Rock-N-Robin Wins Top Honors at Texas Legends Billfish Tournament

Four Legendary Texas Anglers Inducted into New Texas Saltwater Fishing Hall of Fame

PORT ARANSAS, Texas – Sept. 5, 2006 – Fishing lines were humming off the shore of Port Aransas, Texas Aug. 10 -13, when 36 boats took to the sea for the first-ever Texas Legends Billfish Tournament.  Competition was fierce, as the boats fished for more than $282,000 in prize money, and Robin Parsley’s Rock-N-Robin won top honors, taking home $72,758 of the prize money.  In addition to announcing the tournament’s winners, title sponsor MarineMax is also pleased to announce that four Texas anglers were inducted into the new Texas Saltwater Fishing Hall of Fame.

“This was a fantastic tournament, and along with our partner Hatteras, we were honored to be a part of the event,” says Travis Leach, manager of Hatteras and brokerage at MarineMax.  “A total of 20 blue marlin, five white marlin and 8 sailfish were released during the two days of fishing.”

This year’s event would have been the 8th Annual Bob Byrd Memorial Marlin Tournament, a tournament started in honor of Bob Byrd, Sr., who was one of the pioneers of billfishing off the Texas coast in the early 1960s.  However, this year, tournament directors Bobby Byrd and Captain John Cochrane decided to change the name to the “Texas Legends Billfish Tournament” and dedicate it to all Texas anglers, past and present, who have made a difference in big game fishing.  A Texas Big Game Fishing Roll Call was also added to the tournament to remember those who have passed on.

The tournament kicked off Thursday, August 10 with a Captain’s Party and final registration at the Pelican Club in Port Aransas.  Anglers hit the sea Friday and Saturday, and the weigh-in and Memorial Dinner party were held at Virginia’s Restaurant Saturday evening.  Winners were announced Sunday morning at an Awards Brunch.  Efish TV was on hand to film the event for a segment to be aired later this year on the Men’s Channel.

At the end of fishing on Saturday, Robin Parsley’s Rock-N-Robin nabbed First Place for their catch of two blue marlin, and one white marlin.  As the top boat, Rock-N-Robin received the prestigious Bob Byrd Memorial Trophy to keep for one year.  Akela and owner Ed Bass were a close second with two blue marlin catches.  Pete Hebert’s Ms. Diana snagged one blue marlin and two white marlin for Third Place, and the Jones brothers’ Blue Eagle took Fourth Place with one blue marlin and two sailfish catches.

The Top Captain and Mate Awards went to Captain Jason Pruns and Monte Williams on Rock-N-Robin.  Brad Aery on Smooth Finish won the Largest Yellowfish Tuna.  Top Dolphin went to Charles Miller’s Clean Sweep, and both Top Wahoo and Top Swordfish were caught by Doug Show’s Caliente.

In addition to changing the tournament’s name and adding the Roll Call, organizers Byrd and Cochrane also founded the Texas Saltwater Fishing Hall of Fame to honor Texans who have made significant contributions to big game and saltwater fishing.  “The Hall of Fame is dedicated to promoting and preserving Texas’ saltwater fishing heritage through recognition, research and education,” says Captain Cochrane.  “Each year, several inductees will be voted into the Hall of Fame, and the Big Game Fishing inductees will be announced and honored at the Texas Legends Tournament annually.” 

This year’s inductees include a “Who’s Who” of Texas fishing legends, and they received their awards at Saturday night’s Memorial Dinner.  Inductees include:

Alfred C. Glassell, Jr., industrialist, philanthropist, sportsman and civic leader, is considered the world’s foremost Big Game Fishing Sportsman. His most famous trophy, the 1560 lb. World Record Black Marlin, resides in the “Hall of Sea Life” in the Smithsonian Institute of Washington, D.C. He was inducted into the IGFA Hall of Fame in 2001 and has most recently been appointed to the IGFA Board of Trustees.

Jerry Dunaway began fishing in 1969 and has won many Texas billfish tournaments over the years. In 1984 he was voted Marlin International “Angler of the Year”.  His 16 IGFA billfish records are more than any man in history. He was also the first man to capture an Atlantic blue marlin on four-pound and eight-pound line. Jerry was the first man to catch a “Super Grand Slam” (a blue marlin, white marlin, sailfish and swordfish in one day).   He most recently received the 2005 IGFA World Record Lifetime Achievement Award. 

Deborah Dunaway has fished all over the world and has caught an unprecedented 23 IGFA billfish world records –more than any angler in history. Deborah is the only angler to catch a world record in every species of billfish, and in 1993, she became the only angler to hold current records in all nine species at the same time. She is one of the top five female record holders of all time. In 1993, she was the first person to receive the IGFA Angler of the Year Award. She most recently received the 2005 IGFA World Record Lifetime Achievement Award.

Captain Bill Hart grew up fishing near Port Aransas, TX. His knowledge of the offshore reefs and fishing grounds paid off with great success and made him a popular captain. Over the years, he operated private yachts for various individuals and traveled extensively on his “tournament trail.” Soon the fame of “Capt. Bill” was known throughout the Gulf Coast, Bahamas and Caribbean. His well-known raspy radio voice became unmistakable to a multitude of anglers. Bill ranks at the top of successful captains, winning countless tournaments including two wins at the prestigious Poco Bueno Invitational. He remains active in both inshore and offshore fishing and when you hear the hoarse cry “hooked up!” you’ll know who’s got him on.

The 2007 Texas Legends Tournament sponsored by MarineMax will be held in Port Aransas August 9 through 12 of next year.  For more information visit www.txlegends.com and www.txsaltwaterfishinghall.com or call Travis Leach at 713-591-1169.

About MarineMax

Headquartered in Clearwater, Florida, MarineMax is the nation's largest recreational boat and yacht retailer.  Focused on premium brands, such as Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Meridian, Hatteras, Grady White, and the Ferretti Group including: Ferretti Yachts, Pershing, Riva, Mochi Craft, Apreamare and Bertram, the Company sells new and used recreational boats and related marine products and provides yacht brokerage services. The Company currently operates 85 retail locations in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Utah.  MarineMax is a New York Stock Exchange-listed company.