Tournaments

Carolina Billfish Classic Falls to Rascal

Competition for the 2016 South Carolina Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series now underway

By Sam White

Updated: June 9, 2016

Rascal 2016 Carolina Billfish Classic winners

Rascal wins the 2016 Carolina Billfish Classic. Courtesy SC Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series

The highly competitive five-tournament South Carolina Governor’s Cup billfish series kicked off with the Carolina Billfish Classic, held May 11 to 14, 2016, in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Rascal, co-owned by Norman Pulliam and Foster McKissick and captained by Mark Rogers, won the event as Outstanding Billfish Boat with two blue marlin releases. Douglas Miller was the angler on both blues. Sportin’ Life, with owners Manly and Graham Eubank and Capt. Bobby Garmany, placed second in the tournament with one blue marlin and one sailfish released by anglers Graham Eubank and Dixon Pierce. Electric Bill was third: Owner/captain Chad Sanders and anglers William Dotterer and Tradd Dyches released a pair of sailfish. Thirteen-year-old Chandler Griffen aboard Gryphon was the Outstanding Youth Angler with a 28.1-pound mahimahi.

Rascal 2016 SC Governor's Cup Billfishing Series

A stern-view look at the winning boat, Rascal. Courtesy SC Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series

Sportsmann 2016 SC Governor's Cup Billfishing Series

Sportsmann shows off her Carolina lines at sunset. Courtesy SC Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series

Toler's Cove Marina Mout Pleasant South Carolina 2016 SC Governor's Cup Billfishing Series

Toler’s Cove Marina in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, hosted the Carolina Billfish Classic. Courtesy SC Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series

2016 SC Governor's Cup Billfishing Series Kayla Spry SC Dept. of Natural Resources

Kayla Spry, a wildlife biologist with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, measures a mahimahi. Several biologists were on hand throughout the event, collecting all kinds of interesting data on the pelagic game fish that were brought in. Courtesy SC Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series

2016 SC Governor's Cup Billfishing Series sailfish release flag

A sailfish release flag flies high from one of the tournament boats. Courtesy SC Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series

SC Governor's Cup Billfishing Series lay day action

Even on the lay days, there’s always some fishing to do. A junior angler tackles a nice one in the marina. Courtesy SC Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series

2016 SC Governor's Cup Billfishing Series

The crews lined up at Salty Mike’s for fresh fish tacos during the welcome kickoff party. Courtesy Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series

More: Tournament news, Tournaments

Free Email Newsletters

Sign up for free Marlin Group emails to receive expert big-game content along with key tournament updates and to get advanced notice of new expeditions as they’re introduced.