6th Annual Taj Mahal Fishin’ Blues Tournament
February 10th-16th 2008 Playa Zancudo, Costa Rica
Billfishing and Blues to benefit Music Maker Relief Foundation
For 6 years running, Taj Mahal has brought together his two great loves, fishin' and blues for a phenomenal week of fun and music to raise awareness and funds for the Music Maker Relief Foundation.
Taj Mahal at the '05 Tournament
Taj Mahal and Music Maker will host 30 competing anglers at The Zancudo Lodge, situated on a pristine beach on the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica. This popular event guarantees world-class angling, gorgeous beaches, new friends and music, music, music. Check out the slide shows of past tournaments.
The Billfish
The week-long trip features 3 days of amazing sailfish and marlin angling competition. The billfishing is all catch and release with round hooks to keep the fish happy and healthy. We usually catch some very tasty dorado (mahi-mahi), yellow fin tuna and wahoo.
Prizes are awarded for Sportsmanship, Most Sailfish and Biggest Fish. We fish two anglers to an expertly captained 25 ft. boat, all tackle and fishing gear provided.
The Blues
American Blues icon Taj Mahal has spent the past forty years as a world troubadour of the Blues and roots music. He has performed and recorded with Music Maker recipient artists since meeting Founder, Tim Duffy in 1997 and sits on the Board of Directors.
Music Maker brings extraordinary talent to Zancudo each year to entertain the Tournament participants each evening at the lodge, which will be exclusively ours during that week.
After 3 great days of fishing we blow it out our last night in Zancudo with a concert that welcomes the entire island.
Fishin' Blues musical alumni: Dickey Betts, Derek Trucks (of the Allman Brothers), Jimmy Herring (of The Dead), Mudcat, Cool John Ferguson, Lee Gates, Adolphus Bell, Lightnin' Wells, Little Freddie King and more.
The Charity
This trip helps to keep the bluest of the blues alive! All proceeds benefit Music Maker Relief Foundation. What will make you feel even better is that nearly half the entrance fee is tax-deductible!
The Details
Do reserve your spot early, as we are limited to 30 fishermen. The entrance fee for
the 2008 tournament is $5,975 ($2,250 tax deductible). This fee
includes your airfare from Miami*, transfers, fishing, accommodations**
meals, and drinks. For more information call Denise or Tim Duffy at
919-643-2456 anytime or email fishin@musicmaker.org.
- February 10th : Travel to Zancudo
- February 11th : Fishin'
- February 12th : Fishin'
- February 13th : Fishin' and Awards dinner
- February 14th : Concert (optional touring, beach party or more Fishin')
- February 15th : Travel to San José
- February 16th : Depart for home
Travel Dates:
2007 Entrance Form (164 kb PDF).
*additional fees may apply for connecting flights or flights originating in other US cities
**rates based on double occupancy, single rooms may be reserved at additional cost depending upon availability.
Here’s what some participants have to say:
"I've fished in marlin tournaments up and down the East Coast, and throughout the Caribbean and Central America. I can honestly say that I've never had as much fun as I did fishing the Taj Mahal Fishin' Blues Tournament."
Taj's Fishin' Blues Tournament is a "must experience" if you are a Fisherman, Blues fan, or simply enjoy the company of lovely Costa Rican chicas serving up excellent international fare. It's a week of nothing but pure relaxation and fun with with awesomely talented, bright and hilarious people. Seeing a 240 lb Marlin break the water 75 yards out at the end of your line is exhilarating. Hanging with blues legends and enjoying a private concert every night is phenomenal. It would almost be enough just to see Playa Zancudo and the little fishing village of Gulfito appear on the horizon coming in on the charter plane...especially knowing there's a weeks worth of the worlds best fishing ahead of you. But guess what? Not only is The Taj Mahal Fishin' Tournament going to be the time of your life, but you'll be breathing life into forgotten blues artists and supporting a very worthy cause. And Uncle Sam agrees...your contribution for the event is tax deductible. Sign up. Satisfy the Hemmingway inside your soul. You'll never regret it and tell the story for the rest of your life. "
"Best fishing and Blues in the world"
"I talked with Taj Mahal over rum about blues history and then caught a 150 lb. sailfish eight hours later. Can't think of a better vacation."
"My first FBT is as clear in my memory as the trip earlier this year. The combination of fishing, listening and, yes, drinking with such a diverse group of people, who I now consider friends, is as good as it gets. I have pictures on my computer, on the wall of my office at work and I see others just about every time I close my eyes. I have the dates reserved on my calendar and everyone I work with knows that they will be on their own for that week."
My wife, Nancy, asked me before I left for "Fishin' Blues" if I thought I'd have a good time since I'd never gone with a group before. I said, "Nancy, people that will go on this trip must like Costa Rica, sail fishing, "open bars" and the blues." I was right! We found wonderful people who love the blues, we had GREAT fishing. All of the time we enjoyed beautiful sunny weather and calm seas. And if this was not enough we made friends with Taj Mahal. I'll go every year I can!
Congratulations to the winners of the 5th Annual Taj Mahal Fishin’ Blues Tournament!
The big winners were:
Biggest Fish to Steve Sweitzer of Columbia, MO
Most Sailfish to David White of Houston, TX with 14 sailfish
The Sportsmanship Award to Charlie Adams of Greenville, NC
Lifetime Achievement Award to Willy Suiter of Manassas, VA for his 5 years years of competition in the Tournament.
Our deepest appreciation to all the participants:
- Charlie Adams of Greenville, NC
- Ken Johns of Sarasota, FL
- Gary Keenan of Albuquerque, NM
- Bill Kennish of Englewood, Fl
- Alan Mayfield of Charlotte, NC
- Taj Mahal of Berkeley, CA
- Brian McBride of Cleveland, OH
- Janet McBride of Albuquerque, NM
- Ernie McLean of Atlanta, GA
- Todd Melillo of Oxnard, CA
- Bill Puckett of Delaplane, VA
- Jay Robinson of Fort Valley, GA
- Jennie Hart Robinson of Fort Valley, GA
- Hank Slyker of Parkton, MD
- Henry Slyker of Vermilion, OH
- Sean Sullivan of Cleveland, OH
- Willie Suter of Manassas, VA
- Steve Sweitzer of Columbia, MO
- David White of Houston, TX
- Hal White of Coral Gables, FL
- Terry Woodruff of Columbia, MO
- Blane Wright of Westminster, MD
The winners of the Calcutta were for Most Sailfish - Day #1 David White, Day #2 Charlie Adams, Day #3 David White and Most Sailfish Overall - David White. A special thank you to David and Charlie for their generous donations to MMRF.
Hats off to Taj Mahal for bringing us together once again! We would also like to thank MMRF board members Mudcat, Henry Slyker, Blane Wright, and Bill Puckett and fisherman Alan Mayfield for their hard work and support of the event. Mike Narduli of Patchogue, NY had to join us late and caught 5 sailfish and a 220 lb. black Marlin the day after the competition!
The concert on the 8th featured Mudcat, Adolphus Bell, Little Freddie King, Tres Amigos,and the Taj Mahal Trio was attended by over 900 enthusiastic fans!
Many thanks to hosts Greg Mufson and Mike Gibson and their staff (especially Eber & Estoban) for taking such good care of us and to all the residents of Playa Zancudo for sharing their slice of paradise with Music Maker!