With an unusually slow start, the 13th Annual Caicos Classic Release Tournament developed into a real battle of nerves and skills, culminating in another close finish in Providenciales, Turks & Caicos recently, with 10 boats scoring 15 Blue Marlin releases.

Captains and observers reported over 30 missed fish in the spreads amidst fierce competition from a mix of local boats and those as far away as the British Virgin Islands, St. Augustine, Florida and Port Arthur, Texas.

Day One proved to be a quiet day for most of the fleet except for Layla, a 72' Jim Smith skippered by Chip Soulek with a an early release at 8:18am, followed by a pulled hook and a broken hook on the next fish. Ouch!

Day Two's pace picked up as local team Chuckee II, owned by Chuck Musgrove, released their first fish at 8:30am. Captain Tony's 48' Viking No Excuse, no stranger to the Classic, put two on the board to move into first place, while also picking up the daily prize.

Day Three saw the lead change hands again as Chuckee II released two fish, moving out in front of the pack with three releases. Posse, skippered by Frank Pitale released a double hitter late afternoon to move into third place. Fair Play, another local boat skippered by Arthur Dean, also got their first release before heading back to the docks at Turtle Cove Marina.

Day Four heated up as the bites started early and continued through the day. Trouble Maker, owned by Jim Gabrish released their first fish at 9:18am. But Chuckee II wasn't finished as they released their fourth fish moving them out in front of the pack. Trouble Maker put another large marlin on the board to take the daily. No Excuse released their third fish moving them into 2nd place, with Posse adding their third blue to take third place.

Post-tournament festivities were lively as usual, with all the participants, observers and tournament sponsors engaged in some serious decompression time at the awards dinner held at the Tiki Hut Bar and Grille at Turtle Cove Marina. All agreed that the deep blue waters offshore of these islands offer some of the best opportunities to a blue marlin bite while having big fun back at the docks at Turtle Cove Marina.

The tournament-winning team from Chuckee II will be representing the Turks And Caicos Islands in the worlds largest offshore tournament, the IGFA Offshore World Championship, competing with over 65 other countries May 10-15, 2009. Representing the Turks & Caicos will be Chad Stubbs, Chris Stubbs, Jed Bain and Chuck Musgrove. Good luck to these fine fishermen!

For more information about the annual Caicos Classic Release Tournament in the Turks And Caicos Islands, visit the web site: caicosclassic.com or call Art Pickering 649-231-0278