Bald Head Island Rodeo 2009
Scaling 295.26 lbs. of dolphin and wahoo, Capt. Chris Bailey and the crew aboard the “Lane Choice” reeled in first place and a total of $7,920 in the Bald Head Island Fishing Rodeo, held May 29-30 from the cape island’s marina. Their weight was made up of 11 dolphin and 3 wahoo.
The Wrightsville Beach boat bested the second place crew by nearly 12 lbs. to take home the top honors in the event. Bailey finished in third place last year while running the “Reel Quick.”
In a repeat of their 2008 performance, Capt. David Marshall and the “Musicman,” out of Carolina Beach, took home the second place check. Their catch of 283.92 lbs., however, was more than 100 lbs. heavier than the 166.82 lbs. they weighed in last year. The 2009 weight earned the team $3,960. “Musicman” also weighed in the tournament’s largest wahoo at 43.59 lbs.
Capt. Austin Eubank, aboard the Cary, NC boat “Sandy Beach,” took home the third place prize and check.
Angler Skip Dickens, aboard the “Turbulence,” out of Wrightsville Beach, released a blue marlin during the event to earn the $2,520 billfish release prize.
This is the 18th year for the Bald Head Fishing Rodeo, an event that raises proceeds for the Old Baldy Foundation, dedicated to preserving Bald Head’s lighthouse, the oldest in NC.
