MegaDock wraps up series

Sailfish are likely to be the big story in the seventh annual HMY/Viking MegaDock Tournament that gets under way today at the Charleston City Marina, the final event of the 2009 South Carolina Governor's Cup Billfishing Series.

That was the route that Cerveza took in winning last year's MegaDock Tournament, releasing six sailfish and winning almost $145,000. And it's the time of the year for sailfish. Weigh-ins each day are 5-7:30 p.m.

Cerveza is not entered in this year's tournament, but a maximum 75 boats have registered with boats allowed to fish two out of three days. The final day of fishing is scheduled Saturday.

First place in the billfish category, based on points, is $20,000, with second paying $5,000. But optional tournament levels will push that amount much higher. Blue marlin releases are worth 600 points, white marlin 300 points and sailfish 200 points. Last year's MegaDock Tournament featured 76 sailfish releases, five blue marlin releases and two white marlin releases.

There's an added possibility of a MegaDock boat winning $1 million for breaking the state record for blue marlin (881 pounds, 13 ounces) dolphin (77-8), wahoo (130-5) or yellowfin tuna (241-12).

The Governor's Cup series was shortened to three events this year when two tournaments were canceled. Miss Magnolia was the outstanding billfish boat in the first event, the Edisto Marina Billfish Tournament. El Tejano won the Georgetown Blue Marlin Tournament.

The overall leaders in this year's series are: Barrier Island Marine, 1,550; El Tejano, 1,525; Miss Magnolia, 1,250; Daymaker, 1,225; and Ol' Fish N' Grits, 1,225.

--The MegaDock Tournament offers live VHF radio coverage of the tournament each day from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.; live radio coverage of the weigh-ins from 5-7:30 p.m.; and live web camera coverage at its Web site, www.megadocktournament.com.

--A dinner and auction will be held beginning at 5 p.m. Friday under the Mega Tent to benefit the South Carolina Memorial Reef. The group has set a goal of raising $500,000 to help place significant structure on the Charleston Deep Reef site, located approximately 52 miles southeast of Charleston in 350 to 450 feet of water.

Tickets for the dinner are $25. Among the auction items are a fishing trip to Costa Rica, Labrador retriever puppies, painting, artwork and sculpture. This particular event is dedicated to the memory of offshore angler Robbie Johnson. For information on the dinner and auction, contact Steve Leasure at (843) 209-2818 or visit www.scmemorialreef.org.