Bracher puts another notch on the tournament win belt
Through his decades of offshore fishing, Arch Bracher has always loved when his clients have a successful day.
A tournament win is a bonus.
While off the coast of Oregon Inlet, he had time to cherish his latest victory.
The 1980 graduate of First Colonial High in Virginia Beach had just captured the Carolina Boat Builders Tournament at the helm of his boat, Pelican.
The event - in its 22nd year - is run by the Dare County Boat Builders Foundation. Overall, the 39 teams caught and released 62 blue marlin, 24 white marlin and 125 sailfish.
“This tournament is all about the scholarships and it’s a great thing to win,” said Bracher, who began his offshore career as a mate for Virginia Beach captain Steve Richardson. “It’s not a big event because they have to fit it in during the big tournament season, but it’s still special.”
It was Bracher’s third win in the event, as his team - including mate Jake Worthington - came on two blue marlin, four white marlin and seven sailfish that gave the team 1,575 total points and $66,740.
Team Pelican won the Day 1 prize and had the event’s top junior angler in Wyatt Bailey - who turned 14 during competition.
Taking second place and $22,200 was the Capt. Wade Fickling guided Labrador, which also had the tournament’s top overall angler in Carter Wall.
Third and $14,800 went to the team on Haulin’ Gas and Capt. Rob Barker.
Holly McAlhany was named the top lady angler while fishing on the Sweet Spot.
In the meat divisions, Craig Johnson took top tuna honors with a 42.5-pounder caught on the Bi-Op-Sea, Warren Smith won the wahoo division with a 29-pounder caught on the Marsh Madness and Anibal Moya captured top honors in the dolphin division with a 25-pounder caught on the Catch 23.
Next up is the White Marlin Open - billed as the biggest and richest billfish tournament in the world - beginning Monday out of Ocean City, Md.
