Port Royal Hosts Thrilling Conclusion to Southern Redfish Cup Tournament

Port Royal Thrills with Southern Redfish Cup Finale

Port Royal, S.C. — This past weekend, the waters of Port Royal buzzed with excitement as the Southern Redfish Cup wrapped up one of its most thrilling tournaments yet. As a local professional fishing event, it drew in passionate anglers eager to showcase their skills and reel in the catch of the day.

Tournament owner Chris Condon shared his enthusiasm, stating, “When it is this close, it’s pretty exciting.” And exciting it was! Only a mere less than an ounce separated the champions from the runners-up in a nail-biting contest that had everyone on the edge of their seats. The grand prize? A whopping $8,000 awaited the victors, making each catch even more valuable.

Tight Competition and Skillful Anglers

Teams of two took to the water, competing to bring in the three largest redfish within the legal slot limit of 15 to 23 inches. The winners, Bradley Brown and Travis Malphrus from Beaufort, managed to claim the top spot with their combined catch weighing in at an impressive 13.5 pounds. Their skillful efforts paid off, as their total weight was measured to be 18.14 grams — that’s just 0.06 ounces more than the second-place team, Jason Dail and Allen Jernigan from North Carolina.

It’s noteworthy that Dail and Jernigan are no strangers to success in this tournament. With multiple victories under their belts, their previous experience made them formidable opponents. However, this time, Brown and Malphrus edged them out, proving that hard work and collaboration can lead to impressive victories.

Sizable Catches and Unexpected Results

Each team was allowed to showcase their skill with redfish averaging over 4 pounds from a healthy size range, demonstrating the quality of the fish in these waters. Interestingly, Brown and Malphrus also tied for the title of “big fish,” alongside fellow anglers Tyler Rudd and Jack Trolan. Both teams caught fish that weighed 4.76 pounds, which meant that they ended up splitting the additional $1,200 prize for their remarkable catches.

This tournament not only highlighted local talents but also attracted competitive teams from states like North Carolina and Georgia, making it a vibrant blend of professionals and local fishermen. Beyond boasting exciting competition, the Southern Redfish Cup series continues to develop and extend its reach, with future stops scheduled for Georgetown on October 26 and Isle of Palms on December 14.

A Tribute to a Dedicated Angler

This year, the tournament carried a meaningful tribute, dedicated to the late Chuck Lather, a devoted angler from Beaufort who passed away in 2021. His legacy lives on in the hearts of many fishermen, and it’s clear that such tributes enhance the community spirit within the fishing world.

As the sun rose and peered down on the shimmering waters, Condon noted, many teams had exceptional success during the incoming low tide, especially near the docks in Port Royal. The thrill of the chase, the camaraderie among teams, and the beauty of the surroundings created a memorable setting for this exciting event.

Closing Thoughts

As the Southern Redfish Cup continued to fish its way through the weekend, it reminded everyone of the joy and competition that comes from being out on the water. With talented anglers and thrilling moments, Port Royal has become a hub for fishing enthusiasts, and we can’t wait to see what the next leg of the tournament has in store. Stay tuned for more updates from the world of fishing here in South Carolina!