30th Pirate's Cove billfish tournament set for 2013

View from the 2012 Pirate's Cove Marina Billfish Tournament

Alice Kelly Ladies Tourney logo

When thinking of Manteo, North Carolina, boat builders like Bayliss, Spencer and B & B may spring to mind. However, a deeply-rooted tradition of offshore fishing for blue marlin is also present at the Pirate’s Cove Marina. August will mark the 30th annual competition to decide which boat will command the winner’s check and bragging rights for weighing-in the heaviest blue marlin. Pirates Cove Billfish Tournament director Jim Tobin shares that the events will stretch from August 10 – 16. “On Sunday August 11 we hold a tournament just for our lady anglers,” said Tobin. “With most of the sportfishing boats already in port, we will have a high rate of participation, since the ladies share a love for the bluewater. This is known as the Alice Kelly event and it raises funds to support the Outer Banks Cancer Support Group,” said Tobin. “This group was founded by Alice Kelly before her passing, helping patients fight cancer with proper treatment, even if they lack health insurance. The Pirates Cove event raises funds for charity too, and we are closing in on the one million-dollar figure donated to charities.” The Pirates Cove Billfish Tourney allows anglers to choose three out of four days to fish between Tuesday August 13 and Friday August 16. Pirates Cove is one of the original tourneys in the state Governor’s Cup Series, and one of eight Series dates in 2013. In 2008 the Pirates Cove tourney saw the state record blue marlin weighed-in by angler Trey Irvine. At one thousand twenty-eight pounds, the big blue marlin is still the talk of the docks to this day.

To view the rest of my feature story click All At Sea.

To view past blog entries from the 2013 S.C. Governor's Cup click here.

30th Ann. Pirate's Cove sponsor

Crowd shot form the 2012 Pirate's Cove tourney