San Pedro angler Carla Rodriguez has done it again. Competing with Team Carlie at the 27th annual Roatán International Fishing Tournament, held September 10-13 on the Honduran island, she took home the Best Female Angler title for the third year running — and nobody caught a better fish on any of the following days.
Her opening-day haul set the bar so high that no other female angler managed to top it across the three-day event. Rodriguez, clearly delighted, said she was proud to defend her title on an international stage and already has her eye on next year's competition.
She wasn't the only Belizean making waves. Eighteen teams from Belize made the trip across to Honduras, and several came home with silverware. Team Papa Changa, also from San Pedro, opened strongly with a marlin on day one and finished fifth in the Billfish Category after a solid third-place standing mid-tournament. Team Cerca del Sol claimed second in the Rodeo Category on day three, while Team Sweet Caroline climbed to third in the Rodeo Category by day two and held on for a podium finish.
At the top of the leaderboard, Team Reel Secret won the Billfish Category outright and Team Reel Addiction topped the Rodeo Category. Anglers from around the world competed, underlining the tournament's status as a fixture on the Central American and Caribbean sportfishing calendar.
For travellers, the tournament is a good reminder that Roatán punches well above its weight. The Bay Island is famous for diving on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, but its deep waters also make it a serious sportfishing destination, with marlin, mahi-mahi, wahoo and tuna on offer depending on the season. Organisers stress that the event is about more than fishing — it brings together crews, families and visitors for a long weekend of island culture, food and community. Teams are already being invited to register for the 2027 edition, and spectators are welcome too, so even non-anglers can catch the atmosphere from the docks.
If you've ever fancied combining a Caribbean beach break with world-class fishing — or just watching a bit of history being made — timing a trip around the tournament is a smart play.
