Team Bridgette from Saba landed an extraordinary tournament record 85.8-pound Wahoo.
PHILIPSBURG- – The 15th Annual SXM Wahoo Tournament, hosted by the Sint Maarten Fishing Foundation, brought together anglers, fishing enthusiasts, and teams from across the Caribbean on Saturday, October 31st, at Dock Maarten. The highly anticipated annual event once again celebrated the region’s passion for sport fishing, friendly competition, and camaraderie, with participants representing Sint Maarten, St. Martin, St. Barths, Saba, and St. Kitts.
This year’s tournament delivered some impressive catches, with the standout achievement going to Team Bridgette from Saba, which landed an extraordinary 85.8-pound Wahoo. The catch earned the team the Category 2 Wahoo Challenge title, the Captain’s Bet Calcutta prize, and a new tournament record for the largest Wahoo ever caught in a Sint Maarten Fishing Foundation tournament.
In the Commercial Division, Yellow Whip from St. Martin dominated the competition, securing the Most Overall Weight title with an impressive 681.1 pounds of Wahoo. The team also claimed second place for Largest Wahoo with a 74.1-pound catch. Meanwhile, TAHLA’O from St. Barths secured second place in overall weight with 336.6 pounds of Wahoo. Lady Carolina from Saba took home the Largest Mahi prize with an 11-pound catch.
The Weekend Warriors Division saw Jenny 2 from St. Barths take center stage, winning the Most Overall Weight award, sponsored by the Michel Deher Prize, with 267.9 pounds of Wahoo. The team also secured the Second Largest Wahoo award with a 40.7-pound catch, as well as Largest Tuna with a 14.9-pound fish. Octancia from St. Maarten claimed the Largest Mahi prize with an 8.2-pound catch.
The Category 2 Division celebrated exceptional individual achievements alongside team spirit. In addition to its record-breaking Wahoo, Bridgette proudly represented Saba with outstanding performances from its anglers. Ms. Samantha Childs was recognized as Best Female Angler with a 26.5-pound Wahoo, while Ms. Gennaia of Octancia from St. Maarten earned Second Best Female Angler with an 18.3-pound catch. The Best Junior Angler award went to Mr. Lapla a Taho aboard TAHLA’O from St. Barths, who landed a 27.5-pound Wahoo. Adding a touch of style to the competition, Jupiter from St. Maarten took home the Best Dressed Team award.
The tournament also recognized achievements beyond the main fishing categories. Snapper from St. Kitts received the auxiliary award for Smallest Boat, Most Distance Travelled, recognizing the team's impressive journey to participate in this regional fishing event.
Complete List of Winners
COMMERCIAL DIVISION
- Most Overall Weight: Yellow Whip – St. Martin (681.1 lbs Wahoo)
- Second Overall Weight: TAHLA’O – St. Barths (336.6 lbs Wahoo)
- Second Largest Wahoo: Yellow Whip – St. Martin (74.1 lbs)
- Largest Mahi: Lady Carolina – Saba (11.0 lbs)
WEEKEND WARRIORS DIVISION
- Most Overall Weight – Michel Deher Prize: Jenny 2 – St. Barths (267.9 lbs Wahoo)
- Second Largest Wahoo: Jenny 2 – St. Barths (40.7 lbs)
- Largest Tuna: Jenny 2 – St. Barths (14.9 lbs)
- Largest Mahi: Octancia – St. Maarten (8.2 lbs)
CATEGORY 2 DIVISION
- Wahoo Challenge – Largest Wahoo: Bridgette – Saba (85.8 lbs)
- Best Female Angler: Ms. Samantha Childs – Bridgette, Saba (26.5 lbs Wahoo)
- Second Best Female Angler: Ms. Gennaia – Octancia, St. Maarten (18.3 lbs Wahoo)
- Best Junior Angler: Mr. Lapla a Taho – TAHLA’O, St. Barths (27.5 lbs Wahoo)
- Best Dressed Team: Jupiter – St. Maarten
CAPTAIN'S BET – "PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS" CALCUTTA
- Winner: Bridgette – Saba (85.8 lbs Wahoo)
AUXILIARY PRIZES
- New Tournament Record – Largest Wahoo: Bridgette – Saba (85.8 lbs)
- Smallest Boat, Most Distance Travelled: Snapper – St. Kitts
