Boothbay Region Fish & Game Association./White Anchor Tackle Saltwater Tournament Another Success!
By Barry Gibson
The Third Annual Saltwater Tournament, co-sponsored by the Boothbay Region Fish & Game Association and White Anchor Tackle Shop, was held Saturday and Sunday August 11and 12th attracting over 60 entrants. The weather certainly cooperated, and although the fishing could best be described as “challenging” for most contestants, several dozen striped bass, bluefish, mackerel and pollock were brought in to Boothbay Lobster Wharf to be measured by weighmaster Keith Royal.
First place in the Striper Division went to Andrew Dunlap for a 25 ¾-incher good for $500. Second was taken by Charlie Davis for a 25-inch fish that brought $150, and third spot went to Mike Finnegan who boated a 24 9/16-inch bass worth $75.
Top honors in the Bluefish Division went to Matt Huber for a 27 5/8-incher that garnered a check for $500. Second spot was won by Steve Rubicam, who toughed it out behind Cabbage Island with live bait on Sunday to take a 25 15/16-inch blue worth $150. Ross Branch took third with a 25 3/8-incher, good for $75.
The Junior Mackerel Division was won by Sydney Meader, who took home the $50 first prize. Second, for $25, went to Jarret Spofford, and Madison McCarthy took third place, good for $10. In the Junior Pollock Division, Cortney Meader took the biggest fish, worth $50, and Kaytlin Little followed in second place and won $25. Jarret Spofford took third, good for $10.
Area businesses responded enthusiastically to the tournament by donating a number of great door prizes, which were awarded at the close of the event on Sunday. The beautiful Penn rod and reel outfit worth $170, donated by Carl Jordan of the White Anchor Tackle Shop, went to T.J. Cogswell. Ross Branch won the $50 gift certificate from Boothbay Lobster Wharf; Tom Cogswell and Walt Beckwith each won $25 gift certificates from Brown’s Restaurant; Desmond Kelly won a $50 gift certificate from Fisherman’s Wharf; Bernie Meador and Charlie Davis won $50 savings bonds donated by Gardiner Savings Institution and First Federal Savings of Bath respectively; J. Williams took home a $50 gift certificate to Tugboat Inn; Bill Spencer won the $25 gift certificate to Wen’s Diner; Billy Little won a $25 gift card to 93 Townsend; Todd McPhee won a $20 gift card to Dick’s Sporting Goods donated by BRF&GA member Chuck McIlwain; and Scott Sutter won the breakfast for two at Rocktide.
In the Youth Drawing, Thomas Shadis won the much-admired, brand-new Mongoose mountain bike donated by Jean Durfee; Madison McCarthy and John Little each took home a Shimano rod and reel combo donated by White Anchor Tackle Shop, and Zach Taylor won a pound of chocolates from Orne’s Candy Store. The Harold Bishop Agency donated $25 which went towards the cash prizes, and Fin Strike Fishing Tackle donated fish towels which were distributed to all contestants who entered fish in the contest.
The officers of the Fish & Game Association would like to extend their most sincere thanks to all those who supported the event, with extra appreciation for the folks at Boothbay Lobster Wharf for hosting the weigh-ins. And finally, special thanks to Carl Jordan of the White Anchor Tackle Shop for co-hosting the event again this year with a significant contribution of cash, prizes, and personal effort, all of which has helped build the tournament into the region’s number-one sport fishing event. Proceeds are earmarked to benefit the BRF&GA Scholarship Fund and other association programs.
