Barta Boys and Girls Club Billfish Tournament 2005
There were no ballyhoo wasted during the Barta Boys and Girls Club Billfish Tournament, held this past weekend at the waterfront in Beaufort, NC. In two days, there were 113 billfish released, and 70% of the fish were released by Junior Anglers (16 years or younger).
The “Waste Knot,” out of Atlantic Beach, released six billfish to take the overall first place with a total of 2400 points. “Waste Knot” was also the winner of the Pro Boat Division.
They were followed by the “Frequent Flyer” and the “Sea I Sea,” who each released five billfish per boat. The two boats each tallied 2000 points over the two days of fishing. “Frequent Flyer” also placed first in the Charter Boat Division, and “Sea I Sea” was tops in the Amateur Boat Division.
Junior Angler Trent Ragland, fishing aboard the “Islander,” was the big individual winner. He wasn’t the only one to release four billfish, but he was the first to reach that number.
Three other anglers released four billfish over the weekend. They are Cole Bechmann, on the “Frequent Flyer”; Patrick Phillips, on the “Albemarle 31”; and Watson Caviness, on the “Caison 60.”
Kelly Bolick, fishing on the “Marquesa,” won the Junior Angler Dolphin Division with a 50.18 lb. fish. She was followed by Wells Jarvis, on the “Reel Love,” with a second place 36.84 lb. dolphin, and Jesse Green, on the “Impulse,” with a 35.52 lb. dolphin.
Cole Wagner, fishing on the “Gracious,” was the top Junior Angler Wahoo winner at 46.36 lbs. In second place was Robert Kittrel, with a 44.36 lb. wahoo caught while fishing on the “Islander.” Third place went to Corey Bowers. Bowers caught a 40.42 lb. wahoo on the “Sea Buds.”
Luke Ledford, on the “Stem Winder,” won the Junior Angler King Mackerel Division at 23.06 lbs. Davis Downey took second with a 23.0 lb. king caught on the “C Escape,” and Zach Phillips and “Miss Marilyn” came in third with a 17.50 lb. king.
Rhett Freeman, on the “Jim Dandy,” won the Junior Angler Tuna Division with a 19.62 lb. fish. Katie Wood and Edward Julian, both on the “Dancin Outlaw,” came in second and third place respectively with an 11.0 lb. and a 9.58 lb. fish.
Other awards included Senior Angler Billfish, which went to William Blount on the “Barbara B.” The Lady Angler Billfish was awarded to Kim Coffer for a total of 800 release points on the “Desperado.” And “Lady Grady” came in first place in the Outboard Boat Division with 400 release points.
While a final tally has not been announced, the tournament had a successful turnout and auction to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Coastal Carolina.
The tournament would like to thank all of the sponsors, artists, participants, and volunteers for their help in raising money for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Coastal Carolina and making the 2nd annual Barta Boys and Girls Club Billfish Tournament such a great success.
For more information on the Barta Boys and Girls Club Billfish Tournament, you can visit www.bartaboysandgirlsclubbillfish.com.
