Cape Fear Marlin Tournament Reaches Halfway Point

The boat “Citation” won the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament two weeks ago in Morehead City. The winners were stripped of their title and their prize money, first place prize money of $ 912,000 because one of the crew members did not have a NC Coastal Recreational Fishing License.

Scott Douglas did not fish in the Blue Rock tourney, but he did participate in Friday’s competition at Wrightsville Beach as a member of the “Miss Max” crew. “What I heard, the guy’s license expired a couple weeks prior and he just didn’t check it. It happens sometimes. It’s a shame.”

Due to the holiday weekend and an unfavorable weather forecast only 13 boats hit the Gulf Stream Friday morning. Waves were 9 to 10 feet tall at times. Bladen County resident Debbie Campbell survived a tough day aboard the “Chain Link.” She told WWAY “It was very rough. The seas were not very kind. It was a long day with a lot of saltwater in the boat and a long day of fishing.”

Nobody brought in a billfish, but 3 sailfish were caught and released on Friday. Morehead City resident Shane Brafford is the captain of the “Carolina Time”. His crew is currently in first place with a 39-pound dolphin. The event will conclude Saturday evening. The weigh-in on Saturday will take place at the Wrightsville Beach Marina from 4:00pm – 8:00pm.

UPDATE ON FINAL RESULTS BELOW:

Due to rough conditions, this year’s field of participating vessels dropped to “a die-hard 13”. Normally, a major fishing tournament can attract 50 to 150 captains and their fishing machines.

The Morehead City fleet “swept” all award categories in the Tournament at Wrightsville Beach.

Winners were announced tonight a Lumina Hall by John Riggs, Event Chairman, who thanked all sponsors and “the die-hard 13” for making this year’s tournament a success. Here are the winners:

BILLFISH CATEGORY

1st Place Vessel: Maggie from Morehead City

2nd Place Vessel: BarbaraB from Morehead City

3rd Place Vessel: Stream Machine from Morehead City

MEATFISH CATEGORY

1st Place Vessel: Carolina Time from Morehead City

2nd Place Vessel: Carolina Time from Morehead City

The Junior Angler Award went to 15 year old Cameron Rhue on Carolina Time from Morehead City.