2018 Edisto Billfish - Anticipation Delivers Blue Marlin

Crew of Anticipation with blue marlin

The Marina at Edisto Beach is home to the final event in the S.C. Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series. The marina has hosted other fishing tournaments throughout the summer, and the 35 sportfishing boats have been competing at various other locations, meaning that all parties are ready to be at their best. Mister Pete released five sailfish on Saturday to win the Edisto event, but they also clinched the Best Billfish Boat title for the entire Governor’s Cup series.

Savannah rolled up to Edisto with tuna and wahoo

But the final day of fishing also brought high drama with the boat named Anticipation battling a blue marlin for five hours at sea, before making an exhilarating full-throttle run back to port. Fishing fans on the docks were pushed into a frenzy with the frantic arrival of Anticipation just five minutes before the 7 p.m. weigh-in cutoff. Officials from the S.C. Department of Natural Resources measured the blue marlin onboard as 111-inches. The blue marlin weighed-in at 484.4-pounds, and the crew of the Anticipation became the focus of attention on the docks, and all across Edisto Island.

Shirts for Sale in the Marina Ship's Store Year Round

While many of the boats fishing from South Carolina are considered to be local, other states like Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia were present too. The Anticipation is a 61-foot Spencer Yacht rom Virginia Beach, Virginia owned by Paul Coury. Captain Harvey Shiflet and mate Frank Riganto keep the boat ready for tournament day and angler Drew Wilkinson of Virginia used the Shimano 80W reel to fight the blue marlin. He was hooked up at 11:20 a.m. after the blue marlin approached the teaser baits, and Wilkinson fed it a Spanish mackerel pitch bait. He fought the blue marlin for four hours, at which time the fish sounded deep and died. Wilkinson pushed the drag setting tight and cranked the blue marlin straight up, boating the fish at 4:35.

To view the entire feature article in the newspaper click on Colletonian.

To view past blog entries from Edisto Billfish click on 2017 - 2016- 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009

Angler Brian Clark and Julia Gressette
with a mahi from Man Cave Fishing

To view past blog entries from 2018 at Edisto click on Thirsty Whale Tours - I Love Edisto Auction - Jim Bost Memorial - Dolphin Slam - Coastal Geology - Grits Cook Off

To view past blog entries from 2017 at Edisto click on Holiday Business After Hours - EIOLT Oyster Roast - Billfish Tourney - Bingo - Tomato Open- I Love Edisto Auction - Jim Bost Memorial - Shark Tourney

To view past blog entries from 2016 at Edisto click on Serpentarium - Jim Bost Memorial - Dolphin Slam - Cobia Tourney - Spring Shorebird Synergy - Bovine Bones on Beach - Edisto River book