Tournament – Capt’n Hook’s Backwater Bash
It’s been a big year for father-son duo David and Tripp Hooks of Ocean Isle, who not only started their charter fishing business back up after a two year hiatus, but also came together to create an inshore fishing tournament that was nothing short of successful. Working closely with Tripp (who ran a tournament with a buddy when he was just 11), Tournament Director David Hooks signed up just under 40 boats for the first annual Capt’n Hook’s Backwater Bash, which took place on June 24, 2018.
The anglers competed in a variety of divisions, with the main event being a top two-fish aggregate between flounder, red drum, and speckled trout (any combination of the three species could be used). Prizes were also given away to the angler with the biggest black drum and toadfish, as well as the top lady, junior, and senior anglers. Three separate TWTs were also offered for the biggest overall fish, biggest aggregate, and biggest toadfish.
Al and Nathan Fulford, Shane Britt, and Jeremy Ridenour with the two fish that won the Capt’n Hook’s Backwater Bash, a 7 lb. 15 oz. flounder and 6 lb. 7 oz. red drum.
There were a lot of ways to win, but the biggest win of the day no doubt went to Jeremy Ridenour and teammates Al Fulford, Shane Britt, and Nathan Church, who landed a massive 7 lb. 15 oz. flounder and 6 lb. 7 oz. red drum for a total aggregate weight of 14 lbs. 6 oz. Their catches also secured Fulford and Church the senior and junior angler divisions, respectively. Altogether, the team won $3,250.
Second place in the aggregate division, and a $1,100 check, went to Robert Hughes and team, who pulled in a 6.5 lb. red and 4.25 lb. flattie for a total weight of 10.75 lbs. A total weight of 10 lbs. 10 oz. secured Kyle Jeffreys and his team the third place spot on the leaderboard. They walked away with $775 in prize money.
With a 6 lb. 10 oz. black drum and 1 lb. 9 oz. toadfish, angler Nathan Pierce won both divisions, which netted him $400 total. Shannon Kirby won the lady angler division.
Originally scheduled for May 18 of this year, bad weather resulted in the tournament being rescheduled for the end of June, which Tripp says turned out to be a better date anyway due to trout fishing being closed until June 15th.
Expect the next Capt’n Hook’s Backwater Bash to be held around the same time of year in 2019.
