History of Blue Marlin Fishing in Bermuda
Now a world-renowned destination for sportfishing, Bermuda has become a staple in many programs’ annual circuit. Countless boats travel 650 miles east of Cape Hatteras for the month of July to participate in the Bermuda Triple Crown, chasing the possibility of big money and big fish. The remote and diverse location has created a unique fishery and top contender for those in search of a “big one”.
“52 years ago, the Seahorse Anglers Club Billfish Tournament started as an anything with a bill tournament with the goal to prove that billfish lived in these Bermudian waters. That first year, a single 190-pound blue marlin was weighed, and the locals came just to see it. That catch would put blue marlin on their radar, but the real sport began when Bermudians invested in heavy tackle and started targeting them. The records continued to break until 1982, where Challenger’s 1,130-pounder made history and put Bermuda on the global sportfishing map.” - From Michelle Gaylord’s script for the Seahorse Anglers Tournament
21 years ago, the idea of a tournament series emerged. Rather than create new events, the Seahorse Anglers Club partnered with the Bermuda Billfish Blast and Big Game Classic to launch the Bermuda Triple Crown which helped the Sea Horse become the international event it is today.
Bermuda is made up of numerous volcanic islands and is home to the northernmost coral reef in the world. Heavily protected reef areas and slow-speed turtle zones are found as you head to the fishing grounds, just one example of how Bermuda has focused on the conservation of its beautiful home. Another being the 500 lb. minimum for kill fish and a hefty points penalty if you do not meet it.
The banks, Challenger and Argus, as well as the Eastern end of the island, are home to blues, whites, and spears, as well as large yellowfin tuna. There was even a stray sailfish caught in this year’s Big Game Classic. When offshore sportfishing first became popular, light tackle was the preferred method of fishing in Bermuda. It wasn’t until the 80’s that heavy tackle became common practice and Bermuda starting gaining recognition as a marlin destination.
Two legendary names come to mind when you think of the beginning of what we know as Bermuda’s fishery today - Capts. Alan Card and Allen DeSilva, both local to the island. Aboard the Challenger and Mako, respectively, the captains set the stage for what Bermuda would become and throughout the ‘80s and ’90s weighed just over half a dozen granders. The first was Card’s 1,130 lb. marlin in 1982 and the largest being 1,352 lbs. caught by DeSilva. Throughout their 20-year run targeting big fish, every marlin except one passed the 1,100 mark.
In 40 years of the Blue Marlin World Cup, Bermuda has won it nine times. The two biggest fish in the history of the single-day tournament were caught in Bermudian waters. Challenger weighed an 1,195 in 1993 and Tripleplay weighed an 1,189 in 2004. In 1973, the Sea Horse Anglers Club started a tournament that had many iterations before becoming what we know it to be today. At one point it was a 24 hour tournament that targeted marlin during the day and swordfish at night, essentially a fishing free-for-all. Once heavy tackle was introduced, the quantity of larger fish in the area became evident and shaped the tournament to have a targeted focus. Eventually, the Sea Horse Anglers club joined the Billfish Blast and Big Game Classic to become the finale of the Bermuda Triple Crown.
The beautiful reefs, relatively short runs, and potential for a catch of a lifetime make Bermuda a special place that compares to few. Around 60 boats make the trek across the Atlantic to spend part of their summer there and experience everything Bermuda has to offer on land and on the ocean.
Written by Nicole Scotti
Photos by Michelle Gaylord - Owner of Out Your Front Door oyfd.com
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Resources:
https://research.library.mun.ca/6480/1/Simons%2C_Dominique.pdf
https://granderwatch.com/grander-archive/?_locations=bermuda
https://seahorseanglersclub.com/tournaments
https://inthebite.com/2020/03/captain-alan-card-bermuda-icon/
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