OISFT Winners and Photos

Friday, May 18, 2012 - 12:10 Jenny Scarborough

A great time was had by all at the 30th annual OISFT.

The Stop-N-Shop Hotliners pulled in eight fish for a total of 168 points, earning First Place in the Ocracoke Invitational Surf Fishing Tournament. Winning teams receive coolers, tackle boxes, rods, reels, sand spikes, other fishing accessories, a trophy and bragging rights. The Hotliners scored 162 points Thursday afternoon, making them the team to beat heading into the final two sessions on Friday.

The Nags Head Outcasters vacated the top womens spot to claim Second Place overall. Their nine fish scored 118 points, and Outcaster Ginger Wojciechowski caught the largest fish in the tournament, a 37 1/2" bluefish.

The Hatteraskals took Second Place for the women, catching two fish large enough to earn 60 points. Sam and Omie's Different Drummers went for quantity over quality, pulling in six fish, but scoring only 12 points, to place third in the women's division.

The Raleigh Saltwater Sportfishing Club was Third Place Overall, reeling in three fish for 109 points.

Professional angler Gary Oliver of Team Daiwa caught six fish, the most of any individual in the tournament. Dave Flanigan's 37 1/4" bluefish was the largest fish caught by a man.

Head judge Woody Billings wants to thank all the tournament sponsors, especially Howard's Pub and East Carolina Bank.

Billings also sends out "big thanks to Ranger Kenny Ballance" for his help over the years.

In addition to donating to various Ocracoke non-profit community organizations, this year the OISFT board gave $500 to the United Methodist Youth mission trip, said Billings.

All photos by OISFT photographer Trudy Austin. Click images to enlarge.