Mother Nature can be formidable at times, but even she couldn’t put a damper on the 2013 Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic. A total of 52 boats competed in spite of the lingering effects from Tropical Storm Andrea, with fishing extended into Sunday. In typical Classic fashion, an impressive number of marlin and gamefish were brought to the scales. And equally impressive was the $1.1 million in total prize money, making 2013 the ninth year in a row the tournament has awarded this benchmark money level or higher. The 2013 MGCBC platinum sponsors included the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino Biloxi, BP and Gosling’s Black Seal Bermuda Black Rum.“So how did y’all like fishing on Sunday?” Tournament Director Bobby Carter asked before passing out checks later that evening at the awards ceremony. The cheers and laughter re-confirmed the spirit and tenacity of the Gulf’s elite big-game teams.
“We had our challenges this year, but once again it was a very successful event,” Carter said afterwards. “Some really quality fish came to the scales, we gave away a lot of money and everyone had a great time. That’s what it’s all about here on the beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast, and we look forward to seeing everybody again in 2014.”
Place|Boat|Angler|Captain|HomePort|Weight/Points|Payout
1st Place|BREATHE REEL DEEP – 50ft. Ocean Yacht||Shawn Clemons|Orange Beach, AL|1950|$1,200
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Place|Boat|Angler|Captain|HomePort|Weight/Points|Payout
1st Place|BREATHE REEL DEEP – 50ft. Ocean Yacht|Multiple|Shawn Clemons|Orange Beach, AL|1950|$2,500
[/table]
Place|Boat|Angler|Captain|HomePort|Weight/Points|Payout
1st Place|PIPE DREAM – 60’ft. Spencer|Corbin Bass|Justin Drummond|Port Mansfield|439|$50,000
2nd Place|MOLLIE – 66ft. G & S|Donnie Shear|Jeff Shoults|Destin, FL|402.2|$20,000
3rd Place|BOONEDOCKS – 49’ft. Middleton|Lawrence Rowland|Ahmed “Pip” Al-Sazra|Orange Beach, AL|392.2|$10,000
Place|Boat|Angler|Captain|HomePort|Weight/Points|Payout
1st Place|INLET MAGIC – 64ft. Holton|Nancy Paul|Jeremy Miles|North Palm Beach, FL|163|$10,000
2nd Place|REEL ADDICTION – 56ft. Viking|Laurie Mcvay|Scooter Porto|Pensacola Beach, FL|159|$7,500
3rd Place|YOU NEVER KNOW – 72ft. F&S|Baron Davis|JOSEPH BIRBECK|Road Harbour, BVI|140.5|$5,000
Place|Boat|Angler|Captain|HomePort|Weight/Points|Payout
1st Place|TESTING THE WATER – 65ft. Viking|Scott Green|Matt Dunn|Orange Beach, AL|86.2|$10,000
2nd Place|INTENSE – 35’ft. Contender|Neal Foster|Neal Foster|Mobile, AL|84|$7,500
3rd Place|INTENSE – 35’ft. Contender|Neal Foster|Neal Foster|Mobile, AL|75.7|$5,000
Place|Boat|Angler|Captain|HomePort|Weight/Points|Payout
1st Place|FOUR REEL – 65ft. Hatteras|Taylor Harvey|Michael Gordy|Venice|53.2|$10,000
2nd Place|PATIENCE – 52ft. Hatteras||Brain Leiser|Orange Beach|45.7|$7,500
3rd Place|REEL ADDICTION – 56ft. Viking|Laurie Mcvay|Scooter Porto|Pensacola Beach, FL|43.9|$5,000