You can catch weakfish inshore and catch the Stuart Boat Show this weekend. Wochit
Friday may not have been the prettiest day on the Atlantic Ocean, but for the crew fishing aboard Grand Slam, they'll take it.
The Pelican Yacht Club Invitational Billfish Tournament in Fort Pierce sails into its final day of action Saturday with captains and anglers excited about what is to come. Friday, 13 of the tournament's 25 boats went to sea as many in the fleet elected to use Friday as their chosen lay day, as stipulated by tournament rules. The 13 teams that fished kept the release totals rolling, adding 54 more to the catch total to raise the overall sailfish caught and released to an incredible 284.
More: Pelican Yacht Club fleet finds a great bite Thursday
More: Pelican Yacht Club sailfish anglers find steady fishing on first day
Allyson Francis, tournament radio operator, said she expects 21 teams to fish Saturday. Winds are forecast to be from the northwest up to 15 knots as temperatures begin to fall — conditions typically believed to be excellent for sailfishing off the Treasure Coast. However, south and southeast winds with warm temperatures produced 182 sailfish catches Thursday.
Anticipation, led by Capt. Harvey Shiflet with anglers Paul Coury, Chris Gepford, Bubba Simmons and Bobby Whelan, won Friday's daily award with nine sailfish releases to give the team 13 overall. Grand Slam, with Capt. David Grubbs and anglers Wallis Higginbotham, Jeff Wright, Adam White and Larry Gross, narrowly missed collecting the team's second award in as many days. They also caught nine but were bested on time of last release by Anticipation.
More: Stuart Boat Show opens with strong first day
Grand Slam is working to collect its third Pelican Yacht Club Invitational title in three years and took the overall lead with 25 sailfish releases. Champagne Lady, led by Capt. Josh Chaney and with anglers Tony Ingram, Rob Miller, Scott Levin and Carl Repeto, stand at second with 18 releases. The crew took Friday as a lay day, betting Saturday would offer better fishing and a better chance at having a banner day.
Because Grand Slam took off Wednesday, it sets up a situation where the title will be won or lost on the water Saturday, as most of the boats in the top of the standings will be fishing.
Bottom Line, with Capt. Robbie Lynch and anglers Rick Lynch, Robby Lynch, Chris Langel, Gary Boros, Pete Welter and Will Crooks, fished its third and final day Friday to finish the tournament standing third with 18 sailfish releases.
Follow the final day action in real time at Pelican Yacht Club Scoring Page.
Friday sailfish releases
9: Anticipation, Capt. Harvey Shiflet; Grand Slam, Capt. David Grubbs
8: Intents, Capt. Rhett Bailey
5: J Hook, Capt. Sean Young; Cowpoke, Capt Mike Brady
4: Lisa K, Capt. Bruno Larica
3: Miss Victoria, Capt. Brian Speedy; Off Duty, Capt. Mike Everly
2: El Toro, Capt. Robbie Lawson; Wobbly Boot, Capt. Otis Humphrey; Bottom Line, Capt. Robbie Lynch
1: Old Hatt, Capt. Aaron Vanderkas; Huzzy, Capt. Mike Aiken
Friday totals: 54 sailfish releases, 13 boats fished
Standings
25: Grand Slam, Capt. David Grubbs
18: Champagne Lady, Capt. Josh Chaney; Bottom Line, Capt. Robbie Lynch
16: Vintage, Capt. Hans Kraaz; Intents, Capt. Rhett Bailey
15: Kicken Tires, Capt. Jimmy Sullivan; J Hook, Capt. Sean Young
14: Bonna Vear, Capt. Josh Bryant; Showtime!, Capt. Wink Doerzbacher; Marlin Hunter, Capt. Kurt Vonseekam
13: Cowpoke, Capt. Mike Brady; Anticipation, Capt. Harvey Shiftlet; Lisa K, Capt. Bruno Larica
12: Floridian, Capt. Glenn Cameron; Alikai, Capt. Patrick Price; Off Duty, Capt. Mike Everly
8: El Toro, Capt. Robby Lawson
7: Lo Que Sea, Capt. Kevin Paul
6: Sneaky Pete, Capt. Pete Rhein; Huzzy, Capt. Mike Aiken
5: Reel Fun, Capt. Ronnie Davis; Miss Victoria, Capt. Brian Speedy; Wobbly Boot, Capt. Otis Humphrey
2: Old Hatt, Capt. Aaron Vanderkas
Fleet totals: 284 sailfish released, 25 boats
Marine Weather Forecast
Saturday: Northwest winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 3 to 5 feet.