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This summer, the 2024 South Carolina Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series consisted of five tournament legs along the Palmetto State’s coast. A total of 106 boats competed in the Series, collectively releasing 423 billfish, including 116 blue marlin, six white marlin, one spearfish and 300 sailfish. While the bite was impressive, the most astounding triumph of the season came from one boat’s meteoric and record-setting performance throughout the latter half of the Series.
The Charleston Billfish Invitational, the first leg of this year’s Series, kicked off in early May. Although weather conditions were challenging, 17 teams turned out to fish the event hosted at Seabreeze Marina. The fleet released 12 blue marlin and 24 sailfish in three days of fishing. With one blue marlin and six sailfish releases to their credit, Capt. Rob Mahoney and Chris Perry’s Mama C won the tournament. Capt. Alan Neiford and Mister Pete, owned by Bob and Rusty McClam, finished in second place after releasing one blue marlin and five sailfish. Third went to Outlier, owned by Will Dorminy and captained by Ryan Riggs, after releasing one blue marlin and four sailfish.
The largest tournament in the Series, the 56th Annual Georgetown Blue Marlin Tournament welcomed 72 boats to Georgetown Landing Marina over Memorial Day weekend. Capt. Glenn Wilson led Genuine Risk, owned by Derek and Stephanie Nobles, to win their hometown tournament after releasing three blue marlin and four sailfish. Andrew Dupps’ Dugga Boy with Capt. Bobby Garmany finished in second place with three blue marlin and three sailfish releases. Outlier took third after releasing two blue marlin and four sailfish. Thanks to their performance during the first and second legs, Outlier took the lead for the overall Series title.
Next, a fleet of 40 boats fished the Carolina Billfish Classic at Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina in mid-June. The tournament was ultimately reduced to a one-day shootout due to poor weather conditions. Even so, 12 blue marlin and 30 sailfish were released in that single day of fishing. Capt. Cordes Lucas and Buddy Rowe, owned by Todd Wigfield and Matt Byrd, won the tournament after releasing one blue marlin and seven sailfish. Sportin’ Life, owned by Graham Eubank and captained by Mike Glaesner, finished in second with one blue marlin and two sailfish releases. Outlier again finished in third place after releasing one blue marlin and two sailfish. Outlier still maintained a lead in the Series, but now with Buddy Rowe just a few hundred points behind.
The second ever HMY Lowcountry Cup took place over the Fourth of July weekend and the sailfish turned up in droves to celebrate the occasion. Hosted at Toler’s Cove Marina, the fourth leg of the Series boasted an outstanding bite. The fleet of 17 boats released 25 blue marlin, one white marlin and 90 sailfish. Throughout the contest, Buddy Rowe and Outlier battled back and forth, fish for fish, both teams racking up impressive catch totals. Buddy Rowe pulled ahead in the Series standings and won the tournament with four blue marlin and 12 sailfish releases. Outlier took second place with two blue marlin and 15 sailfish releases. Sportin’ Life earned third place after releasing three blue marlin and nine sailfish.
Going into the Edisto Invitational Billfish Tournament, the fifth and final leg of the Series, Buddy Rowe and Outlier were separated by a mere 200 points. Buddy Rowe steadily pulled ahead, eventually establishing a comfortable Series lead. They would go on to clinch their third tournament win in a row after stacking up four blue marlin releases and 14 sailfish releases. Capt. John Thomas and Sea Fix, owned by Harry and Fran Johnson, finished in second place in the tournament with three blue marlin and eight sailfish releases. Bench Mark, owned by Stephen Davis and captained by Jordan Parker, took third place with two blue marlin and 10 sailfish releases. A fleet of 36 boats fished the tournament hosted at the Marina at Edisto Beach, releasing a whopping 30 blue marlin and 114 sailfish.
Incredibly, Buddy Rowe won the final three tournaments in a row this season, winning 2024 Series and smashing the record for overall Series points. The previous record was set in 2018 by Mister Pete with 7,875 points. After releasing 11 blue marlin and 37 sailfish, Buddy Rowe’s astounding 14,075 points this year nearly doubled that total. And the second-place boat, Outlier, broke the record too after accumulating 10,275 points for six blue marlin and 33 sailfish. Bench Mark took third place in the Series with six blue marlin and 17 sailfish for 7,075 points.
Sweet Spot’s Holly McAlhany won the award for top lady angler in the Series with five blue marlin and five sailfish releases. Leila Gressette earned first place youth angler after releasing one blue marlin and five sailfish aboard Man Cave.
Wilson Springs landed the Series’ heaviest dolphin, a 70-pound bull, while fishing aboard Glazed. Mingo’s Jody Tamsberg won the award for heaviest tuna after weighing a 31.6-pound blackfin. Reid Davis caught the heaviest wahoo of the Series, a 51.1-pound fish, while fishing aboard Adamada.
