It may have been the shifting moon phase, a more concentrated effort or simply the cosmic tumblers aligning. Whatever the case, the action was definitely more upbeat on the second day of the 38th annual Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tournament. But like fishing of any sort, boats had to be in the right spot at the […]
It is a common practice in billfish tournaments for boats to display flsh flags reflecting the day’s catch from the outrigger halyards when returning to the marina. Local customs vary, but generally the rectangular pennants with the fish right-side up depict a boated fish, while inverted graphics designate releases. Along the Mid-Atlantic seaboard, a white […]
If there was any doubt about a return to today’s version of normalcy, it was shattered Monday night. The 38th edition of the Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tournament is back to glory days levels. A total of 99 boats have registered to fish this week for an unofficial total prize purse of more than $1.2 million. […]
Manteo, North Carolina: The 37th annual Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tournament won’t be forgotten any time soon. Against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic, 83 boats competed for $852,950 in cash prizes. A total of 473 billfish were released during four days of fishing. But when the diesel smoke finally cleared, it was Desperado, the 2019 […]
By Capt. Dave Lear Manteo, North Carolina: Only two dozen contenders steamed out the Oregon Inlet before dawn for the final day of the 37th annual Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tournament. The remaining 59 were already done for the week, awaiting the final outcome. A few competitors made late pushes with respectable tallies, but the points […]
By Capt. Dave Lear Manteo, North Carolina: So it comes down to the wire in a tournament that historically has witnessed fortune-altering lead changes on the final day of competition. For the 24 teams eligible to compete on Friday—the rest have already used their mandatory lay days—it’s fish or cut bait. Two made strong statements […]
By Capt. Dave Lear Manteo, North Carolina; Winners win for a reason. Granted, luck sometimes comes into play in this sport. But consistent teams are successful because of skill, coordination and drive. So it’s not surprising that two former overall winners—Uno Mas and last year’s top boat, Desperado NC—are currently in the top tier on […]
By Capt. Dave Lear Manteo, North Carolina: Local knowledge was a big factor on the first day of the 2020 Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tournament. Capt. William “Bo” Dobson and his family team aboard Haulin’ Gas, a 57 Blackwell charter boat based at the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, jumped to an early lead in the 37th […]
By Capt. Dave Lear August 11, 2020; Manteo, North Carolina: So what will it be, feast or slim pickings? With a slower marlin year than normal, against the backdrop of a national pandemic, will the 2020 Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tournament action be red hot or luke warm? The next four days will tell the story […]
By Capt. Dave Lear August 10, 2020; Manteo, North Carolina: Capt. Dave Grubbs and his second ladies team aboard Grand Slam 2 are happy about a fishing pause. Ecstatic might be a better description. With split fishing days due to some local boats competing in the delayed White Marlin Open, the majority of the 2020 […]
