Wes's Billfish Royal lam

Wes Davis - Billfish Royal Slam

From: Mark Davis
Sent: Thursday, October 01, 2009 10:36 AM
To: Bob Hara
Subject: FW: Wes's Billfish Royal Slam

Bob, here’s the story I sent Peter at the Billfish Foundation , I have more pic’s and info if you need it. thanks, MD

Wes Davis is a typical 10 year old boy. He loves to fish. But what makes him unique is that once certified by the IGFA, he will be the youngest individual ever to complete a Billfish Royal Slam. In July, 2005, at the age of 6, Wes was able to land his first billfish, a short billed spearfish aboard the Sea Genie II with Capt. Gene Vanderhoek, known as “Uncle” Gene, who had known Wes since he was just over a year old.

The white marlin followed in September, 2005 off the Oregon Inlet, North Carolina aboard the “Qualifier” with Capt. Fin Gaddy. In February, 2007, two Atlantic sailfish were landed with Capt. Norm Welter on the “Double Up”. This was followed by a Pacific Blue Marlin with “Uncle” Gene on the Sea Genie II in July, 2007. In 2008, they ventured to Zihuatanejo, Mexico where Wes caught three Pacific Sailfish.

Later that year, in July, Wes caught his swordfish with Capt. Norm Welter, out of Fort Lauderdale. This year, in January, their adventure took them to Pinas Bay, Panama where the black marlin was landed with Capt. Isauro aboard the “Florida”. With only two fish to go to complete the slam, Mark and Wes journeyed to Cabo San Lucas in August where Wes fished aboard Paul Bender’s “Summertime” with Capt. Martin Vigil. There he caught three striped marlin

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The trip to Caracas, Venezuela had been planned and in September, Wes, his dad Mark, Capt. Gene and Charles Bunk, another Royal Slam member, made the trip. Most of the billfish Wes had caught to get to this point in the quest for his slam had been relatively cooperative. This one must have been pay back because it was epic. There, off of the La Guaira Bank, he landed a 300 lb. Atlantic Blue Marlin with Capt. Bubba Carter, aboard “Tijereta” , his toughest battle to date, catching the fish on 30 lb. line, in 8 foot swells and with 30 mph winds. But after almost 2 hours of fighting, the giant was tagged and released.

What made this week even more incredible in Venezuela was that Capt. Vanderhoek, at age 55, completed his first Billfish Royal Slam, Additionally, Mark Davis, completed his second and third Billfish Royal Slam. It was a memorable trip for all.

All of the fish Wes caught to make up the slam were tagged and released with the exception of the swordfish.

Mark Davis
LA Foods

Outstanding!