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| Family Time for Team Cuttin' Out |
Weather played a role at the final leg of the Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series at Edisto, when windy conditions and a Small Craft Advisory canceled Day One of fishing. When fishing got underway on Friday July 22, Sportin’ Life from Charleston charged out to the lead by releasing five sailfish. Owner Graham Eubank and Captain Mike Glaesner and the veteran Sportin’ Life crew released two more sailfish on Saturday, winning the Edisto Billfish Invitational. The second place and third place boats at Edisto also released seven sailfish, but Sportin’ Life takes first place based on the time of release according to Governor’s Cup rules.
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| Nice big HOO for Rascal |
After sweeping the first two legs of the S.C. Governor’s Cup, Georgetown-based Blue Sky was the overwhelming favorite to win the Series and Best Billfish Boat award. Owner Greg Smith has been knocking on this door for a decade, and after their third place finish on July 23 at the Edisto Billfish Invitational, Captain Jay Weaver and crew are finally the series champions. Blue Sky was greeted by SCDNR officials in Big Bay Creek and awarded a Governor’s Cup flag. Reel Hook Up finished second at Edisto for owner Michael Carter and Captain Stuart Lackey. The official awards for the Gov. Cup Series are held in September in Charleston.
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| Man Cave Lady Angler Sailfish Release Flags |
The meatfish bite was slow on Day Two, but the ocean was calmer on Day Three and the boats brought many more tuna and wahoo to the scales. The heaviest dolphin was caught on Day Two and weighed 24.5-pounds, brought in by angler Brian DeMille fishing on the Trash Man. The heaviest tuna, caught on Day Three was 24.4-pounds, reeled in by angler Drew Wilkinson about Anticipation. The heaviest Wahoo came on Day Three by angler Chappell Miller fishing aboard Rascal, and weighed 34.3-pounds. The top youth angler was Austin Mellichamp aboard Reel Hook Up. Kasey Goodwin was the top female angler aboard Dough Boy, with two sailfish releases.
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| Boats heading to the Weigh-In Scale |
Brian Bell is the manager at the Marina at Edisto Beach. “We appreciate the continued support of the Town of Edisto Beach and all our sponsors,” said Bell. “Without their support the Edisto Invitational would not be what it is today.” Marine artist Steve Goione designs the tournament T-shirts, and he greets fans at Bay Creek Park each afternoon, when the festivities transition to the catered meals by Pressley’s and nightly live music.
