Note: See our "In the News" page for updated reports from recent tournaments.
Nov 12, 2013, Story from our Colonial Beach Rockfish Tournament
We had three Special Anglers and two boats fishing this past weekend in the Colonial Beach Chamber of Commerce Rockfish tournament, held Nov 9-10th, 2013. This was the second public fishing tournament in the country to offer a cash purse to individuals with intellectual disabilities by incorporating a Special Angler Division. By fishing a two day tournament, the anglers double their points for national rankings. We would have liked to give them additional credit for fishing the colder months, but that is not in our points formula to date. The tournament was fished in Maryland waters, placing the "Old Line State" squarely on the map for Special Anglers claiming its unique place in our history.
Marleigh II crew underway, Colin Moran on bow
The Marleigh II team, captained by Mark Moran and mated by his son Colin, out of Cobb Island, took on board Michael Hoyt and his dad Jim for both days. Michael is a brain cancer survivor since the age of 10. He and his dad drove down each day from Vienna, VA to hook up with their team at Colonial Beach.
The second Special Angler team competed on board the Latitudes (26’ Grady White – center console) and was captained by Rob Howard, father of Morgan Howard, who has Downs Syndrome. The Howards serve as ambassador family for the Colonial Beach tournament. Morgan’s pal Travis Smith and his dad were also on board. The services of international river guide and tiger fish expert Daniel Chisebwe, from Zambia (currently residing in PA), were retained to help the team with the nuances of river fishing. Travis’ father Sawyer served as 1st Mate. Paul VI Special Olympics coach Gary Underhill (from Spotsylvania) and his ten year old son Garret fished with the team on Sunday.
The second Special Angler team competed on board the Latitudes (26’ Grady White – center console) and was captained by Rob Howard, father of Morgan Howard, who has Downs Syndrome. The Howards serve as ambassador family for the Colonial Beach tournament. Morgan’s pal Travis Smith and his dad were also on board. The services of international river guide and tiger fish expert Daniel Chisebwe, from Zambia (currently residing in PA), were retained to help the team with the nuances of river fishing. Travis’ father Sawyer served as 1st Mate. Paul VI Special Olympics coach Gary Underhill (from Spotsylvania) and his ten year old son Garret fished with the team on Sunday.
Jim and Michael Hoyt with Travis.
Latitudes in background awaiting arrival of Captain Howard
Latitudes in background awaiting arrival of Captain Howard
Captain Moran ran a tight ship. His crews were ready for sailing each day by
6:00 AM. The team went for an immediate
kill on Saturday heading nearly 25 miles with the 30’ SeaRay Amberjack hoping
to strike a tournament winning lunker peering up river near the mouth of the
Bay. They scored a small rockfish
mid-day.
“The Bad News Bears” team on the Latitudes was a complete contrast in efficiency and gear. They were slow to get going. The Latitude’s rods and tackle was equipped from the infamous “Fish Don’t Care” named for a boat out of White Stone, VA, that operates on about nickel per year. When the Fish Don’t Care competes, it has the reputation of coming in wounded to weigh stations without electrical power … stalling and sputtering. One of the rigs aboard is known as “the rig that will never catch fish” so named by Travis’ uncle on first seeing the rig. The rig (visible in the pictures)composed of 6” Storm Shads on a small umbrella, costing only about $10 in parts, scored handsomely for the team for most their hook ups.
“The Bad News Bears” team on the Latitudes was a complete contrast in efficiency and gear. They were slow to get going. The Latitude’s rods and tackle was equipped from the infamous “Fish Don’t Care” named for a boat out of White Stone, VA, that operates on about nickel per year. When the Fish Don’t Care competes, it has the reputation of coming in wounded to weigh stations without electrical power … stalling and sputtering. One of the rigs aboard is known as “the rig that will never catch fish” so named by Travis’ uncle on first seeing the rig. The rig (visible in the pictures)composed of 6” Storm Shads on a small umbrella, costing only about $10 in parts, scored handsomely for the team for most their hook ups.
Proud father with Morgan and her 1st place fish
The Latitudes team was finally assembled at the docks by about 9:30 AM on Saturday and finally pulled out of the Dockside Marina by about 10:00 AM. Using some tips provided by unnamed individuals (Jamie and Ben) of the Colonial Beach community, the Latitudes team chose to stay close and headed straight for the Carter Lumps. A nice 6.5 lb rock was brought in within the hour by Morgan Howard on a 9” blue shad (see picture). As the tide rolled out, things slowed. By afternoon, the team was positioned on the Kettle Bottom Shoals, fishing in 30’ of water. The rods were hammered for nearly the next two hours beginning at 1:00 PM while the Latitudes circled the area. Most of the fish were caught mid-water column on the “rigs that won’t catch fish” storm umbrellas. One fish, possibly dragged for up to half an hour, was caught on a chartreuse Stretch 25, pulled way back. The team also had several big knock downs without a hook up. Travis would eventually pull in a 3.92 lb rock. By the end of the day, the team had eight in the box, with a 100% landing rate.
It appeared that all Special Anglers would bring in a money fish on Saturday, but the tight running Marleigh crew narrowly missed the 4:00 PM weigh in deadline, only to be heckled dockside by the “Bad News Bears” team. The Latitudes also failed to weigh in Morgan’s second fish, which would have placed her third overall as a Lady division winner. Her second fish was hard fought and she would not give up on it.
It appeared that all Special Anglers would bring in a money fish on Saturday, but the tight running Marleigh crew narrowly missed the 4:00 PM weigh in deadline, only to be heckled dockside by the “Bad News Bears” team. The Latitudes also failed to weigh in Morgan’s second fish, which would have placed her third overall as a Lady division winner. Her second fish was hard fought and she would not give up on it.
Saturday tracks of both boats.
Equipped with the situational awareness technology provided by Fish Dispatch, USA, the teams shared track data and their fish reports. During the day Saturday, Travis’ mother Diana kept tabs of the boats live from the warmth of her living room in Herndon, VA. Travis’ brother Sander, Special Angler Foundation co-founder, watched from his dispatch center dorm room at Liberty University, providing feedback on the whereabouts of the Marleigh II team while also following the circular track of the Bad News Bears.
The teams took a Saturday night breather (if you can call it that), to re-tool and strategize. The teams would again operate in contrasting tactics. While the Marleigh II team was once again up and ready for an early departure (which meant that Michael Hoyt and his dad Jim were on the road by 4:30 AM from Vienna), the Bad News Bears were just rolling out of bed in White Stone, VA. The Marleigh II would fish Kettle Bottom Shoals, while the Latitudes had chosen to go for the tournament kill up by Coles Point, a 15 mile run from the Dockside Marina. Morgan Howard’s uncle Scott Dickens, who was also fishing in the tournament, had scored Saturday on a 12.36 lb rockfish near Coles Point (eventually earning their boat a 2nd overall win in the tournament), and provided some helpful info to the team.
The teams took a Saturday night breather (if you can call it that), to re-tool and strategize. The teams would again operate in contrasting tactics. While the Marleigh II team was once again up and ready for an early departure (which meant that Michael Hoyt and his dad Jim were on the road by 4:30 AM from Vienna), the Bad News Bears were just rolling out of bed in White Stone, VA. The Marleigh II would fish Kettle Bottom Shoals, while the Latitudes had chosen to go for the tournament kill up by Coles Point, a 15 mile run from the Dockside Marina. Morgan Howard’s uncle Scott Dickens, who was also fishing in the tournament, had scored Saturday on a 12.36 lb rockfish near Coles Point (eventually earning their boat a 2nd overall win in the tournament), and provided some helpful info to the team.
Garret Underhill showing off catch
while dad Gary hauls in his own.
River guide Daniel Chisebwe in rear.
while dad Gary hauls in his own.
River guide Daniel Chisebwe in rear.
Although the temperatures were warmer on Sunday, the winds were up, with 15+ knot gusts. The winds prevented the Latitudes from executing the circular patterns that so helped them on Saturday. The funneling winds would later play another deceiving trick on the team, in addition to putting them further and further down river through the day.
The Latitudes hooked up nicely for Garret, scoring the youth angler an 8.2 lb pin striped fish on a blue 9” Storm Shad behind a #2 planer. The team, seeing huge bait balls, and wonderful marks near Coles Point, kept holding out for the big one. A big knock down was witnessed on one of the “rigs that won’t catch fish”. The post-mortem forensics of the rig showed that the missing trailing Storm Shad was the result of a failed knot, typical Bears signature.
Although the Bad News Bears had four in the cooler, they sensed things about ready to turn on by 2:30 PM. They were lulled into a false sense of tranquility with the winds having died down and nearly flat water. At 3:00 PM, the team attempted a “hail Mary” by driving the boat right to the 40’ to 20’ edge transition. This maneuver simply fouled up their lines. Once the lines were pulled out by 3:15 PM, the Latitudes would need to run full throttle in attempt to make the 4:00 PM weigh in deadline. About 5 miles past Coles Point, they were hammered with the stronger winds funneling northwest right down river. They would eventually miss the weigh in by 3 minutes. Captain Howard says “we were totally snookered by those winds”. This time, it was the Marleigh II that would have the last laugh, waiting dockside for the arrival of the Bad News Bears. Pride certainly came before the fall for the Bears.
The Latitudes hooked up nicely for Garret, scoring the youth angler an 8.2 lb pin striped fish on a blue 9” Storm Shad behind a #2 planer. The team, seeing huge bait balls, and wonderful marks near Coles Point, kept holding out for the big one. A big knock down was witnessed on one of the “rigs that won’t catch fish”. The post-mortem forensics of the rig showed that the missing trailing Storm Shad was the result of a failed knot, typical Bears signature.
Although the Bad News Bears had four in the cooler, they sensed things about ready to turn on by 2:30 PM. They were lulled into a false sense of tranquility with the winds having died down and nearly flat water. At 3:00 PM, the team attempted a “hail Mary” by driving the boat right to the 40’ to 20’ edge transition. This maneuver simply fouled up their lines. Once the lines were pulled out by 3:15 PM, the Latitudes would need to run full throttle in attempt to make the 4:00 PM weigh in deadline. About 5 miles past Coles Point, they were hammered with the stronger winds funneling northwest right down river. They would eventually miss the weigh in by 3 minutes. Captain Howard says “we were totally snookered by those winds”. This time, it was the Marleigh II that would have the last laugh, waiting dockside for the arrival of the Bad News Bears. Pride certainly came before the fall for the Bears.
Marleigh II crew with Michael
The Marleigh II team had also put four in the box (one fish being a catfish) on Sunday, landing Michael a 4.5 lb rock, to edge out Travis Smith’s Saturday catch from Saturday.
Editors Personal Note
Morgan at the official weigh in tent
The Special Angler Foundation cannot say enough about how terrific we think the Colonial Beach venue is for a tournament like this. Firstly, the fish are right there feeding this time of year. Our fish were full of healthy Menhaden, which is probably why our cheap Storm Shad umbrella rigs worked so well. The three day Veteran’s day weekend also makes this tournament more amenable.
You don’t need expensive equipment. You don’t have to make a long run to be competitive. There are big fish close in the environs of Colonial Beach that will win this tournament. The lodging accommodations this time of year are very economical. You will get a lot of value with your $150 entry fee, since most of that money goes directly to the prize money. They have a very inexpensive Calcutta at $20. Since so many boats enter, you still have a chance for a decent payout.
David Bryant, of the Sandy Point Marina, served as pit crew for the Latitudes, delivering it to Dockside Marina in stellar operating condition. His stellar service and professionalism may have been the only anomaly to the Bad News Bears reputation.
The accommodations of the marina and Dockside Restaurant are fabulous. If you do this tournament, treat yourself like Travis and I did to the Rockfish sandwich dinner.
The trophies for the Lady, Youth, and Special Angler divisions were way beyond expectations. The Latitudes team would have taken down four awards, the most of any boat in the competition, had it not been for a couple of novice mistakes. It made our weekend so bitter sweet to see the look in Garret’s eyes of what could have been as he watched the other youth anglers receive those mammoth trophies. To be beat yourself on the last play of the game is very painful, but our congratulations to Luke Mooney and Jace Jett. Your captains, probably your dads, deserve a pat on the back. We’d like to say that we had just intended to share the wealth, but that wouldn’t be the truth. We also have to live with the painful fact that Morgan would have won the third place Lady Angler award … a win for her without Special Angler accommodations .. a win on a fish she fought so hard to bring into the boat. That is the beauty of the Special Angler initiative. We want to compete with our special needs children for not just Special Angler Division awards, but the other public tournament awards too. We are competing with them and having the thrill of our lives. Playing by the same rules as everyone else and its consequences goes with the territory.
Our many thank you’s to the Chamber of Commerce, the Volunteer Fire Department, and those from the local community who gave us such good fishing tips. We loved the fact that we were able to compete so fiercely with Special Anglers part of our teams. We will be back with additional experience under our belt and wisdom gained.
Travis loved riding on that Grady White, though he seems to have an affinity for Boston Whaler, who sponsors his Spanish mackerel tournament in August. That 26’ Center Console is really a fine boat, but Grady and SeaRay should take a note here. You might want to step in for the Colonial Beach Tournament as a Special Angler Sponsor before Boston Whaler steals this show. Since the Ambassador family for this tournament rides a Grady, you ought to team up with the Howards so that they can book some decent charters for more Special Angler families next year. Rob is looking to grow our participation and will need some help.
You don’t need expensive equipment. You don’t have to make a long run to be competitive. There are big fish close in the environs of Colonial Beach that will win this tournament. The lodging accommodations this time of year are very economical. You will get a lot of value with your $150 entry fee, since most of that money goes directly to the prize money. They have a very inexpensive Calcutta at $20. Since so many boats enter, you still have a chance for a decent payout.
David Bryant, of the Sandy Point Marina, served as pit crew for the Latitudes, delivering it to Dockside Marina in stellar operating condition. His stellar service and professionalism may have been the only anomaly to the Bad News Bears reputation.
The accommodations of the marina and Dockside Restaurant are fabulous. If you do this tournament, treat yourself like Travis and I did to the Rockfish sandwich dinner.
The trophies for the Lady, Youth, and Special Angler divisions were way beyond expectations. The Latitudes team would have taken down four awards, the most of any boat in the competition, had it not been for a couple of novice mistakes. It made our weekend so bitter sweet to see the look in Garret’s eyes of what could have been as he watched the other youth anglers receive those mammoth trophies. To be beat yourself on the last play of the game is very painful, but our congratulations to Luke Mooney and Jace Jett. Your captains, probably your dads, deserve a pat on the back. We’d like to say that we had just intended to share the wealth, but that wouldn’t be the truth. We also have to live with the painful fact that Morgan would have won the third place Lady Angler award … a win for her without Special Angler accommodations .. a win on a fish she fought so hard to bring into the boat. That is the beauty of the Special Angler initiative. We want to compete with our special needs children for not just Special Angler Division awards, but the other public tournament awards too. We are competing with them and having the thrill of our lives. Playing by the same rules as everyone else and its consequences goes with the territory.
Our many thank you’s to the Chamber of Commerce, the Volunteer Fire Department, and those from the local community who gave us such good fishing tips. We loved the fact that we were able to compete so fiercely with Special Anglers part of our teams. We will be back with additional experience under our belt and wisdom gained.
Travis loved riding on that Grady White, though he seems to have an affinity for Boston Whaler, who sponsors his Spanish mackerel tournament in August. That 26’ Center Console is really a fine boat, but Grady and SeaRay should take a note here. You might want to step in for the Colonial Beach Tournament as a Special Angler Sponsor before Boston Whaler steals this show. Since the Ambassador family for this tournament rides a Grady, you ought to team up with the Howards so that they can book some decent charters for more Special Angler families next year. Rob is looking to grow our participation and will need some help.
Sunday Track of the Latitudes
