The Crow’s Nest Avalon Billfish Classic is the premiere release marlin fishing tournament in the Western United States. With an emphasis on fun and sportsmanship, this event is suitable for teams just getting into the tournament scene as well as seasoned pros who want to see how they measure up against the best boats in the fleet. Our all new format and affordable entry fee makes this every man’s tournament.

Mega drawing prizes mean any team can come away a big winner, whether they catch a marlin or not. All anglers entered into the Avalon Billfish Classic are eligible to win one of four Mega Drawing prizes worth $5,000 each, including a set of Fraser Volpe gyroscopic binoculars, or 5 matching Accurate-Cal Star combos from Fisherman’s Landing Tackle Shop. Each angler entered will have one mega drawing ticket entered for each mega drawing prize. For each marlin released, the angler gets another mega drawing ticket to enter into the drawing of their choice. The more you catch, the better your chances to win part of the $20,000 in mega drawing prizes.

Top teams can still win big. Valuable prize packages for first through third place will make it worthwhile for the top finishing boats, and optional daily jackpots in the $250, $500, $1,000, and $2,000 levels ensure there will be plenty of cash prizes for those teams that are interested. The 2008 event saw nearly $50,000 in cash given away to the winners.

Share the excitement of the Crow’s Nest Catalina Classic. The Crow’s Nest Avalon Billfish Classic will be run in conjunction with the Crow’s Nest Catalina Classic. From the check in festival at Descanso Beach Club in Avalon on Sunday, September 20 to the final awards ceremony at the world famous Casino Ballroom on Tuesday, September 22, participants of both events will be sharing the fun and excitement of tournament fishing at its best. Tournament Control, shotgun starts, crowds on the pier, it just does not get more thrilling than this.

Affordable entry fees mean more fun for less money. With an $800 entry fee for a four man team, this event helps ease the cost of tournament fishing, without giving up on the fun and excitement. If your team is fishing in the Crow’s Nest Catalina Classic also, you can join the Crow’s Nest Avalon Billfish Classic for just an additional $400, so you can fish them both for just $2,400, a $400 savings. Additional anglers can be added for $125 per angler (max 6 per team).

California Billfish Series Kick-Off Fiesta with WIDE OPEN Excursions and Harbor Grill.

Clear your schedules for Tuesday, August 24 to attend the California Billfish Series Kick-Off Fiesta. Co-hosted by WIDE OPEN Excursions and The Harbor Grill this event is poised to be a highlight of the season. Taking place at WIDE OPEN’s Corporate Headquarters and Race Shop in Irvine, CA should appeal to all fishermen’s sense of adventure. Filled with race cars, trophies, artwork and Baja... [Read more]

Crow’s Nest Catalina Classic and Avalon Billfish Classic Quick Review.

Following on the heels of the Penn Zane Grey Invitational, The Crow’s Nest Avalon Billfish Classic and Crow’s Nest Catalina Classic took place September 20-22 out of Avalon, Catalina Island. Due to the short calendar in September with a late Labor Day, the decision was made to conduct both of these events concurrently, and the results were quite successful. Teams that had followed the live tournament... [Read more]

2009 Crow’s Nest Catalina Classic and Avalon Billfish Classic - Day 2 Updates

Day 2 Updates - Last Updated 4:50 PM Today’s Releases - Updated List: C Bandit: 3 releases Chaser: 3 releases (+1 boated: 169lb) Tiger Spirit: 2 releases Good Karma: 2 releases Lucky L: 1 release Shark’s Parlour: 1 release Club Ted: 1 release After Midnight: 1 release Scrambler: 1 release Three Daughters: 1 release Haywood: 1 release Ahi Nui: 1 release Buck Shot: 1 release Bandit: 1 boated... [Read more]

2009 Crow’s Nest Catalina Classic and Avalon Billfish Classic - Jackpots

Boat Name Catalina Classic Avalon Billfish Classic   Daily $250 Daily $500 Daily $1000 Daily $2000 Daily $250 Daily $500 Daily $1000 Daily $2000 1 Hot Tuna                 Ace Hi                 Afishinado                 After Midnight                 Ahi... [Read more]

2009 Crow’s Nest Catalina Classic and Avalon Billfish Classic - Participants

ABC Cat Classic Boat Name Boat MFG Boat LGH First name Last Name ABC Cat Classic 1 Hot Tuna Trophy 23 Capt. Bill DePriest II Cat Classic Ace Hi Tournament 30 30 Mike Elias Cat Classic Afishinado Delta 36 John King Cat Classic After Midnight Knight & Carver 75 Mike Cromer Cat Classic Ahi Nui Parker 23 Keegan Hicks ABC Cat Classic Bali Ann Riviera 43 George Balian ABC Cat... [Read more]

2009 Crow’s Nest Catalina Classic and Avalon Billfish Classic - Day 1 Results

38 marlin landed with 29 releases and 9 boated fish. Catalina Classic Standings after Day 1- 1st place Reel Nice-N- Easy 212.5 and sweep of day 1 jackpots 2nd place Tonnage 202 pounds 3rd Place 1 Hot Tuna 192 pounds 4th Place Vertigo 176.5 pounds Avalon Billfish Classic Standings after Day 1- 1st Place Bandit 3 releases and sweep of day 1 jackpots 2nd Place Good Karma 3 releases 3rd place Reel Time... [Read more]

2009 Crow’s Nest Catalina Classic and Avalon Billfish Classic - Day 1 Summary

51 boats total. 48 entered in Crow’s Nest Catalina Classic, 38 in Crow’s Nest Avalon Billfish Classic, and 35 in both. Day 1 Results Catalina Classic - 24 boats caught 38 Marlin, with 29 releases and 9 boated fish. Avalon Billfish Classic - 15 boats scored 22 releases (all also in Catalina Classic) Avalon Billfish Classic Standings Bandit is in first place with 3 releases. Good Karma is... [Read more]

Tournament Grid Map

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Wide Open Baja Offering Off Road Adventure as mega Raffle Prize

Much more than a standard racing school or follow the leader tour, the Wide Open experience pushes the envelope of adventure based vacations. The purpose built, Baja Challenge vehicles provide guests with all of the performance and safety of a modern desert race car, but are comfortable enough for anyone to drive. Welcome to Wide Open Excursions. Seasoned guides lead you through the entire journey... [Read more]

Viking Yachts Joins Crow’s Nest in Sponsorship of Catalina Classic

The Viking Yacht Company has celebrated four and a half decades in business building luxury performance sportfishing and cruising yachts. Started by brothers Bob and Bill Healey in 1964, Viking Yachts has grown to become a world leader in semi-custom fiberglass yacht production with over 4,000 Vikings delivered. Viking 60 BCE Viking Yachts made a commitment to the West Coast fishing market when they... [Read more]