MONTEGO BAY, St James – Mark Brown, aboard the canoe ‘Father’s Dream’, won the $100,000 first prize after landing a 217lbs blue marlin on Monday’s canoe tournament, the opening event of the 62nd Montego Bay Yacht Club Marlin Fishing Tournament, sponsored by Appleton.

Twenty- seven canoes took part in the event that is the traditional start of the annual marlin fishing tournament.

Amoy Millings on the boat ‘Baby Maker’ won the second prize of $ 50,000 after she landed a marlin weighing 109lbs.

The main section of the tournament that is recognised by the International Game Fishing Association will start on Wednesday and go on through Friday and will be “a tag and release tournament only, allowing for Marlins to be brought aboard if the size of the fish is 99 inches or greater” a release from the sponsors said.

Seventeen boats, led by last year’s champion ‘Stew Fish2’, are set to participate with the anglers seeking several prizes including- Overall Champion Most Points, Top Captain, Top Angler, Top Junior Angler, Heaviest Qualifying Dolphin (Mahi Mahi), Heaviest Qualifying Tuna, Heaviest Qualifying Wahoo, first marlin caught on each day as well as the heaviest fish caught each day and the Grand Slam (Marlin Tuna Dolphin Wahoo Caught Same Day).