Ma Sheila Wins the Inaugural IGFA Light Tackle Invitational

 

Ma Sheila from Nassau, Bahamas, took first place with 2,400 total points.

The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) recently hosted the inaugural IGFA Light Tackle Invitational out of Sailfish Marina Resort in Palm Beach Shores, Florida. The two-day tournament took place from February 6-8, 2020 and was a qualifying event for the 2021 Costa Offshore World Championship.  

Team Ma Sheila: Will Tomlinson, Capt. Chris Santarsiero, Scott Levin, Jeff Wright, Brian Boyle. 
Jeff Wright won Top Angler aboard Ma Sheila.

With a total of eight sailfish released on dead bait over the two days of fishing, Ma Sheila from Nassau, Bahamas, took first place with 2,400 total points. Angler Jeff Wright aboard the Ma Sheila took first place in the angler category with a total of four sailfish releases on dead bait, totaling 1,200 points.

“I would just like to thank the IGFA for hosting a great tournament,” said Ma Sheila owner Will Tomlinson. “We’re honored to have been able to compete and super stoked to have won! We look forward to fishing this tournament for years to come.”
Team Reel Anglers: David Fingland, Scott Deal, Aron Long, Captain Austin Rowe, Jamie Barnett.

In the boat category, team Reel Anglers came in second place, releasing seven sailfish on live bait and totaling 1,400 points.

Team Lunatico came in third place releasing six sailfish on live bait, totaling 1,200 points.

Team Lunatico came in third place releasing six sailfish on live bait, totaling 1,200 points. In the angler category, Will Tomlinson of Ma Sheila took second place with three sailfish releases on dead bait, totaling 900 points. David Fingland of Reel Anglers took third place in the angler category with three sailfish releases on live bait, totaling 600 points.

IGFA Chairman Charles Duncan, III at far right took home the trophy for the heaviest tuna with a 17.8-pound blackfin that he caught on the last day fishing on his boat Saranita.

The IGFA Light Tackle Invitational also had three weight categories for the heaviest dolphinfish, tuna and wahoo caught during the tournament. There were no dolphinfish or wahoo landed, however there were a total of four blackfin tuna weighed in. IGFA Chairman Charles Duncan, III took home the trophy for the heaviest tuna with a 17.8-pound blackfin that he caught on the last day fishing on his boat Saranita.

“We are very pleased with the inaugural IGFA Light Tackle Invitational,” said IGFA President Jason Schratwieser. “The IGFA needs to have a presence in tournament angling, as it aligns with the mission, strategy and history of this organization. We are very excited to build on this event next year, and for years to come.”

The IGFA Light Tackle Invitational required all participants to fish with 12-pound test Ande pre-test monofilament line, which the tournament provided. The nine boats in the tournament fleet released a total of 31 sailfish over the two-day tournament and served as a qualifying event for the Costa Offshore World Championship.

Trophies by Bodo Muche Studio Foundry, King Sailfish Mounts Inc., and David Wirth Gallery of Wildlife Art.

 We thank all the sponsors that made this inaugural IGFA tournament a success. To learn more about the results from the IGFA Light Tackle Invitational, please visit the scoring page hosted by CatchStat at: https://igfa.catchstat.com/.