1st place Tease Em

Welcome to the Bermuda Big Game Classic website! Here, you'll find information on the tournament, charter operators, accommodations, transportation, fishing and marina services in the area. We sincerely hope you can put Bermuda in your travel plans.

The ninth annual Bermuda Big Game Classic takes place July 8-12, 2009. This is Bermuda's largest billfish event and the centerpiece of the Bermuda Triple Crown Billfish Championship. Boats fishing in the Classic will be automatically entered in the Bermuda Triple Crown Series. The Classic is also a qualifying event for the IGFA Offshore World Championship, with the winning team receiving an invitation to the championship.

Teams registered by June 12 will be eligible for our Early Registration Competition and a chance to win an Intellian i2 high-performance marine satellite-TV antenna system. The first 10 teams to register will receive a special set of high-performance bedding sheets that will include their boat name and logo. So register early and get a chance to win the Intellian satellite antenna system and pick up a great set of Sheex high-performance sheets for the master stateroom.

Our host resort, the historic and recently renovated Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel, continues to offer discounted room rates for participants. Call 800-441-1414, mention the tournament and reserve your room today.

There will be no shortage of parties during the week. Our kickoff party and stellar awards banquet will once again be held at the Princess Hotel ballroom. Bacardi will make sure we don't run out of spirits at the daily weigh-in mixing stations or the popular awards cocktail party. The tournament will also host a proper Bermuda midweek party with the help of Miles Market and Ricky Cox.

The 2009 Marlin Magazine Manufacturer's Cup has five manufacturers competing: Jarrett Bay Boatworks, Briggs Boatworks, Roscioli Donzi, Spencer Yachts and American Custom Yachts. All are supporting their owners in this special division within the tournament. If you will be fishing on board one of these makes, you will be automatically entered in the added competition for more cash, prizes and recognition. Congratulations to American Custom Yachts and Team Que Mas, winner of the 2008 Marlin Magazine Manufacturer's Cup.

Rubis Energy and PW's Marina will provide discounted fuel rates for participating boats. Expect a price of about $4.75 per gallon depending on fuel rates in July. Call Michael Shaw at 441-777-3625 to reserve your fuel. Remember that foreign boats' last fill-up is duty-free (a 50 percent savings). And since a team can't run on fuel alone, Miles Market, conveniently located at PW's Marina, can take care of all your provision needs (www.waterfrontbermuda.com).

While you are in Bermuda, you should take advantage of all the great things to do on this island oasis. For a free vacation planner, call 800-BERMUDA, or visit www.bermudatourism.com.

' points in the Classic helped secure their lead and ultimate victory in the coveted 2008 Bermuda Triple Crown Billfish Championship. Que Mas also received an invitation to represent the Classic and Bermuda and compete in the IGFA Offshore World Championship.

Capt. Sinclair Lambe and Canadian angler Geoff Coate aboard Mega Bucks weighed an 832-pound blue marlin on Day One, which was the largest of the tournament. They went all in on the entries and thus were the winner of the largest Blue Marlin Jackpot and the Day One Marlin Jackpot. The team also added two white marlin releases on Day Two and a blue marlin release on Day Three, which was good enough for second place overall. Scott Robins and Capt. Dave Morris on Weez in the Keys released two blues and a white on Day One to earn the Daily Release Jackpot and enough points for a third-place finish.

The Bermuda Big Game Classic has become one of the sport's greatest tournament proving grounds. The staffs of Marlin and Sport Fishing magazines, with the help of our sponsors, friends and families, produce and televise the event. Whether you are an individual or a team, if you want to participate, please don't hesitate to contact me. I look forward to helping you with all your tournament needs.

All the best,
Dan Jacobs
Tournament Producer
(407) 571-4680
dan.jacobs@bonniercorp.com