Oregon Inlet Billfish Roundup
September 15, 2012 (Manteo, NC) – The Oregon Inlet Billfish RoundUp got off to what might seem a slow start with a small field of boats for the inaugural event. “Every event starts somewhere,” states Director and Owner Heather Maxwell. “Our goals were to provide a professionally run event with outstanding service that would take advantage of Oregon Inlet’s phenominal fishing and our unique southern hospitality.” Those goals were met over the three-day event plus some – the tournament raised over $11,000 for the Shriners’s Childrens Hospitals.
In the evenings quests enjoyed phenominal dinners and a show by national recording artist Colton James. During fishing hours the participants released 46 whites, 2 blues and 4 sailfish vieing for a $42,000 100% payout purse. The event boatsts a high minimum weight and no blue marlin were killed; that jackpot reverted back to blue marlin release points while the High Point Jackpot was determined by combined release points and the Top Boat on white marlin points only. “Its an interesting breakdown and enables the purse to be distributed among more teams”, says Maxwell. No wahoo were caught so that purse was distributed between dolphin and wahoo winners.
Congratulations to Team Shark Byte, a 73’ Bayliss hailing from Rumson, NJ, Pete Cherasia, Nick Rauco, Dickie Campbell, mate Kyle Francis and Capt. Rich Barrett for taking Top Boat Overall with 16 whites. The boys also swept the meatfish, took 1st in the blue marlin category, had two dailies and won the High Point jackpot with 16 whites, 1 blue and 1 sail for 1800 points! Total prize: $32,200. Second Place went to Stream Weaver, a 60’ Paul Spencer from Wilmington, NC and Capt. Mike King with 15 whites released and Third went to local 59’ Paul Spencer, Bi Op Sea and Capt. Jesse Granitzki with 10 whites.
The staff and volunteers would like to thank all our participants, sponsors and guests. We echo the sentiments of everyone there…The OIBR can get bigger but not much better! 2013 dates: Sept. 11 – 14. www.fishoregoninlet.com for more information.
–– Source: Heather Maxwell
