Megadock - Day One Results

The 66-boats that fished on Day One of the Megadock Tournament experienced seas that were 3 to 6 feet with an East Wind, but the south swell made for steep waves. The unofficial results from Day One are 52 sailfish releases, two white marlin releases and one blue marlin release. The weigh-in was well attended, with the HWY-Viking gang front and center, and one huge wahoo came in plus lots of smaller dolphin. Big Sky released the blue marlin and also released one sailfish, giving them an 800-point total. Micabe had four sailfish releases, also good for 800-points, and they grabbed first place based on the fact that they reached the 800 point total first. Rookie IV also released 4 sailfish and so did Full Pull. Allie Darby aboard Artemis handled one of the day's white marlin giving them 300 points towards the Megadock leaderboard. Dolphin weighed in included Albert Freeman's 15.2-pound mahi aboard NOFA, Tim Schryver's 20.9-pound mahi aboard Hot Shot, and Alex Ragland's 25.6-pound mahi aboard My Three Sons. The festivities continued under the mega-tent with live music from the Calvin Taylor Band, and Mike Altine catered a fried chicken dinner for the hungry anglers. Lowcountryoutdoors.com salutes the southern hospitality extended to everyone by the Megadock staff.

To view more blog coverage from the 2009 MegaDock click here.

Photos By Jeff Dennis: Micabe (pronounced Mycabee) comes to the docks with four sailfish flags, Jason Fowler of Homewaters caught this 11.7-pound mahi aboad Brainstorm, Tara Asbill is leading the dolphin category with her 28.8-pound mahi aboard Finatic, and Bobby Krivohlavek brought a 59-pound wahoo with him from Reel Hooker

Megadock Gov. Cup - Day One

Almost the entire 75 boat fleet went fishing today, and winds were forecast to be light for the duration of the tournament. Thursday afternoon events include the weigh-in and vendor village with shops like Belle Bait & Company, EZ-Hang chairs and The Charleston Angler to choose from. Two new awards from the Megadock tournament are the Mega-marlin (or first legal blue marlin to the dock) and the Mega-50, which is a cash prize split between all meat fish caught during the tournament that weigh over 50-pounds. The local economy really gets a shot in the arm from all the families that come to town to fish the Megadock, and the S.C. Department of Natural Resources has a large presence at the tournament.

To view more blog coverage from the 2009 MegaDock click here.

Photos By Jeff Dennis: SCDNR Director John Frampton stands with Tournament Director McKenzie Estes and Sergeant Chisolm Frampton on the Megadock, Live music could be heard on the docks Wednesday afternoon, T-shirt and visor sales were brisk at the Megadock on Wednesday (before the gulleywasher storm settled in!), and a team of DNR officers are present to educate the public about sustainable fisheries

MegaDock Gov. Cup Captain's Meeting

The 2009 HMY-Viking Megadock Billfish Tournament gets underway today with a Captain's meeting which kicks off the final event in the 2009 S.C. Governor's Cup Billfishing Series. The Megadock tourney is a sanctioned event for the World Billfish Series, MTU Legend Series and the IGA World Championship - and it has drawn a capacity 75-boat fleet to compete. If a new state record Blue Marlin is weighed in then the MegaMillion Jackpot kicks in and history will be made. Lowcountryoutdoors.com will post photos from the docks each day, and keep readers up to date on both the tournament leaders and the Governor's Cup Series leaders as the competition develops. Boats that fun fished on Wednesday found that the sailfish were biting good. Bench Mark had 6 sailfish releases, Syked Out had 8 sailfish releases and Daymaker (G'town) had 9 sailfish releases.

Photos by Jeff Dennis: Give it up for Buck, Wesley and Bucky: three generations of the Morris family aboard Major Motion!, Caroline Rhodes and David Peralta celebrate fly fishing for billfish, Richie Pound and Brandi Medlin from Mudslinger are all smiles for the Megadock tournament, the crew of Lil Bit are Ret. Capt. Mike Loy, Henry 'Flo-mo' Flowers, John Thompson, mate Coy Myers and Capt. Pete Loy

Fish Tailing Reds with Southern Tail Charters

Captain Graham Hegameyer tells Lowcountryoutdoors.com that the tailing tides have been spectacular recently, and he saw over 25 tails on Sunday July 5th. Prior to the Fourth of July his primary method of fishing was getting on the schooled-up reds a low tide. Most fish are running 6 to 10 pounds and double-headers a fairly common. He has caught 16-pound reds in as little as two feet of water back in a flat, and as deep as 60-feet of water. He also reports that he is ready to do some tarpon fishing. Good Luck Graham!

Photos By Southern Tail Charters: poling along the flats, a loonngg redfish, a deeply bent rod, and a bass tailing in the grass

S.C. Memorial Reef Event

The SC Memorial Reef is in the planning stages, and is actively raising funds to procure a large vessel that can be sank off the coast to create an artificial reef. The permits for the ‘Deep Reef’ are already in hand and several skeet shoots and fishing tournaments have been held to raise funds. On Friday July 10 at the Charleston City Marina the S.C. Memorial Reef will team up with the Megadock Billfish Tournament for a fundraiser under the ‘Mega-tent.’ Happy hour begins at 5 p.m. after the days fishing has concluded, followed by a silent auction, catered dinner and a live auction with all funds raised dedicated to the memory of Robert ‘Robbie’ C. Johnson. For questions or ticket information contact Shannon Seabrook at 270-0003.

Map shows the proposed location of the S.C. Memorial Reef

Pawley's Island 4th of July Parade - VIDEO

Spending the July 4th holiday in the arrogantly shabby niche between DeBordieau and Litchfield, Lowcoutryoutdoors.com sought to catch some flounder but instead picked up some puppy drum. Good thing the venison burgers came along as a back-up plan for the cookout on the 4th just in case the fisherman was not able to come through and provide some fresh flounder on cue. (Hey, those fish don't always cooperate!) After pausing for a moment to give thanks to all the troops that have helped protect our nation's freedom in the past and present - it was time to enjoy some light-hearted fun at the annual Pawley's Island 4th of July Parade.

Photos By Jeff Dennis: The Crab Pot float won the overall parade competition with both the truck and the "crab pot" filled with cheering crabs caught in the crab trap of fun that is Pawley's Island, The patriotic Elks Lodge float had Gals Gone Pawley's, and also the hippies of PawleysStock wished everyone Peace Love and Happiness

Video: Sanford's mistress, Pawley's peanuts, a vintage fire truck and a "bail out plan" float

Aggressor wins Conservation Award from SCDNR

The 2008 Top Conservationist Boat of the Year goes to the boat reporting the most billfish releases in a year (and returning the official SCDNR billfish release cards) and the winner is...... Aggressor out of Shem Creek. Owner Richard Coen accepted the award  at the Georgetown Governor's Cup Tournament on 5/29/09, and the coveted prize - a $500 gift certificate from Sportsman's Warehouse. Billfish anglers reporting releases in S.C. waters are eligible for the 2009 award, and requests for billfish cards or questions can be directed to Amy Dukes - dukesa@dnr.sc.gov.

Photo By SCDNR: Owner Richard Coen, mate John Crislip, Governor's Cup Director Wally Jenkins, and Captain Will Thornhill are in the transom. Aggressor had some luck this day at Georgetown and released a white marlin, and are no doubt gunning for the 2009 award.