Capt. Dave Lear’s PCBT Blog
Please welcome Capt. Dave Lear who will be covering the event and posting photos each day. Capt. Dave Lear has been covering big-game fishing for more than two decades, first as the editor of Marlin magazine and later as an award-winning freelance writer and tournament correspondent. The former executive director of The Billfish Foundation was also the 51st angler to gain membership in the IGFA’s exclusive Royal Billfish Slam Club by catching and releasing all nine species of billfish. Learn more about Dave at www.captaindavelear.com.
Keep in mind that official scores will not be posted until after 9PM each day. ALL APPS, REAL TIME SCORING, TWITTER INFORMATION AND WEB CAM WEIGH INS ARE FOR ENTERTAINMENT VALUE ONLY! We are welcoming back Tournament Control to score our event and as the rules state teams won’t actually earn points until they turn their scorecard in (on time) and it is accepted by tournament staff.
Pirate's Cove Billfish Tournament News
Fast Start
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 […]
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Oregon Inlet Omen?
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 […]
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Local Knowledge
Manteo, North Carolina: Desperado ain’t out riding fences no more. The Manteo-based charter boat, a 56-foot Taylor Harrison run by Capt. Rob Barker, went wire to wire to win the 36th annual Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tournament. The team added a confirmed blue marlin and sailfish on Friday to accrue 1,000 points overall, good for a […]
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Frequent Flyers
Manteo, North Carolina: The Wright Brothers must have been billfishermen, too. The two aviation pioneers used a strong westerly wind to gain enough lift to launch their flimsy aeroplane from dunes at nearby Kitty Hawk many years ago. A strong west win also benefitted the 70 boats fishing Friday in the last day of the […]
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Thunder Thursday
Manteo, North Carolina: Mother Nature put on quite the show for the participants of the 36th annual Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tournament Thursday. Sheets of rain, ominous clouds and bolts of lightning were the backdrop for most of the day for those remaining ashore. The fleet had to ease through nasty weather as they got closer […]
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Slight Pause
Manteo, North Carolina: And on Wednesday, the fleet rested. Only one boat, Due South, opted to fish on Wednesday and with no billfish releases, the overall standings didn’t change. The format for the PCBT calls for a single declared lay day amongst the four total fishing days, so barring any mechanical or other unexpected issues, […]
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