Pelican takes top honors at 41st Annual Pirate's Cove Billfish Tournament, 23 billfish released on Friday

By Captain Dave Lear, pcbgt.com

The final day of the 41st Pirate's Cove Billfish Tournament was once again quiet, but there were also some dramatic moments on the high seas. As expected, a few boats were able to increase their catch numbers, but in the end pelican would retain its top position. Sweet Spotlast year’s winner, released the only fish he found, a white marlin, and finished with 900 points overall, 100 less than pelican.

“We were in about 300 meters of green water. We saw a lot of bait and it was glassy. Most of the fleet was up there,” says Captain Chris Kubik. Sweet Spots Captain. “This is always one of the toughest competitions. The Oregon Inlet fleet is, in my opinion, the best there is. They know the water, they fish every day and they are always on top of things, especially Arch [Capt. Arch Bracher, Pelican’s captain].”

Sweet Spot competed in the Omni Sonar division. The 360-degree sonar creates very detailed images of the bait and target fish. Participants chose which category they wanted to fish in when registering for the tournament.

“All but one of our bites came from sonar,” Kubik added. “When the fishing is slow, that's an advantage. But it depends on how much attention you pay to the screen. When we grew up fishing, we were always looking around with binoculars. Now, at the end of the day, you need a couple of Advils because your eyes get strained from staring at the screen.”

Captain Steve Richardson has been participating in the PCBT for 15 years. He ran Short boom this year. The boat released a white marlin on Friday.

“We were on the 150 line with about 20 other boats,” he said. “There wasn't much to see. We caught the great white on a naked ballyhoo, missed a sailfish and weighed in a 32-pound wahoo. The fishing sucked this year. A lot of boats didn't catch a single fish. There have certainly been better years. But there have also been worse.”

A total of 23 swordfish were released on Friday, including three blue marlin, four sailfish and 16 white marlin. Historically, the PCBT is an event where mainly white marlin are caught.

Wall hanger was the best Omni boat on Friday with three swordfish released for 300 points. Stacy Allen also caught a 27.4-pound dolphin to jump into first place in that division. Brian Allen operates the 57 Spencer. SecotanAnother 57 Spencer, captained by Dan Spencer, released a blue to take second place in the Omni standings for the day.

In the non-omni area Upgradeda '54 Omie Tillet (captain Charles Haywood), scored 300 points for releasing three swordfish. Fun Sundaya 58 Jarrett Bay, operated by Captain Randy Runyon, has released a blue for the other winner of the day.

The 41st Annual Pirate's Cove Billfish Tournament awards ceremony took place later Friday evening.

team pelican kept a close eye on Friday's leaderboard, but in the end the score held and secured the boat the title of Best Boat in the 41st Annual Pirate's Cove Billfish Tournament. Captain Arch Bracher is the skipper of the 56 Paul Mann based at the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center. pelican caught a total of seven swordfish, worth 1,000 points and a total payout of $275,893. The boat won the awards for Best Boat, First Fish on Day Three, Omni Daily, Total Points and Winner Take All Jackpots. 84 boats (251 anglers) competed this week for a total purse of $1.263 million.

pelican fielded a family team of Emily, Grant, John R. and Wyatt Bailey, assisted by Rob Readmond. Pat Bracher and Jake Worthington are the mates. Wyatt Bailey was named the best junior angler of the event after releasing two swordfish.

Sweet Spotlast year's winner, narrowly missed repeating as champion (five releases/950 points). The 62 Spencer of Wando, SC, took second place for best boat and Omni points, best blue marlin release, and Omni Daily and Jackpot. These finishes earned Captain Chris Kubik and team a $225,380 payout. Boat co-owner Holly McAlhany was named best angler with four swordfish releases.

Third place in the overall ranking and in several Omni categories went to Viking 82the factory boat from New Gretna, NJ. Captain Sean Dooley steers the new sport fishing boat. Viking 82 released five swordfish worth 800 points and won prize money of $152,920.

Releaseda 61 Jamie Chadwick boat homeported in Morehead City, was named the fourth place boat overall. The team also had five releases (800 points) and won an Omni daily award and jackpot prizes. Joe Segrave was named the best angler overall after releasing two blue marlin. Released receives $61,550 for his efforts. Desperado (NC)a 56 Taylor Harrison with Captain Gray Blount on the flybridge, was named fifth place boat overall with 800 points (five clears).

Upgradeda '54 Omie Tillett based at the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, was the top cash prize winner in the non-omni categories. Upgraded (Captain Charles Haywood) released five swordfish, placing first in the overall points and overall standings, along with daily scores, and the team won $126,841.

SniperA '58 Paul Mann, led by Captain Chris Raiford, finished second overall with three fish and Day 2 daily results. The team earned $53,316 for its 450 points. Widespread, a 52 Crown Marine with Captain Jay Watson at the helm, took third place overall and $11,900 for four fish are worth 400 points.

The Pirate's Cove Billfish Tournament has several categories in which teams can win prizes. Other winners of this year's event were Everything included (58 Blackwell/Capt. Daniel Caison), Annie O (60 Guthrie/Captain Nate Newlin), qualification (57 Paul Mann/Capt. Fin Gaddy), Swamp madness (65 Island Boat Works/Captain Shane Brafford), No mercy (36 Jarrett Bay/Capt Tim Cobb), Goombay (62 Weaver Boat Works/Captain Brian Peele), Secotan (57 Spencer/Captain Dan Spencer), Short boom (61 Billy Holton/Capt. Steve Richardson), Fun Sunday(58 Jarrett Bay/Capt. Randy Runyan) and Waterproof (57 Jarrett Bay/Captain Zack Gallaher).

Wall hanger had a productive week despite the slower bite. In addition to the two Omni awards for Day 4, Stacy Allen caught the best dolphin at 27.4 pounds and Braxton Allen caught the best tuna at 62.1 pounds. Wall hangera 57 Spencer, is captained by Captain Brian Allen. The team received a payout of $106,317 for its count. Jason Wordsworth, fishing aboard J&B (55 Wanchese/Captain Alan Murray) caught the heaviest wahoo at 55.6 pounds and won $22,383.

“I want to thank all of our teams for fishing with us again this year,” said Tournament Director Heather Maxwell. “The fishing was tough, but we thank you all, our wonderful sponsors and all of our volunteers. We look forward to seeing you all again August 11-15 when we host the 42nd annual Pirate's Cove Billfish Tournament.”