Pirate's Cove Billfish Tournament is a record-breaking wrap
The 38th annual Pirate's Cove Billfish Tournament wrapped up Friday, setting payout records for the event.
Billfish action moves north to Virginia Beach for the 19th annual Wine, Women and Fishing Ladies-Only Charity Billfish Tournament Sunday out of Rudee Inlet. The 18th annual Virginia Beach Billfish Tournament starts on the 18th, also out of Rudee.
The Pirate's Cove tournament featured 99 teams vying for $1.2-plus million.
Wave Paver, captained by Russell Sinclair, was the top team, catching 11 billfish and taking home $429,747. Mama C (captained by Rob Mahoney) followed up with 5 fish good for $302,677, ahead of Uno Mas (captained by Brooks Smith) with 6 fish that earned the team $160,400.
James Davis Jr., fishing on the Wave Paver, was named the top overall angler with 6 fish. Maria Smith, fishing on the Uno Mas, was the top female angler with 5 fish, and Brown Gaddy, fishing on the Qualifier that was captained by Fin Gaddy, was the top junior angler with one fish. All three were awarded trophies.
The fleet caught a total of 252 billfish - all released - that included 19 blue marlin, 4 sailfish, 1 spearfish and 228 white marlin. Fifty-seven gamefish were caught.
