On behalf of Maritime Events, tournament sponsors and charities, welcome to the 7th Annual HMY-Viking MegaDock Tournament. This Marlin and Sailfish competition will be held July 8-11, 2009 and represents the fourth event of five in the famed South Carolina Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series; and also a sanctioned event for the World Billfish Series, MTU Legend Series and the IGFA World Championship. Let’s not forget the MegaMillion Jackpot for breaking a State Record Blue Marlin catch by one pound.
Measuring in at 1,530 feet, The City Marina’s MegaDock is the largest and busiest transient facility on the east coast. Built in 2003 to attract visiting boaters to Charleston, The MegaDock has become Billfishing’s grandest arena offering convenient dockage, in-slip fueling, professionally trained dock staff, and much more. Thank you for fishing the HMY-Viking MegaDock Tournament, and we hope to see you on The City Marina’s docks throughout the year.
The HMY-Viking MegaDock Billfishing Tournament wrapped up its 6th annual event with 81 billfish releases. A total of 78 boats and 468 anglers fished over a three-day period releasing 75 sailfish, four blue marlin and two white marlin. This year's big winner was Cerveza, based out of Pirate's Cove, NC. The 62' Paul Spencer released six sailfish for a total of 1200 points. Cerveza also took home the Lady Angler, Youth Angler, and Conservation awards, along with tournament winnings of just under $150,000.
The 2nd place team with 1000 points was the local favorite, Petrel. During the event Captain Thomas Wynne led this crew to release one blue marlin and two sailfish, with a 2nd place winning of $33,000. Other event winners included a 1st place Dolphin weighing in at 43.5 lbs., caught by Jason Zachrich of Hilton Head Island aboard Reel Patience. The 1st place Tuna winner, Mark Daniels of Greenville, SC reeled in a 17.6 Tuna aboard Daymaker. The 1st place Wahoo, weighing 72.2 lbs. was caught by Bill Ford of Charleston aboard Palmetto Pride.
Other winners included: 2nd place lady angler Holly McAlhany aboard Syked Out, 3rd place lady angler Kate Creech aboard the Lil-Bit, 2nd place youth angler John Dudash aboard NOFA, and 3rd place youth angler Thomas Garmany aboard Benchmark.
This is the third consecutive year the MegaDock Tournament, one of the SC Governor's Cup Billfishing Series events, has had a wait list for its 75 fishing spots. The tournament supports numerous water related charities. Chairman, Robbie Freeman states, "the popularity of this tournament is truly a testament to the fishing community's support of our waterfront."
