Gareth Davis, Freelance Writer

Anthony Ricketts (left) and Kadian Smith with their whopping 500lb marlin, caught in the canoe tournament. - Contributed

THE PORT Antonio Blue Marlin tournament, which attracted 37 boats, came to a close on the weekend with the anglers aboard One Love claiming the Appleton VX Trophy.

By virtue of One Love topping the competition, the anglers have also qualified for the International Game Fishing Association (IGFA) World Championship, which will be held in Mexico. And apart from winning the prestigious Appleton VX Trophy, the crew also received the Phillip Matalon Trophy for not only landing the first marlin, but also the most tagged and released throughout the competition.

The One Love crew managed to land two marlin while releasing two in a tournament dominated by the canoe event, which saw the landing of a 500lb marlin - the heaviest throughout the gruelling five days of competition. The 23rd Port Antonio Canoe tournament took place last Wednesday, during the rest day offered to anglers who took part in the Blue Marlin tournament.

Largest catch

Winner of the canoe competition, Anthony Ricketts, and crew members Kadian Smith and Kevin Ridman, aboard winning vessel Millington, received the Magnum Tonic Wine Trophy and a barrage of gifts and cash incentives for their efforts. The 500lb marlin was the largest catch for the last 12 years of competition.

Another vessel, Mac's Out, finished in the runner-up spot in the Blue Marlin tournament and also qualified for the IGFA World Championship. They also received the Jamaica Marine World Trophy for having tagged and released three marlin. A total of seven marlin were landed throughout the combined tournaments.