Dill reels in top prize at Blue Waters presentations
Former world record holder Kirk Dill landed the big one during Blue Waters Anglers Club’s annual Bacardi Points Series prize presentation held late last month.The Blue Waters Anglers Club fishing chairman won the top prize as overall points winner after amassing 3,471.5 during this year’s seven-tournament series that also included one overseas event in Boston.He also won the 12-lb-test line class after landing a 37-lb wahoo and the 20-lb test line class for a 48-lb yellowfin tuna and received a trophy for a 28-lb bonita he reeled in on 20-lb test for added measure.“It’s been a good season and I’m definitely pleased,” said Dill, who previously set a world record after reeling in a 49-lb almaco jack on 20-lb test on Argus Banks several years ago.“This year was a personal best for me because I also came first in the 12-lb test category in The Wahoo Tournament and also to win on 12-lb test, which is the lighter line down at the club, makes it even more special.”Dill, 47, cited patience and knowing the right places to fish as the key to his success.“You’ve got to have lots of patience obviously and definitely have the right skipper with you to take you to the right places on the Banks,” he said. “You just can’t go out there and drop your line and hope that the fish are there. You need a guy who really knows the Banks, where the tide is going and where to bait.”The father-of-three fishes with well-known Somerset skippers Bobby Lambe and Nelson Ible.Ible’s boat, Sea Star, was high points winner for this year’s Bacardi Series.“Nelson is my skipper and if he can’t make it I go with Bobby,” Dill added.Second high points angler behind BTC employee Dill was Eugene (Chico) Raynor who completed the series with 1,214.8 points.He also received trophies for a 14.5-lb wahoo caught on 20-lb test, a 13-lb yellowfin tuna caught on 12-lb test and a 13.5-lb blackfin tuna caught on 12-lb test.Third high points angler was Roddy Nesbitt who compiled 1087.7 points. He also finished second behind Dill in the 12-lb test class after landing a 25-lb wahoo.Howard Paynter also had much to be proud of after landing the largest overall fish, 50.5-lb wahoo, on 30-lb test that also earned him the top prize in the 30-lb test class.Remaining trophy winners included Alex Dowling (18-lb striped bass on 12-lb test), Mike Soares (37-lb barracuda on 30-lb test) and Delton Outerbridge (20-lb amber jack on 30-lb test).Presenting the numerous awards at last month’s prize giving was former North Village goalkeeper and Comet sailor George Hayward on behalf of Bacardi.