SCDNR NEWS RELEASE
July 14, 2001
For information contact: (843) 762-5076

Written by Jennie R. Davis, SCDNR

"FISH N' FOOL" WINS CHARLESTON HARBOR BILLFISH TOURNAMENT

This weekend, the 13th Annual South Carolina Governor's Cup Billfishing Series wrapped up its final of six tournaments, the Charleston Harbor Marina Resort Billfish Tournament.

After the first five tournaments in Edisto, Bohicket, Georgetown, Marlin Quay and Isle of Palms, the award standings were as follows:

Billfish boat: 1,150 points - "Sportin' Life," owned by Manly Eubank of Charleston

Billfish Conservation: 650 points - "Sportin' Life," owned by Manly Eubank of Charleston

Largest Billfish: 428.5-pound blue marlin, angler/owner: Fred Bergen of Savannah, GA on "Legal Holiday"

BlueWater Conservation: 1,850 points - "Petrel IV," owned by Harry Johnson of Charleston

Largest Tuna: 86.6 pounds, angler James Bigby of Columbia "Good Buddy," owned by Tommy Goodson of Hartsville Largest Dolphin: 67.7 pounds, angler 14-year-old Wil Thornhill of Sullivans Island on "Mar Jen," owned by Romo, Inc. of Mt. Pleasant

Largest Wahoo: 113.60 pounds, angler 10-year-old Royall Shore of Mt. Pleasant on "Chasin," owned by Tarheel Sportfishing, L.L.C. of Greenville, South Carolina

Youth Angler: J.C. Darby of Mt. Pleasant, age 12, who tagged and released a white marlin for 100 points on "Hot Shot," owned by Eric Burn of Charleston

Female Angler: Nancy Ravenel of Mt. Pleasant who tagged a white marlin on "Cookie Monster," owned by Nancy and Chris Ravenel of Mt. Pleasant

As for the Charleston Harbor Marina Resort Billfish Tournament, "we saved the biggest and best for last," said Wayne Waltz of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, Director of the Series. "This tournament was a wonderful ending to the 2001 Tournament Series. We congratulate all the winners and sincerely appreciate all the participants."

A total of 34 billfish were tagged and released including 12 blue marlin, 22 sailfish and one spearfish. Each of the 102 boats that participated in the tournament had the opportunity to fish two out of three days. Unfortunately, Saturday's fishing was canceled due to a small craft advisory.

"Fish N' Fool," owned by Bruce Greene of Savannah, GA captured the Best Billfish Boat award in the Charleston Harbor Marina Resort Billfish Tournament. Anglers Bruce Greene and Glenn Wood (also of Savannah) each tagged and released a blue marlin to earn "Fish N' Fool" 600 points, and securing the Billfish Conservation Award for this tournament.

Finishing in second place at the Charleston Harbor Tournament for tagging and releasing one sailfish and one blue marlin was "Home Run," owned by angler Steven Mungo of Columbia.

"Lazy Bonz," owned by James Dewberry of Savannah, GA came in third in the tournament when Sam Peters of Savannah, GA tagged and released a blue marlin and a sailfish. "Lazy Bonz" tagged their fish later in the tournament than "Home Run," putting them in third place.

A 50.8-pound wahoo caught aboard "Part Time," owned by Rion McKissick of Laurens, earned angler David Byars of the Biggest Wahoo Award.

The Biggest Tuna Award went to Mike Brown of Murrells Inlet who reeled in a 55.4-pound yellowfin tuna aboard "Skee Bo," owned by Gregg and Chris Lee of Myrtle Beach.

As for the Biggest Dolphin Award, angler Hunter Edwards caught a 35.4-pound dolphin aboard his boat, "My Three Sons II."

The first place Outstanding Female Angler Award went to Allison Lockwood of Mt. Pleasant who tagged and released a sailfish for 100 points. Lockwood hooked the fish aboard "ALI-L," owned by Joe Gilchrist and Jerry Lockwood of Mt. Pleasant.

The first place Outstanding Youth Angler Award went to 13-year-old Wil Merriman of Summerville who caught a 43.2-pound wahoo. Merriman hooked the fish aboard "Laid Back," owned by Perry Bullard of Brunson, SC.

To learn more about the 2001 South Carolina Governor's Cup Billfishing Series please visit the website at: http://www.dnr.state.sc.us/etc/govcup/govcup.html.