NEWS

Wolverine Wins 2023 Bermuda Big Game Classic

Team Wolverine standing at an awards ceremony holding their prized check, trophies and other awards.

Hamilton, Bermuda—July 18, 2023—The team fishing aboard Wolverine, led by Capt. Rocky Hardison and based in Morehead City, North Carolina, landed in first place during the 2023 Bermuda Big Game Classic. Anglers Gary Fletcher, Wes Nardoni, and Worth Farrington released six blue marlin and one white marlin during the three days of fishing to earn a cash purse of $105,525 and an invitation to compete in the 2024 Costa Offshore World Championship.

When asked how owner and angler Gary Fletcher got into big-game fishing, he reminisced about reading an article in Marlin Magazine in 1999, which enticed him and his son to book their first marlin fishing trip. Fast-forward 24 years later, after Fletcher built a custom boat and has fished all over the world; he and his team are proudly accepting first place in the second leg of the prestigious Bermuda Triple Crown.

Day One saw a total of 30 blues and eight whites for the 40-boat fleet. But the highlight of Day One was when the local Bermudian team UnWined weighed a 510-pound blue marlin on the Island Construction crane and IWS ScaleMaster. Capt. Chris Osborne radioed in angler Joseph Vieira’s hook-up at 12:07 p.m., and the team persisted for more than five hours to boat the fish at 5:36 in the afternoon. The anticipation at Barr’s Park was evident when the scale tipped past the 500-pound mark and landed on 510 pounds, prompting the entire UnWined team to jump and backflip into the water. Their blue marlin ended up earning them the daily blue marlin jackpot of $33,300.

On the second day of fishing, the teams released a total of 27 blues and seven whites. No blues were brought to scales on Day Two, which doubled the stakes on Day Three’s daily blue marlin jackpot by rolling over the unclaimed $33,000. 

The third day of fishing produced 26 blue marlin and nine white marlin. All marlin were released except one, which turned out to be the most lucrative fish in the tournament’s history. Amigo’s Capt. Brad Schoenfeld called in a boated blue at 2:28 p.m. by angler David Denbow. The team from Port O’Conner, Texas—Wyatt Denbow, Kyle Drushel, Chad Starr, Jeff Welch, and Chris Williams—was rightfully ecstatic when their blue marlin weighed in at 573 pounds. Ultimately, this earned them three of the optional jackpot levels: Day Three Daily Blue Marlin, which had doubled from Day Two, the Largest Blue Marlin Level One jackpot, and the Largest Blue Marlin Level Two jackpot. Combined, Team Amigo won $310,800, the largest amount the Bermuda Big Game Classic has ever awarded for a single fish. 

The Bermuda Big Game Classic is the second leg of the Bermuda Triple Crown Billfish Championship. Currently, Plane Simple is in first place with 6,600 points, with Builder’s Choice in second with 6,000 points and Wolverine moving into third with 4,700 points. The third and final leg of the Triple Crown series is the 2023 Seahorse Anglers Club Billfish Tournament, which takes place July 20-24.

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Plane Simple Wins the 2023 Bermuda Billfish Blast

Plane Simple fishing team

BERMUDA — July 10, 2023 — The 2023 Bermuda Billfish Blast was won by the team fishing aboard Plane Simple, a 77-foot Spencer based out of Cape Canaveral, Florida, led by Jim Jensen and Capt. Chris Weeks with mates Derek Scherz and Anibal Moya. The team’s eight blue marlin and three white marlin releases gave them a total of 4,300 points, good for first-place honors, $115,275 in prize money and an invitation to the 2024 Costa Offshore World Championship in Costa Rica. 

A total of 37 boats and 218 anglers fished the 2023 Bermuda Billfish Blast, which offered a total cash purse of $506,850 plus an additional $360,000 as part of the Bermuda Triple Crown series. There were 139 billfish caught in the Blast, including 108 blue marlin and 31 white marlin over three days of fishing. All but four of the blues and all of the white marlin were released.

Plane Simple won first overall team, followed by Builder’s Choice in second, and Waste Knot in third place. Top Angler was earned by Jim Jensen on Plane Simple releasing six blues and two whites. The Top Junior Angler trophy went to Jack Ricks, releasing five blues on El Cazador, led by Capt. Paul Alderman and mate Scott Behrhorst. Laura Russell won Top Lady Angler honors aboard De-Bait-Able, captained by KJ Zeher, with three blues and two whites.

This year, the tournament added new optional jackpots including a Winner-Take-All Blue Marlin Jackpot and a new Daily Blue Marlin Jackpot, so teams are now allowed to boat one blue marlin per boat per day. As part of the Bermuda Triple Crown series, new series jackpots were also added, including the Bermuda Triple Crown Big Three Marlin Jackpot and the Heavy Hitter Winner-Take-All Largest Marlin of the series.

The tournament culminated with a beautiful gala awards banquet in the Harbourview Ballroom at the historic Hamilton Princess & Beach Club. 

About the Marlin Group:

The Marlin Group is the world’s largest network of big-game fishing brands. The group publishes Marlin Magazine, the industry’s No. 1 source since 1981, and operates the Offshore World Championship in Costa Rica, Los Cabos Billfishing Tournament, Scrub Island Invitational in the BVIs, and the Bermuda Triple Crown, making it the worldwide leader for international billfishing tournaments. Marlin Expeditions, formerly Marlin University, has led anglers on educational excursions to the globe’s top big-game fishing destinations for more than 20 years. The Marlin Group is an operating unit of Bonnier LLC, an outdoor adventure company that fuels passion for fishing, boating, sailing, motorsports, hunting and travel.

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Los Cabos Tourism Board Partners With Bonnier to Operate Los Cabos Billfish Tournament

Los Cabos Billfish Tournament

WINTER PARK, FLORIDA — June 29, 2023 — Bonnier LLC has been named the official operator of the Los Cabos Billfish Tournament for the next five years as part of an extended partnership with the Los Cabos Tourism Board. 

The Los Cabos Billfish Tournament has long been a hallmark event for sport-fishing enthusiasts from around the world. With a media and events portfolio that includes Marlin, Salt Water Sportsman, Sport Fishing, Bermuda Triple Crown, Offshore World Championship and Scrub Island Invitational, Bonnier is uniquely positioned to attract a larger and more diverse pool of participants and generate exposure for Los Cabos as a premier sport-fishing destination.

“We take great pride in Los Cabos’ thriving fishing culture,” said Rodrigo Esponda Cascajares, Managing Director of the Los Cabos Tourism Board. “The sport of fishing has always held a special place in our destination, attracting anglers from around the world who are enchanted by the abundant marine life and the thrill of landing trophy catches. Remarkably, in 2022, a notable 8 percent of the 3.7 million travelers who visited Los Cabos, totaling nearly 300,000 people, embraced the exhilarating experience of fishing. As we showcase the Los Cabos Billfish Tournament with Bonnier, our goal is to underscore fishing’s significance as a cornerstone of our identity. This prestigious tournament not only celebrates the sport, but it also highlights our unwavering commitment to conservation and sustainable practices, ensuring the preservation of our pristine waters for generations to come. Los Cabos truly stands as an angler’s paradise, inviting fishing enthusiasts worldwide to partake in the unrivaled excitement and bask in the natural beauty that our destination offers.”

Mauricio Salicrup of the Los Cabos Hotel Association added: “Bonnier’s extensive experience in managing global fishing tournaments aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing exceptional experiences for our visitors. We look forward to working closely with them to ensure the success of the Los Cabos Billfish Tournament.”

“Bonnier is incredibly grateful for the continued support of the Los Cabos Tourism Board. We have been managing this event for over 20 years, and are excited for the next phase in the tournament’s history,” said Jonathan Moore, Bonnier’s Executive Vice President of Events.

Bonnier and the Los Cabos Tourism Board will work collaboratively to further enhance the tournament’s appeal, engage participants, and ensure an unforgettable experience for all attendees. The next edition of the Los Cabos Billfish Tournament is scheduled for October 15-19.

Registration for the tournament is now open. Interested competitors can visit loscabostournaments.com for more information. Prospective sponsors can contact Bonnier directly at [email protected]. 

For media inquiries or further information, please contact:

Jennifer Dudas, Tournament Director
407-533-0123
[email protected]

About Bonnier: 

Bonnier is an outdoor adventure company that fuels passion for fishing, boating, sailing, motorsports, hunting and travel. Bonnier has the nation’s leading portfolio of experiential events and iconic media brands in the marine category and an extensive series of nationwide motorsports and hunting events. Bonnier publishes Salt Water Sportsman, Marlin, Sport Fishing, Boating, Yachting, Cruising World and Sailing World; produces the award-winning SFTV television series; and hosts world-class fishing tournaments, sailing regattas, and educational events across the US and in Mexico, Bermuda, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Australia, and the Virgin Islands.

About Los Cabos Tourism Board:

The Los Cabos Tourism Board is an official independent body dedicated to promoting the region’s tourism facilities and assets, both nationally and internationally. The LCTB office provides visitors with information on the destination and its many facets, catering to the needs of the tourist or business traveler. The Meetings and Conventions team works with organizers and planners to structure meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions. The Los Cabos Tourism Board is ready to be your strategic partner and ensure that your event is unique, successful, and unforgettable for your clients.

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New Powersports Super Show Coming to Tampa, FL!

Powersports Super Show

June 13, 2022 — WINTER PARK, FL — Get ready for a new adrenaline-filled extravaganza as The Powersports Super Show takes center stage at the Florida State Fairgrounds, Friday, November 17 through Sunday, November 19. Featuring the latest powersports machines, accessories, aftermarket products, wheels, tires, apparel, and much more. First of its kind, brought to you by Bonnier Events; organizers of the renowned Sand Sports Super Show, Off-Road Expo, 4-Wheel Jamboree, and more.

Florida residents, gear up for three action-packed days of thrills, excitement, and entertainment. The Powersports Super Show is not just any ordinary event; it is a groundbreaking experience that will leave attendees in awe. Whether you are a passionate off-road enthusiast, a motorcycle aficionado, or a watersports lover, this show has something for everyone.

Discover the cutting-edge advancements in the powersports industry as you get up close and personal with the latest ATVs, UTVs/Side x Sides, motorcycles, eBikes, personal watercraft, accessories, and apparel. Immerse yourself in a world of high-performance vehicles, top-of-the-line equipment, and innovative technologies that will elevate your powersports experience to new heights.

With its impressive lineup of exhibitors and industry-leading brands, the Powersports Super Show guarantees an unparalleled shopping experience. Explore the extensive array of products, from state-of-the-art machinery to trendy apparel and accessories, all under one roof. This is your chance to connect with industry experts, enthusiasts, and fellow powersports enthusiasts who share your passion.

“We at Bonnier Events, are excited to offer the largest powersports show in Florida. Tampa is a perfect fit for our first ever Powersports Super Show and we’re excited to see where this event goes in the future,” says, Tim Ramsberger, Vice President, Marketing and Business Development for Bonnier Events. “The Powersports Super Show will showcase all the top-of-the-line equipment and new technologies in the powersports industry, it’s a must-attend for all powersports enthusiasts this Fall.”

Mark your calendars! Bring your family and friends for an unforgettable adventure, filled with thrilling displays, interactive exhibits, and exclusive offers. Children under 13 are free! From now until October 1st, 2023 purchase discounted tickets in advance online!

For more information, visit our website powersportssupershow.com. Stay updated with the latest news and announcements by following us on Facebook and Instagram @powersportssupershow. #bonnierevents #powersportssupershow

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