Tight Lines in the Crosshairs

25/08/2024

No tribute could have been more appropriate ...

Saturday was a tough day and not just for me.
An awful lot of people felt the same way.
The 62nd annual East Coast Surfing Championships were briefly put on hold at noon so that a few folks could say things about one of their own.
Paul West basically was Mr. ECSC and served for more than three decades as the event’s surfing director.
He was much more, of course - having served at the top of several other surfing organizations around the country and world.
West passed away last October, leaving behind a wife and two kids. To see pictures of the four of them together always made me smile - he’d never seemed happier.
If there was one thing you could pin on West was his love for and desire to help kids.
I’ve lost count of the times I witnessed him stop whatever he was doing to pay attention to a youngster. I knew there were a hundred times more that I missed.
Hundreds, no, maybe thousands, of children have had their picture taken with the barrel-chested West - the guy with arguably the biggest, most welcoming smile you’ve ever seen.
As a newbie journalist, it was West who took the time to teach me the ropes of the sport - how it’s judged and what surfers look for during a heat - and show me where the pizza and sodas were.
Questions about professional winners from other countries? Forget asking someone else. West seemingly knew everything I needed to share with readers.
On Saturday, several of his longtime friends gave short speeches on the beach before a crew about 100 strong jumped on their boards and paddled out with flowers, formed a circle and honored a man they thought the world of.
I was lucky enough to watch from a boat on the outside of the circle, getting a few pictures I never would have gotten any other way.
Like many, I was lucky enough to be a close friend of West, forming a slow bond over the years.
I was also extremely lucky to be inducted into the ECSC Legend’s Hall of Fame with him during the 50th anniversary of the event.
We all knew he was watching us Saturday.
Like many, I could feel his presence. A hometown boy and First Colonial graduate, the ECSC was HIS week.
And like many, I swore to not let my emotions show on the boat or back at the dock.
The ride back to Carolina was different, though, as tear after tear rode with me.
Saturday was just one of those days.
And like West, it won’t be forgotten.

25/08/2024

It's a wrap in the 21st annual Virginia Beach Billfish Tournament ...
Saturday wrapped up the 21st annual Virginia Beach Billfish Tournament held out of Southside Marina at the mouth of Rudee Inlet.
The event featured a 70-team fleet and a $837,000 total purse.
Sea Toy, with Capt. Bull Tolson, captured the top spot and $452,400 with 750 points on seven fish - two blue marlin, one sailfish and three white marlin. The crew also won the Top Crew award.
In second was End Game with 680 points on two blues and four whites. The boat, captained by Barry Daniels, banked $126,000.
In third was Bi-Op-Sea with two blues and three whites. Captained by Jesse Granitski, the team won $80,500.
Anglers caught and released a total of 139 billfish - 33 blues, 101 whites, four sailfish and one spearfish.
During Saturday’s final round, 42 billfish - 15 blues, 25 whites, one sail and one spear - were captured and released.
Angler Robert McClam on the Mister Pete won the dolphin division with a 34.4-pounder. Captained by Alan Neiford, the team won $17,500.
Jeff Brown on the Ben Honeybutt-captained Spiros, had the top tuna with a 62.6-pounder worth $17,500.
Stacy Allen on the Wall Hanger was named the Kitty Falk Memorial Top Lady Angler for her three fish caught with Capt. Brian Allen. She was also named the top overall angler and her team won the Top Release Award.
Team Sea Toy had the top crew and won the F. Wayne McLeskey Memorial top boat award.
Joel Webb on the Re-Leased, captained by Thomas Bennett, was named the top mate.

24/08/2024

Memorial paddle out for Paul West will be the highlight of this year's East Coast Surfing Championships ...
The 62nd annual East Coast Surfing Championships are nearing the close of this year’s events, but not until organizers get one extremely important thing taken care of.
In just a few hours at noon, on the sand and in the water at Virginia Beach’s First Street Jetty, a paddle out to celebrate the life of longtime surfing director Paul West will be held.
A group of surfers, well-wishers and curious will meet on the beach to hear comments from several of West’s friends.
Then they will hit the water with flowers and take part in a decade’s old Hawaiian tradition of paying tribute to one of their own.
West was the ECSC’s surfing director for decades and was pretty much known all over the surfing world. To many, West WAS the ECSC.
I’m going to be out on a boat, on the outside of the paddle out circle, to watch the event from a different angle and get some photographs - and to probably cry a little bit for one of the best people I’ve ever known.
He always treated me like a brother while showing me the ins and outs of the sport and how it is judged
Surfing continues afterwards, with lots of finals on Sunday.
The ECSC also features professional volleyball and lots of other spectator sports, along with live music and vendors.
But while the event has always been thought of as the end of the summer beach party, to many of us it will be a great way to show West that he’s still with us.

22/08/2024

Somebody had better warn the billfish, 'cause the fleet in the 21st annual Virginia Beach Billfish Tournament is on the water

https://leetolliveroutdoors.com/call-and-warn-the-marlin-the-virginia-beach-billfish-tournament-is-on-the-water/(opens in a new tab)

20/08/2024

It's August and that means East Coast Surfing Championships ...
https://leetolliveroutdoors.com/its-ecsc-time-and-that-means-surfing/

19/08/2024

It was the lady's turn to go after the big fish:
https://leetolliveroutdoors.com/wine-women-and-fishing/

18/08/2024

The Chesapeake Bay Wine Foundation's Wine, Women and Fishing fundraising tournament is currently on the water for its 22nd annual endeavor.
Over the years, teams and sponsors for the ladies only event have raised more than $1 million for breast cancer research.
The tournament also features a costume contest at the end of the tournament, with many teams wearing theme-based outfits as they enter Rudee Inlet and approach host site Southside Marina.
Results from the tournament will come tonight, prior to the start of the Virginia Beach Billfish Tournament.

17/08/2024

Capt. Arch Bracher on the Pelican has won the 41 annual Pirate's Cove Billfish Tournament ...
its-a-wrap-and-capt-arch-bracher-and-his-team-captured-the-hometown-title-in-the-41st-annual-pirates-cove-billfish-tournament

16/08/2024

Anglers in the 41st annual Pirate's Cove Billfish Tournament are completing the event today. Results and cash prize amount will come when the day is over:
https://leetolliveroutdoors.com/pirates-cove-billfish-tournament-has-a-new-leaders-heading-into-todays-final-round/

16/08/2024

The last day of angling in the 41st annual Pirate's Cove Billfish Tournament is out to sea. Final results are yet to come:
pirates-cove-billfish-tournament-has-a-new-leader-heading-into-todays-final-round

15/08/2024

Anglers in the Pirate's Cove Billfish Tournament are trying the beat the competitors and waves from Hurricane Ernesto
https://leetolliveroutdoors.com/pirates-cove-tournament-anglers-try-to-beat-the-competition-and-the-wave-push-from-hurricane-ernesto/

14/08/2024

Yeah, there are a lot of fishing tournaments this time of year. But closer to home is better. Just ask the anglers in the 41st annual Pirate's Cove Billfish Tournament currently taking place out of Manteo ...
pirates-cove-anglers-are-looking-for-tournament-billfish-in-annual-event

11/08/2024

51st White Marlin Open is a wrap as teams now focus on the Pirate's Cove and Virginia Beach billfish tournaments:
https://leetolliveroutdoors.com/white-marlin-open-is-a-wrap/

10/08/2024

The 51 annual White Marlin Open out of Ocean City, Md., is on its last day of fishing in this year's event ...
Teams fishing in the 51st annual White Marlin Open closes up shop in this week’s competition that is worth an overall purse of $8.5 million.
Today is the final of an increased schedule of six days instead of five - extended because of Tropical Depression Debby.
This year’s Open features 318 teams from up and down the East Coast competing in what is billed as the largest and richest billfish tournament in the world.
According to officials, 62 teams were onboard to fish today.
Despite adverse conditions that are mostly a result of Debby and a lingering cold front, hundreds of white marlin have been caught. Dozens of blue marlin and plenty of bigeye - even a bluefin - tuna also have been boated.
Only 17 boats hit the water Friday.
Fish in each division must meet a required length before they can make the scales and then they must reach a weight minimum to get on the leaderboards.
Some fish come to the scales inches and ounces shy.
Teams must pay entry fees into each of the divisions to qualify for money in that category. To increase the winnings, teams must also pay into a variety of levels for things like daily catch, release scores and so on.
In fact, the release division - where teams earn points for caught then released fish - is arguably the hottest in the event. Sequel out of Beaufort, N.C., currently leads the division, but there just isn’t the kind of money paid out in the white marlin showdown.
Before they even pay for condos or hotels rooms, teams have to pay the event’s $1,650 basic entry just to show up at the door. Then there are boat slip payments, fuel, bait, food and drinks - things to do when not fishing.
Teams can knock on a $200,000 door for the entire week before they even know what hit them.
Heading into today’s final angling day of fishing, the leaders are:
In the tournament’s namesake division for white marlin, Ven Poole of Raleigh N.C., continues to lead with a 77.5-pounder caught on the Waste Knot - a Raleigh-registered boat that fishes out of Oregon Inlet.
Poole’s fish, caught three days ago, is worth $3,699,235.
His team has already fished its three days, which means the team will be sitting dockside waiting on today’s results.
Caught by Noah Vickers of the event’s hometown, a 76-pounder white caught on the Billfisher currently is worth $1,793,624.
In the blue marlin division, Lance Blakemore of Horseheads,N.J., leads with a 897.5-pounder caught on the Stone Cutter. The fish is one of the top five blues ever weighed in at the event - based on weight and is currently worth $519,979.
Phil Key of Miller’s Island, Md., is in second with a 894-pounder caught on the Moore Bills that is currently worth $411,427.
Rob Jones of Cincinnati, Ohio, leads the tuna division with a 220.5-pound bigeye caught on the Blue Runner. His fish is worth $1,019,767.
A pair of bigeye tuna are tied for second at 193.5 pounds.
Fishing on former NBA superstar Michael Jordan’s Catch 23, Patrick Field of Stuart, Fla., leads with a 32.5-pounder worth $124,270.
No wahoo, shark or swordfish have been registered.
We’re keeping an eye on the Open while getting ready for the upcoming Pirate’s Cove and Virginia Beach billfish showdowns in the coming weeks.

26/07/2024

Everyone, wait until Saturday or Sunday to deal with me on FB ... I was hacked

22/05/2024

Nearing the end of the Worrell 1000 catamaran race from Florida to Virginia Beach, Team Rudee’s idea to hit the Intracoastal Waterway is paying off. Followed by Team Australia 2, the pair is way out in front of the competition as they have made their way into the Atlantic for a scheduled finish on Ocracoke.

22/05/2024

Just a little interesting fact on the Worrell 1000 catamaran race from Florida to Virginia Beach...
https://leetolliveroutdoors.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=2074&action=edit

30/03/2024

While we wait for Jesus to rise again, it’s a day to thank police, troopers, sheriffs, health care providers and all those who dedicate theirs lives to protecting us. Happy Easter - remember what it means.

23/02/2024

The guest list lent proof that the event was going to be filled with what was arguably one of the most unique crowds in a long time.
Family, friends, surfers, musical band members, snowboarders, anglers and more surfers - many carrying their own Frierson Design boards that turned the Princess Anne Country Club reception hall into a makeshift museum.
The gathering was exactly what it was supposed to be - a celebration of the life of Bill Frierson, one of the best-known and most-famous surfboard makers to ever shave a piece of foam.
Pictures were shown on a large screen and several of Frierson’s best friends told stories.
Tears flowed and laughter filled the room.
Frierson’s longtime wife, an incredible lady named Grace, welcomed a vast majority of the group with her warm smile and classy demeanor.
Frierson’s died a few weeks ago after a long battle with cancer. He was 76.
Surfers, artists and musicians have mourned his departure to the swells in the sky.
He was that kind of guy.
Frierson stories are more plentiful than the number of family and friends who could and couldn’t make it last Friday.
Surfboards of all sizes and length filled the entrance and hall - almost all of them personally signed by the former co-owner of Wave Riding Vehicles.
Frierson had surfed all over the world, developing an envious, effortless and smooth style that marveled anyone watching.
Humble, with model-good looks, Frierson also painted and built. He learned to play several music instruments on his own and was starting to make charcuterie boards and cutting tables that were every good as anything else he chose to get into.
A hall of fame member of several surfing and board shaper organizations, he was well known anywhere a contest or great swell was taking place.
Back when I was a newbie to the journalism world and was asked to cover the East Coast Surfing Championships, Frierson was one of the first to recognize that I was somewhat out of place.
An attempt to learn how to ride had failed to turn me onto the ins and outs of the surfing world. But Frierson was one of the ones who took the time to let me know that he would be happy to clue me in on the aspects of the sport - things I would later need to be accepted into the world I was covering.
He and I talked often about our health woes and sometimes prayed together.
The ride home to North Carolina last Friday was filled with plenty of my own stories of him, including the three hours I spent interviewing him in his shop for an ECSC 50th anniversary feature.
I was extremely privileged to be invited into the shaping room to watch him do his thing. He was an obvious perfectionist who enjoyed the company of others.
But in his element he was one of the most focused people I’ve ever met - and I’ve met more of my share.
It was an honor to know him and call him a friend, and is was much of the same to say goodbye.
Enjoy the swell, Bill, I have a really good feeling that it’s marvelous.

13/02/2024

The Great Bridge Fisherman's Association's spring fishing flea market continues to grow ... see what's up next

Explore the annual Fishing Flea Market, a must-visit event for anglers. Discover new and used fishing gear, custom lures, and more at the Virginia Beach Field House. Join us for a day of deals, fellowship, and the love of fishing. Open to all ages, with a special free entry for kids under 12. Don’...

29/10/2023

'Twas a fabulous morning

https://leetolliveroutdoors.com/glory-to-god-it-was-a-great-morning/

13/10/2023

Paul West was a fixture and a legend at the ECSC. He also was well known around the world as a lover of the sport.

Paul West was a lengend at the East Coast Surfing Championship. He was also much loved in the sport's community.

12/08/2023

What a finish in the 50th annual White Marlin Open ...
https://leetolliveroutdoors.com/white-marlin-open-finishes-its-50th-season-in-record-setting-fashion/

11/08/2023

White Marlin Open's final day could actually see billfish weighed in...
https://leetolliveroutdoors.com/50th-white-marlin-open-finally-might-see-a-billfish-weighed-in-on-final-day-of-angling/

11/08/2023

50th annual White Marlin Open enters its final day with no weighed-in billfish

They might want to change the name. The White Marlin Open out of Ocean City, Md., has never gone without a weighed-in billfish in its 50 years. But heading into today’s final day of fishing, that’s exactly where the event stands. No white marlin, no blue marlin, no swordfish. That leaves Street,...

10/08/2023

Hurricane seasonal predictions changes

Thanks for nothing, El Nino. The measured surface temperature in the Eastern Pacific was supposed to help deliver a below average 2023 Atlantic Hurricane season. But the beast has been slower than predicted to take form. That’s why we’ve already had five named storms, forcing the National Hurric...

09/08/2023

https://leetolliveroutdoors.com/white-marlin-open/

18/06/2023

Happy Happy Happy, fishin daddy

14/05/2023

Oliver and I would love to wish the best of the best a very very Happy Mothers Day. Without her, the world is what it is

13/05/2023

Ellen Tolliver

Cóctel de Camarones (Shrimp Cocktail Recipe)
"My family is always requesting these, but they usually only gets them on holidays. Last night I caved and halved the recipe just for our dinner. It may have been a mistake because now they going to want them all the time haha!"
Must express something to keep getting my recipes.... Thank you.
Recipe in (c.o.m.m.e.n.t ).👇