Big fun anticipated at BK Big Fish

By Cayman Sports Buzz
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Updated: 27 February 2018

Businessman Gary ‘Peanut’ Rutty is an avid fisherman and passionate about supporting his community. So, he’s decided to throw his line in the water so to speak and do both at the same time. The managing director of Burger King Cayman Islands has supported various events over the years and now hosting a new fishing tournament – The BK Big Fish.

The 16-18 tournament is open to all levels of fisherman in all three islands. Registration fees are $200 per boat with up to four anglers, and $100 for each additional angler. All of the registration fees will be donated to the Cayman Islands Angling Club.

The tournament also supports the MS Foundation of the Cayman Islands. “They’re a new organisation and we want to do as much as possible to help them get off the ground and be successful,” Rutty said.

He said registration fees were kept low to attract as wide a participation as possible and not just the bigger boats. While there are impressive prizes for the seasoned fishermen, those not as skilled or equipped are not being left out. The smallest eligible catch will net that person $1000 plus a $500 gas voucher. Rutty said the aim was to create a nice atmosphere at the weigh stations, which often times only surrounds those vying for the traditional major prizes.

“We made an even playing field to get some father and son participation, who can come in a smaller boat and are not able to go further to Pickle Bank and 60-Mile Bank, where the bigger and faster boats can go,” he said.

Prizes include largest wahoo, yellowfin tuna, and dolphin – with $5,000 for 1^st, $2,500 for 2^nd, and $1,000 for third. Blue Marlin release: $5,000 and Grand Slam: $5,000.

The top junior angler prize, aptly named ‘Whopper Jr’, is $1,000 and the Lady Angler prize is $1,000 plus a $500 gas voucher.

Another community-focused component of the tournament is a partnership with the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) to host an outreach programme. This two-day family-oriented fishing clinic is free to all and will take place on Saturday 17 March and Sunday 18 March. It will be held at the Barcadere Marina from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. each day.

The aim of the clinic is to educate youths on the basics of fishing including basic tackle description, knot tying, fish handling, dehooking, fishing safety and environmental stewardship. The camp will conclude with a Family Fishing Derby on Sunday 18 March.

“We are very active in the community when it comes to events and the youth, which is mostly our platform. It’s all about giving back to the community and our loyal customers. Fishing is something that I’m very passionate about and it was the perfect fit,” Rutty said in an interview with CaymanSportsBuzz.com.

Rutty plans to be on the water with line in hand. “Fishing is my escape,” he said. And while his office is adorned with several fishing trophies, he doesn’t plan to add to that collection from his own tournament.

Tournament schedule:

– Registration: Opens at 6:00pm on Wednesday 14 March upstairs at GTYC, Grand Cayman and at Captain’s Table, Cayman Brac
– Fishing: 6:00am – 4:00pm Friday 16 March, Saturday 17 March and Sunday 18 March
– Weigh in: 4:00pm – 6:00pm each evening at The Barcadere Marina, Grand Cayman and Channel Wharf, Cayman Brac
– Awards Presentation: 7:00 pm on Monday 19 March upstairs at the GTYC, Grand Cayman