Partying pirates, a junkanoo celebration topped with a burning wahoo beach bonfire, fisherman hoisting catches, checks and trophies, and more than $4,000 donated to a local school and business artisans is just how Guy Harvey would describe a successful fishing tournament.
“This is what the Guy Harvey Outpost brings to its unique collection of waterfront properties—adventure mixing with education, sustainability and community outreach,” said Mark Ellert, President of Fort Lauderdale-based Guy Harvey Outpost. “The Bonfire Beach Bash & Tournament at Old Bahama Bay this past weekend touched on all of the above.”
Fun fish tournament winners were:
Overall: First Place: Bahama Papa with Captain Kyler Doran from Palm Beach Gardens; Second Place: Loose Cannon with Captain Joe Basile from Lantana; and Mango Tango with Captain Chip Romp from Riviera Beach.
Biggest Tuna: Bahama Papa
Biggest Dolphin: Constant Carving
Biggest Wahoo: Mango Tango
As part of the “Travel With a Purpose” mission, which combine a unique celebration at Outpost Destinations while promoting conservation, awareness and education to future artists and ocean enthusiasts, Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts has partnered with The Bahamas and Old Bahama Bay to benefit the West End All Age School and two local West End artisans.
With a percentage from the tournament and winnings donated by two of the teams competing in the tournament, some $3,000 was raised for the West End All Age School.
Artist Bobby Little, who created the larger-than-life Burning Wahoo sculpture for an earlier tournament on West End, was on hand demonstrating his recycled Trash to Treasure artwork techniques. Little, from Rum Cay, worked with two local artisans to recycle conch shells into jewelry forms shaped as marlins, sailfish, turtles and other sea life native to the Bahamas.
Through tournament guest donations some $1,200 was raised and a portion was targeted for the purchase of special saws and equipment that the local artisans can apply towards creating unique, locally crafted conch jewelry for their shops.
Old Bahama Bay, a member of the Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts Expedition Properties portfolio, hosted its inaugural Bonfire Series in February 2015, with the ceremonial burning of Bobby Little’s wahoo sculpture as a tournament highlight.
“Our hope is to be back with Beach Bonfire events in the fall with another wahoo tournament and another fun fish tournament next summer,” said Ellert.
Tournament sponsors include Loggerhead® Marina, Ocean Club Marina at Port Canaveral, Costa Sunglasses, Tito’s Vodka, Bahamian Brewery, Boathouse Marine Center, Bacardi, Yankee Captains, LMR Tackle, Connley Fishing, Boat U.S. and Boatsetter, Balearia Bahamas Express, Gainesville Coins, Bost Lures, Treasure Bay Casino, Reef Safe Sunscreen and Bobby Little. The tournament action was captured by Loose Cannon Fishing and will be aired on the World Fishing Network, Untamed Sports and Carbon TV in the fourth quarter of 2015
About Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts
Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts is based in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The company’s Signature Collection properties operate under the Guy Harvey Outpost brand name, with resorts currently in Florida’s popular destinations of St. Pete Beach and Islamorada. The newest Guy Harvey Outpost Resort will open on St. Augustine Beach in January 2016. A 30-unit Signature Collection eco-lodge is planned for construction in the Galapagos Islands, on the island of San Cristobal.
Members of the company’s Expedition Portfolio are independently operated and managed boutique sized hotels and lodges in remote destinations that offer superior service and amenities. Member hotels enjoy access to Outpost marketing and its reservation system and on-line booking engine. Expedition Properties include four in the Bahamas: Old Bahama Bay Resort & Yacht Harbour at West End and the Green Turtle Club and Blackfly Bonefish Lodge, both in the Abaco Islands, Bimini Sands in Bimini and Hotel Playa Media Luna in Isla Mujeres, Mexico.
Through the company’s GHOFish program, Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts promotes scientific angling expeditions, tournaments and charters. Expedition Outfitters an invitation-only collection of top-of-class dive shops and guided or charter boat fishing outfitters.
The company was founded in 2007 by Mark Ellert, a veteran hospitality professional, and is co-owned by Dr. Harvey, Bill Shedd and Charles Forman. Shedd is the owner of AFTCO, recognized worldwide for its big-game fishing tackle and merchandise. AFTCO is the official licensee of Guy Harvey sportswear. Both Harvey and Shedd are trustees of the prestigious International Game Fishing Association, IGFA, cofounded by Ernest Hemingway during his days on Bimini. Forman is a practicing eminent domain lawyer and early partner of Dr. Harvey in the growth of his licensing and publishing activities.
By: John Bell
