JUST IN!! MINI WCBRT VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS – 2 DAYS, 1,157 MARLIN!!! CLICK HERE

2008 WCBRT
MAY 17th -21st,  2008
Tournament Dates: May 17th - 21st, 2008
Captains Meeting and Registration: May 17th
Fishing Days: May 18th, 19th, and 20th.
Observers Tournament: May 21st 7:00am - 3:00pm
Awards: May 21st, 7:00pm

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BILLFISH RELEASE TOURNAMENT RULES
TOURNAMENT INFORMATION KITS AND REGISTRATION FORMS

DOWNLOAD THE 2008 TOURNAMENT INFORMATION & SPONSORSHIP KIT
DOWNLOAD THE SPANISH LANGUAGE VERSION (version espanol)
DOWNLOAD THE 2008 TOURNAMENT REGISTRATION FORM

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2007 TOURNAMENT WINNERS
The teams releasing the most billfish over the three days were  Team CHIQELIN and Team BAD COMPANY tied with 33 released marlin each and the tie breaker was determined by time, putting Team Chiqelin in 1st Place and lead by Team Captain Lance Keller and Mike " The Beak " Hurt. Team Chiqelin released a total of 33 marlin during the event earning a first place cash prize and daily jackpots of USD $ 160,762.00. Team Chiqelin also received 3 daily release category awards of USD $ 500 each for the release category. Team Chiqelin graciously donated the USD $ 1,500.00 to The Billfish Foundation Norma 029 Fund at the awards banquet. All State, municipal, federal taxes and checks were paid and presented first at the awards banquet and then all teams were presented and paid immediately following the event .

The WCBRT's cash payout is the highest cash payout for any striped marlin money tournament in the world. Bad Company's top angler Peter Groesbeck also took top honors for top angler of the tournament with an impressive 21 released fish.

Second place team with 33 released marlin was Team Bad Company with Team Captain Steve Lassley earning them USD $ 11, 400.00. At the awards banquet, Team Bad Company graciously donated their total winnings of USD $ 11,400.00 to The Billfish Foundation Norma 029 Fund. 

Third place team with 30 released striped marlin was Cabo San Lucas local team, Team GET OVER IT  earning them a USD $ 77,730.00 which included the second day's daily jackpots for the most released fish. For a complete recap of the event, please see our PRESS page.

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THE PREMIER ALL-RELEASE CIRCLE HOOK MARLIN TOURNAMENT IN CABO
All circle hook. All release. That's the only way to ensure the future of marlin and billfish fisheries as well as to preserve recreational and tournament fishing – not only in Cabo San Lucas and the Baja peninsula but worldwide. Everyday, thousands of marlin, sailfish and other billfish species are killed, most by commercial fishing boats – longliners that have little if any concern over the plight of marlin or other “incidental catch". Billfish and other marine species are caught in miles and miles of J-hook-rigged lines or indiscriminate gill nets. Countless other marlin and billfish are taken as trophies by uninformed anglers – a large number of which compete in billfish tournaments that require a weigh-in to determine the winners. While the negative impact that these anglers and tournaments have upon the fishery is nowhere near that of commercial fishing fleets, they are in a position to inspire change. Change not only in the attitudes and tactics used by sports fishermen, but also within the commercial fishing industry. By refocusing attention on the destructive methods used and how simple changes in techniques can minimize loss we hope to set a new precedent - Responsible, Conservation-Based Tournaments and a renewed effort to enforce Responsible Commercial Fishing.

In the spirit of Competition, Sportsmanship and Conservation, the world's top anglers have united to present one of the richest and most prestigious billfish tournaments ever held. The World Championship Billfish Release Tournament (WCBRT) is set for May 27th through May 31st at the beautiful Cabo Villas Beach Resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

With the mandatory use of circle hooks in an all-release format, WCBRT offers a new class of billfish tournament. The inaugural event has already attracted anglers from worldwide ports of distinction. The 2007 WCBRT is a qualifying event for the IGFA Offshore Championship and will include a Junior World Championship Division. The mission of the WCBRT is to promote competition, sportsmanship and the advancement of billfish conservation in a manner that will insure healthy billfish populations and exciting fishing experiences today and for future generations.

OUR BILLFISH CONSERVATION GOALS
• Raise awareness of the need for billfish conservation.
• Support responsible billfish conservation management and science programs by donating  proceeds to The Billfish Foundation
• Release all hooked fish with as little injury as feasible.
• Advance the use of conservation-friendly equipment and fishing methods.
• Promote good sportsmanship by setting positive examples for young anglers.
• Provide youth angling and educational opportunities related to billfishing.
• To associate with responsible sport fishing entities, event services & related industry businesses.
• Demonstrate that billfish conservation pays.
• Support the local Los Ninos del Capitain Childrens  Charity.
• The WCBRT is a non profit event.