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Toast Tops Carolina Billfish Classic

Gryphon takes the lead in the South Carolina Governor’s Cup Series
2017 carolina billfish cup first place team toast
The team on Toast added another first-place trophy to its collection with a win in Charleston. Courtesy SC Governor’s Cup / Cameron J. Rhodes

While the weather didn’t fully cooperate, the 2017 Carolina Billfish Classic did feature excellent fishing for the 38 participating teams, who collectively released 78 sailfish, nine blue marlin and one white marlin in two days of fishing off Charleston, South Carolina.

Due to a small-craft advisory, the tournament cancelled the third day of fishing. The day two leaders on Toast, a 57-foot Dean Johnson owned by Ron Martin and captained by Newt Cagle, were declared the winners with their two blue marlin and seven sailfish releases. Second place fell to Micabe, a 55-foot Jarrett Bay, with one blue marlin and five sailfish releases, while Palmetto Guard won third with two blues and one sailfish.

2017 carolina billfish cup micabe second place team
Micabe had a good tournament, winning second place overall. Courtesy SC Governor’s Cup / Cameron J. Rhodes

The winning dolphin was a 44.9-pounder landed on Sportsmann, a 56-foot Paul Mann. Home Run had the largest wahoo at 29.7 pounds and High Maintenance won the tuna category with a 25-pound blackfin.

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Home Run‘s Hope Bentley was the top lady angler with one blue marlin and three sailfish releases, and Chandler Griffin on Gryphon was the top junior angler with five sailfish releases.

In the South Carolina Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series standings, Gryphon leads with 3,675 points. Toast is second with 2,625 points and Chasin is third with 2,450 points. The next event in the series is the Megadock Billfishing Tournament, slated for July 5-8, 2017 in Charleston, South Carolina.

2017 carolina billfish cup first place team toast
Celebrating the win in front of the Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina. Courtesy SC Governor’s Cup / Cameron J. Rhodes
2017 carolina billfish cup third place team palmetto guard
Palmetto Guard led the tournament after Day One but fell to third place overall. Courtesy SC Governor’s Cup / Cameron J. Rhodes
2017 carolina billfish cup top lady angler hope bentley
Hope Bentley (left) was the tournament’s top lady angler. Courtesy SC Governor’s Cup / Cameron J. Rhodes
2017 carolina billfish cup
Charleston Harbor Resort proved to be an excellent host location for this year’s event. Courtesy SC Governor’s Cup / Cameron J. Rhodes
2017 carolina billfish cup
Members of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources interview anglers and gather data during the tournament. Courtesy SC Governor’s Cup / Cameron J. Rhodes
2017 carolina billfish cup
Future top anglers on the dock. Courtesy SC Governor’s Cup / Cameron J. Rhodes
2017 carolina billfish cup
Jackpot heads for home. Courtesy SC Governor’s Cup / Cameron J. Rhodes
2017 carolina billfish cup
The fleet returns to historic Charleston, South Carolina. Courtesy SC Governor’s Cup / Cameron J. Rhodes
2017 carolina billfish cup
The docks were buzzing with activity each afternoon. Courtesy SC Governor’s Cup / Cameron J. Rhodes
2017 carolina billfish cup
The sun sets over another outstanding tournament in the South Carolina Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series. Courtesy SC Governor’s Cup / Cameron J. Rhodes
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