OBSFC Take The Troops Fishing 2005
The Onslow Bay Saltwater Fishing Club (OBSFC) held their third annual “Take the Troops Fishing” event on Saturday, August 27, out of Osprey Oaks Marina. This event, sponsored by the members of the OBSFC, recruits local military personnel for a day of both offshore and inshore fishing.
The idea for the event started in 2002 when members thought it would be a nice gesture to take Iraq and Afghanistan veterans fishing for a day.
This year there were over 30 boats and nearly 90 military participating. Members of the OBSFC donate their boats, time, and gas, and local military are recruited from Camp Lejeune and Cherry Point.
This year’s event enjoyed strong support from the community and sponsors. Pure Fishing and Berkley donated captain’s bags and several of the rods and reels given out as awards. Also involved were Coca-Cola of New Bern, West Marine of Morehead, Onslow Beverage, Rod Rax, Merita Bread Company, and the Ice Plant of Beaufort.
There was also some TV star power attending the event. Roland Martin, of “Fishing With Roland Martin,” and Shaw Grigsby, of “One More Cast,” participated in the event.
The weather and fishing this year had most boats either inside or close to shore, but there were still plenty of awards to hand out.
The biggest fish of the day went to Jason Ramsey with a 16.8 lb. barracuda. Ramsey was fishing with Capt. Andy Wolf on the “Fraud Giggin.” Rand Doerning, also on the “Fraud Giggin,” weighed in the heaviest king, with a 6.68 lb. fish.
Mendola landed the heaviest spanish. He caught a 5.71 lb. spanish while fishing with Capt. Tony Fincher on the “Open Wide.”
Rodney Lammers weighed in a 2.6 lb. flounder to take top honors in the flounder division. He was fishing with Capt. Mike Taylor of TaylorMade Charters.
Daniel Glover and Vince Tristan, fishing aboard the “Chansen,” with Capt. Chuck Hansen, took home two awards. Glover had the heaviest blue (1.13 lbs.), and Tristan had the heaviest pompano (1.95 lbs.)
Todd O’Brien weighed in the heaviest gray trout. O’Brien was fishing with Capt. Lee Buck of Saltwater Redneck Charters.
In the lizard fish category, Adam Beraner weighed in a 1.18 lb. fish to take the prize. He was fishing with Capt. Grant Sparks on the “Sea Spark.”
And honorable mention was given to one of the few female personnel participating. Sarah released a 4 foot hammerhead shark. She was fishing with Capt. Ron Saracina on “Buddhas-Delite.”
For more information on the OBSFC, you can visit www.obsfc.us.
