In a tournament dedicated to raising funds for the Friends of Children with Cancer Foundation (FANCC), characterized by slow fishing compared to what is the norm on and around Venezuela’s famed La Guaira Bank, Team Aruba, fishing aboard their boat Alina, won an impressive victory with a grand total during the two day event of 2 blue marlin, 2 sails and 5 whites including a grand slam each day of fishing to add bonus points to their total.

Second place belonged to the Venezuelan team fishing aboard Azabache, fishing with Capt. Darin Chaffin from Puerto La Cruz on the eastern portion of the country, while third place was taken by the all female team fishing with Capt. Jimmy Grant aboard his popular charter boat, Waterman.

In the individual angler standings the tournament’s Top Angler was Rafael Rojas of Team Aruba, followed by Jose Luis de Veer of team Azabache and in third place was female angler Yulimar Henrique of the All Female Team who also took Top Lady Angler honors.

A total of 18 boats competed in this annual all-release billfish event in which anglers from various parts of Venezuela, the Caribbean, Europe, North, Central and South America participated .

All fish were released after the battle in accordance to tournament rules and in the case of our team anglers, Rafael Rojas, Jose Guanipa and my son, Eric Mansur, Jr., used circle hooks to further protect the species concluded Capt. Eric Mansur.

The winners received elegant sculpture trophies as well as cash and awards courtesy of tournament sponsors Solera Premium Beer, Diplomatico Rum, ice chests by Decocar, Mustad Hook trophies and Hook & Tackle shirts.