63rd ILTTA Tournament
Costa Rica
March 3-8, 2003

The hot bite off Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast out of the Los Suenos resort had moderated by the time the 63 rd Annual International Light Tackle Tournament and 25th Annual Torneo Internacional de Pez Vela welcomed 30 visiting fishing clubs and some 90 anglers to their combined March 3-8 event. Nonetheless, the two organizations managed to pull off a successful event with 618 sailfish releases and the winning clubs going to the wire to win. Daily totals were 125, 157, 122 and a life saving, 212 releases for the fourth and final day of the event, when the Bay Head (NJ) Yacht Club, represented by Hank and Gretchen Manley and angler Wayne Whippen pulled an upset victory over Club Nautico de San Juan with 3500 points, representing 35 sailfish releases.

With two teams fishing, Club Nautico’s Bruno Rodriquez on the Magic Touch with Capt. Nestor Pena of Venezuela lead their Team I to a second place finish and took top individual angler honors with 1800 points or 18 fish. Team Club Nautico de San Juan I, consisting of Agie Vicente and K.C. Crook and Rodriques, accumulated 3300 points or 33 fish over the four days of fishing.
Third in the club event, were the winners of last year’s ILTTA Tournament at Cancun, Midel Gomez, Carlos Barnes and Angel “Tito” Mutaner of Club Nautico de San Juan II. The trio finished with 3200 points.

As noted, San Juan businessman Bruno Rodriquez was the top individual angler. The tournament also was dedicated to the former ILTTA president and angler, who fished the first Costa Rica International Billfish Tournament in 1979 and won it last year, with 1300 points.
Second and third place individual trophies went to Jose Schifter of Costa Rica’s Gallo Pinto team, who caught 17 fish, and to Hunter Blount, also with 1700 points, who was fishing for the Hatterras (NC) Marlin Club.

First day leaders Sherry Jumonville was fourth and was the top woman angler of the event, with 1500 points. She beat Joan Vernon, also with 1500 points, on time.

AWARDS

High Team Bay Head Yacht Club……………………………..... 3500 Points
(Hank Manley, Gretchen Manley, Wayne Whippen)

2nd High Team Club Nautico de San Juan #1…………………….…... 3300 Points
(Ralph (Agie) Vicente, K. C. Crook, Bruno Rodriguez)

3rd High Team Club Nautico de San Juan #2………………............. 3200 Points
(Carlos Barnes, Midel Gomez, Angel (Tito) Muntaner)

High Angler Bruno Rodriguez (Club Nautico de San Juan #1)…... 1800 Points

2nd High Angler José Schifter (Gallo Pinto)……………………………… 1700 Points

3rd High Angler Hunter Blount (Hatteras Marlin Club)………………. 1700 Points

TEAM STANDINGS

1. Bay Head Yacht Club………………………………………….. 3500 Points
2. Club Nautico de San Juan - #1……………………………….………….. 3300 Points
3. Club Nautico de San Juan - #2………………………….……………….. 3200 Points
4. Ocean Reef Rod & Gun Club…………………………………….…………. 3100 Points
5. Miami Rod & Reel Club…………………………………………….………... 2900 Points
6. Hatteras Marlin Club……….................................................... 2800 Points
7. Gallo Pinto……………………………………………………………....………. 2800 Points
8. Club Amateur de Pesca - #3……………………………….…….……….. 2500 Points
9. Club Nautico de Santo Domingo………………………………….……... 2200 Points
10. Club Nautico de Guatemala……………………………………….……... 2100 Points
11. Texas Tournament Anglers……………………………………….……….2100 Points
12. Arrecho Fishing Club……………………………………………..….………2100 Points
13. Lighthouse Point Fishing Club…………...................................2000 Points
14. Club Nautico de San Juan - #3………………………...............….. 2000 Points
15. Club Amateur de Pesca - #1………………............................... 1900 Points
16. Port Aransas Rod & Reel Club - #2………………………….………...1900 Points
17. Old Port Yacht Club……………………………………………….............1700 Points
18. Corpus Christi Big Game Club……………………………….....……... 1700 Points
19. Port Aransas Rod & Reel Club - #1……………………………….….. 1700 Points
20. Club Nautico de Guatemala…………………………………….….………1700 Points
21. Club de Yates de Acapulco………………................................. 1700 Points
22. Vikingos………………………………………………............................ 1600 Points
23. West Palm Beach Fishing Club - #1…...................................1500 Points
24. West Palm Beach Fishing Club - #2….................................. 1500 Points
25. Curacao Marlins………………….............................................. 1500 Points
26. International Women’s Fishing Association - #2…................. 1400 Points
27. Puerto Rico Light Tackle Anglers………….............................. 1400 Points
28. Club Amateur de Pesca - #4………………………....................... 1200 Points
29. International Women’s Fishing Association - #1…………......... 1100 Points
30. Curacao Yacht Club……………………………………………............... 1000 Points
31. Alternate Anglers………………………………………………….............. 500 Points