THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 30, 1996 TAG: 9608280597
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BOB HUTCHINSON
LENGTH: 38 lines
The silver anniversary Virginia Beach Marlin Tournament opens this weekend and it just might turn out to be one of the most successful in the event's history.
White marlin action has been particularly hot in the vicinity of the Cigar, a seamount southeast of Rudee Inlet in Virginia Beach and northeast of Oregon Inlet, near Nags Head, N.C.
Catches of two to eight whites a day have been the norm for most of the past 2 1/2 weeks, with some boats claiming as many as 16 releases a day.
While there's no guarantee that marlin will be as abundant for the tournament, the guess here is that action should remain pretty hot. The bottom line is that there are a lot of marlin around.
In fact, the entire month of September could see outstanding action. Some of the year's hottest billfishing usually develops during the ninth month.
It's a month of cool fronts and northeasters. And for whatever reason, billfish often stack up along the outer edge of the Continental Shelf during and immediately following a northeaster.
Few veteran observers question that August action has been great because easterly winds dominated the weather picture.
The biggest question concerns the eventual path of Hurricane Edouard. Even if it passes well to the east of the Middle Atlantic states, it could cause rough seas and gigantic ground swells. But let's be optimistic and predict calm seas and smooth sailing for the annual contest.
Fishing is scheduled for Saturday through Monday, Labor Day, with competing boats allowed to fish either two days of their crew's choice.
The event will be headquartered at the Virginia Beach Fishing Center and the basic entry fee will be $700. Anglers with the first and 25th billfish will receive special $1,000 prizes. All billfish must be released.
You can get additional details from Larry Davenport at 427-4681 or 426-7042. by CNB