14 June 2008

The Jimmy Roger’s 13th Annual
HAMPTON CREEK COBIA TOURNAMENT

I was sponsored to participate in the cobia tournament by Wynne Ford of Hampton, who is also a main sponsor for the tournament. All the proceeds for the tourney go to Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters. www.hamptoncreekcobiatournament.com 

My crew consisted of the self-proclaimed “Above Average” fishing team” (or AA for short), which included Chris and Rudy and Levasseur and Ben Sheppard. As usual, they kept us in stitches, while putting out 100%.

We stopped by the 1st Island and caught a few live baits, then headed on to York Spit Light. We anchored in about 15 feet of water, and worked up an amazing chum slick. We put out live eels, croaker, cut bunker, and cut croaker with no takers. At about 11am, we decided we would go looking for the action. We cruised to the Eastern Shore side of the bay, and had both Ben and Rudy in the tower looking for fish. We finally found the fish, but they were all around 20-pounds. Ok, well better than nothing, which is what most had.

Click the images for a closer look.

With one fish onboard, the weather began kicking up, so we cut the trip short and checked out of the tournament. We braved 6-foot seas along the ocean front, and pulled into to Rudee at 3:30, and we were on the road via land with fish the in tow by 3:50. Glad we didn’t try to make the run after the events in the dark.

Turns out there were only six fish caught out of 56 boats, with the largest going to 43-pounds. My team managed to claim the Ladies Division. Joe Grist was there with VMRC staff to take samples of the fish, and Don Lancaster was the weigh-in broadcasting live on the radio.

For the awards ceremony, we enjoyed excellent food catered by the Beach Bully. I was the MC for the awards, and met lots of new folks. We had a great time, and walked away with lots of raffle prizes. My crew is already for next year!

The Winner’s Circle:

1st Place: Tim Elliot and crew, with Aaron Tatem as the angler with a 43-pound fish. They caught the fish south of the 9-foot shoals. Prize was $3700.00, and a Rolex watch courtesy of Goodman & Sons Jewelers of Hampton.

2nd Place: Will Everett and crew, with Jack Askew as the angler with a 36-pound fish. They caught the fish at York Spit Light. Prize was $2300.00

3rd Place: Jason Williams and crew, who caught the fish south of the 9-foot shoals. Prize was $1500

Ladies: Dr. Julie Ball and crew, who caught the fish off the Eastern Shore. Prize was $500 Gift Card to Goodman & Sons Jewelers.