The 11th annual Capt Eddy Sailfish tournament

[gottaflylee]

Capt. Eddy Haneman was the biggest spokesman for fishing in out area in the very early years and one of the founders on our offshore and nearshore fishing back in the 40s and 50s. He traveled our state talking to all the clubs that would let him speak about fishing. He also started flying some of the first release flags. Because they were hard to find in the early days, his wife Mary made for their boat. Mary Haneman was his support group and when we told her about what we wanted to do, she became ours, finding things that he or she made so we could auction off for the charities that we have tried to raise money for over the years.

This year, we raised, though the generosity of others, about $7,600 for Lt. Travis Robison whose family was in a horrific car accident this spring and his wife, son and daughter spent a great time in the hospital, with his wife and son still facing more surgery for there injures. She is still in a wheelchair and their son is in need of another operation so he can hear out of both ears.

Lt. Travis Robison with the New Hanover County Sheriff Department.



He, Jon Evans, Travis's wife and kids...



Hospice received $3,000 and Sam Mann fund received $300 from us.
Sam Mann fund helps out others that can not pay all their medical expenses...



As some of you know we lost Mrs. Mary Heneman about the time we were having the Capts. meeting. Kit Taylor had just taken her a shirt form this years tournament and hung it on the wall so she could see it. She smiled as she knew that the tournament would be going on and shortly passed on to be with the love of her life, Capt. Eddy.

RIP Mrs Mary, you will be missed...



Well even though fishing was not as good as past years, the weather Gods smiled on us and we had a great turn out for the tournament. 57 boats fished the first day and 6 sails were released. Now please remember that this is a boundary tournament and that their is no fishing allowed past about 25 miles out. This is done so that big and small boat can compete on the same level.

Day one saw the boat "Fish Repellent" take the lead with 2 releases, the first being a Jr. angler which won them the Jr angler award.
Other boats that released Sails were

"Black Dog"
Tremendous
SS. Wonderbread
Pole Position
The big Dolphin was caught by "Offshore Account" 16.48

Day 2...

The bite went from slow to almost not happening but Les Edwards on the "Horse" boat pulled a Sail out from under 3 other boats and took the first sail of day 2 as well as the last Sail of the tournament.

"Offshore Account" Dolphin was beaten out by 1/4 pound from the "Change Order" whose fish was 16.75

Again I would like to thank Jon Evans from channel 6 news and the Fox station for MCing the awards ceremony for us as well as doing the auction. Thanks again Jon, very well done...



Big Show Foods along with the cooks from the Rib Hut one again put on a feed for us and cooked a chicken or 2...





You know that you have a lot of chicken to sause when you pull out a mop to slop on the sause...



Thanks to Cameron Taylor, Little "D" Redix and Mackenzie Barker for the help with the "T" shirt sails and raffle.



The Crowd gathers for the awards and food...





Evan Hunter Rahe, Jr angler. He won a mount of the fish that he released...



The crew of the "Fish Repellent" First place...



The crew of the "Change Order"



We rely on the kindness of others to help us raise money for the ones we sponsor. Here is Glenn Healey of the "Change Order" returning his check for Lt. Robison's family. Sportsmen blow me away with what they will do for others. I must note here that "Fish Repellent" also gave part of their moneys back also...well done guys...



The "Horse" boat received 2 checks for their sailfish, both were returned to be given to Lt. Robison's family. You got a big heart Les, many thanks...



For the last 2 years, Clt. Capt Fred on the board makes us a gaff to be auctioned off, this years went to Jay Baker and his wife, thanks Jay and Fred, most kind of you both...



This year, Billy Haneman took his mom's place with us and found a few things for us to auction off...



The Rod was out bid by Chris Bellamy



Dr. Ben Smith won the bid on the White Marlin Flag, made by Mrs. Mary Hanemen...



Another item was won by David Floyd, one of the posters that was used by Capt Eddy when he had the "Martha Ellen" On the bottom it said "phone, write or wire" The phone # was only 4 numbers...



Another item was the first fish mounted for Capt. Eddy, a small Dolphin. Plugger tackle sponsored him with some stuff and they had it done, this is a skin mount don back in the 50s as I understood it. Chris Bellamy also won the bid on this...



A very special thanks to Billy and his wife for their support this year, we all morn the loss of your mom. You are so much like her and your dad...



A huge thanks to all the shops and marinas that helped sponsor this years tournament with products and banners. You all helped make this a great event each year. I am humbled with all you all do...

Also a big thanks to Trip and Kit for all that hard work and time to put this together...

[hrdcor32]

Great job Lee, looking forward to next year!

[Robja]

Nice post Lee

[HurricaneD]

Thanks for the recap Lee!

[wahoo wacker]

thanks Lee... Can't wait untill next year!

[clt_capt]

Really nice report and a great cause.

[merry marlin]

Wonderful reporting Lee... What a great group of fishermen.
MM

[Agitated88]

post...well written thread for a great cause. Thanks for sharing!!!

[blackdog29regulator]

Way to go Lee, this was our 4th Haneman and our first release aboard BlackDog; we are sponsoring the Cape Fear Sailfish Classic with WB and OIFC weigh stations for dolphin and camera drop, the Event is Thursday the 12th with dinner and bbq, fishing is Friday and Saturday with boundaries from WR4 to the tower down to the Jungle, come on out and fish, the weather is shaping up and this promises to be almost as much fun as the EH!!

Bob Newell 336-462-1224

[slip slidin]

Great report Capt Lee. Class act by the winners to return checks to those who can really use it. Great tournament that benefits the local community. Congratulations to all who helped put it on and who participated.