Second Wind 477# 
2021 Top Team Southern Charm
2021 AWARDS
Individual Awards
Top Billfish Angler
Ron Davis, “Southern Charm” 2 Blue Marlin – 1000pts.
Second Place Billfish Angler
Craig Wade, “Contrapption”, Released 1 Blue Marlin on time – 500pts.
Third Place Billfish Angler
Jon Gonsoulin, “Done Deal”, Released 1 Blue Marlin on time – 500pts.
Top Lady Angler
Sara Gambel, “Uptick”, 155# Yellowfin tuna – 155pts.
TEAM AWARDS
First Place Team “Southern Charm” 2 Blue Marlin – 1000pts.
Second Place Team “Contrapption” 1 Blue Marlin– 500pts.
Third Place Team “Done Deal” 1 Blue Marlin – 500pts.
Top Outboard Boat
“Chasin Lulu” – 77#, 42#, and 41# yellowfin tunas – 161pts
INDIVIDUAL FISH AWARDS
Yellowfin Tuna:
1st Place – Sara Gambel, “Uptick” 155 lbs.
2nd Place – David Schaer, “Second Wind” 92 lbs.
3rd Place – William Sauerwin, “Chasin Lulu” 77 lbs.
Wahoo
1st Place – Bryon Hatrel, “Good Stuf” 49 lbs.
2nd Place – Ron Davis, “Southern Charm” 43 lbs.
Dolphin
1st Place – Bart Barre, “Rebellious” 24 lbs.
TOURNAMENT TOTALS
7 Blue Marlin Released
477# Blue Marlin Weighed
The 48th New Orleans Invitational Billfish Tournament was hosted out of Cypress Cove Marina in Venice, La. on May 13 – 16, 2021. Our Admiral’s Club Sponsor, Sea Brook Harbor & Marine and the Captain’s, First, and Second Mate Clubs made this great tournament possible.
Registration began Wednesday evening with an Open Bar and Hot Boiled Crawfish and sides catered by the Cypress Grill at Cypress Cove Marina. Special thanks to Lt Governor Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board for supplying the tournament with fresh Louisiana seafood. Thursday wrapped up with registration and the captain’s meeting featuring the famous Rolla Raffle and over $50,000 worth of items donated by our generous sponsors. This year’s raffle created the highest ticket sales ever.
The Invitational fleet, consisting of boats from across the Gulf, departed the dock with a 5-gallon bucket of hot boiled crawfish and sides along with a delicious Randazzo’s King Cake. While the weather was clear, the winds were blowing 15 – 20-knots that sent spray over every bow. Thankfully, blue water was close, but scattered grass kept crews clearing lines, so every fish was important for points. No fish were weighed on Friday, but the Second Wind put on a show at Elf, fighting a blue marlin that ultimately weighed 477-pounds. Because of their successful battle, Second Wind leads the Gulf Coast Triple Crown with 175-points.
As boats came in to weigh and report their releases Saturday evening, the Cypress Grill delivered hot appetizers to each boat as they arrived at the weigh station. The final overall tournament results showed the release of 7 Blue Marlin with 1 Blue Marlin weighed. The majority of boats and crews stayed and cheered for the winners at the Awards Breakfast Sunday morning which was catered by the Cypress Grill. With great competition and good sportsmanship in challenging conditions, the tournament was a tremendous success. Many commented that the food, awards, and certainly the Rolla Raffle could not have been better.
The First Place team award went to Ron Davis’ “Southern Charm” for releasing two Blue Marlin. “Southern Charm” secured a spot to represent the club at the Offshore World Championship in Costa Rica next April. Second Place team was Heinke Trapp’s “Contrapption” with one Blue Marlin release on time. The Third Place team went to Jon Gonsoulin’s “Done Deal” for one Blue Marlin on time.
The Top Release Billfish Angler was Ron Davis on the “Southern Charm” for releasing two Blue Marlin. 2nd Place Release Angler was Craig Wade on the “Contrapption” with one Blue Marlin released on time. 3rd Place Release Angler was Jon Gonsoulin on “Done Deal” with one Blue Marlin released on time. Done Deal’s famous Angler, Katie Gonsoulin was not on the boat, so Jon had to get in the chair. Top Lady Angler was Sara Gambel on “Uptick” with a 155-pound yellowfin tuna. Top Outboard Boat was “Chasin Lulu” with 77#, 42#, and 41# and 33# yellowfin tunas.
