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2009 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide
Nothing to report near Topsail Beach. Weather has been so crappy that no one is fishing that I know. So in the absence of local fishing news, here are the results of the annual Dogfish Tournament at Johnny Mercers Fishing pier in Wrightsville Beach. Thanks to Al from the North Carolina Pier Fishing Yahoo Group for these results. Check out the discussion group to make a comment, and also check out the NC Fishing Pier Society website. Al does a lot to bring the decline of the ocean fishing piers to the public and it's representatives, and anyone else who will listen. Thanks for your hard work, Al.
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Dogfish Tournament Results
In a day when the weather was the main story across the state of North Carolina 66 entrants in the Johnny Mercer's Pier Dogfish tournament were making headlines over the Atlantic. Those that braved the elements caught a total of 66 dogfish totaling more than 415 pounds of fish. Every fish was released alive after being weighed.
Anglers came from as far as Ohio, Pennsylvania, Columbia, SC and west of Ashville in North Carolina to fish the event. At time during the event winds gusted to almost 40 MPH and the steady rain turned to ice and sleet by nightfall but the fishermen weathered the elements to make record catches.
The event was won by Jeffery McLaughlin who landed a 12 pound spiny and that established a new Mercer's Dogfish record. Second place was Justin Trujillo who caught a 10 pound 13 ounce fish. Trujillo ended up cathing 16 of the 66 fish caught. Third place went to defending champion Matt McKinney with a 9 pound 6 ounce fish.
In addition to winning the admiration of the rest of the anglers McLaughlin was award a season pier pass by pier owner Matt Johnson. Johnson donated several prizes to the event in addition to that other prizes were donated by Tex's Tackle, Guy Harvey Sportswear and Sumitomo Express Restaurant. The North Carolina Public Access Foundation donated the trophies as they have done for the last 3 years and the Silver Gull Motel offered discounted rooms for the event. The North Carolina Fishing Pier Society has hosted the event the past 2 years.
The Dogfish event was an idea started by regular Mercer fisherman Rick Britt and Arlen Ash as a way of getting Mercer's regulars together in the off season and to shake off cabin fever of the long winter. The idea caught on now dominates the winter fishing season in North Carolina.
Pictures of the event will be posted at www.ncfps.com
Till next time....
tight lines!
Johnny
hi there, from snowy scotland, I have family in wilmington and have visited nc coastal regions many times. I like to drop in on the web and see what's happening locally. Normally this is fun, but today I am quiet hurt that the 'surf city IGA' is offering specials to locals only. I understand that keeping his shop going locally may be a concern, but I travel thousands of miles to get to NC and to know that I may be charged more at surf city for the privelage of doing this, well, it just puts me off visiting your 'wee spot'. This may be your plan - keep it unspoilt - well it worked, I wont be visiting. Have a nice day y'all and stay safe.
ReplyDeleteHello, thanks for your comment. I am sorry that you are put off by the local IGA's Locals Only program. The small mom and pop Surf City IGA has a tough time competing with the larger grocery chains. This program is to entice locals to shop at IGA instead of driving to the Food Lion, or Harris Teeter. Although the purpose of these specials is to create local business, the promotion is not just for locals. Anyone can, and many do, ask about the "locals only" specials if they come in on Wednesday, the only day of the week the promotion is in effect. Any one can also request to be put on the email list, which informs it's subscribers of the current weeks "locals only" specials. The IGA has no website, so one has to contact the store either in person or by phone. (910)328-3961 So, although the promotion is called, "Locals Only" it is actually for everyone and anyone. PS. I do not own or operate the IGA, and I get no incentives from IGA for promoting their business. I promote all of the areas small business on my blog, and I alone am responsible for what is posted on our Fishin Topsail Blog. In retrospect, I probably should have explained entirely the promotion guidelines to avoid any confusion. We sincerely hope that you will visit our little island again, we will welcome you with open arms.
ReplyDeleteSincerely,
Johnny
http://www.fishintopsail.com