Battle of the Beaches 2005
There were 40 boats that participated in the 2nd Annual Battle of the Beaches tournament, sponsored by the Cape Fear Blue Water Fishing Club.
Jim Freeman’s boat, the ” Jim Dandy,” representing Wrightsville Beach won the Bluewater division with a three fish aggregate weight of 118.5 lbs. Mike King, of “Rumor Mill,” won the Cash Calcutta with the largest wahoo at 69.5 lbs. The runner up in the Bluewater division was Warren Baughman’s “Predator” with an aggregate weight of 108 lbs.
A Lady Angler award was presented in the Bluewater division to Christy Kane for a 48.5 lb. wahoo caught while fishing on the “Titus.”
In the inshore division, Carolina Beach had the best two finishers. Clint Hines, fishing on “Reel Thrill,” had a three fish aggregate weight of 41 lbs. He also captured the Cash Calcutta with the largest king at 14.5 lbs. Additionally, Julie Hines landed the Lady Angler king at 14.5 lbs. The runner up in the inshore division was Randy Smith who recorded a three fish aggregate weight of 39 lbs.
The bottom fish division was also dominated by Carolina Beach. At the top with an outstanding show of fishing prowess was “Under Pressure,” captained by Jeff Stewart. Three large red grouper were weighed at an aggregate weight of 52.5 lbs. Additionally, Jeff and crew had a number of other red grouper and two hog snappers – including the Cash Calcutta winning grouper at 18.5 lbs. The runner up in this category was Brett Barnes’s “Hot Rod” with a three fish aggregate of 44.0 lbs.
The Lady Angler award in this division was presented to Bonnie Weaver with a 7.5 lb. grouper caught on “Reelaxation.”
In the nearshore division, Carolina Beach bested all others with the tournament winning “Flat Dawg,” captained by Bruce Fields. Fields had a three fish aggregate of 10.5 lbs. and won the Cash Calcutta with a nice 8.0 lb flounder. The runner-up went to an un-named boat captained by Travis Koontz. He had a three fish aggregate weight of 5.0 lbs.
Overall, Carolina Beach won three of four categories, and Dennis Barbour proudly took control of the “Battle of the Beaches” trophy – which will be kept at the Sea Witch Café.
The CFBW Fishing Club gave special thanks to their sponsors – Hooters of Wilmington, Dockside Restaurant, Sea Witch Café, SECOF Construction, Environmental Source Samplers, and all of the local tackle shops.
Money raised from the tournament (approximately $3000) went to the Greg MicKey Memorial Reef Fund. Mickey is a former club member and an avid ocean sportsman.
Tournament Director Mark Looney added, “We especially thank the volunteers at the weigh stations – Ron Olsen, Jim Gibbons, Jim Salvi, Wendy Shorter-Bridges, Deb Edwards, and I’m sure I’ve missed others. Thanks for your assistance – this event would not have gone on without you.”
For more information on the Battle of the Beaches or on the Cape Fear Blue Water Fishing Club, you can visit www.cfbwfishingclub.com.
