BOCC Results Have Officials Smiling
As it opened with a famous Author, Nicholas Sparks, and closed with a famous fisherman, Captain Paul Spencer, BOCC Organizers were all smiles as they handed out nearly $80,000 in prize money on Saturday Evening of the First Annual Beaufort Offshore Celebrity Classic held August 27-30 at Front Street Village in Beaufort. Despite very gloomy weather forecasts bombarding the airwaves just days before the event, tournament participants and guests stayed dry and happy under the 120 x 60 foot tent constructed on site to house the inaugural event.
"It rained all over the east coast but not a drop fell at Front Street Village during our functions. You've got to think someone upstairs was watching out for us" commented BOCC organizer, Kim Bennett.
With 101 boats competing in the Bluewater, King Mackerel and Ladies Divisions, title Sponsor Gregory Poole Marine Power was elated and exhausted at the same time.
"We couldn't believe how great the fishing was all 3 days" stated BOCC President Dan Webb. "When Paul Spencer came slicing through the water on Saturday it was crazy" Webb was referring to the record catch & release performance by well-know big game tournament competitor Paul Spencer of Wanchese. Spencer, owner of Spencer Yachts and BOCC Board member, released 5 sailfish on Saturday. That success coupled with his one release on Thursday landed him first place in the BOC Classic and won him plenty of bragging rights as he captured first place in the inaugural Boat Builders Shoot Out Tournament. "I told the boys to slow down. I couldn't keep up with them" Spencer said jokingly.
"This is definitely the right time of year to hold this thing. The sailfish were everywhere" he added. Spencer has enjoyed victory several times this year as he won 3d place in the Big Rock and landed a 1228 pound Blue Marlin in the Pirate's Cove Tournament in early August.
Over 1200 participants and guests attended the three big parties on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Ann Maxwell of Goldsboro said the entire affair was one of the nicest events ever held in Carteret County.
"I was shocked to see how gigantic this event was. To get this many people at a Wednesday night affair after the kids are all back in school is unbelievable" she explained. "This tournament will have to double their capacity next year. The food was off the charts. I heard fishermen say this was nicer than some of the national tournaments" added Maxwell.
The BOCC was staffed by charity volunteers from Carteret Community Foundation, United Way, Carteret & Raleigh Saltwater Sportfishing Clubs and the Beaufort 300th Anniversary Committee working round the clock.
Officials will be working through their budget over the next month to determine the amount of funds presented to these charities. A highlight of this year's event was the Ladies Layday Tournament Winner, WE III, with Angler Anna Smith of Beaufort taking home the trophy for that division.
"I've been fishing for 15 years. This is a big deal for me and all my family. We are so proud and ready to come back next year and defend our title" explained Smith as she was surrounded by well wishers and lots of friends. The Junior Angler Award went to the Impulse taking home first place in the Tuna Division while Money Shot won first place in the Bald & Beard Division. BOCC officials are already meeting to discuss plans for the 2009 event to be held September 2-5 at Front Street Village. Final results of the first Annual Beaufort Offshore celebrity Classic look like this:
Bluewater Competition:
First Place….Honey Hush 6 Releases-Paul Spencer-Manteo, NC
Second Place…Hatt-A-Boy 3 Releases-Edgar Styron Morehead City
Third Place…Frequent Flyer 2 Releases-Glynn Lofton Morehead City
Boat Builders Shoot Out Winner….Spencer Yachts (Honey Hush) Wanchese, NC
Ladies Layday Winner….WE III angler Anna Smith-Beaufort
King Mackerel~ Boat & Weight of Fish:
1st….Money Shot 41.15/ Winner Bald & Beard Division- Raleigh,NC
2nd Miss Kayley 38.75-Morehead City
3d…Rug Man 35.7-Newport, NC
4th…Ocean Isle Fishing Center 34.4 Ocean Isle beach, NC
5th…Blue Chips 34.2-Fayetteville, NC
6th…Shore Thang 31.5-Mocksville, NC
7th…Miss Teny 30.2-Walstonburg, NC
8th..Far Fetched 29.8-Pine Knoll Shores
9th…Chain Smoker 27.9-Washington, NC
10th…On the Fly 27.55-Raleigh, NC