By Capt. Dave Lear
June 8, 2019; Biloxi, Mississippi:
Even the best planned tournaments can be derailed by unexpected weather. That’s the case for the Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic this weekend. Originally 115 boats pre-registered to fish this popular stop on the Gulf circuit. But the lingering low pressure system and severe weather caused most to change their minds.
By the time the remaining fleet was given the green light to go at 6 am Friday morning, about two dozen ventured out. Others are still sitting in slips at the Point Cadet Marina, waiting and watching the weather, which is gradually improving. But not fast enough for most already out there.
One boat, a 72-footer, called in a report of 8-foot seas with whitecaps on top. The team was slowly slogging towards a popular rig at only 18 knots. The weigh scales were open Friday evening, yet no one bothered to come back in. There were a couple of early billfish releases, though.
“It’s bumpy as hell off to the southwest,” says Tom Hilton of Hilton’s Realtime Navigator, an offshore forecasting service. “Hopefully the boats will be able to find some close-in spots they can fish. It’s surprising how close the rip is to the mouth of the river [Mississippi] with all the fresh water flooding downstream. Most of that flood water is heading east towards Alabama, so some of the historic spots like the Spur and Squiggles are going to be affected. Due south from Biloxi there was some clean water, though.”
Live bait fishing for marlin has become the most popular method in recent years, but slow trolling a live bait in huge seas is not an easy proposition. Neither is finding bait when the water is so rough. That scenario is forcing some teams to change their approach.
“Our goal is to catch a big fish,” says Lee Weidner of Angelton, Texas. Weidner is a mate aboard Bimini Babe, a 74 Viking. He’s fished the Classic for many years.
“We’re going to poke our nose out and see what’s best,” he said. “We have to at least go and try. Normally we like to live bait, so we’ll have to take what Mother Nature gives us. If we can make bait, we’ll give it a try. If we do drag one in, we’re coming back to the dock with it as soon as we can.”
The weigh scales, located behind the host Golden Nugget Biloxi at the Point Cadet Marina, will be open on Saturday until 9 pm. Viewing is free and open to the public. Food and beverage sales and sponsor booths are set up as well. Boats have to be back by 5 pm on Sunday afternoon in order to weigh eligible fish.
In addition to blue marlin (which must be 110 inches or longer), teams are competing for billfish catch and release points. Tuna, wahoo and dolphin are also eligible for cash prizes.
There’s no denying conditions are challenging offshore. But the teams competing are among the toughest and best in the world. Before the scales close Sunday night, some quality fish will hit the deck. Bet on it!
