Click here to register online.

Port Lucaya Marina provides the ideal venue for this exciting and fun-filled event. The Marina is located adjacent to three great locations- the Port Lucaya Marketplace, Our Lucaya Resort and Port Lucaya Resort and Yacht Club. Together, the three facilities provide the visiting anglers with over 1,500 rooms for accommodations, over 50 theme bars and restaurants, duty-free shopping and the festive atmosphere of the Marketplace Square, with its free nightly entertainment. The newly opened Isle of Capri Casino at Our Lucaya is a stellar attraction located a short five minute walk from the Marina.

The Bacardi® Rum Billfish Tournament is always held in the month of March and remains the opening tournament of the Bahamas Billfish Season. The tournament has traditionally attracted a who’s who of tournament boats, anglers and crews as they prepare their boats for the upcoming season. The format of the tournament allows boat owners to fly-in and rotate friends and guests during the event.

March also signifies the height of the College Spring Break Season in Port Lucaya. The timing of the Tournament coincides with all of the fun and gaiety and laughter that thousands of college students bring to Port Lucaya. The Marketplace is the gathering place for young and old alike as everyone enjoys the rituals of spring break in the Bahamas. Some evenings, patrons will go to the upstairs establishments surrounding the Square and from there, throw beads to the jubilant crowds below, reminiscent of the Mardi Gras festivities in New Orleans.

The Bacardi® Rum Billfish Tournament is an unbeatable combination of a premium sponsor, three great location partners, and the exciting atmosphere of Mardi Gras which sets the tempo for all of the festivities scheduled for the event.

Schedule of Events

SUNDAY, MARCH 6TH, 2005

• 12:00 noon-5:00 pm Registration and Information: All boats must re-register, verandah of the Marina office. Introduction to the Billfish Foundation Raffle. Meet Steve Goione, featured artist. Poster signing.
• 6:30-7:00 pm Opening Meeting: All Anglers, Captains and Mates, Isle of Capri Casino at Our Lucaya Main Entrance.
• 7:00-8:00 pm Welcome Cocktail Party, Isle of Capri Casino at Our Lucaya.
• 8:00-9:30 pm Welcome Dinner, Isle of Capri Casino at Our Lucaya.

MONDAY, MARCH 7TH, 2005

• 7:30 am Boats may leave the docks
• 7:30 am onwards Blessing of the Fleet. Location: As you leave Bell Channel. Proceed to the last buoy for 8 a.m. Bimini Start.
• 8:00 am Bimini Start (First Day only).
• 4:00 pm Lines Out of the Water. Weigh-in opens. Check to see if you are a TBF raffle winner!
• Open Dining Tonight
• 7:00 pm Weigh-in closes for fun fish division.
• 7:00-8:30 pm Cocktail Party, Pelican Bay Resort (next to Unexso).
• 9:00 pm onwards...! Festivities in the Marketplace square.

TUESDAY, MARCH 8TH, 2005

• 7:30 am Leave the docks.
• 8:30 am-4:00 pm Fishing
• 4:00 pm Lines out of the Water. Weigh-in opens. Check to see if you are a TBF raffle winner!
• 7:00 pm Weigh-in closes for fun fish division.
• 7:00-8:30 pm Cocktail Party and Activities. The World famous Bacardi Rum Hors d’oeuvres contest. (7:30 PM) Each boat to provide one Hors d’oeuvres or snack. There will be judges and prizes will be awarded on taste, originality and presentation. (The judges may be bribed!) The emphasis is on camaraderie and sharing. You may bring a snack and not have it judged. Venue: Port Lucaya Resort and Yacht Club.
• 9:00 pm until??? Mardi Gras Celebration, Port Lucaya Marketplace square.
  

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9TH, 2005

• No fishing today! You have the entire day off. For the diehards:
• 7:00-8:00 pm Cocktail Party at The Cove, Isle of Capri Casino at Our Lucaya.

THURSDAY, MARCH 10th, 2005

• 7:30 am Boats may leave the docks.
• 8:30 am-4:00 pm Fishing.
• 4:00 pm Lines out of the water. Weigh-in opens. Check to see if you are a TBF raffle winner!
• 7:00 pm Weigh-in closes for the fun fish division.
• 7:00-8:30 pm Cocktail Party and Activities, Harbour Room located directly underneath the Marina offices. Tickets required.
• Tonight, 7:30 pm The world famous Bacardi® Rum drink competition. All drinks must contain at least one type of Bacardi® Rum. Only Bacardi® brand rums may be used. Bring your favorite exotic mixers or purchase them locally. Give your drink a name, dress it up (the presenter also!) and bring it to the contest. Let us judge it, if we are still standing, on the basis of taste, originality and presentation. This is a great contest, always enjoyed by everyone.
• Open Dining Tonight
• 9:00 pm onwards...! Mardi Gras festivities continue, Port Lucaya Marketplace square.
  

FRIDAY, MARCH 11TH, 2005

• 7:00 am Boats may leave the docks (notice the time change).
• 8:00 am-3:00 pm Fishing (notice the time change).
• 3:00 pm Lines out of the water (notice the time change). Weigh-in opens. Check to see if you are a TBF raffle winner!
• 5:00 pm Weigh-in closes (note this rule/last day only). All fish to be weighed must be brought to the weigh-in station by 5:00 PM. All release verification photos must also be brought to the weigh-in station by 5:00 PM. Absolutely no exceptions.
• 7:00-8:00 pm Cocktail Party. TBF final raffle drawing. Venue: Port Lucaya Resort and Yacht Club.
• 8:00-10:00 pm Celebration Awards Banquet. Steak dinner. Tickets required for these events.

Entry Fee

The Bacardi® Rum Billfish Tournament is a team event in which the sum of all the points accumulated on one boat will determine the overall winner.

$2,100.00 per boat covers the entry fee of up to four team members. Additional persons registered on the boat will be charged a $250.00 participation fee. The dinners may be purchased separately.

The basic entry fee covers the participation of up to four persons in the tournament. This includes participation at all planned social activities, t-shirts, and give-away items. Welcome Dinner and an Awards Dinner. (Tickets required for the dinners and will be given to all registered persons). Cocktail parties every night (six). Hors d’oeuvres and Bacardi® Rum Drink competitions are events not to miss. It is important that all registered anglers, Captains and Mates be listed on the tournament registration form that is signed on registration day prior to the start of the tournament.

Trophies & Awards

• Overall Winner (team), Second and Third Place
• Heaviest Wahoo, Tuna and Dolphin
• Captain’s Trophy, Top Mate (2)
• High Point Release Boat
  

Registration

Registration for the event is necessary using the following registration form. Or click here to register online. Also click here for the authorization to use appearance form.

For more information, or to make a reservation, please email us at tournaments@PortLucayaMarina.com at Port Lucaya Marina, or contact us at phone: 242-373-9090, fax: 242-373-5884.