By encouraging live release, the SC Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series has focused attention on the population status of Atlantic billfish and encouraged conservation and proper management of all marine resources.

Tournament dates and contacts for the 2011 S.C. Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series:

1. May 11-14, Bohicket Marina Invitational Billfish Tournament
   Contact: Bryan Richardson, 1880 Andell Bluff Blvd, Johns Island, SC, 29455
   (843) 768-1280, fax (843) 768-3481, Dockmaster@bohicket.com
2. May 25-28, 44th Annual Georgetown Blue Marlin Tournament
   Contact: John Horton, P.O. Box 1704, Georgetown, SC 2944
   (843) 546-1776, fax (843) 546-7832, jhorton@georgetownlandingmarina.com
3. June 22-25, Carolina Billfish Classic
   Contact: Deidre Menefee, 1625 Savannah Hwy., Charleston, SC 29407
   (843) 345-0369, fax (888) 758-3950, dm@fishCBC.com
4. July 6-9, HMY/Viking MEGADOCK Billfishing Tournament
   Contact: McKenzie Hutaff, P.O. Box 759, Charleston, SC, 29402
   (843) 278-4920, fax (843) 577-7704, mestes@megadock.com
5. July 27-30, Edisto Marina Billfish Tournament
   Contact: Becca Smith, 3702 Docksite Road Edisto Beach, SC, 29438
   (407) 463-2082, fax (843) 869-3738, smithbeccae@gmail.com

Learn more about the South Carolina Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series by contacting DNR’s, Jenkins at (843) 953-9835, or Amy Dukes at dukesa@dnr.sc.gov or (843) 953-9365.

This DNR video shows how it’s done: casting off during shrimp season, bringing home the bacon!

As they mention, regs here stipulate a 48qt limit, unless you ‘head’ them out on the water, which then allows 29qts.

To give an idea, here’s our recent catch that went right up to the brim: