Oak Bluffs Bluewater Classic Preview
A 30,000ft. view of what's to come this week in the Atlantic Division and a programming update
New England in the summer, specifically Martha’s Vineyard and Cape Cod: it’s the backdrop of so many movies and families’ dream summer vacations. Walking along the shacks, lobster rolls, clam bakes and chowdah. Taking turns jumping off the Beach Road bridge to recreate the famous pier scene from “Jaws.”
For SFC, it’s an annual visit to “Tuna Town,” with the Oak Bluffs Bluewater Classic (OBBC). This tournament comes with a different rule set, the third such unique ruleset for the Atlantic Division this season. There is a 140-mile range for the clubs to fish between two host sites, Oak Bluffs (Martha’s Vineyard) and Falmouth (Cape Cod).
The OBBC takes a page out of the Gulf Division’s style of competition by allowing competitors to stay offshore overnight. There are multiple fishing windows due to the region’s history of ever-evolving weather. Another movie: “The Perfect Storm” comes to mind.
For the SFC’s Angling Clubs, this event marks stop number four of six, and the first of back-to-back tournament weeks. Once the lines are back in the boats Friday (yes, this tournament ends Friday afternoon) they make the run southwest to Ocean City, Maryland and the HUK Big Fish Classic. Some have already called Ocean City home for a few weeks as part of the summer fishing season, and will remain there through August for next week’s Big Fish Classic and MidAtlantic thereafter.
In the case of the New York Granders and North Carolina Flare, their full-time boats decided to forego the OBBC altogether given the distance. Flare will be competing with their second substitute team of the season. The first, being the chartered “Miss Britt” from the season-opening Fort Lauderdale Billfish Open. We will see Captain Brian Dressler and co. on their boat “Sails Pitch” next week in Ocean City.
The ladies of the New York Granders, Dusty Adinolfe, Kodi Smith Austin and Shelby Callison are all ready to go, fishing with local favorite “Blue Angel,” skippered by Captain Aaron Nowak. Their 80’ Viking “Surf Bum” will be waiting for them in Ocean City next week.
In the meantime, expect the full squads for the top four division leaders: New Jersey Sea Birds, Lights Out New England, East Coast Remix and South Carolina Outcast Angling Clubs.
Programming Note
Given the fishing windows, there is a likelihood that some angling clubs will choose to fish during days outside of SFC’s Broadcast. Our “Doubled Up” simulcast coverage will include as much of the action as possible from the days outside of our live coverage. With the OBBC concluding Friday, our Championship Saturday broadcast will include reactions from the competition, awards ceremony, and live coverage of the final day of the The Billfish Pachanga in the Gulf Division, taking place in Port Aransas, Texas.
Live updates and scoring will begin as soon as the first angling club begins their competition window. Until then…we wait.