Itinerary
Hawk’s Nest Resort & Marina would like to cordially invite you to participate in the Inaugural Blue Marlin Blast Release Tournament. This year’s tournament will be a four (4) night event commencing on Sunday May 25th, 2025. It will consist of three (3) competitive fishing days in one of The Bahamas’ most fertile fishing grounds.
Sunday May 25th
- Captain’s Meeting at Club House
- Dinner at Sharkey’s
Monday May 26th
- Tournament Fishing Day
- Dinner at Sharkey’s
Tuesday May 27th
- Tournament Fishing Day
- Dinner at Sharkey’s
Wednesday May 28th
- Tournament Fishing Day
- Dinner Banquet at Sharkey’s
Entry Fee: $3,000
Includes:
- Three (3) colored towels for fishing days
- One (1) tournament t-shirt
- Four (4) dinners per boat every night
All anglers must be registered prior to the start of the tournament.
Payment is required by Tuesday May 1st, 2025. While the fee is non-refundable, Hawk’s Nest Resort & Marina will provide a credit for any participating boat unable to attend, which can be utilized for a future stay.
To facilitate your stay, Hawk’s Nest will offer:
Tournament Rules
1. TOURNAMENT LOCATION:
- Hawk’s Nest Resort & Marina, Cat Island, Bahamas
2. TOURNAMENT FISHING DAYS:
- Saturday May 26, 2025
- Sunday May 27, 2025
- Monday May 28, 2025
3. BILLFISH CLASSIFICATIONS:
- Billfish are classified as:-Blue Marlin-White Marlin (or Hatchet Marlin)-Sailfish, Spearfish, or any unidentifiable billfish
- Participants are to RELEASE all billfish.
- Tagging is encouraged.
- No points will be awarded for boated billfish.
- Measurements for mounts should be carefully taken in the water.
4. FISHING HOURS:
- 7:30am to 3:30pm
- “LINES IN” announcement at 7:30am will signify the tournaments ‘Bimini Start’ from outside the breakwater of Hawk’s Nest Marina
- “LINES OUT” announcement at 3:30pm. Each line must be removed from the water unless a hook-up time has been registered with the tournament official radio
- All boats must be inside breakwater of Hawk’s Nest Marina by 5:30pm
5. FISHING BOUNDARIES:
- There will be no regulated boundaries
- Boats must depart & return through Hawk’s Nest Marina Inlet which is strictly regulated
- Tournament boats must maintain idle speed to the end of the inlet
6. SCORING:
- Only released billfish will be qualified for billfish categories.
- 600 points for Blue Marlin.
- 250 points for White Marlin (or Hatchet Marlin).
- 100 points for Sailfish, Spearfish, or any unidentifiable billfish.
- 400 points for “Grand Slam.” Slam must include a Blue Marlin, a White Marlin (or Hatchet Marlin), & a Sailfish, Spearfish, or any unidentifiable billfish. One bonus per boat during the tournament, all 3 species must be caught on same day. Slam points will be awarded to overall points, not daily points.
- The team that accumulates the most points will be the declared winner.
- In the event of a tie in points, team placement is determined by the earliest verified release time.
7. LINES & TACKLE:
- Ten (10) lines are permitted per boat.
- Six (6) hooked lines is the maximum allowed.
- In addition, four (4) teaser/dredge lines with no hooks will be allowed.
- Maximum IGFA rated 100# test is permitted.
- There is no bonus for lighter lines & subject to random testing by the tournament committee.
- The leader shall meet all IGFA standards.
8. RECORDING OF SCORES:
- A billfish is considered officially caught and released when the swivel hits the tip of the rod or crew member grabs the leader or the wind-on leader (not the double line) comes into the rod tip.
- Video &/or still image verification is required for the billfish catch to be eligible
- Released billfish must be called into the official radio stating:
- Boat name
- Angler
- Time of release.
- If transmitting is a problem due to distance you may phone us at (242) 342-7050 or relay your time to another boat participating
- Please, no deliberate jerking or snatching of leaders.
- Crewmen are reminded to always exercise extreme caution to ensure no catch is disqualified because someone other than the angler touched the line or tackle while the fish is being caught.
- Hook-up times should not be called in unless the fish is hooked just prior to the 3:30pm deadline.
9. PROTEST:
- This is an “Honor System” tournament with each angler being responsible for his or her own performance
- Any person witnessing a rule violation should submit a protest in writing to the tournament committee no later than 6:00pm on the day of the violation
- All decisions made by the tournament committee are final
10. CALCUTTA
- TBD:
*ALL RULES ARE NOT FINAL & ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT CAPTAINS MEETING
** CASH IS NOT AVAILABLE FROM HAWK’S NEST RESORT & MARINA
Prizes
BLUE MARLIN BLAST
1st Place: $TBD
2st Place: $TBD
3st Place: $TBD
Sponsorships & Partners
Hawk’s Nest Resort & Marina would like to recognize the following sponsors. These partnerships have helped to ensure the success of this event, as well as supporting the continued mission of fostering responsible fishing practices & protecting our environment.
Experiences
Here is what people are saying about their time at the Blue Marlin Blast at Hawk’s Nest Resort and Marina
LOCATION:
Hawk’s Nest Resort & Marina
Cat Island, Bahamas
• Family Owned Resort
• Located at the southern tip of beautiful Cat Island
• Established 28-slip marina.
– 6.5ft draft/10ft basin depth at low tide
• On-site 70ft wide, 4,900ft private airstrip.
– Displaced threshold/3100 usable.
– Light to midsize super jets.
• Private soft sand beaches
Contact Us and Register
