Big Rock Lady Angler 2005
Beaufort angler Beth DiGiuseppe caught and released her first blue marlin Saturday, winning the 8th annual Big Rock Lady Angler Tournament and the first-place prize of $5,950. She was fishing aboard the “Town Creek Marina Reveler.”
DiGiuseppe’s inaugural billfish hook-up proved to be extraordinary. Not only was the fish a tournament winner, it almost failed to be a release in an event that mandates billfish releases.
“After a 30 minute fight, that fish came to the back of the boat and stuck its bill in,” said DiGiuseppi, who estimated the blue marlin weighed 350 pounds. “It hit the (turnbuckle) and part of its bill broke off and fell on the deck. I’ve got it as a souvenir.”
DiGiuseppe, who works as a restaurant hostess, is used to seeing hot fish … on a plate. Angry fish … that’s a different story.
The bills she normally handles are made of paper … not cylindrical, with jagged edges.
“It was awesome,” DiGiuseppi said. “We have video of it, and I can’t wait to see it. I’m thrilled to death right now.”
So is the crew of the “O Lucky Me,” who landed the winning tuna to win $3,966.66. Ann Staton of Pensacola, FL, reeled in the fish to collect a three-year rollover (no tuna were caught during the Lady Angler event in 2003 or 2004). It proved to be the biggest gamefish-payout in the Big Rock Lady Angler history.
“This was a great day for the Big Rock lady anglers,” said Big Rock Tournament Director Crystal Watters. “They finally had good weather, and they caught a lot of fish. We had 56 boats, and that was a record. We had a record purse of $11,900. And we raised a record amount for charity … about $14,000. I know the Big Rock board of directors couldn’t be happier.”
“Dancin’ Outlaw” angler Darlene Pritchard, of Asheboro, captured the dolphin gamefish division with a 45.95-pounder. That proved good enough to win $1,983.33.
Monica Sparks of Raleigh, who fished aboard the “Razorback Express,” won the wahoo division. Sparks landed a 31.1-pounder that helped her team win $1,983.33.
Proceeds from the Big Rock Lady Angler event support the Raab Oncology Clinic of Morehead City. Since its inception, the Big Rock Lady Angler event has raised nearly $43,000 for charity. Big Rock events have raised more than $1 million for charity since 1988.
