Another whopper at the T&T Marlin Madness Tournament

No-one was able to top Sean Mendonca's record-setting 890lb catch from last year's Marlin Madness, hosted by the T&T Game Fishing Association, which would have given them a $60,000 prize. As such the million dollar jackpot for catching a 1,000-pounder was also beyond the competitors' reach. But this year's haul was still nothing to sneeze at.

Angler Jovan Jango brought in an 825lb blue marlin on the closing day of the event, which ran April 29–May 2 at Pigeon Point Heritage Park in Tobago. Both Jango and his vessel – the 50-ft bertram, Reel Fanatic – persevered for a gruelling 6.25 hours to catch the mammoth fish.

Finishing in second place was the Viking 4 (whose resident angler Teressa Jack won best female angler); Fun Now was third; Grand Slam fourth; and Barbie Doll 2 fifth.

While my own tree-hugging self would have loved the victorious crew to have released their catch and forego some of the photo opps and bragging rights, I'm still pleased that 17 blue marlets and seven sailfish were still released during the tournament.