The Port Antonio Marlin Tournament

It has evaded many fishermen for years. The silver flash across the ocean waves its only promise that it exists. It is the treasured marlin, and every October in Port Antonio, budding anglers gather at the Port Antonio International Blue Marlin Tournament, to go in search of the prize catch—a marlin or two.

By 7:00am on the first day of the competition, the Port Antonio Marina is buzzing with anticipation. The phrase “tight lines” can be heard, as fellow anglers wish each other luck, and skippers and captains prepare the boats for a day on the high seas, baiting hooks and checking equipment. 

Started in 1963, the tournament has become one of the highlights of the marlin season, and is the oldest tournament in the Caribbean. The tournament is currently run by fishing aficionado Dr. Ron DuQuesnay and last year drew 24 boats and 124 anglers, and has continued to grow, with past entrants hailing from Haiti, Cayman, Jamaica, the USA and even as far as Germany. It is also one of the region’s premier social gatherings, and the days at sea are followed by nights filled with entertainment, parties, gatherings and lots of food and drink.

The first day begins with the pomp and ceremony of the boats parading out of the marina, the Jamaica of the postcards, past Navy Island and out into the deep blue. As each boat sets it course, and waits for the illusive marlin to bite, chatter back and forth on the radio confirms whether they are in fact biting. In 2009, 46 marlins were caught and brought ashore, while 26 endangered Blue Marlin were tagged and released in accordance with the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) Tag & Release Regulations. Along with marlin, however, anglers also pull in popular catches like tuna, barracuda, dolphin and sail fish. 

While the sport yachts take center stage for most of the tournament (which lasts four days), one day is dedicated to the canoe tournament, where local fishermen compete, in canoes, to catch the biggest fish. Last year 40 canoes joined the race, and three marlin were landed. The winning canoe’s prize fish was a 133lb marlin. 

The festival and tournament often acts likes a reunion each year, drawing back families who come to fish each year. It is a competition, but also a get together of friends with one passion in mind…to catch a marlin.

Date: Oct 15th - Oct 22nd 2012

Location: Port Antonio, Jamaica