Big Ones at the Billfish 15000 in Sodwana

The biggest marlin in 24 years, all the dates, rules and a few surprising facts about one of the biggest billfish events in South Africa as this year’s Billfish 15000 kicks off at sunrise on 8 November 2022 in Sodwana

Over 11790 anglers on 2785 boat 425,200 hours over the last 32 years. It’s time for one of the biggest events of its kind in the world. The annual Billfish 15000 is on 8–12 November 2022.

This follows successful welcome and registration:

BILLFISH 15000 WELCOME AND LAUNCH

Normally, you have loads of teams from all over the world – Finland, Wales, Italy, Australia, England, Hawaii, Zimbabwe, Azores, Namibia, Germany, Canada and Swaziland – joining local South African anglers in taking part in the Billfish 15000. And that’s still the case this year, though it’s worth noting that Covid-19 has had some effect on the comp – and, of course, the organisers are ensuring the tournament’s Covid-safe! 

The name of the game is going after billfish. But note: It’s strictly catch and release.

RECORD-BREAKING MARLIN

The tournament works on a points system. And all catches of billfish work strictly on tag and release. The tournament actively contributes to fish species data collection for the Oceanographic Research Institute. Even information on any game fish caught during the competition is fed back to the research teams.

And the competition has produced some big fish in past years. The biggest black marlin ever caught during the Billfish 15000 was a 375kg whopper in 2000. Another 351kg specimen was caught in 2010.

EXPECT BIG AND VARIED BILLFISH

One of the most unique things about the tournament is that past statistics show that teams have been very successful in catching a wide variety of sailfish species in the competition. Indications are that most boats catch as much as five different species on the first day of the comp. Let’s hope this points to more very successful fishing this year.

ABOUT THE BILLFISH 15000

Interesting fact: The competition started in 1987 when it got its name from the total amount of prize monies. There were 60 competing boats that year, and the grand prize was R15000 in cash. Today prizes total in the R millions and usually include a new boat for the winning team.

Today, the competition works on an invitation-only basis, with invitations extended to various ski-boat clubs. A committee is appointed to go through every entry to ensure that only the best of the best compete in every year’s tournament.

What will 2022 hold? Let’s wait and see this weekend!

BILLFISH 15000

Hosts: Dorado Ski Boat Club
Venue: Sodwana Bay | KZN
Dates: 8–12 November 2022
Contact: billfish@dorado-sbc.co.za | +27 (0)82 805 2569 | +27 (0)82 654 8542