2014 Edisto Marina Billfish Tournament - Preview / Radio Chat

Craig Jones - Emcee of the Edisto Marina

It’s time for the 26th edition of the Edisto Marina Governor’s Cup Billfishing Tournament this weekend, July 23 – 26. This is the fifth and final event in a series of tournaments that will determine the Best Billfish Boat in 2014 in the S.C. Governor’s Cup competition. Edisto Tourney Director Becca Jones invites all Colletonians to come down to the marina for the afternoon weigh-ins and family fun.

            

“Wednesday night is the Captain’s Meeting at Big Bay Park that kicks off the festivities,” said Jones. “We will have a blessing of the fleet and the offshore fishing boats will chose two days to fish either Thursday, Friday or Saturday. The forecast for offshore fishing conditions is looking good, despite the chance for summer showers back inland. The weigh-ins from 5 – 8 each day are a free to the public, and we expect big crowds.”

            

“Each night following the weigh-in a catered supper will be available for a $20 ticket,” said Jones. The food is provided by Lowcountry Eats catering run by Buist Rivers and Aris Newton and this is the sixth year they have been providing fine southern cuisine for Edisto patrons. The main course menu for individual nights of the week will be shrimp and grits, smoked chicken, friend chicken, and barbecue. Several vendors will be set up in the park to promote Edisto Island and to sell artwork and coastal living items.

            

“Of course the popular Edisto Marina Tournament T-shirts will be on sale at the Ships Store too,” said Jones. “Elliott Smith with Fish-Smith Company designs a fresh print for us each year and folks love them as a souvenir from their Edisto visit.” Another eating option is Pressley’s Restaurant at the Marina which is entering its second year of business. Live music on the deck is another draw to the evening activities at Edisto Marina., and for a full schedule visit www.EdistoMarinaSC.com.

            

Heading into the 2014 Edisto Tourney we know that the sportfisher named Rascal is in the overall series lead after the first four events. Owner Norman Pulliam of Greenville is also on the Board of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, and his boat stays up at Georgetown Marina. Rascal also owns the S.C. state record for a blue marlin from back in 2005.

Wallace Jenkins is the Program Coordination for the SCDNR Governor’s Cup and he told me that Rascal has been the most consistent boat in 2014. They have clinched third place in two individual tournaments thus far and are looking to increase their advantage while at Edisto. No word yet if Governor Nikki Haley intends to visit the tournament this yea, she came to visit the Rascal crew in 2011, but people-watching is always part of the fun of being down at the docks.

The view this feature article in the newspaper click on Colletonian.

To view past blog entries Exploring Edisto Island click on Dolphin Stranding, orBotany Bay WMA, or  Surf Fishing, or Bird Watching or Quail Hunting, orGovernor's Cup.