Southport Magazine

Believe it or not, if you fish enough and get fine-tuned with your skills of targeting and catching certain fish, you’ll find that there are opportunities to compete in tournaments. Some of these opportunities are for special reasons and some are just to compete against other fishermen for money and to measure exactly how well you’re doing against others. I want to write about a couple of reasons for tournaments this month that are important and not just for fun.

The first tournament is very special for a local Southport fishing legend. Bay Creek Classic is a flounder tournament for Mr. Brandon Matthews held at the Wildlife Boat Ramp on Fish Factory Road on Saturday, September 27th. Brandon is a local fishing legend that had a serious accident and is now confined to a wheel chair. He often has long sessions in the hospital due to infections and life-threatening issues. He also has surgeries from time to time that help improve his quality of life. It’s for these reasons that Brandon needs the support from everyone that can help. He is well-known in the area and is a husband and father, so it’s important that the local community support this tournament and Brandon.

For more information visit the tournament’s Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/pages/Bay-Creek-Classic-Fishing-Tournament/12130595185 or the website, www.baycreekclassic.com. Please consider fishing and/or supporting this effort; it’s for a great cause and does so much to help a local, lifelong Southport family in need.

The second tournament is Sherriff John Ingram’s Flatfish Roundup. It is also a flounder tournament, helping support the reelection of Sheriff John Ingram. Mr. Ingram has done an excellent job of providing public service as our sheriff of Brunswick County. He and his office work very hard to provide a safe county, community and provide protection for our children in public schools. He and his staff are always involved in so many activities to support our families and communities. They continuously provide services that are critical to so many of us and they deserve our support whenever possible. This tournament is fun and especially safe!

On Saturday, August 23rd, the 3rd Annual Sheriff John Ingram’s Flatfish Roundup will be held at the Southport Marina (606 W. West Street). For more information visit www.sheriffjohningram.com/flatfishroundup for more information.

If you don’t fish tournaments but want to learn more about them, go see the weigh-in. Most of them have great food and entertainment, and you’ll get to see lots of large flounder and other species of fish that are caught in these tournaments. You’ll get a chance to talk to the fishermen and learn more about the art of catching fish.

You can also support these events by way of donation even if you’re not ready to fish a tournament. Also, don’t be afraid to ask if anyone is looking for a fisherman to get in the boat for a tournament. That is the best way to learn the tips and tricks of where, when and how to catch fish!

I hope to see lots of attendance at these tournaments—and if you come and are holding a Southport Magazine in your hand while you’re at the weigh-in, you just might be approached and given a special gift for supporting our magazine! You’ll find me, Captain Alan, with the Southport Magazine fishing team, Reel Rocker.

Thanks and remember, support the local tackle shops and small businesses in our area first!