Friendly City Speckled Trout Tournament 2005
The Friendly City Speckled Trout Tournament, based out of Casper’s Marina in Swansboro, entered its 14th year in 2005. The tournament, which benefits the Swansboro Century Club, attracted 42 boats over the weekend of November 11-12. The Swansboro Century Club is the athletic booster club for Swansboro Middle and High School.
The big winner of this tournament, considered by many to be the area’s Super Bowl for trout tournaments, was local David Behan out of Swansboro. Behan landed a three-trout aggregate of 13.24 lbs. for a $2000 payout. Behan also landed the tournament’s single heaviest fish, bringing a 4.92 lb. trout to the scales.
Tony Adkins, from Stella, took second place with a three-trout aggregate of 10.84 lbs.
Richard Peterson’s total weight of 10.06 lbs. was good for third place.
Fourth place went to Ricky Kellum, from Jacksonville, with a total weight of 9.00 lbs.
And the final top five spot went to Danny Cushine, from Swansboro. Cushine weighed in three trout totaling 8.88 lbs.
In the flounder category, it was Randy Morton, from Hubert, winning with a 1.56 lb. flounder. Ricky Kellum came in second place with a 1.54 lb. flounder, and Billy Lefler, from Albemarle, finished in third place with a 1.52 lb. flounder.
The tournament’s Lady Angler winner was Stephanie Emperley, from Jacksonville. She landed a 1.82 lb. trout.
The top youth anglers are as follows: Ryan Dolph, from Swansboro, in first with a 2.96 lb. trout; Sammy Dodson, from Jacksonville, in second with a 2.60 lb. trout; Dustin Gillam, from Jacksonville, in third with a 2.78 lb. trout; Jake Gainey, from Hubert, in fourth with a 2.44 lb. trout; and Douglas Kellum, from Jacksonville, in fifth with a 2.32 lb. trout.
The tournament raised nearly $16,000 for high school and middle school athletics. This number is up from about $2,500 last year.
Tournament Director David Pearson thanked all of the participants, volunteers, and sponsors for their efforts in keeping the Friendly City Speckled Trout Tournament alive and a great fundraising success.
