Fishing tourney supports youth and area

By Sam Harvey
Staff Reporter

	Coastal Point • SAM HARVEY Anglers try out their luck during the Rocktober Fishing Tournament.

In spite of the rain and wind — even a morning lightning storm — more than 150 boats registered for last weekend’s second annual Rocktober Fishing Tournament & Festival, Oct. 21-23.

Delaware Seashore State Park hosted the event, at the Indian River Marina, and Manager Gary King said he was pleased at the opportunity to partner up for charity.

“I can’t say enough about David Horsey and Preston Schell,” King stated. “They’re both successful businessmen, and that success has carried over to this tournament.”

Schell Brothers builders returned as one of the title sponsors again this year, alongside the Big Fish Grill (both based in the Rehoboth area). The tournament raised funds for Horsey Family Youth Foundation (www.horseyfamilyyouthfoundation.org) and the Sussex County Land Trust (www.sclandtrust.org).

On Oct. 25, Casey Lynn (Maverick Marketing) offered an early account of proceeds raised for the two charities in this year’s Rocktober tournament — in excess of $50,000.

For the anglers, top money went to the biggest rockfish (or striper, depending on who you’re talking to).

While warm weather has delayed all fall fishing seasons somewhat, King said there were stripers to be had. Several tournament anglers proved him right.

Blue Prints, out of Lewes, fishing bunker in the Delaware Bay, brought home the gold and the bronze. John Hazzard landed a 37-pound striper and, between the purse and Calcutta winnings, nearly $11,000. Kyle Hamilton took third, and nearly $3,000, for a 22.9-pound fish.

Phoebe Anna captain Ronnie Baker found all three top fish last year, and the boat almost claimed the top prize again this year, until Hazzard weighed in on Sunday.

“I was first — for a day,” said local angler Bryant Danner of Dagsboro, with a grin.

Baker, Danner and angler Mike Newsham — last year’s trifecta winner — fought the 28-foot Mako center-console through heavy seas to bring in the only fish worth weighing on Saturday: a 27.4-pound striper.

Danner earned $5,000 for the catch.

In the secondary categories, anglers on the 36-foot Four Play tagged all three top tuna. Captain Steve Wright led them out to Poor Man’s Canyon on Friday, through 8- to 10-foot seas, trolling ballyhoo.

Mike Florax caught a 32.3-pounder. Bill Vernon landed a 28.9-pound fish and Tracy Norris brought in a 27-pound tuna. Altogether, they earned roughly $7,500.

The Jamie Breck found the biggest flounder on the last day of the tournament: Ron Werner reeled in a 5.6-pound fish and more than $3,000 in prize money. Mike Fleming’s 5-pound flounder, also landed Sunday, earned second, and Roy Krause’s 2.7-pound fish held up for third.

According to King, there wasn’t a better place to hold the Rocktober tournament. He characterized the Indian River Marina a “blue collar” marina, and the anglers who went after rockfish as primarily local people.

“But we’re starting to bring in some people from outside the area, too,” King added. “We’re excited to be able to host this tournament, and hopefully, they’ll come back next year.”

For more information, visit the Web site at www.rocktoberfishing.org.