The South Carolina Wahoo Series kicked off with a record-breaking performance by **Keys Please**, captained by Brennan Arnsdorff of Nevils, Ga. This team, based in South Carolina, set a new series record for weight with an aggregate of 180.8 pounds, beating the previous record of 177.4 pounds set by **Fish Sticks**, captained by Gifford Scott of Johns Island, in 2022. This remarkable achievement earned **Keys Please** a top prize of $80,000, making it the largest payout in the tournament’s history. **Keys Please**’s money breakdown included $32,000 as the top boat, $24,500 for finishing first in the High Roller TWT, $7,500 for Big Wahoo, $8,000 for Day 2 big fish and $8,000 for Day 3 big fish. Another notable performance came from **Coastal Pursuit**, captained by Richie Proudfoot of Hortense, Ga. This team took second place and earned $18,500, thanks to a 91.4-pound wahoo caught on Feb. 26 and a 59.2-pound catch on March 19, which added up to 150.6 pounds. The tournament also featured several other notable performances, including **High Roller**, captained by Colton Infinger of Ludowici, Ga., which took third place and earned $29,000. **High Roller** caught a 130.7-pound aggregate (97.4 on Feb. 26 and 33.3 on March 13). Other notable performances in the top 10 included:
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- **Sacrifice**, captained by Ricky Deloach, Richmond Hill, Ga., with an aggregate weight of 128.1 pounds.
- **Snake Farm**, captained by Andrew Nickels, Hodges, with an aggregate weight of 120.2 pounds.
- **Double Down**, captained by D. Dawson/R. Billington, with an aggregate weight of 113.1 pounds.
- **Ram Ranch**, captained by Jackson Davis, St. Helena Island, with an aggregate weight of 111.6 pounds.
- **Reel Labor**, captained by Mark Pate, Chapin, with an aggregate weight of 98.8 pounds.
- **50/50**, captained by Hunter Bennett, Beaufort, with an aggregate weight of 91.2 pounds.
- **Full Hookups**, captained by Shane Hawkins, St. Helena Island, with an aggregate weight of 86.3 pounds.
In addition to the top 10, other notable category winners included:
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- **Top Senior Angler** — **Double Down**, captained by Patrick Boyd, with an aggregate weight of 74.4 pounds.
- **Top Youth Anglers** — **Bubba Davis**, **Carter Simmons**, and **Farrah Arnsdorff**.
The tournament featured several TWTs (Total Weight Tournament) for various species, including Mahi, Tuna, and Amberjack. Winners of these TWTs included:
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| Double Trouble II, captained by Matthew Beverly of Hollywood, won $9,000 in the mahi division with a 17.6-pound catch. |
| Fully Spooled, captained by Kyle Weiland of Charleston, won $10,000 for a 28.3-pound blackfin. |
| Double Deuce, captained by Jason McClendon of Greenwood, won $7,000 for a 48.5-pound amberjack. |
Another upcoming event is the **SC Mahi Series**, which is now open for registration. The captain’s meeting will be held from 1-4 p.m. on May 4 at the Pioneer Boat Factory, located at 208 Upchurch Lane in Walterboro. Teams will get to pick two fish days between May 5-May 30 with the heaviest two-fish aggregate determining the winner. The **Charleston Inshore Anglers’ 32nd annual Big Ed Sheepshead Tournament** will also be taking place on April 26. The captain’s meeting is scheduled for 5:30-7:30 p.m. on April 24 at American Legion Post 147, located at 968 Folly Road. The entry fee for the tournament is $40, which includes a tournament T-shirt. Lastly, the **S.C. Department of Natural Resources and Hampton Wildlife Fund** has announced the **A Marvel-Ous Youth Fishing Rodeo** on May 3 at Charleston’s Colonial Lake. This event is for youth 15 and younger and participants are invited to dress as their favorite hero. Fishing hours are 8:30-11:30 a.m. and it’s a catch-and-release event (not a tournament) with instructors available to help anglers learn the basics of saltwater fishing. Visit www.eventbrite.com/o/scdnr-fishing-outreach-18659384739 for more information. “I am thrilled to see so many talented anglers participating in these events. It’s going to be an exciting year for fishing in South Carolina!” Excitement is building for the upcoming fishing season, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for these anglers! With these events, the possibilities for catching a record-breaking fish are endless. Don’t miss out on the action – stay tuned for updates and get ready to reel in the fun!
“The thrill of reeling in a monster catch is unbeatable. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a rookie angler, fishing has something for everyone.”
Key Takeaways
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- **Keys Please** set a new South Carolina Wahoo Series record with an aggregate weight of 180.8 pounds.
- **Coastal Pursuit** took second place and earned $18,500.
- **High Roller** took third place and earned $29,000.
- The tournament featured several notable performances, including top 10 teams and category winners.
- The SC Mahi Series is now open for registration.
- The Charleston Inshore Anglers’ 32nd annual Big Ed Sheepshead Tournament will take place on April 26.
- The A Marvel-Ous Youth Fishing Rodeo will take place on May 3 at Charleston’s Colonial Lake.
As the fishing season heats up, anglers are gearing up for a year of exciting competitions and record-breaking catches. With events like the South Carolina Wahoo Series, the SC Mahi Series, and the Big Ed Sheepshead Tournament, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Conclusion
The South Carolina Wahoo Series kicked off with a bang, setting a new record for weight and earning a top prize of $80,000. With exciting events like the SC Mahi Series and the Big Ed Sheepshead Tournament on the horizon, the fishing season is shaping up to be an exciting one.
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