IGFA CHAMPIONSHIP
Westcoast Resorts
Because Westcoast Resort's Salmon Masters Tournament (SMT) is a qualifying event for the IGFA Offshore World Championships, each year the winner of SMT and his partner get to compete in the IGFA OWC, which was held in Costa Rica.
Our 2012 SMT winners Andre Pachon and his team - including Bill Steen, Rick Steen, Judith Pachon and Robert Brown - had the privilege of attending the 2013 IGFA OWC, and were one of only two teams representing Canada, the other being from Nova Scotia.
To earn points, teams were required to video the releases of all billfish and could weigh a maximum of two game fish per species per day of tuna, wahoo or dorado over the minimum 25-pound minimum weight. The 324 anglers from around the world experienced a record setting bite for the tournament, recording 821 billfish releases, including 811 sailfish, nine blue marlin and one striped marlin.
Team Salmonmasters placed 26th in this years IGFA, out of the 67 teams competing, recording 13 Billfish and 1 Dorado for 2629.3 points.
”This was a once in a lifetime experience, that will be cherished by all." said team captain Andre Pachon. "To meet fishermen from all over the world is a story in itself. Thank you West Coast Resorts for this wonderful experience, I will never forget it!
The bar has been set high for this year's Salmonmaster tournament to be held June 5-9, 2013. Will you be the lucky winner to represent Team Salmonmasters in 2014? We’ll know in a few weeks!
To find out more about the IGFA and the standings, visit: http://www.offshoreworldchampionship.com/