THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 7, 1996 TAG: 9601070153
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BOB HUTCHINSON, OUTDOORS EDITOR
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
Two state-record catches and a back-to-back winner highlighted the 1995 Virginia Salt Water Fishing Tournament, which closed its 38th year at midnight \Dec. 31.
In June, Sean P. Thomas of Norfolk shattered the Virginia record for bluefin tuna when he boated a 344-pounder southeast of Virginia Beach's Rudee Inlet. He was aboard the private boat Pursuer. The record of 204 pounds had been held by W.J. Vance of Medina, Va., for a catch made off Virginia Beach in 1977.
Then, in July, Kitty Falk of Virginia Beach established the Virginia record for skipjack tuna at 22 pounds, 11 ounces. She was aboard the private boat 04, also fishing off Virginia Beach.
This was the first skipjack recognized as a Virginia record. Previously, the state had not maintained records for the species.
C.L. Marshall III of Pocomoke, Md., became only the second back-to-back winner in the contest when he captured non-resident angler-of-the-year honors for the second straight year. H. Wayne Perry of Chesapeake was resident angler-of-the-year in 1990 and 1991.
For 1995, resident angler-of-the year honors went to Jimmy Kolb of Virginia Beach, who earned tournament awards, popularly known as ``citations,'' in 12 categories.
Kolb's impressive catches included a 30-pound, 8-ounce dolphin; a 9-2 gray trout; a 6-12 flounder; a 5-10 sea bass; a 1-0 spot; a 13-9 tautog and a 37-6 wahoo. He also caught and released citation-winning amberjack, blue marlin, black drum, red drum and cobia.
Kolb, an electrical contractor, also caught a 72-0 cobia. But an angler can get credit for only one fish of each species, and he already had caught and released one of the big battlers.
Release angler-of-the-year honors went to Dr. James C. Wright of Virginia Beach, host of the TV show ``Saltwater Fishing With Dr. Jim.'' Wright, an eye surgeon, registered six releases: amberjack, black drum, cobia, red drum, white marlin and striped bass.
In all, anglers registered 2,840 trophy-size fish for citations from the state-sponsored contest, operated by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission and directed by Claude Bain of Virginia Beach.
That was an increase of 55 over 1994 and the third-highest total in the past 15 years. Some 44 percent of all citations went to anglers who released their catches.
Cobia were the easiest touch for anglers seeking citations, accounting for a record 603 awards, or 21 percent of the total. That was more than double the record 300 cobia awards for 1962 and in 1993.
White marlin were second with 454 citations, 16 percent of the total, followed by amberjack with 324, or 11 percent.
The rebound of several inshore species provided Chesapeake Bay anglers with their best opportunities for citations in more than a decade. In major increases over 1994, the contest produced 212 awards for speckled trout, 154 for flounder, 35 for croaker and 45 for striped bass.
Each citation winner will receive a handsome, colorful hardboard plaque containing his or her name and city of residence, the species and the weight or release.
In changes for 1996, the contest opened Jan. 1 and will run through the end of the year. The 1995 contest did not open until March 31. Also, citations no longer will be available to anglers who boat billfish or tarpon, regardless of size. Only released fish will be eligible. by CNB