Reel Passion overtakes Caramba in MegaDock Billfishing Tournament

Reel Passion released two blue marlin and a sailfish Friday to overtake Caramba for the lead in the 10th annual MegaDock Billfishing Tournament being held out of the Charleston City Marina.

Reel Passion, owned by Bill Ingram and captained by Gary Richardson, earned 1,400 points for its Friday catch, 600 points for each of the blue marlin and 200 for the sailfish. Reel Passion is going for its second straight win in the S.C. Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series after winning the Carolina Billfish Classic two weeks ago with 1,600 points for a blue marlin and five sailfish releases.

Caramba, owned by Bob Faith and captained by Dale Lackey, elected not to fish Friday and has 1,200 points after releasing two blue marlin Thursday.

The tournament ends today, and boats are allowed to fish two out of three days, captain’s choice. Twenty-six of the 38 boats participating in the tournament are eligible to fish today, including Reel Passion and Caramba.

Full Pull is third with 1,000 points while Home Run also has 1,000 points, with both boats releasing a blue marlin and a sailfish.

Fifteen boats fished Friday, releasing six blue marlin and seven sailfish. Participants have released 38 billfish thus far, including 14 blue marlin.

There were no changes in the non-billfish categories. The dolphin leader is Lucky Hooker with a 45.4-pound catch; Reel Patience leads wahoo with a 50.8-pound catch; and Rookie IV has the top tuna at 14.0 pounds.

The MegaDock Tournament is the fourth of five events that comprise the S.C. Governor’s CupBillfishing Series.