The fishing was on fire at the 15th Annual Carolina Boat Builders Tournament July 25-28 at Pirate’s Cove Marina in Manteo. A total of 22 boats released 126 billfish during two days of fishing.

Everyone takes a lay day over the three-day tournament, and all 22 boats chose Thursday, July 26 as their lay day due to weather. However, on Friday, July 27 it was an excellent day of fishing, with 95 billfish released: 93 white marlin and two blue marlin. The leaderboard on Saturday had Point Runner (60’ Guthrie) in first place with 1,100 on time points, followed closely by Qualifier (57’ Mann) also with 1,100 points.

On Saturday, July 28 there were 31 billfish released, 30 white marlin and one blue marlin. The Day 3 daily winner was Stream Weaver (60’ Spencer) with five releases.

Point Runner had 1,100 points and ended up as first place winners, winner take all top boat, and the Taylor Harrison Perpetual Trophy for a total of $26,688. They also received an award and a check for $2,000 from Gregory Poole – CAT. In second place, Qualifier with 1,100 points for $6,412. In third place, Waste Knot (56’ Briggs) with 900 points for $4,275.

Other winners were first place dolphin, Cory Sawyer on the Waste Knot, at 18 pounds for $3,375; first place wahoo, Colby Sawyer on the Waste Knot, at 24 pounds for $3,375; top angler Rob Warren on Qualifier with six white marlin; Lady Angler Kelly Penny on Horse Play with one white marlin; and Junior Angler Patrick Brizendine on Sea I Sea with four white marlin.

The Carolina Boat Builders Tournament is sponsored by the Dare County Boat Builders Foundation, a non-profit organization that promotes public awareness of the historical and cultural heritage of boat building in Dare County, but its main mission is to support educational opportunities for Dare County students whose families are involved in the marine industry.

“The success of this tournament would not be possible without the generosity of our many sponsors, anglers, donors, restaurant sponsors, silent auction donors and purchasers and volunteers,” DCBBF said in a news release.

In 2018, DCBBF was able to donate $79,500 in scholarships for 51 Dare County high school and college students, plus for the fifth year in a row, $15,000 for the three Dare County schools to use towards the position of college advising corps advisor. The Dare County Boat Builders Foundation would like to thank everyone for their support.

For leaderboard, tournament photos and more, see dcbbf.org. Save the date for the 2019 tournament, which will by July 24-27.