30K Payout for the First Annual IRBA White Marlin Warm-Up Open

[Cowboy]

We had 3 beautiful days to run this tournament and we had a good turnout, we hoped for a bit more but we are happy with the results. 12 Boats entered and almost all went ALL IN making a nice 30K+ payout. The turnout of SFC members I am sure helped us get closer to our goal and I want to personally thank each and every one who helped make this event a huge success for our organization.
First day Friday showed all 12 boats fishing, as director I made my early morning rounds getting pictures and some video footage to put a future video together ( if anyone has any pictures, information or suggestions PLEASE email me Maverickcharters@epix.net ) at the end of the first day we had weighed in entries in the tuna, dolphin and wahoo categories but very few billfish where seen and none hooked or caught.
Day 2 saw 10 boats fishing and some small changes in placing fish at the end of the day but again no billfish caught or released. Saturday evening there was a party that brought clams/shrimp/chicken and fixing’s and was backed up by a live band that played until midnight with great attendance and some real partying.
Day 3 found the last 2 boats fishing with all the latest Intel available to them they went to the south looking for the nicest water and some action, as it happens often the drama began when we got a call from R&R out of Fisherman’s Marina in OC Md. that they where on there way to the scales and had fish to weigh when there friends/family/wives and girlfriends showed up before them the excitement started to really build, the only word was they had a great afternoon and they wanted there friends there to share the moment(could it be they had the marlin everyone was looking for?).As the beautiful blue hulled boat eased into sight everyone gathered to see the finally and what a photo finish it was, the R&R had found a good afternoon bite and took full advantage of it as they filled there fish boxes with some very nice tuna. As they hefted the fish onto the dock everyone saw they had a great catch and ended up sweeping the Tuna category with the 3 heaviest fish capturing the White Marlin monies the Blue Marlin monies that had dropped down to the tune category monies to bring them a total winning of $27,920.00 and a trophy to take home. Foolish Pleasure took both places for the dolphin division collecting a trophy and $1446.25 and El Bandito took home a trophy and $1446.25 for the only wahoo weighed in.
Again we want to thank all who participated and all who helped to make this inaugural event a huge success and we look forward to next year when we hope to see the second annual IRBA White Marlin Warm-Up Open grow larger and better.

[Cowboy]

Correction R&R fishes out of Ocean City Fishing Center, Sorry guys