BenAvi2 Triumphs 16th Belikin Blue Water Classic Fishing Tournament

With Old Belize once again marking tournament base, Belize Game Fish Association returned to Belize City for our flagship tournament: the 16th Annual Belikin Blue Water Classic, where a 25-strong fleet delivered great fishing and an unforgettable finish for over $100,000 BZD in payouts. Here’s our official recap of the 3-day tournament long weekend, held October 10-12, 2025.

DAY ONE: OCTOBER 10, 2025

This year, our three-day event was met with a few changes. With our weighmaster, Giovanni Duran—better known as Jovy—present, the review of rules was held inside the Street Scene as a closed event for participating captains and anglers only. Here, BGFA personnel outlined, for accuracy and transparency, the changes to our tournament rules with President Madelyn Bowen at the helm alongside Jovy, who has served in his capacity as essential personnel for a full decade and counting. Thereafter, kit distributions for each team were held inside Old Belize Food Market, which included a slew of complimentary goods thanks to our sponsors. Think Belikin Beer, Crystal Water, Snackers, Caribbean Rum, and Kayn Rum, plus exclusive #16BWC2025 inclusions, like dry-fit long-sleeve hoodies and all-access passes for the weekend.

To close, the remaining boats that did not purchase their own Calcutta were auctioned to the public: Pappy’s Kitchen, a vendor at OBFM and our sponsor of the Bimini breakfast, purchased ‘Xandito’ and ‘Sea Senora’ that remained. Since the additional $1,500 Calcutta fee was not mandatory during registration, the cash pot was confirmed at $37,500, with first place taking 60% of Calcutta while second place grabs 30%!

With our Weighmaster Duran manning the scale on the dock of the tournament base, here’s a breakdown of anglers’ catch-of-day for both days of fishing.

DAY TWO: OCTOBER 11, 2025

The official first day of fishing began bright and early with breakfast distribution, sponsored by Pappy’s Kitchen inside Old Belize Food Market. Ahead of the shotgun Bimini start from Cucumber Beach Marina, anglers could expect complimentary tacos, burritos, Moe’s meatpies, and coffee as of 5 AM.

And what an exciting one it was! With a helicopter hovering above to capture footage of the 25-boat fleet, a colored smoke bomb and a single airhorn at exactly 6 AM marked the official beginning of the 16th BWC 2025.

With lines out at 4:00 PM sharp—which also doubles as the deadline to call in or report all fish to the Weighmaster—boats returned to scale with their catch-of-the-day, or to confirm qualification of billfish releases. Also at 4 PM, Happy Hour kicked off on the dock near the weigh station, while inside the Old Belize Food Market, local marine artist and sponsor Ernest Garcia’s original artwork was displayed along the trophy table. At the end of Day 1, a total of 13 boats qualified to rank on the scoreboard with unofficial results: Stir It Up skyrocketed to 2,510 points with a Blue Marlin release by Juan Menjivar.

At the end of day one, a total of 16 wahoos, three dorado, and one billfish qualified. For the scoreboard, Wahoos adds 1 point per pound while Dorado adds 1 point per pound; marlins receive 2,500 per release. Full tournament rules can be read here.

DAY THREE: OCTOBER 12, 2025

As the second and final day of fishing, all boats MUST dock at the tournament base before 4:00 PM for any fish to qualify, leading into Happy Hour from 4 PM to 6 PM, immediately followed by our Prize Giving Ceremony. Of note: there was also no Bimini start or official open time; boats were free to begin fishing at their discretion.

Ultimately, two blue marlins, three sailfish, two kingfish, three dorado, and 10 wahoo qualified at the scale on Day 2 between a dozen boats.

Prize Giving Ceremony

Led by our President Madelyn Bowen, first things first on the agenda was our lucky winner for the Manta Island all-inclusive prize raffled for 3 nights. Grateful for the support of all participants, and our Platinum Sponsor Manta Island Resort, we take this opportunity to congratulate once again Rosalind Roe, who gets to enjoy the 12-acre private island on the edge of Glover’s Reef Atoll with a guest! Ultimately, after two days at sea, team “Ben Avi 2” of Belize City secured the win overall, bringing home the coveted 1st Place trophy and a nice check for $48,500.

Here’s how the rest of the scoreboard played out.

WINNERS

1st PLACE: BEN AVI 2

“Ben Avi 2” wins 1st Place in the 16th Annual Belikin Blue Water Classic! Representing Belize City, Captain Bention Feinstein II and his team leave with an immaculate hand-carved cluster trophy, an original Ernest Garcia art piece, and a total of $48,500, which includes First Place’s $25,000, 60% Calcutta of $22,500, and Junior Angler’s $1,000.

2nd PLACE: STIR IT UP

Captain Allan Duncker returns Stir It Up to Independence Village as sub-champions of the 16th Annual Belikin Blue Water Classic, taking 2nd Place with a total of 2,510 points and $28,750 in total earnings, including 30% Calcutta for an additional $11,250, and Top Angler’s $2,500. Not to mention, a Zericote trophy, an original Ernest Garcia art piece, and a complete prize package too!

3rd PLACE: CARPE DIEM

Captain Roberto Tamai and his “Carpe Diem” crew from Ambergris Caye are our 3rd Place winners with 2,510 points thanks to their Blue Marlin release by angler Ivan Puerto! Besides the 3rd Place cash prize of $10,000, they’ll be returning to San Pedro with a hand-carved trophy.

4th PLACE: BOBBY C

Back on our scoreboards, Captain Robert Codd Jr. of “Bobby C” and his Belize City crew celebrate 1,082 points with a prize of $7,500 and 4th place!

5th PLACE: FISH HUNTER

Another southbound crew made the trek to Old Belize, and not for naught! The “Fish Hunter” crew rounds out our top five placements of the 16th Annual Belikin Blue Water Classic with Captain Roland Alford and his team! With $5,000 under their belt and 1,044.5 points cumulative with a Sailfish release, dorado, and wahoo, our 5th Place winners are Placencia’s very own.