WB Spring Challenge 2005
The 1st annual Spring Challenge, a bluewater tournament held out of Wrightsville Beach Marina on April 29-30, attracted 19 boats to enjoy good weather on the first day of fishing, but the second day was a little punishing for the 7-8 boats that headed out in search of wahoo, tuna, dolphin, and billfish.
Most of the winning fish were brought in on Friday, including the tournament heavy 72.55 lb. wahoo. The “Thunder,” a 55′ Ricky Gillikan, fished 2-3 foot seas and found their winning wahoo on the break around the 230 line. Allan Toomer, Captain of the “Thunder,” said they got to their intended fishing grounds about 30 minutes before lines in the water, had their lines in the water at 8:00, and by 8:10 they had hooked the 72 lb. class wahoo on a medium-sized ballyhoo with a skirt.
Mate Scott Toomer, Chris Jones, Strat Donnel, and Craig Parker, the crew of the “Thunder,” also boated four tuna and another wahoo. The 72 lb. wahoo, their biggest fish of the day, hit the lightest rod on the back of the boat.
The “Predator” brought in the second place wahoo. It weighed in at 50.75 lbs.
The tuna division went to “Team MarineMax.” MarineMax had two boats in the tournament, and it was the 57′ Bertram that found a winning 42.55 lb. tuna. They were north of the Steeples pulling ballyhoo with Ilanders. Angler Sean Garrison, from Pensacola, FL, brought the fish in, and he was supported by Capt. Brad Downey and Mates Mike Sands and Ben Smith.
“Double Shot,” with Capt. Tom Ronner, weighed in a 39.15 lb. tuna, the second place fish in the tuna division.
“Ole Blue Too” won the dolphin division. Capt. Bobby Clarkson hooked a 16.4 lb. dolphin on Friday, and it stayed at the top of the leader board. “Desperado,” and Capt. West Paylor, came in second place with a 15.7 lb. dolphin.
There was one billfish release over the weekend. “Pole Position,” a 57′ Buddy Canady, was about 54 miles off the beach in 80 fathoms with 74.5 degree water when they raised three sails. One sail played around and then disappeared. Another was on the spreader bar, and the third one hit a ballyhoo and Ilander rig. Among the crew that fished with Capt. Gene Ingle that Friday was Paul Ingle, Kit Taylor, Tripp Bryce, and Bill Trask.
Tournament Director Sam Clary said of the weekend, “We appreciate everyone coming out, and we thank our sponsors for making it all possible.”
