Kenya's Billfish Action!

Location: Malindi - Kenya, Africa

Kenya is and will always remain one of the top game destinations in the world, both land and sea. It is one of the true placest on earth where you can find an untainted ecosystem where wildlife and natures marine predators flourish.

Below: Kenya lies along the coast of the Indian Ocean...

Malindi Billfish Open Challenge

Here is a breakdown press release for the 2009 Tournament by the event coordinator Jackson Ndung'u...

Casino Malindi's two-day fishing tournament, "Casino Malindi Billfish Open Challenge 2009", took place earlier this year with boats departing from both Malindi and Watamu shores. The tournament attracted local and international anglers alike, some coming as fas as Singapor, who competed for $10,000 worth of prizes.

The competition was well contested and the excitement began the evening of the 16th with the first auction and Ksh 157,000 at stake (the 2nd auction on the 17th came to Ksh 128,000). The fish were truly biting Day One, with 3 boats (Seahorse, Tarka, and Simba) tagging and releasing 2 Marlin each. Clueless went another route and came back with 9 Sailfish the same day.

Tarka, skippered by Callum Looman, surpassed Simba on Day Two by just over 800 points and took first place: Tarka with 3 Marlin and 2 Sailfish and Simba with 3 Marlin and 1 Sailfish. Seahores, skippered by IGFA's (International Game Fish Association) representativev to Kenya, Peter Ready, came in third with two Marlin and a Sail. First three places were awarded with top-of-the-line Italian Technofish Rod and Reels - three per boat.

Captain Adam Ogden, managing director of East African Safari Air and fishing aficionado, won Top Angler Award: a 3 day/2 night Maasai Mara Safari inclusive of game drives and balloon safari donated by Mada Holdings (Fig Tree Camp) . Prizes also included Biggest Billfish, Biggest Non-billfish, Top skipper and Top Lady Angler (even though the female participation was lacking this year). The American company Pelagic Gear sponsored the "goody bags" with caps and beer coozies.

Casino Malindi is a freestanding oceanfront casino, welcoming players and non-players alike. Its casual atmosphere is welcoming, with tables offering the highest limits in Africa. The tournament's evening events took place at La Griglia, one of the casino's open air restaurants. It was such a success that the dates have already been set for next year's comp, 16th and 17th of January, 2010, when we expect yet another great turnout and fun and exiciting event.

Until then, Tight Lines!

Below: Great aerial action awaits off the waters of Kenya.

Below: A beautiful Indian Ocean Sailfish is released

Below: A great look at Kenya's Black Marlin in all its majestic glory...

Below: Teamwork and persistence rewards the crew with a very nice tagged and released Marlin....

Click Below for information about fishing in Malindi & info regarding the Casino Malindi Billfish Open Challenge ...

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