Successful Buccaneer Cup Despite Wild Weather

TBF board member Sandra MacMillan with President Ellen Peel as she accepts a check from Pat Healy, Viking CEO, and Courtney Bowden, tournament organizer (credit: Leonard Bryant)

The Billfish Foundation was honored to join the 55th annual Buccaneer Cup Sailfish Release Tournament as a benefiting charity this year. The tournament, held at Sailfish Marina in West Palm Beach, FL was a fun and well-organized event in our local south Florida community.

Captains and their teams gathered at the marina Thursday evening for registration. Fishing commenced Friday, Jan. 26 and lasted through Saturday, and despite the extremely “sporty” conditions 26 boats braved the seas to catch sailfish.

All participating teams were congratulated for facing strong winds and massive swells, extreme even for south Florida winters. It paid off considering over 400 fish were caught during the two days off Palm Beach and Jupiter. First place went to Viking 68, second place to Two Cats, and third place to Sandman, owned by TBF board member, Sandra MacMillan.

TBF looks forward to returning next year and thanks the tournament committee as well as the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA), long-time benefactor of the Buc Cup, for sharing the generous donation from the tournament.