SCDNR NEWS RELEASE
June 30, 2001
For information contact: (843) 762-5076

Written by Jennie R. Davis, SCDNR

"MAJOR MOTION" WINS ISLE OF PALMS TOURNAMENT

This weekend, the 13th Annual South Carolina Governor's Cup Billfishing Series wrapped up its fifth out of six tournaments, the Isle of Palms Marina Billfish Tournament.

After the first four tournaments at Edisto, Bohicket, Georgetown and Marlin Quay the award standings were as follows:

Billfish boat: 975 points - "Sportin' Life," owned by Manly Eubank of Charleston
Billfish Conservation: 975 points - "Sportin' Life," owned by Eubank of Charleston
Largest Billfish: 428.5-pound blue marlin, angler/owner: Fred Bergen of Savannah, GA on "Legal Holiday"
BlueWater Conservation: Tie: 250 points - "Petrel IV," owned by Harry Johnson of Charleston, and 250 points - "Cookie Monster," owned by Chris Ravenel of Mt. Pleasant
Largest Tuna: 86.6 pounds, angler James Bigby of Columbia "Good Buddy," owned by Tommy Goodson of Hartsville
Largest Dolphin: 61.4 pounds, angler Brad Wright on "Bill Collector," owned by Harry Scott of Hilton Head Island
Largest Wahoo: 74.0 pounds, angler Chris Rowe of Walterboro on "Pipe Layer," owned by J. Pederson of Yonges Island Youth Angler: Ward Mungo, age 11, with a 39.8-pound yellowfin tuna and a 29.2-pound dolphin on "Home Run," owned by Steven Mungo of Columbia
Female Angler: Nancy Ravenel of Mt. Pleasant tagged and released a white marlin on "Cookie Monster," which she owns along with her husband Chris Ravenel of Mt. Pleasant.

"Three big changes were made in this tournament as a result of youth angler participation, making this event significant in the overall series," said Wayne Waltz of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, Director of the Series. "There were new leaders for the categories of Outstanding Youth Angler Award, Biggest Wahoo and Biggest Dolphin. The wahoo and dolphin were both caught by youth anglers."

A total of 16 billfish were tagged and released including eight blue marlin, three white marlin and five sailfish. Each of the 44 participating boats fished two out of the three days.

Winning the Walt Miller Sportsmanship Award, an award that is unique to this weekend's tournament, goes to the "Petrel IV" owned by Harry Johnson, Jr. of Charleston. "Petrel IV" tagged and released four yellowfin tuna and 24 dolphin this weekend. The Walt Miller Sportsmanship Award will continue to be handed out each year at the Isle of Palms tournament in honor of Walt Miller, an avid billfisherman who recently passed away.

"Major Motion," owned by B + D Protection, L.L.C. of Charleston captured the Best Billfish Boat award in the Isle of Palms tournament. Marshall Morris of Johns Island tagged and released a blue marlin, and Billy Walpole Wadmalaw tagged and released a sailfish to earn "Major Motion" 400 points, and securing the Billfish Conservation Award for this tournament.

Finishing in second place at Isle of Palms for tagging and releasing a blue marlin was "Hap Hazard," owned by Hap Kinnerty of Charleston. The angler was Jerry Theimer of Charlotte, North Carolina.

"Palmetto Pride" came in third in the tournament when owner Anthony McAllister of Mt. Pleasant tagged and released a blue marlin. This fish was tagged later in the tournament than "Hap Hazard's" fish, giving them the third place slot.

The biggest tuna was landed by "Aut-Top-Sea," owned by Del Dembosky of Bennettsville, South Caroline. The 59.0-pound yellowfin tuna was caught by Chris Smock of Greenville, South Carolina.

The biggest dolphin (67.7 pounds) was landed by 14-year-old Wil Thornhill of Sullivans Island on "Mar Jen," owned by Romo, Inc. of Mt. Pleasant. The biggest wahoo was caught on board "Chasin," owned by Tarheel Sportfishing, L.L.C. of Greenville, South Carolina. The 113.6-pound wahoo was landed by 10-year-old Royall Shore of Mt. Pleasant.

The first place Outstanding Female Angler Award went to Kimberly Smith of Walterboro who tagged and released a sailfish for 100 points. Smith hooked the fish aboard "Summer Girl," owned by Steven Leasure of Charleston.

The first place Outstanding Youth Angler Award went to J.C. Darby who tagged and released a white marlin for 100 points. Darby hooked the fish aboard "Hot Shot," owned by Eric Burn of Charleston.

The remaining tournament date and contact for 2001 is:

July 11-15 Charleston Harbor Marina Deidre

Menefee (843) 856-9996

To learn more about the 2001 South Carolina Governor's Cup Billfishing Series, and to keep up with the standings, visit http://www.dnr.state.sc.us/etc/govcup/govcup.html

Written by Jennie R. Davis -