InTheBite

Florida Division Captain of the Year Award Presentation: Scotty Fawcett

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InTheBite’s Dale Wills and Elliott Stark were on hand at the awards ceremony of the Fish Heads Invitational Tournament in Stuart, Florida to present the 2016 Contender Florida Division Captain of the Year Award to Capt. Scotty Fawcett. Fawcett, who runs a 31′ Contender Off the Chain based out of Stuart, had a remarkable 2016 season. His 1,300 points were tallied on two different private boats on which he was hired to fish tournaments.

The event was a festive affair, full of many distinguished captains and crews. Just how distinguished? On hand were six InTheBite Captains of the Year. Joining Fawcett were Capt. Rob Moore of the Fa La Me, Capt. VJ Bell — the first Captain of the Year, Capt. Mike Brady of the Cowpoke, Capt. Glenn Cameron of the Floridian, and Capt. Wink Doerzbacher of the Showtime.

Congratulations to Capt. Fawcett on the award. For the up to date tally on this year’s highly competitive Florida Division, see the results.

Top 5 Marlin of 2017- So Far

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Check out this list of the top 5 Blue Marlin weighed in so far in 2017 Captain of the Year Divisions. The IGY Marinas Int’l Division leads with team Flyer, led by Captain Bryce Garvey fishing the Bermuda Big Game Classic who harvested a 871 lbs. Blue Marlin. Pretty work crews!

IGY Marinas Intl’ Division

#1)Capt. Bryce Garvey, Flyer, 600 Points -Bermuda Big Game Classic, Largest Marlin, 500 Pts. 871 lbs.

Costa Sunglasses Gulf Division

#2)Capt. Scooter Porto and Reel Addiction team with 771lb Blue Marlin caught during the 46th Annual Pensacola International Billfish Tournament.

Release Ruler Hawaii Division 

#3)Capt. McGrew Rice on the Ihu Nui II hit big and won the Skin’s Tournament with a 731.5-pound blue marlin and TR release points. Photo courtesy of the Honokohau Charter Desk.

Costa Sunglasses Gulf Division

#4) Capt. Jason Buck, Done Deal, 500 Points- Blue Marlin World Cup, Largest Marlin, 600 lbs.

Billfish Foundation East Coast Division

#5)Capt. Brian Harrington, Run Off, 500 Points -Big Rock, Heaviest Marlin, 533.8 lbs. , 500 Pts.

   

Captain of the Year Costa Gulf Division– Capt. Devin Potts, Sea Mixer

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Captain Devin Potts is the Captain of the Year in the Costa Gulf Division.  Potts, who runs the 66′ Spencer Sea Mixer, is based in Orange Beach, Alabama. Captain Devin received the award at the 2017 Orange Beach Billfish Classic.  Potts and first mate Jared Quick weighed a 366-pound blue marlin in the tournament, taking second place in the tournament. The story leading up to how they caught the fish is a good one, which Potts was generous enough to relate in the video.  Congratulations Capt. Devin.

The Sea Mixer in her shed in Orange Beach, Alabama. Awesome.

Devin and Lindsay Potts. A family affair.

Potts and first mate Jared Quick.

Hatteras Yachts Is Presenting Sponsor Of The 2017 InTheBite Captain Of The Year Cup

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375_dither_cotycup_logoHatteras Yachts Is Presenting Sponsor Of The 2017 InTheBite Captain Of The Year Cup

The World’s Foremost Competition for Professional Sportfishing Captains

NEW BERN, N.C. – MAY 11, 2017 – Hatteras/Cabo Yachts LLC (“Hatteras Yachts”), a global leader in the construction of luxury convertible sportfishing and motor yachts from 45 to 100 feet, is proud to announce that it is the presenting sponsor of the 2017 InTheBite Captain of the Year Cup, the world’s foremost competition for professional sportfishing captains.

Developed by InTheBite, the professionals’ sportfishing magazine, the InTheBite Captain of the Year Cup presented by Hatteras is the only objective, quantifiable metric for comparing the tournament success of sportfishing captains on an annual basis. The Cup is composed of five divisions that span the sportfishing world: East Coast, Florida, Gulf Coast, Hawaii and International, and includes 90 sanctioned tournaments. The scoring system is: 1st Place: 500 points, 2nd Place: 300 points, 3rd Place: 100 points. Heaviest Marlin: 500 points. Overall Championship: 250 points. There is a 12-boat tournament minimum for captains to earn points.

“It means quite a bit to InTheBite for a legendary builder like Hatteras to present the Captain of the Year Awards,” said InTheBite Publisher Dale Wills. “We’ve always strived to recognize the hard work and success of professional sportfishermen – that’s how the award was born. For a company with the tradition of Hatteras to present the awards illustrates their commitment to keeping on the cutting edge of innovation. Like any great partnership, this one really works well for InTheBite and Hatteras.”

“As a captain, I have always found IntheBite to be the go-to magazine for sportfishing, and I am honored that Hatteras is the presenting sponsor for these awards,” said Hatteras/CABO Yachts Director of Sales, Capt Jeff Donahue.

Hatteras/Cabo Yachts President and CEO Kelly Grindle commented, “With the high level of competition found on the world’s sportfishing tournament circuits today, winning an InTheBite Captain of the Year Award is truly a major achievement. We at Hatteras are proud to support hard-working sportfishing captains by sponsoring this prestigious award.”

For InTheBite Captain of the Year Cup rules, current standings, sanctioned tournaments and past winners, please visit http://www.inthebite.com/captain-of-the-year-cup-standings/

About Hatteras Yachts:

For over 58 years, Hatteras Yachts, has been recognized as a world leader in the construction of express boats, sportfishing convertibles and luxury motor yachts. Based in New Bern, NC, Hatteras has defined the industry and pioneered the production of large offshore fiberglass powerboats, starting with the introduction of its first model, Knit Wits, in 1959. Hatteras builds luxury motor yachts from 60 to 100 feet, sportfishing convertibles from 54 to 77 feet, and the 45 Express. For more information, visit www.hatterasyachts.com.

Captain of the Year Subscriber Drawing

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Subscriber Christian Ostbye is the winner of the 2016 ITB Subscriber giveaway. Ostbye, a digital subscriber who lives in Colombia, wins a day of fishing on the Wave Paver, a 61′ Garlington with 2015 Captain of the Year Russell Sinclair. We’d also like to thank Donnetta Vanderhoeven and the Ocean Club of Port Canaveral, Florida for providing $500.00 in air fare to the winner.

Check out the Video for the winner drawing and BONUS Video from Captain Ed Dwyer on his 2017 tournament news.

Ed Dwyers Otherside Invitational Tournament April 21-23, 2017

Check out a word from our sponsor:

2016 World Wide Captain of the Year Rankings

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The World Wide Captain of the Year Rankings showcase the top tournament finishers in 2016. We’ve compiled the top 35 captains this year, each of whom scored more than 500 points (the equivalent of winning one tournament). To be featured on the list, captains must be skilled, consistent and dedicated. The 35 names below are as good a group of tournament captains as you will find anywhere. Congratulations to all.

  1. Jon Duffie, Agitator/ Billfisher, 2450 Points
  2. Tom Lynskey, Uno Mas, 2150 Points Capt.
  3. Victor Julio Lopez, Tranquilo, 2100 Points
  4. Kerwin Masunaga, Rod Bender, 1500 Points
  5. Scott Fawcett, Off the Chain (Trust Me Too/Martha D), 1300 Points
  6. Cragin Curtis, Reel Addiction, 1250 Points
  7. Rob Ellyn, Lightspeed, 1100 Points
  8. Devin Potts, Sea Mixer, 1100 Points
  9. Luis Coll, Utopia, 1050 Points
  10. Kevin (KP) Paul, Lo Que Sea, 1050 Points
  11. Joey Birbeck, You Never Know, 1000 Points
  12. Jimmy Crochet, Conundrum, 1000 Points
  13. Harvey Shiflet, Anticipation, 1000 Points
  14. Jeff Shoults, Mollie, 1000 Points
  15. Myles Colley, Born2Run, 900 Points
  16. John Dudas, Sandman, 900 Points
  17. Dennis Endee, A-Salt Weapon, 900 Points
  18. Ben Horning, Fish Tank, 900 Points
  19. Bobby Garmany, Sportin Life, 850 Points
  20. Billy Gerlach, Makara, 800 Points
  21. Al Gustavson, Topshape, 800 Points
  22. Jason Hallmark, Rise Up, 800 Points
  23. Mark Rogers, Rascal, 800 Points
  24. Nick Verture, Seamaster, 800 Points
  25. Dan Woody, Syked Out, 800 Points
  26. B.C. Angel, Sea Angel, 700 Points
  27. Wink Doerzbacher, Showtime!, 700 Pts.
  28. Nate Benz, Two Cats, 600 Points
  29. Capt Boyd De Coito, Foxy Lady, 600 Points
  30. Quinton “Q” Dieterle, Contender One, 600 Points
  31. Hunter Forbes, Pour Intentions, 600 Points
  32. John Lagrone, Pelese, 600 Points
  33. Marlin Parker, Marlin Magic II, 600 Points
  34. Daniel Spencer, Bullwinkle, 600 Points
  35. Ty Valli, Reel Quest, 600 Points

The 2016 World Wide Captain Rankings featured three captains who separated themselves from the competition. Congratulations to Captain Jon Duffie of the Agitator/ Billfisher who compiled a total of 2,450 points in the East Coast and International Division to take home top honors.

Captain Jon Duffie, Agitator/ Billfisher, places second in the 2016 World Wide Ranking

Captain Jon Duffie, Agitator/ Billfisher, is the 2016 World Wide Ranking Champion with 2,450 points. 

Second place was Captain Tommy Lynskey of the Uno Mas who tallied a total of 2,150 points winning tournaments on the east coast and throughout the Caribbean last year.

Captain Tommy Lynskey of the Uno Mas is the 2016 World Wide Ranking Champion

Captain Tommy Lynskey of the Uno Mas wins second place in the 2016 World Wide Ranking. 

Here is the breakdown:

Captain Jon Duffie—1,550 points in the international division, 900 points in the east coast division. Captain Tommy Lynskey—1,650 points in the international division. 500 points in the east coast division. Finishing third with 2,100 points– and 2016 International Division Captain of the Year, was Captain Victor Julio Lopez of the Tranquilo. Incredible fishing, congratulations to Lynskey, Duffie, Lopez and all of the captains on the list. This is quite an achievement.

 

 

Champagne Lady Wins Pirates Cove Sailfish Tournament Stuart, FL

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pirates_cove_sailfish

December 2,3,4, 2016 24 Teams

Dec 4 Final Results Champagne Lady wins Pirates Cove Congrats to crew members- Capt. Josh Chaney led anglers Tony Ingram, Carl Repetto, Rob Miller and Mark Donohue, and crewmen Connor Tillman, Mark McDevitt and Sean Young to the win.

5-06-27-pmFor Reel Time Updates Click Here

Martha D Wins Fish Head of Stuart Invitational 2016

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fish_headDec 1, 2016 Forth Annual Fish Heads of Stuart Invitational

Final Results

Total Sails 108

Top 3

Martha D Capt. Scott Fawcett – 14
Miss Victoria – 12
Ohana – 11

Day 2 of the Fourth Annual Fish Heads of Stuart Invitational

UNOFFICIAL DAY TWO TOTALS

53 Sails

Miss Victoria – 7
Fa La Me – 6
Martha D – 5
Rebel – 5
Ohana – 5
Champagne Lady – 4
Intents – 3
Sea Check – 3
Cowpoke – 3
Kickin’ Tires – 3
Showtime! – 2
Grand Slam – 2
Floridian – 2
Vintage – 1
Sneaky Pete – 1

UNOFFICIAL DAY ONE TOTALS

55 Sails

Martha D 9
Ohana 6
Kickin’ Tires 6
Floridian 6
Cowpoke 5
Miss Victoria 5
Wicked Wahine 4
Vintage 4
Rebel 3
Champagne Lady 3
Intents 2
Grand Slam 1
Showtime! 1

Captain of the Year Hawaii: Kerwin Matsunaga

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coty-hawaii-image

Captain Kerwin Masunaga, middle, his son Brent (left) and angler/vessel co-owner Steve Spina, are featured with Masunaga’s good luck dog Ziggy.

By Mark Johnston

Lightning strikes twice, as Captain Kerwin Masunaga wins InTheBite’s Captain of Year [Read more…]