“Fish Tales” wins Shootout Two Years in a Row

For Immediate Release

Hatteras Edges Bertram in 29th Shootout Win

“Fish Tales” wins Shootout Two Years in a Row

Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Bahamas.

Once again, Kaye Pearson warmly welcomed an elite field of sport fishing boats which gathered to compete in the 29th edition of the Bertram Hatteras Shootout. In his opening remarks Kaye mentioned that the Shootout continues to attract the finest , most talented group of tournament owners, captains and crew of any bill fishing event in the world.

 Kaye also stressed the importance of the all release format of the event and its impact on the future of billfish fisheries. Shootout founder Hutch Hutchengs then led a very spirited auction for an original Guy Harvey painting, specially commissioned for the Shootout. Proceeds from the auction go to International Game Fish Association and in the end, Sydney Sussman, owner of “Certifiable” won the bidding.

Team Hatteras got off to a fast start on Day One and led Team Bertram all the way into day three. Bertram narrowed the gap to within 400 points, or one fish, but in the last hour of fishing a Hatteras boat released a fish and Hatteras won 5,200 points to Bertram’s 4,600 points. Team Hatteras accumulated their points by releasing 7 blues, 7 whites and 3 sails. Team Bertram released 6 blues, 6 whites and 4 sails.

In the meantime, “Fish Tales” a   Hatteras owned by Alex Vazquez of Miami, Florida took the early lead by earning high point boat honors for day one with 900 points. Eventually, “Grey Ghost”, a 52’ Hatteras owned by Tom Duane of Miami caught up with “Fish Tales” and heading into the last hour of fishing both boats were tied for first place with 1,400 points. With two minutes remaining before lines out for the tournament, “Fish Tales” released a white marlin and took over the lead by 200 points. The final score for the lead was “Fish Tales” with 1,600 points (2 Blues, 3 Whites) and “Grey Ghost” with 1,400 points (2 Blues, 2 Whites). Rowdy was the top Bertram Boat, owned by Frank Capola of New York, and earned third place with 1,100 points (1 Blue, 3 Whites).

In his closing remarks at the awards ceremony, Kaye Pearson informed everyone that next year’s event, the 30th Edition of the Bertram Hatteras Shootout will be an event that cannot be missed. Plans are already being formulated for the historic 30th competition between the world’s best two boat manufacturers. The dates have been set and the event will take place May 5th to 9th, 2009.

For all of the results and further information please visit www.shootoutbahamas.com.