We are officially in the midst of the competitive offshore fishing scene.
Last week the White Marlin Open out of Ocean City, Md., in which several Virginia and North Carolina teams placed and earned sizable paychecks.
On Sunday, the 32nd annual Alice Kelly Memorial Ladies-Only Billfish Tournament concluded out of Pirate’s Cove Marina.
The Tarheel, captained by John Bayliss, won the event and $42,500 by capturing the winner-take-all billfish jackpot with four fish. The team also was named the top boat and angler Tiffany Day was given the Paula Stansky Award for Angling Excellence for boating two billfish.
The next top four boats were: Bi-Op-Sea with Capt. Jesse Granitzki with three fish, Wrapped Up with Capt. Dave Dalfo, Obsession with Capt. Jeff Ross and Teaz ’em with Capt. Mark Barton – the last three with two fish each.
Yellowfin, with Capt. Jeff Garner, took the dolphin jackpot and $51,850 on Anna Daniels’ 30.3-pounder.
Laura Midget, fishing on the Capt. Roger Parker’s Al’s Gals, won the top tuna award with a 47.7-pounder.
The Small but Reel, captained by Spencer McGill, took top wahoo honors on Allison Spencer’s 24-pounder.
And Camden High School student Addison Thomas was given the Lucy B Gaddy Junior Angler Scholarship Award for her billfish caught on the Mornin’ Glory with Capt. John Abel.
The tournament feature 145 teams that caught a combined 55 billfish and 34 gamefish.
And so we don’t miss a beat, the 38th annual Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tournament cranks up today with the captains’ meeting. Fishing is from Tuesday through Friday. On Saturday, the tournament will host the 4th annual Sheep Dog Veterans Challenge for veterans, active duty personnel and first responders.
We ain’t done yet.
Action moves to Virginia Beach for the 19th annual Wine, Women and Fishing Ladies-Only Charity Billfish Tournament that hits the water on Sunday, Aug. 15 out of Rudee Inlet.
Then on Aug. 18, the 18th annual Billfish Tournament cranks up – also out of Rudee.
Check in tomorrow for a non-tournament fishing forecast, because there is a lot going on.
Leave a reply