Comprised of two separate three-day tournaments, the event featured 15 teams competing for the coveted series title and prize money.

Mon Chari uses experience to good effect

2019 winners Mon Chari, led by owner Damon Chouest with Captain Matt Coppoletta and teammates Dustin Pinckney, Davon Laurent and Jorge Moore, won both legs to take the overall series championship, scoring 9,000 points from 22 billfish releases, including 17 blue marlin, three sailfish, one white marlin and one spearfish over the six days of fishing.

Mon Chari, no strangers to the North Drop, earned $90,150 for their accomplishments; angler Damon Chouest won top angler awards and received the Bodo Muche stainless steel series trophy, King Sailfish Mount trophies, Yeti coolers, Costa sunglasses, Carey Chen artwork, Papa’s Pilar rum and an invitation to the 2023 Costa Offshore World Championship.

Team El Cazador, fishing aboard an 85-foot Ricky Scarborough out of Texas and led by owner Bobby Ricks with Captain Paul Alderman and mate Scott Behrhorst, made the trip to the [British] Virgin Islands to fish the Scrub Island Invitational series. Fishing the North Drop for the very first time, El Cazador released nine blue marlins, scoring 4,500 points during the series, placing second in Leg I, third in Leg II and third in the series.

Team Lunatico, on a 63-foot Titan Custom Yacht from Florida with boat owner Lance Converse, Captain Cory Gillespie and mate Slade Crumpton scored 4,500 points from nine blue marlin releases, placing second in Leg II and second in the series.

Team Mon Chari, fishing aboard a Louisiana-based 68-foot American Custom Yacht, won the 2022 Scrub Island Invitational Billfish Series which was held from August 4 to September 4, 2022. Mon Chari, no strangers to the North Drop, earned $90,150 for their accomplishments.

Although Tropical Storm Earl hindered participation numbers, the tournament participants enjoyed the hospitality of the Scrub Island Resort and Marina, open bar dinner parties and gifts from the sponsors including Lewis Marine, Costa Sunglasses, Yeti, King Sailfish Mounts, Papa’s Pilar, Big-T Lures and Marlin.

VI team Indigo wins daily release jackpot

Other teams taking home cash and trophies included Uno Mas, who placed third in Leg I with angler Maria Smith earning top lady angler honors, and Indigo from the Virgin Islands winning a daily release jackpot in Leg I.

“Anglers from around the world enjoyed fantastic weather and competitive sport fishing at the famous North Drop, considered the best for Blue Marlin fishing,” said Scrub Island Resort General Manager Michael Schoonewagen.

“We were thrilled to reintroduce the tournament following pandemic shutdowns and look forward to continued growth and participation as the annual series continues.”

During the tournament, anglers and their families enjoyed the resort’s top-tier amenities, including Ixora Spa, world-class restaurants, two private beaches, a four-tiered pool with waterfalls, a 55-slip marina and more. Scrub Island’s Marina was the departure point for most of the water-oriented activities, allowing visitors to explore the breathtaking sea life and neighboring islands.

The dates for next year’s Scrub Island Invitational Billfish Series are August 27 – 31 Leg I and Aug 31 – September 4, 2023, for Leg II. For more information on the series and to request an invitation, persons can visit www.scrubislandinvitational.com or email tournament director Dan Jacobs at dan.jacobs@bonniercorp.com.