Calcutta Wahoo Challenge 2005
The 1st annual Calcutta Wahoo Challenge was held Oct. 20-22, with the weigh-in and tournament headquarters at the Morehead City waterfront. The tournament, which raises money for the Take a Kid Fishing Foundation and Hospice Care in Carteret County, attracted 69 boats in its inaugural year.
Most of the fishing took place between the 400 Line and the 200 Line. Both Friday and Saturday produced fish that ultimately made the leader board, but it was Delta Dawn’s 60 lb. class fish that outweighed all others by more than 15 pounds.
The Morehead City charter boat “Delta Dawn,” owned by Capt. Pete Manuel and captained in the tournament on Friday by Daryl Brower, brought in a 66.75 lb. wahoo on Friday to take the top spot on the leader board for the rest of the tournament. Windsor Berringer, a pilot from Greensboro, was the angler. The big wahoo was one of five that day, including a 50 lb. class wahoo, all taken on ballyhoo, sea witches, and Hawaiian eyes.
Capt. Pete Manuel, the regular captain of the “Delta Dawn,” landed 5 wahoo on Saturday, as well as a sail release, but none of the fish outweighed Friday’s 66 pounder. On both Friday and Saturday they were fishing “down south.”
“Welder’s Ark,” owned by John Roberts and captained by Lou Roberts, took second place with a 51.00 lb. wahoo weighed in on Saturday. Glenn Krofchick was the angler. “Welder’s Ark,” out of Winterville, had also weighed in a 49.90 lb. wahoo on Friday.
Pat McCotter, from Vandemere and owner of the “Sea Spud,” and Capt. Freddie Willis took third. Angler Johnny Warren weighed in a 47.60 lb. wahoo on Saturday.
Owner/Capt. Randy Bryant, on the “Maggie” out of Beaufort, took fourth place with a 47.40 lb. wahoo caught by Butch Bryant on Saturday.
The fifth place spot went to “Lady Sarah.” Owner/Capt. Curtis Strange and Angler David Strange, from Morehead City, weighed in a 46.70 lb. wahoo on Friday.
The Lady Angler Award went to Heather Anthony. Anthony was fishing with Owner/Capt. Harris Huddle, from New Bern, on the “Builder’s Choice.” They weighed in a 45.15 lb. wahoo on Friday.
The top Junior Angler was Frankie Jones. She weighed in a 41.55 lb. wahoo fishing on the “Razorback Express” with Capt. Scott Wiggins and Owner Jimmy Wiggins out of La Grange.
The Saieed brothers took second through fourth place in the Junior Division. Christian (age 8) weighed in a 40.05 lb. wahoo, Connor (age 12) weighed in a 28.85 lb. wahoo, and Tommy (age 14) weighed in a 28.05 lb. wahoo. They were all fishing with Owner/Capt. Todd Saieed, out of Raleigh, on the “Miss Marilyn.”
Dylan Jones, fishing on the “About Time” with Capt. Johney Rose out of Newport, took fifth place in the juniors with a 26.55 lb. wahoo.
Calcutta is the title sponsor of the Calcutta Wahoo Challenge. Other top sponsors included Wachovia Bank and Randy Bryant Builders.
For more information on this year’s Wahoo Challenge and their plans for 2006, you can visit www.calcuttawahoo.com.
