Lady Lou V’s second voyage yields second place in Big Rock

June 15, 2005

MOREHEAD CITY N.C. – For the second time in as many days, the word “second” became the operative word of the 47th annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament.

The Lady Lou V, captained by Paul Spencer, brought a 500-pound marlin to the Big Rock scales Wednesday, taking over second place in the blue marlin standings with a boat that was on its second voyage.

On Tuesday, the leader board changed twice, both times involving second-place. By the end of the day, the J&B, a boat captained by Allen Murray, was in second place with a 482-pound blue marlin.

This means the 47th Big Rock reached its midpoint with the tournament’s inaugural leader still atop the leader board. Gambler captain Steve Garrett of Hatteras arrived at the Big Rock scales early Monday with a blue marlin that weighed 515.5 pounds. It was the second time Garrett brought a blue marlin to the Big Rock weigh station. The first time – exactly five years to the day before – Gambler finished second in the overall standings.

Garrett, who did not enter all levels of the tournament, is in position to win $424,925 if Gambler can remain at the top of the standings. Lady Lou V is entered in all levels and is in position to win $502,830. The J&B, which was bumped to third, would receive $165,970 … but only if it can avoid another bump.

While the crew of the Lady Lou V was thrilled with its catch, they couldn’t help think about the one that got away. Lady Lou V had three blue marlin hook-ups Wednesday. Guess which one was the biggest.

“The second blue marlin we saw was bigger than this one,” said Lady Lou V angler Juan Valdez, Jr. “We’re happy with this one … but the other one was bigger.”

Spencer, who built the Lady Lou V for the angler’s father, couldn’t be happier with the results of the day.

“It was an exciting day,” he said. “You don’t get a chance to hook three nice blue marlin in a day very often. But this is a very professional crowd. They’ve won tournaments before in Puerto Rico. I know there’s a lot of time left to fish, but I’d rather be here (in second) than on the bottom.”

Valdez, who has battled big blue marlin before, brought his catch to gaff after a 25-minute fight.

“The fight wasn’t long because the fish got wrapped with the leader,” Valdez said. “It kept coming on and coming on … so I cranked it up.”

The Big Rock cranked up, too, celebrating the tournament’s midpoint Wednesday night with a party at the Crystal Coast Civic Center. Only 31 boats fished offshore Wednesday as 150 boats elected to remain in port. Anglers are expected to head offshore in droves Thursday now that word of bigger fish has hit the docks.

There were no changes to the gamefish divisions Wednesday as the Big Rock closed out its third day of fishing. The Great Escape, captained by Jim Mothershed, leads the dolphin division with a 56.35-pounder. Release, captained by Rom Whitaker, weighed in a 70.70-pound wahoo Tuesday to lead in that category. Frequent Flyer, captained by Glen Loftin, leads the tuna division with a 109.05-pounder.

The six-day competition continues Thursday at 9 a.m. Each boat is allowed to fish 4 out of the 6 days during the tournament.

Lady Lou V’s second voyage yields second place in Big Rock

June 15, 2005

MOREHEAD CITY N.C. – For the second time in as many days, the word “second” became the operative word of the 47th annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament.

The Lady Lou V, captained by Paul Spencer, brought a 500-pound marlin to the Big Rock scales Wednesday, taking over second place in the blue marlin standings with a boat that was on its second voyage.

On Tuesday, the leader board changed twice, both times involving second-place. By the end of the day, the J&B, a boat captained by Allen Murray, was in second place with a 482-pound blue marlin.

This means the 47th Big Rock reached its midpoint with the tournament’s inaugural leader still atop the leader board. Gambler captain Steve Garrett of Hatteras arrived at the Big Rock scales early Monday with a blue marlin that weighed 515.5 pounds. It was the second time Garrett brought a blue marlin to the Big Rock weigh station. The first time – exactly five years to the day before – Gambler finished second in the overall standings.

Garrett, who did not enter all levels of the tournament, is in position to win $424,925 if Gambler can remain at the top of the standings. Lady Lou V is entered in all levels and is in position to win $502,830. The J&B, which was bumped to third, would receive $165,970 … but only if it can avoid another bump.

While the crew of the Lady Lou V was thrilled with its catch, they couldn’t help think about the one that got away. Lady Lou V had three blue marlin hook-ups Wednesday. Guess which one was the biggest.

“The second blue marlin we saw was bigger than this one,” said Lady Lou V angler Juan Valdez, Jr. “We’re happy with this one … but the other one was bigger.”

Spencer, who built the Lady Lou V for the angler’s father, couldn’t be happier with the results of the day.

“It was an exciting day,” he said. “You don’t get a chance to hook three nice blue marlin in a day very often. But this is a very professional crowd. They’ve won tournaments before in Puerto Rico. I know there’s a lot of time left to fish, but I’d rather be here (in second) than on the bottom.”

Valdez, who has battled big blue marlin before, brought his catch to gaff after a 25-minute fight.

“The fight wasn’t long because the fish got wrapped with the leader,” Valdez said. “It kept coming on and coming on … so I cranked it up.”

The Big Rock cranked up, too, celebrating the tournament’s midpoint Wednesday night with a party at the Crystal Coast Civic Center. Only 31 boats fished offshore Wednesday as 150 boats elected to remain in port. Anglers are expected to head offshore in droves Thursday now that word of bigger fish has hit the docks.

There were no changes to the gamefish divisions Wednesday as the Big Rock closed out its third day of fishing. The Great Escape, captained by Jim Mothershed, leads the dolphin division with a 56.35-pounder. Release, captained by Rom Whitaker, weighed in a 70.70-pound wahoo Tuesday to lead in that category. Frequent Flyer, captained by Glen Loftin, leads the tuna division with a 109.05-pounder.

The six-day competition continues Thursday at 9 a.m. Each boat is allowed to fish 4 out of the 6 days during the tournament.