Nine-year-old boy youngest ever to achieve Royal Slam

Cap Cana, Dominican Republic, April 16 2010 - Nine year old Jack McCluskey, from Palm Beach, Florida broke an impressive world record with the last of the needed fish species to qualify for the youngest angler ever to achieve the Billfish Royal Slam. Saturday, McCluskey caught a White Marlin off the coast of Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic, a known hotbed for billfish species throughout most of the year. McCluskey robbed the title from previous record holder, 10 year old Wes Davis.

Cap Cana Marina, managed by Brandy Marine International of Sarasota, Florida, hosted and facilitated the last leg of an impressive 10 month quest to capture the record from Davis. According to Eric Combast, Development Director of the International Game Fish Association, headquartered in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, less than 20 people have accomplished the Royal Slam.

McCluskey, whose grandparents are Jack and Lilly Pulitzer, is no stranger to big game fishing. He started fishing at age 3 and just a year ago; he caught his first Blue Marlin in the Bahamas off his grandfather's 85 foot Mother ship named "Sea Hunter". The Pulitzer Family have been fishing the Bahamian Islands aboard the Sea Hunter for nearly 40 years.

Jack's father, Kevin McCluskey worked on the Sea Hunter years ago when he met Jack's mother, Minnie. The McCluskey's regularly take their 40 foot Luhrs, Miss Minn to the Bahamas and use the Sea Hunter as their Mother Ship in remote areas in the vast island chain near Walkers Cay and Big Grand Key.

The quest for the Royal Slam started with the Atlantic Blue Marlin alongside his grandfather in the Bahamas, but the real goal wasn't established until the family traveled to Tropic Star Lodge in Panama.  Tropic Star is well known as being one the hottest fishing destination in the world for its massive Black Marlin population.  Minnie and Kevin each bought each other three days at the lodge for Christmas, 2009, so they took Jack down for 6 days.  While there, Jack caught the Pacific Grand Slam consisting of 450 lb Black Marlin, 300 lb Blue and a Pacific Sailfish.  It was after he accomplished those catches that they decided to go after the Royal Slam.

Jack returned to Palm Beach and caught the required Atlantic Sailfish departing from the family home on their own boat.  They then ventured to Mexico's Cabo San Lucas and caught the needed Stripe Marlin aboard legendary boat "Bill Collector." Then it was off to Kona, Hawaii, a place Kevin worked as a young man. In Kona Kevin reunited with world renowned Capt. Teddy Hooghs.  The Hooghs family has been a mainstay on the Kona Big Game scene for a half century.  They fished three, 12 hour days and caught just one fish, which turned out to be Jack's world record spearfish for a junior angler. International Game Fish Association (IGFA) has already validated this record.

With less than 2 months remaining before Jack's 10th Birthday, May 1, they rushed to the Florida Keys just two weeks ago for a chance at a Sword fish. Jack scored one in the daytime, departing from famed Islamorada Marina Bud and Mary's aboard the "Catch 22."

 When the McCluskey's began asking friends and contacts in the industry about where they could complete the Slam with a White Marlin, Peter Wright, Editor of Marlin Magazine told them about Cap Cana and Brandy Marine.  Brandy has worked together previously with Marlin's Bill Boyce on a travel brief published in Marlin Magazine last February as well as establishing premier fishing tournaments or events at both Cap Cana and Brandy Marine managed, Marina Papagayo in Costa Rica. The Atlantic White Marlin was caught at Cap Cana aboard the "Turn Me Loose," with Capt. Terry Brennan.

Brandy Marine's Dominican Republic manager, Capt. Andy New, has been instrumental in expanding the fishing tournament opportunities for Cap Cana, including the addition of the 1st Annual Cap Cana International Bill Fish Shootout, formerly of La Guaira, Venezuela.

New said upon learning of the witnessed catch and release, "The Royal Billfish Slam is one of the most impressive feats in sport fishing and has been achieved by a very select group of people. Some anglers spend their entire lives in search of this feat, but young Jack has done it at only nine years of age. We are thrilled he chose Cap Cana as his final destination on this most impressive journey.

"The Mona Passage and specifically the Cabo Engano Bank along the coast of Cap Cana became the perfect setting for Jack McCluskey's White Marlin venture.  To accomplish the Royal Slam, the angler must capture each of the nine species listed below in their respective habitats to qualify.

• Blue Marlin (Pacific Ocean)
• Blue Marlin (Atlantic Ocean)
• Black Marlin
• Sailfish (Atlantic Ocean)
• Sailfish (Pacific Ocean)
• Spearfish (Pacific Ocean)
• Swordfish
• Striped Marlin
• White Marlin

Upon his arrival at the Cap Cana Marina after breaking the world record, Jack McCluskey said "I am very happy because I had a great day." He had nine White Marlin strikes and had two releases.  When asked what he would like to do now that he had accomplished the Bill Fish Royal Slam, he simply replied," I want to do it all over again!" 
 
Dr. Ricardo Hazoury , Chairman of the Board of Directors of Cap Cana congratulated young Jack McCluskey on his achievement and noted that "this is a great example for all youngsters", and hopes that "this will inspire many to follow in his footsteps in the world of sport fishing."

Jack McCluskey is not the only Royal Slam Record holder currently blessing the Cap Cana Marina with their presence.  Enrico Capozzi has also accomplished the Royal Slam.  He has chosen to call Cap Cana home as he continues to build on his already impressive resume of World Record Saltwater Fishing aboard the Spirit of Pilar II with fellow World Record Lady Angler Stacey G. Parkerson.

Just down the dock from Enrico, Capt. Bubba Carter of the Tijereta is getting set for the Marlin season at Cap Cana.  Former record holder for youngest ever to catch the Royal Slam, Wes Davis fished with Bubba aboard the Tijereta during his quest in Venezuela.

Capt. New was appointed general manager of Marina Cap Cana by Capt. Bruce Blomgren, President and CEO of Brandy Marine International, L.L.C. of Sarasota, FL. Brandy Marine, with 33 years in the marina management, consulting and design business, took over management of Marina Cap Cana in 2008. The marina is a key property in Brandy Marine's expanded management portfolio of high-end international resort marinas. Brandy Marine also manages the 180-slip Marina Papagayo at the five-star Peninsula Papagayo resort in Costa Rica.

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