We're past the halfway point and money is getting ready to sail away in the PCBT in Manteo
Offshore action slowed a little on Wednesday, but not enough to taper the excitement in the 43rd annual Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tournament.
Heading into this morning’s third of four days of competition, four teams each have 1,100 scoring points.
Their order of placement - not to mention the big money that goes along with it - is based on time of catch.
That puts Stream Weaver in the driver’s seat with three blue marlin, one white and one sailfish.
Sitting in second is Drifter with 11 sails, followed by Don’t Panic, with a blue and eight sails, and Dock Fees with 11 sails.
Teams in the 94 boat fleet can fish three of the even’t four days.
They’re all battling for their share of the $1.4 million total payout.
As teams hit the water this morning, the they have caught a combined 287 fish - 20 blue marlin, 13 whites, one unidentified billfish, 14 dolphin, three blackfin tuna, four yellowfin and and a sensational 232 sailfish.
Goombay and angler Will Pittman lead the dolphin division with a 16.2-pound mahi.
Welder’s Ark leads the tuna division with a 67.3-pound yellowfin caught by Brian Davis.
No wahoo have been registered.
So, halfway through the Manteo-based event, Stream Weaver is looking at a potential $501,445 paycheck.
Should the scoreboard remain the same - and it’s hugely doubtful that it will - Drifter is looking at $113,085, followed by Simple Man with $98,770, Don’t Panic with $75,390, and Goombay and Welder’s Ark with $36,971 each.
As good as all that sounds, there’s a really good chance it will only get better.
So … more to come.
