ Wahoo Madness Trophy and power tools compliments of Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbor valued at $100.00, dinner at Mermaids Dockside Bar and Grill for four, and a Wahoo Madness gift pack for having caught a 43.8 lbs wahoo.
Captain of Lady Evelyn, Dr. Hubert O’ Neal received $10,000 from the Captain Poll and indicated to Festival Forever Magazine that the Virgin Gorda Senior Citizens Home will receive the bulk of the cash for the purpose of acquiring new furniture.
There was an honorary mention of Captain Donnell Flax who owns the vessel BIG TING. He received a special trophy, a Wahoo Madness gift pack and $250 insurance from Colonial Insurance for participating in Wahoo Madness 2016 for the 20 years.
He is one of the founders of the tournament and an inspiration for other fishermen to join in the Tournament every Easter.
Flax said despite bad weather the Flax family intends on having the festival for another 20 years, for the competition gets better every year.
Other awards went to the following:
LEADING FEMALE: ANGLER TINA BRYAN
CATCH: only female angler but had some adversities
VESSEL: Livin’ Rich
CAPTAIN: Ashley Bryan
Spanish Town Fisherman’s Jamboree 2016 Trophy and lunch for 4 compliments of Mermaids Dockside Bar and Grill, 20th YEAR JAMBOREE GIFT PACK