CUSTOM SHOOTOUT
CUSTOM SHOOTOUT FINDS A GREAT CATCH!
Article by Skip Smith Photos by Debra Todd
Custom Shootout 2012 was held at the beautiful Abaco Beach Resort & Boat Harbour Marina. With 37 of the finest Custom built boats in the world, some boats up to 85’ in length competing for this coveted title, it was just awesome walking down the dock looking at these machines, all ready to fish.
With a great forecast of great weather ahead, the fleet with the best crews on board set out to catch & release the most billfish in three days of fishing.
Photographer Debra Todd was sent up in a helicopter to catch these boats in action; from chasing down these boats that cruise at 35 knots, to finding the boats that were fighting fish. As usual, she managed to provide these amazing shots.
After the smoke cleared, there were 99 billfish caught and released, and the best part is that $70,000 was raised for Breast Cancer Research.
While Abaco Beach Resort spoiled the boat owners and their crews with the best food ever at the Billfish Awards dinner, it was the first place boat “Wave Paver” and Garlington Yachts that celebrated their victory through the night. Second place went to “Plane Simple,” a Spencer yacht, and third place went to “Bear Trap,” another Spencer.
The Custom Shootout is a 100% charity-fishing tournament. www.customshootout.com