2026 Billfish Tournament: Anglers Celebrate Amazing Feats

A spirited group of anglers from across the Caribbean gathered at the IGY Rodney Bay Marina to celebrate their remarkable achievements at the 2026 Billfish Tournament, as Saint Lucia hosted yet another thrilling water sports event.

The tournament culminated in a vibrant closing ceremony and awards presentation on Saturday evening, where anglers, boat crews, sponsors, and supporters shared in the excitement of another successful edition.

The prize lots were plentiful, and fans erupted in cheers as representatives took to the podium to claim their well-deserved accolades.

Under the spotlight was Blue Fever from Trinidad and Tobago, which captured top honors, while Saint Lucia’s Par Tee Time closely followed in second place, concluding the event with dramatic flair.

Organized by the Saint Lucia Billfish Association in collaboration with Republic Bank Saint Lucia and the Department of Youth Development and Sports, the tournament attracted some of the region’s top anglers and crews for an exhilarating offshore competition.

Saint Lucia’s Par Tee Time put up a strong fight against Blue Fever, with both teams amassing 4,800 points, but it was the Trini crew that ultimately secured the championship title by mere seconds. The victorious Trini team showcased exceptional fishing skills, setting the pace as its other colleague competitors’ earned multiple prizes throughout the competition.

Barbados’ Lucky Penny secured third place with 4,500 points, while Trinidad and Tobago’s Knot Today finished fourth with 3,900 points. The top five was rounded out by Trinidadian vessel Zaaron, which scored 1,800 points.

Completing the top ten were Barbados’ Carib Girl and Ruby’s Joy, alongside Saint Lucia’s Reel Extreme, all with 1,800 points each. Barbadian entries Dos Hermanos and Lion Heart claimed the final spots in the top ten, each recording 1,500 points.

After three challenging days in deeper waters off the bay, anglers of various ages and genders competed fiercely for top honors. Amidst the friendly rivalry, some exceptional sailors were recognized for their humanitarian acts in assisting a distressed colleague.

Among the special awards, Cocobel of Trinidad and Tobago was honored as the Top Omni Class vessel.

Individual awards reflected the high level of competition throughout the tournament. Ryan Agar of Knot Today was crowned Best Male Angler with an impressive 3,000 points. Barbados’ Kai St. George of Lucky Penny took second place with 2,100 points, while Trinidad and Tobago’s Fernando Navarro secured third with 1,800 points.

In the female category, Barbados’ Kathryn Mitchell of Lion Heart dominated the standings, winning the Best Female Angler title with 1,500 points. Saint Lucia’s Emmanuelle Bigon and Rachel Johnson, both representing Reel Extreme, claimed second and third place respectively, with 600 points each.

Saint Lucia also shone in the junior division, as Rhys Barton of Reel Extreme captured the Best Junior Angler award with 600 points, while Adam Du Boulay of Par Tee Time finished second with an identical score.

The 2026 Billfish Tournament once again showcased Saint Lucia’s reputation as a premier sport-fishing destination, combining intense competition, regional camaraderie, and unforgettable moments on the water.

As trophies were presented and champions crowned, the organizers expressed their excitement over the event’s success and promised an even bigger tournament next year.

[R. A].