2013 G'town Gov. Cup - Day One results

Rick Donovan with his 41.0-pound mahi from Arica

Thomas Pierce with tuna from Christy II

The fleet of 33 sportfishing boats left the Georgetown Landing Marina early on May 23 in search of a fast start in the 25th Anniversary S.C. Governor's Cup Billfish Series. Oceanic conditions were stormy with rough seas on the three-hour ride to the fishing grounds, but by Lines In at 8 a.m. the ocean had calmed and offered very pleasant conditions that were conducive to fishing. I was fortunate to be at sea on the 50-foot Rybovich called Can't Complain with a seasoned crew. Lots of billfish were hooked up this day, but the story seemed to be the number of 'misses' on Day One, with a two boats going 0 for 3 on blue marlin, and several boats going 0 for 1 on blues. The Rookie IV did release one blue marlin, but they experienced a double-header bite and dueled with them both for one hour, before the larger blue marlin jumped off. The tournament radio chatter was constant with all of the hook-ups and just over 20 releases, in what equals a great S.C. billfish bite! In the end it was Frayed Knot that did the best recording two blue marlin releases and one white marlin release for a total of 1500-points and first place. Full Pull is in second place with two blue marlin released and 1200-points, followed by Blue Sky with one blue marlin and one sailfish is in third with 800-points. Back at the docks the heaviest dolphin was 42.6-pounds caught by Rob Shore on Chasin', with the best wahoo weighing 60.4-pounds reeled in by Jamie Beard on the Big Sky. The tuna bite was off, with only one brought to the scales, giving the lead to Thomas Pierce on the Christy II with his 17.8-pound blackfin tuna. Most of the fleet elected to fish Friday, going back-to-back, due to the threat of windy conditions on Saturday.

To view past blog entries from the 2012 Georgetown Governor's Cup click here.

Ashley Dent represents for Frayed Knot

46th Annual G'town Blue Marlin Tourney!