Pirate's Cove Billfish Tournament had some good fishing and a whole lot of sail in it
We warned about placing bets too soon.
With Friday’s finale in the 43rd annual Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tournament just getting started, fans already were speculating about which teams would finish high in the overall standings.
My oh my how things change.
Friday’s action continued to be as strong as the previous three days and things definitely got mixed around.
But, hey, that’s fishing - especially when a big money tournament is involved.
When the dock commotion quieted and folks headed to the awards celebration, Tarheel found itself atop the leaderboard with 2,200 points based on three blue marlin, one white and 12 sailfish.
The team, fishing on a year-old 62-foot Bayliss that ports in Oregon Inlet, also banked a tournament leading $560,095.
Taking second with 1,900 points on one blue, four whites and 12 sails was Builder’s Choice; followed by Stream Weaver with 1,700 points on four blues, two whites and three sails; Doc Fees with 1,600 points on one white and 15 sails; Drifter with 1,500 points on one blue and 12 sails; with Bull Pen and SEQUEL each finishing with 1,400 points.
Jim Giles had the top dolphin at 25.4 pounds on the Pelican.
Will Pittman caught the first and only wahoo on Friday to win that division while fishing on the Goombay.
And Brian Davis’ 67.3-pound yellowfin tuna won the title in that division while fishing on Welder’s Ark.
Besides Tarheel’s big payday, others heading to the bank were Stream Weaver, $311,010; Builder’s Choice, $211,855; Simple Man, $98,770; and Pelican, Goombay and Welder’s Ark each with $36,971.
Several other boats also won money.
While fishing on Tarheel, Paige Bayliss released a pair of blue marlin and a sail to earn the Top Overall Angler award.
Holly McAlhany on Sweet Spot was named the Top Lady Angler.
And Mckenzie Gallaher on Watertight earned Top Junior Angler honors.
After four days of competition in the Manteo-based event, the 94 teams vying for a $1.4 million payout, caught and released a total of 478 fish - 33 blue marlin, 42 whites, 373 sails, one unidentified billfish, one wahoo, 18 dolphin and 10 tuna.
Now that the field has completed the PCBT, it’s a quick trip north to Virginia Beach for the Rudee Inlet Ladies Open and the Virginia Beach Billfish Tournament.
That said, you know there’s more to come.
