I love big sportfishing boats. I love the way their big flared bows sweep back to their low slung sterns. I love how they explode through big swells on stormy days. I love hearing the whine of multiple turbo diesels at full throttle. And, I love spending hours up at the top of the tower looking for a big blue marlin in the spread or just contemplating the sheer size of the universe.
Now, I’m not sure of you might have noticed, but, I’m not as dialed-in to the actual fishing as you might of expect. The reason is simple. I’m more of a pseudo-preppie yachting fanatic than a full-on camo-wearing fishing fanatic. However, after hearing about the sheer number of large sportfishing boats (many are owned by professional athletes and other celebrities and cost millions), that were filled with fishing fanatics who travelled to a tiny, not-very-developed island in the northern Bahamas to compete in a series of offshore fishing tournaments this spring, I had to find out more.
And you know what? Turns out, when it comes to fishing at Walker’s Cay in the Bahamas (just 90-miles east of Jupiter, Florida), a pseudo-preppie yacht fanatic and boats filled with camo-wearing fishing fanatics have lots in common!
“If you build it, they will come.” I think of that classic line from Field of Dreams every time I see an aerial shot of the state-of-the-art marina on Walker’s Cay that’s filled with large fishing boats like it was during the recent Walker’s Cay Invitational Blue Marlin tournament. And I bet Walker’s Cay owner Carl Allen had the same line going through his head when he bought the tiny island known for world-class fishing back in 2018 simply because everything on the abandoned island had been completely destroyed by hurricanes.
So he built it. In fact, Allen’s new-and-improved-state-of-the-art marina has been welcoming fishing fanatics (and superyachts too) back to Walker’s Cay since it re-opened back in 2021. And now that a growing number of tournaments are being held there every spring, Walker’s Cay is again, one of the hottest fishing destinations in the Bahamas.
The season started with the inaugural Walkers Cay Wahoo Classic in March. Over 40 boats registered, and the tournament featured a story book finish. Next up in April was the Walker’s Cay IGFA Shootout that offered generous prize money pay outs to the winners in addition to helping the International Game Fishing Association raise significant funds.
Meanwhile, the biggest event on the calendar however continues to be the annual Walker’s Cay Invitational in late May. Over 70 boats registered. Over 55 competed, and the overall winner was the 66-foot-long Spencer Marlin Darlin’s Capt. Shay Danzig and crew. Wave Paver, the 75-foot-long Bayliss that was captained by Doug Southworth claimed the largest Marlin prize . The Top Junior Angler prize went Payton Weber aboard JUJU. The Top Lady Angler was Nicole Scotti fishing aboard the Gina Lisa, and the Top Overall Angler award whet to Jim Jensen aboard Plane Simple.
And since all Walker’s Cay tournaments are growing in popularity and participation, I’m not surprised the total payout Walker’s Cay Invitational came in well above $1.2 million. And I know I’m not alone when I say, the $50,000 that was up for grabs in the 2025 Great Bahamian Crab Races was out of this world too.
But then again, I’m not surprised. Walker’s Cay is not only known for having some of the best sportfishing in the Bahamas. It also has the well-earned reputation for holding what they call “Event Tent Style” fishing tournaments offer a more formal and structured experience, featuring sit-down Captain’s Dinner and Awards Banquet inside a large, indoor air conditioned tent.
And the Invitational wasn’t even the end of the season. The second annual SFC Walker’s Cay Open took place the weekend after the Invitational was won by the New Jersey Sea Birds who are in contention for lead in the SFC Atlantic Division standings.
“Carl and Gigi Allen have revived the legend!” tournament director Ryan Edward says. “2025 was a huge year of growth with two additional tournaments added to the schedule. The Invitational was nothing short of a show: jam-packed marina, incredible food, fireworks, crab races, a Junkanoo and of most importantly, incredible blue Marlin fishing. It’s a true honor to serve as tournament director at one of the most historic billfish destinations on the planet. 2026 here we come!”