Size Matters takes Big Rock lead
June 17, 2005
MOREHEAD CITY N.C. – Size Matters, a Maryland-based boat captained by Josh Ruskey, grabbed the overall lead in the 47th annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament Friday when it showed up at the scales with a 529-pounder that was reeled in by lady angler Gigi Wagoner.
Wagoner, a 26-year-old realtor from Baltimore, Md., is the first lady angler in a dozen years to have a blue marlin atop the Big Rock leader board. She fought her fish about an hour before bringing it to gaff. The fish measured 110.5 inches – which was slightly longer than any other blue marlin caught this week.
Apparently size matters.
“I just caught my first blue marlin Monday,” Wagoner said, referring to a blue marlin release she chalked up during the first day of the 47th Big Rock. “(This blue marlin) went straight down. He smoked the 80 (reel). We got him up to the boat and he went straight down again.”
Wagoner’s second marlin fight was three times as long as the first. But Ruskey wasn’t worried about his angler. He was only worried about the equipment.
“She had to pull it up by herself and I was worried about the crimps (that hold the line and leader together,)” Ruskey said. “She’s a great angler. We won the Ocean City Tuna Tournament last year and she busted a 111-pound bluefin tuna that was on the bottom. She just cranks them up. She’s great.”
Ruskey, 24, has been charter boat fishing with his dad since he was 12. He worked his way up the ranks, earning his captain’s license just 18 months ago.
“I just called (my dad) to tell him I was leading the Big Rock,” Ruskey said, flashing his cell phone. “He just yelled ‘Get out of here!’ “
Size Matters is entered in all levels, which puts the boat in position to win $677,800 … if it can hold onto the lead one more day. Gambler, the Hatteras-based charter boat that led the tournament since Monday, had its 515.5-pound blue marlin bumped to second place. Gambler is still in position to receive $249,955.
The Puerto Rico-based Lady Lou V, which brought a 500-pound blue marlin to the scales Wednesday, is now in third. Lady Lou V would receive $165,970 if there were no change to the standings Saturday.
That’s not likely.
Many long-time Big Rock observers expect a shootout. Billfish action improved dramatically Friday, ending with 28 hook-ups and 19 releases. That was more action than the previous two days combined.
There’s also the “history” factor. The Raleigh-based Waste Knot won the 40th Big Rock with a Saturday catch. Nine years before that, Diamond Girl won with a Saturday catch. This cycle seems to repeat itself every 7-to-9 years.
“You don’t need to tell me that,” Ruskey said with a shake of his head. “They expect me to take a polygraph test tonight. My nerves are shot.”
One thing is Ruskey’s favor is a limited field. Only 126 boats in the field of 181 are eligible to fish the final day. But a limited field might just make it easier to stir up a big fish.
Tuna and Wahoo division leaders remained unchanged for the third straight day. Release, captained by Rom Whitaker, weighed in a 70.70-pound wahoo Tuesday to lead that category. Frequent Flyer, captained by Glen Loftin, leads the tuna division with a 109.05-pounder landed Monday.
There was a big shakeup in the dolphin division, as a new overall leader and runner-up were weighed in. Southern Exposure, captained by Rob Gollahon, brought a 60.15-pound dolphin to the scales. Razorback Express, captained by Scott Wiggins weighed a 59.8-pounder.
Big Easy, a Hatteras-based boat captained by Clifton Parker, leads the release division with 1050 points. Big Easy completed a tournament “grand slam” with the release of a blue marlin, white marlin and sailfish and would receive more than $66,000 for the win.
Second Chance, a Weddington, N.C.-based boat captained by Dale Prox, is second in the release standings with 800 points. The runner-up spot in the release division pays $39,140.
The six-day competition concludes Saturday. Fishing hours for the final day are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Competitors who are hooked-up before the 2 p.m. deadline will be allowed to fight their fish however long it takes to reach an outcome. Winners receive their prizes Saturday night at an awards banquet set in the Crystal Coast Civic Center.
Size Matters takes Big Rock lead
June 17, 2005
MOREHEAD CITY N.C. – Size Matters, a Maryland-based boat captained by Josh Ruskey, grabbed the overall lead in the 47th annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament Friday when it showed up at the scales with a 529-pounder that was reeled in by lady angler Gigi Wagoner.
Wagoner, a 26-year-old realtor from Baltimore, Md., is the first lady angler in a dozen years to have a blue marlin atop the Big Rock leader board. She fought her fish about an hour before bringing it to gaff. The fish measured 110.5 inches – which was slightly longer than any other blue marlin caught this week.
Apparently size matters.
“I just caught my first blue marlin Monday,” Wagoner said, referring to a blue marlin release she chalked up during the first day of the 47th Big Rock. “(This blue marlin) went straight down. He smoked the 80 (reel). We got him up to the boat and he went straight down again.”
Wagoner’s second marlin fight was three times as long as the first. But Ruskey wasn’t worried about his angler. He was only worried about the equipment.
“She had to pull it up by herself and I was worried about the crimps (that hold the line and leader together,)” Ruskey said. “She’s a great angler. We won the Ocean City Tuna Tournament last year and she busted a 111-pound bluefin tuna that was on the bottom. She just cranks them up. She’s great.”
Ruskey, 24, has been charter boat fishing with his dad since he was 12. He worked his way up the ranks, earning his captain’s license just 18 months ago.
“I just called (my dad) to tell him I was leading the Big Rock,” Ruskey said, flashing his cell phone. “He just yelled ‘Get out of here!’ “
Size Matters is entered in all levels, which puts the boat in position to win $677,800 … if it can hold onto the lead one more day. Gambler, the Hatteras-based charter boat that led the tournament since Monday, had its 515.5-pound blue marlin bumped to second place. Gambler is still in position to receive $249,955.
The Puerto Rico-based Lady Lou V, which brought a 500-pound blue marlin to the scales Wednesday, is now in third. Lady Lou V would receive $165,970 if there were no change to the standings Saturday.
That’s not likely.
Many long-time Big Rock observers expect a shootout. Billfish action improved dramatically Friday, ending with 28 hook-ups and 19 releases. That was more action than the previous two days combined.
There’s also the “history” factor. The Raleigh-based Waste Knot won the 40th Big Rock with a Saturday catch. Nine years before that, Diamond Girl won with a Saturday catch. This cycle seems to repeat itself every 7-to-9 years.
“You don’t need to tell me that,” Ruskey said with a shake of his head. “They expect me to take a polygraph test tonight. My nerves are shot.”
One thing is Ruskey’s favor is a limited field. Only 126 boats in the field of 181 are eligible to fish the final day. But a limited field might just make it easier to stir up a big fish.
Tuna and Wahoo division leaders remained unchanged for the third straight day. Release, captained by Rom Whitaker, weighed in a 70.70-pound wahoo Tuesday to lead that category. Frequent Flyer, captained by Glen Loftin, leads the tuna division with a 109.05-pounder landed Monday.
There was a big shakeup in the dolphin division, as a new overall leader and runner-up were weighed in. Southern Exposure, captained by Rob Gollahon, brought a 60.15-pound dolphin to the scales. Razorback Express, captained by Scott Wiggins weighed a 59.8-pounder.
Big Easy, a Hatteras-based boat captained by Clifton Parker, leads the release division with 1050 points. Big Easy completed a tournament “grand slam” with the release of a blue marlin, white marlin and sailfish and would receive more than $66,000 for the win.
Second Chance, a Weddington, N.C.-based boat captained by Dale Prox, is second in the release standings with 800 points. The runner-up spot in the release division pays $39,140.
The six-day competition concludes Saturday. Fishing hours for the final day are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Competitors who are hooked-up before the 2 p.m. deadline will be allowed to fight their fish however long it takes to reach an outcome. Winners receive their prizes Saturday night at an awards banquet set in the Crystal Coast Civic Center.