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May 19, 2009
Virginia angler takes top prize money in Hatteras Village Offshore Open By IRENE NOLAN  Everette Daniel of Lynchburg, Va., took home the top prize money in the 15th annual Hatteras Village Offshore Open Tournament, which ran from Wednesday, May 13, through Saturday, May 16, and is the first event in the Governor’s Cup series of tournaments. Daniel brought a 581.5-pound blue marlin to the dock on the tournament’s third day. He was aboard his boat, Fishing Partner, with mate Derek Nutt, son-in-law Daryl Brower, and Jack Willis, a friend. Daniel said the fish was hooked just after noon and was boated about an hour later. This is his sixth for fishing the tournament – and his most successful. The Fishing Partner took home $34,850 for the Level 4 competition for the largest blue marlin, and $5,593 for the third place in the Level 1 billfish division and another $5,168 for the Level 2 additional billfish division. Total prize money for the boat was $45,611. The first place in the Levels 1 and 2 billfish division went to Sizzler with three blue marlin releases for a total of 1,200 points. With other category winnings, Sizzler took home $33,596 in prize money. Second place in the Level 1 and 2 billfish division went to Reel Jim with one blue marlin and one white marlin release for a total of 600 points. Total prize money to Reel Jim was $16,141. Forty-seven boats fished in the tournament, just slightly down from the 51 boats that competed last year. Given the current economy, tournament organizers were pleased. The boats competed for a total of $137, 105 in prize money. In addition to the billfish division, boats won prize money in the gamefish division. They were: • Tuna. First place to Sea Angel for a 46.90-pound fish and second went to Reliance for a 42.80 fish. • Dolphin. First place to Hatteras Fever II for a 33.25-pound fish and second to Citation for a 29.50-pounder. • Wahoo. First and second place went to Reliance for fish that weighed 20.80 pounds and 14.30 pounds. The weather was fairly good, though a little rough, for most days of the tournament. On Thursday, southerly winds caused most boats to take a lay day off. In all, 12 blue marlin were released and one was boated. One white marlin and one spearfish were released. There were 11 hookups in which the billfish were lost. Captains, anglers, and mates dined on a barbecue dinner on registration night. On Wednesday and Thursday nights, island restaurants and organizations presented their specialties in “Taste of the Village.” And on Saturday, there was a banquet and auction. The tournament proceeds benefit Hatteras village non-profits and civic organizations. Also, The Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation sponsored a 50-50 raffle during the tournament. The total raised in the raffle was $1,830. HICF received $915 and the winner, Jim Steward of Durham, won the same amount, which he donated to the Make-a-Wish Foundation. And one of the major prize money winners, who wanted to remain anonymous, donated $1,000 of his winnings to the foundation, which assists Hatteras Island cancer patients with their medical and drug expenses not covered by insurance. This year’s tournament chairman was Beth Rooks, who got a standing ovation for her first effort at organizing the competition. Judy Bonney, tournament chairman for many years, was relaxed and happy – fishing on her family’s boat, The Brother’s Pride, and enjoying the after-hours get-togethers by actually sitting down. FOR MORE INFORMATION More information available on the tournament Web site…..http://www.hatterasoffshoreopen.com/ CLICK HERE FOR THE TOURNAMENT SLIDE SHOW |
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