The Avalon Billfish Classic was added to the schedule in 2007 as an all-release striped marlin tournament. Since the Catalina Classic is a big-fish tournament, organizers wanted to add an all-release event to show their commitment to conservation and offer participants another type of tourney to choose from.
The Avalon Billfish Classic was the first all release, all circle hook tournament on the West Coast. Conservation is a big part of the California Billfish Series and anglers in all of the events must fish with circle hooks when using live baits or natural dead bait. J-hooks are only allowed in lures and jigs.
Originally, the ABC was a stand-alone tournament. There was a “pro” division and an “amateur” division back then, but that cut the prize money down and deciding on who is a fishing “pro” always falls into a gray area.
After running the ABC as a pro-am for a couple of years, the tournament committee decided to ditch the various categories but keep the event as an all-release tournament and piggyback the ABC onto the Catalina Classic. They also dropped the entry fee down to $800, opening the door to new contestants who wanted to compete and see what marlin tournaments were all about. It turned out to be a great move.
Running the ABC simultaneously with the Catalina Classic eased the burden on participants but provided more chances to win. Crews could still fish all three events that make up the California Billfish Series, but now they didn’t need to take on the expense of coming over to Catalina three weeks in a row. It also gave those boats planning to head to Mexico after the California marlin season more time to prepare. And, if you’re entered in the Classic you can fish the ABC for just $400 more, and that gives you the opportunity to enter several additional jackpot categories.
“The ABC is a great value. For an $800 entry fee, a team of four anglers receive bags, shirts, hats and entry into all of the parties and banquets.”
The tournament awards custom trophies and prizes to the top three teams that catch and release the most striped marlin. There is not a cash prize for the top three finishers of the ABC but you do win some fantastic prizes worth several thousand dollars. If you’re looking to make a bit more bank, can enter one of several optional jackpots with daily payouts.
Most of the teams that come out for the ABC end up fishing in the Catalina Classic as well, and why wouldn’t you?
This way, if you do well in the release category and land a donkey-sized striped marlin, you can also take home the big bucks in the Classic!
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