The Edisto Invitational Billfish Tournament, the final leg of the 2017 South Carolina Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series, celebrated a record-breaking year, with the fleet of 38 boats releasing total of 99 sailfish, 16 blue marlin and one spearfish. Edisto Beach, South Carolina, was ravaged by Hurricane Matthew in October, 2016: homes were destroyed, docks were lost, and the beach itself was swept away by the storm. But after almost a year of hard work, the island is once again booming in the midst of tourist season.
Wildlife, owned by Ken Strickland and captained by Jamie Brown, topped the tournament fleet with one blue marlin and eight sailfish releases. The second and third place boats tied on points, each releasing a blue marlin and six sailfish, with Anticipation winning over Mister Pete based on the time of last release.
Richard Warner from Dealer’s Choice landed a 73.2-pound wahoo, while Whitney Arnold landed the largest dolphin at 45.3 pounds and Bubba Simmons landed the largest and only tuna, a 12-pound blackfin, both of which were caught aboard Anticipation.
Eugenie Barrow from Legal Holiday released two sailfish to clinch the lady angler title and EJ Nettles on Tighten Up released six sailfish for the youth angler win.
