BHI Fishing Rodeo Attracts Crews From Across North Carolina

Bald Head Island, N.C. – Bald Head Island’s 17^th annual Fishing Rodeo, held May 29 – May 31 on Bald Head Island, attracted 23 boats and crews from across North Carolina to compete for the top prize.  Competitors fished for wahoo, tuna and dolphin.

"This year’s fishing rodeo was an exciting competition," said Trisha Howarth, Hospitality Sales and Marketing Director for Bald Head Island Limited.  "And the gorgeous waters and great weather around Bald Head Island were the perfect setting in which to enjoy the competition and camaraderie of a fishing tournament.”

Captain Brain Smith and crew from Wrightsville Beach, fishing aboard the Tuna Trappe II, reeled in the first-place prize of $8,280 The winning team caught a combined weight of 307.04 pounds.

Second-place winner Captain David Marshall  and crew aboard Musicmanwon $4,140 for a total catch of 166.82 pounds, and third-place prize of $1,380 went to Captain Chris Baily and crew, fishing aboard Reel Quick.

             Lady and Junior Anglers compete in their respective categories for heaviest fish.  Meredith Bost aboard Russellhatt, took the Lady Anger trophy by reeling in a 23.24 pound dolphin.  Andy Quattlebaum aboard Just One More 5earned the Junior Angler trophy by reeling in a 23.74 pound dolphin.

Catches from the two-day event totaled 1,925.07 pounds combined in all categories. The average weight of the 92 fish caught during the tournament was 20.92 pounds. 

The success of the event will benefit the preservation of Old Baldy, North Carolina’s oldest lighthouse.  A donation from the proceeds of the 17^th annual Rodeo of $1,380 will be made to The Old Baldy Foundation.

Sponsored by Bald Head Island Limited, the annual Bald Head Island fishing rodeo has become one of the area’s top-rated tournaments.  Next year’s Bald Head Island Fishing Rodeo will be held on May 28 – May 30.

Bald Head Island is a vacation and second-home destination located two miles off the southeastern coast of North Carolina.  Bald Head Island is a 20-minute ferry ride from Indigo Plantation and Marina in Southport, NC.  Open to the public, the island features 800 homes, including condominiums and single-family residences, and nearly 200 year-round residents. The island also includes a 10-acre marina and a championship golf course in one of the East Coast’s most pristine cape island environments. To experience the exceptional nature of Bald Head Island, visit www.baldheadisland.com.