Top Hatteras Billfish Boat-2009

[Captain Jay Kavanagh]

I don't know what was actually counted towards the tournament, for some reason I think we had 67 total fish in the tourny.

We start keeping score about May 1 and usually wrap up the count about Oct 1. Also any fish caught after 3pm each day does not count towards the tourny.

I usually try to post the top five, but I can only recall second and third.

The Sea Creature was second in the totals. Creature is probably the best pure Blue Marlin fisherman in Hatteras. I saw him catch 4 in one day a couple of years ago. One of Creature's Blue ones was worth about $750,000 this year in the Big Rock.

The Hattitude was third. Captain Randy Turner is probably the best billfisherman in Hatteras and if he would have sailed the number of trips I did, he would have easily doubled my totals.

So far we have fished exactly 120 charter trips, and caught 8 Blue Marlin, 14 White Marlin and 48 Sails.

Maybe not so impressive numbers as you might think, but keep in mind we don't have the luxury of going billfishing all day everyday. I fish for what the people want to try to catch, not everyone wants to try for a bill, alot of my folks do and we are fortunate in that way, but anyway, that's what we done.

[frankypettolina]

Congrats Jay- is the ratio of sails to whites normal? or was it just a great sail year?

Good job on your accomplishment.

[Captain Fred Archer]

Major, major props, Jay! And your humility makes me proud to know you and read your words.

And I'll tell ya what, consistency is the hallmark of top producers in all fields and frankly, I'm even more impressed with the total of two years in second, plus this one in first than I am just this year's accomplishment.

Yeah, a top boat all the way, but a class act on top of it? Hard to beat, sir...hard to beat!

[BiteMeJeremy]

First off I want to say thank you to everyone for their comments. I work the cockpit on the Bite Me, and we really had a good year. The best I have ever been a part of.
Secondly, without the Captain, we were just a boat. Jay did an excellent job finding and driving over the fish, and hooking a few himself. He also is very good with helping orchestrating the choas that ensues over multiple fish in the spread and multiple hook ups. We commited to using circle hooks early this year, and it paid off. I have to admit, I was skeptical. But after the first few, circle hooks were a no brainer.
Thirdly, everyone who caught a billfish on the Bite Me did a phenominal job, even the youngsters. Without our customers, this feat was not possible. I was amazed to have 3, 4, 5 and even a 6 fish day. That was awesome. Everyone was easily coached, maintained persistance, and caught their fish. Some caught their first; some caught their 10th. They all did a good job!
Just wanted to say thanks. Hope to see you next year!

[Talbot29]

Great job guys! You are top notch.

Tim T.
Got Fish Too?

[On Course]

Kudos Guys....A Great Year without question....Here's to another one next year. Good luck!!

[B-4 reel]

I would really like to see the Numbers For the East&west if you know what they were Captain Jay Kavanagh. I fish out of Hatteras every summer and here you guys on the radio all the time.

[Persistence]

Congrats Capt. Jay. Awesome stuff...have always heard great things about you and your boat. Imagine your totals if you COULD billfish any day you wanted!!

[fishingfool34]

So what were Randy's numbers??? jay!!! cuz when i left he had 76 in the east&west and 81 for the year so how did you figure out that math.....76 is a higher number than 67 jay you should know that!!!!!! and your right!! jay!! If he would have sailed more days he would have really beat you more then he did............ and it might not be any ones fault and i don't know who was the team captain for RT'S team this year but i think some one got some one mixed up with some one ells.......

[terr]

First,
Congrats to Jay and Jeremy.

Next,

fishingfool34
How you get off on slaming Jay on that one I don't know. He was given the award, he did not give it to him self. He was very gracious in mentioning and talking up the next two boats, one of which is Randy. Were you a team Capt.?? No you were not. How accurate are you numbers?

If you wanted to congratulate Randy on his season you could have done that with out slaming Jay and questioning this integrity. Hmm... maybe you have a bone to pick with Jay concerning another thread on this site?

You need to pull your head in.

Terry (mo)