The 7th annual Virginia Beach Billfish Tournament took place August 18-21 and wrapped up an exciting week with record-setting attendance on Awards Night. Fifty-four out of 69 boats fished on the final day and speculation ran high as a parade of release flags passed through Rudee Inlet just hours before the Awards Presentation. The $355,000 up for grabs remained in contention right up to the last minute.

“Fishing was good for several of the 33 boats that went out on the first day,” said Tournament Director Paula Owen. “With so many fishing on the final day… well, it made things pretty exciting there at the end.” Fifty-six fish were released each of the first two days of fishing, and 76 were released on the final day. For the top five boats the strategy of waiting to fish the final day proved to be critical.

Afternoon thunderstorms on Wednesday’s Kick-Off challenged the tent operations and the catering staff of Outback Steakhouse as they served nearly 500 people under the massive tent. After the Captain’s Meeting and dinner the crowd stayed to party with the Janitors providing live music. During the evening the Lay Day forms piled up as teams with an eye on the weather decided to stay at the dock the first day of fishing.

Thirty-three boats slipped out under Thursday morning’s threatening skies. At the end of the day, the top three boats—Point Runner, Sea Note and Caroline—each had five releases and took their spots on time. The 4th and 5th place spots were held by Triflin and Sea Toy, each with four releases. The Daily Release Award went to Capt. Danny Wadsworth and the crew of Point Runner. Spirits ran high that night as the tournament hosted a BBQ dinner, dished up by local’s favorite Malbon’s, for another record crowd, many debating the fishing conditions and the temptation of turning in a lay day form for the next day.

Of the 51 boats that fished under sunny skies on Friday, only Capt. Mike Romeo’s Gannett jumped up the leader board to take the lead with a total of six releases for their two days of fishing. Sea Wolf and Tar Heel moved into contention, each with three releases and a Daily for Capt. Rom Whitaker on the Sea Wolf. A record turn-out of 750 folks later spilled out onto the lawn for the Release Marine Chair Pull-Off, a crab leg feast and the award-winning sounds of the Heather Edwards Band.

The fishing heated up for the 54 boats that went out Saturday. Capt. Garrett Holden and the crew of Gee Daddy rocketed up the leader board with six releases, good for the Daily Award, and when added to their previous three ended up with 630 points, 1st Place (on time) and $184,000—the tournament's second largest payout to a single team. Capt. Bull Tolson on Sea Toy released five more and also accumulated 630 points for 2nd Place honors and $72,900. Dave Fields kept Watson Caviness’ Caroline solidly in 3rd Place adding three more releases for a total of eight and took home $48,600. Capt. Dave Peck on Triflin took 4th and Capt. Danny Wadsworth on Point Runner took 5th, each with seven releases.

In the meatfish division, Allen Palmer aboard Triflin won with a 52.0 lb. wahoo, Juggernaut’s 38.6 lb. dolphin caught by Jack Owens took the top honors in that category and angler Peter McCambridge muscled in a nice 68.4 lb. yellowfin fishing on the Outer Limits. Each team took home $10,167.

Saturday night’s awards banquet started out with the traditional prime rib dinner sliced up by the crew of Atlas Grill. Checks were presented to the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s D.A.R.E. Program, the Boys & Girls Clubs and Children’s Performance Workshops. All told just under $60,000 was raised for these and several other worthy organizations.

Before the Awards were given out a quiet settled over the crowd for the 2nd annual presentation of the Joel Webb Memorial Tribute to Excellence Award. The Award was established in 2009 to pay tribute to mate Joel Webb who died suddenly just a month before the tournament. Each year an anonymous committee selects the mate who best emulates the excellence that Joel mastered both in the cockpit and the hearts of his friends.” This year an allowance was made to honor another who did so, but was lost in a tragic accident this past April. Jimmy Jackson of Ocean City, Maryland was that mate. Accepting the Award on behalf of his family were Andy Morris, Brian Foley, Jason Votzi and Milton Sykes.

Following this moving presentation, applause swept the winners to the stage, including the Top Lady and Overall Angler, Heather Brennan who took both top honors for releasing five white marlin aboard Smoker, and Top Junior Billfish Angler, 15 year-old Danielle Michael who released two white marlin. What made Danielle's award even more outstanding was that she did so aboard a 32’ Regulator center console, Points North, and actually released a third white which she honorably disqualified after another crew member touched the rod during her fight.

The 2011 Virginia Beach Billfish Tournament takes place August 24-27. Full results for the 2010 tournament can be found on www.vbbt.com. Hi-res photos can be downloaded from the website (see links below). Photo credit goes to Sean Smith. For additional photos call Deirdre Bell at 757-287-4932 or email deirdre@vbbt.com.

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