Feeva sizzles at RJYC fishing tournament

After months of delay, the Royal Jamaica Yacht Club one-day fishing tournament finally got under way on Saturday with the boat Feeva claiming top honours. Twenty vessels took part in the tournament.

Feeva, captained by Matthew Deleon, secured the $300,000 first prize after they amassed 130.5 points. That is twice as many as second-place vessel Wreckless, who chalked up 65.1. Third place went to Big E Nuff, who came in with 51.2 points.

Feeva’s victory bid was aided by angler Sam Cooper, who landed the heaviest Wahoo, which came in at 32.8lbs Feeva also copped the heaviest barracuda ,which angler Blake Cooper landed.

Captain Deleon said the day started well after they set out from 3 a.m. to sail west towards St Elizabeth.

“The conditions were good in the early morning but changed mid-morning and got a bit uncomfortable with high winds and choppy seas but still fishable. It was a lot of hard work and planning, and I am glad we were able to come out on top in what was an excellent tournament.”

In the meantime, vessel Wreckless secured the heaviest tuna prize, with angler Courtney Morgan bringing in the 52.4lbs fish. Big E Nuff had the heaviest King fish, with Gregory Mair landing a 22.7lbs catch.

Junior angler Maximillian Hudson of vessel Diana brought in the heaviest bottom fish, weighing 5.9lbs Amanda Black took home the female angler prize for vessel Big Wahoo. The junior angler’s top prize went to Raymond Webb of vessel O Fish All.

Peter Cowan, a member of the RJYC fishing tournament committee, was pleased that the one-day event was a huge success thanks to several sponsors who came on board for a worthy cause.

“It was a good turnout. The fishing could have been a lot better, but what is important is that part of the proceeds from this tournament will go towards restoration work at the Port Royal Basic School, which suffered a fire recently, and we are glad that we can play our part in helping them to rebuild,” Cowan said.