After treading water, Sportin’ Life hangs on for Governor’s Cup title

Sportin’ Life appeared to be on cruise control entering the final tournament of the 28th Annual South Carolina Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series last weekend in the Edisto Invitational Billfish Tournament.

Sportin’ Life, owned by Manly and Graham Eubank and captained by Bobby Garmany, had accumulated 3,275 points entering the finale, a full 1,000 points ahead of second-place boat Electric Bill with 2,275 points.

But last Saturday, on the final day of fishing for the 2016 series, it was a nerve-wracking finish for the crews of Sportin’ Life and Electric Bill.

Both boats fished on Thursday, July 21, with Sportin’ Life releasing two sailfish and Electric Bill one sailfish, leaving Sportin’ Life with an even bigger lead – 3,675 points to 2,475 – before both boats laid out Friday before fishing Saturday.

Electric Bill proved to be on fire on the final day of fishing, starting off by releasing a blue marlin at 9:03 a.m. Score: Sportin’ Life 3,675, Electric Bill 3,075.

Sportin’ Life responded with a sailfish release at 12:12 p.m. Score: Sportin’ Life 3,875, Electric Bill 3075.

But Electric Bill finished with a flurry – releasing a sailfish at 12:55 p.m. and then another blue marlin at 3:31 p.m. to catch Sportin’ Life in release points at 3,875.

Yes, when the dust settled, both boats had tallied 3,875 points for the series, but Sportin’ Life accumulated its point total first and was declared the series winner for 2016.

The tense shootout down the stretch featured some father-son competition, as Sportin’ Life Capt. Garmany’s son, Thomas Garmany, was serving as a guest mate aboard Electric Bill in the tournament.

“It was stressful on our side,” said Sportin’ Life’s Bobby Garmany. “It was tough – they’re good fishermen (aboard Electric Bill) and they did well. We were very fortunate to hold on. If we could have held on to that blue (marlin that was lost three feet from the leader Saturday), the last few hours could have been less stressful for us. They (Electric Bill) had more bites they missed too.”

Sportin’ Life also won the series in 2001 and Bobby Garmany was also the captain aboard series winner Rookie IV in 2000.

Rounding out the top five boats for the series in 2016 are Rascal (3,675 points), Syked Out (3,075) and Game On (2,528).

The final results of the series will not be official until after the Governor’s Cup Advisory Board of Directors meeting on Sept. 8.

While the series was being decided, there was a tournament to be won, too. Syked Out, owned by David Sykes and captained by Dan Woody, piled up 2,400 points after releasing two blue marlin and six sailfish to claim first place in the tournament.

Georgetown entry Rascal, owned by Norman Pulliam and Foster McKissick with Capt. Mark Rogers of Georgetown at the helm, finished second with 1,600 points after releasing a blue marlin and five sailfish.

Electric Bill claimed third in the tournament with 1,600 points after releasing two blues and two sails.

The billfish activity was outstanding in the tournament in the offshore waters off Edisto Island for late July, particularly the blue marlin bite.

A strong sailfish bite was expected and the 27-boat field released 33 sails. Surprisingly, a total of 16 blue marlin, some approaching legal federal size of 99 inches fork length (to tip of lower jaw), were released.

“What surprised us the most is that large blue marlin were being caught late into July in 87-degree water,” said S.C. DNR’s Wallace Jenkins, co-coordinator of the S.C. Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series. “Several boats actually caught two in one day with multiple hookups and misses. While blue marlin are regularly encountered this time of year the big ones usually move through much earlier in the season. On the last day of Edisto there were at least three fish over 400 pounds released.”

The series also saw the return of sailfish in excellent numbers as 143 were released in the five tournaments, the most since 210 were released during the 2012 series.

This story was originally published July 29, 2016 at 6:00 PM with the headline "After treading water, Sportin’ Life hangs on for Governor’s Cup title."