Only a few days away, and the field is growing. We have a number of tourney veterans back, some of the best charters on the Cape manned with some city slickers, some new hot boats moving up the Vegas odds, and newbies coming in daily. Given the fishing reports right now, it's a wide open field and we are still looking for more boats. Anyone and everyone is welcome - charter a boat and throw an extra $200 and have blast, or grab a friends boat. This tourney is open to everyone and that's what makes it great.
Now for some of the odds. One of the most controversial teams in history - past champs - Team Powe (pictured above). They've had a few crew changes, a boat change, and always have locker room issues with their team chemistry. They had a monster 39 lber last year, but only good enough for 3rd place. Their captain is out on the canyons now, so we'll see how dialed in they get.
You have the Burnie brothers - another past champ (one of them. not you Jason) - who are always a force coming out of Chatham. With the point being spotty at best now, will they go north? Will the brothers get along? No one knows.
O'Brien and crew - unbelievably 5 time champs - on all star captain Tom Szado on Arlie X. Always a tourney favorite.
Will Jailbreak make it back in? Rumors on ESPN they may hit the tuna grounds instead. Past tourney champion captain Seamus is yet to make the decision, but we want him in. We want to beat the best
Harry Corduroy and Team Dangler - scheduling conflicts have put this team in jeopardy but fan favorites need to make it happen. I don't think they've ever won/even placed, but can they be the underdog story that no one really thinks they can be?
Gracie J charters. On board are a new team from Buffalo where we all know fishing is in their blood - like losing Superbowls. Gracie J is a wildcard - killer captain out of Chatham will have to deal with this crew to make it happen, but they've been shooting up the Vegas boards.
Anyone on the bayside. Had a call today from a new entrant on the bayside, and word on the street is the big fish are off Barnstable, and the Race, so will a winner come from the other side of the Cape and stick it to the Monomoy fleet?
Team Charlotte E. Mobile, fast, good captain, shaky crew. What will that add up to? Always a factor.
We also have Menace of Dennis, Funk, and a few others mixed in and at this point it's anyones tourney.
Team Jackal. The Peoples Champ. For all the grief we get for not winning our own tourney (we did come 1 oz away from winning amateur champion 2 years ago) - this is our year. No one really believes we have a chance (including me on most days) - but we had a team conference call tonight to talk strategy, so watch out!
Either way, Team Jackal MVP Tria will be bringing some lobsters to give away so we will be winners in someones book.
The next few days are key. Reports off of Monomoy are not great right now, but hopefully the fish will move in soon. They did last year, 2 days before the tourney. We will be pre-fishing Friday to see what we can figure out, but we have a plan, and plenty of fried chicken, ready to go for Saturday.
Tourney channel again will be channel 69 on the radio for tourney chatter and we hope to see people Friday night at the Hot Stove - probably 6-8 pm for some pre-tourney trash talking and side wagers.
Get ready. It's Headhunt time.
Now for some of the odds. One of the most controversial teams in history - past champs - Team Powe (pictured above). They've had a few crew changes, a boat change, and always have locker room issues with their team chemistry. They had a monster 39 lber last year, but only good enough for 3rd place. Their captain is out on the canyons now, so we'll see how dialed in they get.
You have the Burnie brothers - another past champ (one of them. not you Jason) - who are always a force coming out of Chatham. With the point being spotty at best now, will they go north? Will the brothers get along? No one knows.
O'Brien and crew - unbelievably 5 time champs - on all star captain Tom Szado on Arlie X. Always a tourney favorite.
Will Jailbreak make it back in? Rumors on ESPN they may hit the tuna grounds instead. Past tourney champion captain Seamus is yet to make the decision, but we want him in. We want to beat the best
Harry Corduroy and Team Dangler - scheduling conflicts have put this team in jeopardy but fan favorites need to make it happen. I don't think they've ever won/even placed, but can they be the underdog story that no one really thinks they can be?
Gracie J charters. On board are a new team from Buffalo where we all know fishing is in their blood - like losing Superbowls. Gracie J is a wildcard - killer captain out of Chatham will have to deal with this crew to make it happen, but they've been shooting up the Vegas boards.
Anyone on the bayside. Had a call today from a new entrant on the bayside, and word on the street is the big fish are off Barnstable, and the Race, so will a winner come from the other side of the Cape and stick it to the Monomoy fleet?
Team Charlotte E. Mobile, fast, good captain, shaky crew. What will that add up to? Always a factor.
We also have Menace of Dennis, Funk, and a few others mixed in and at this point it's anyones tourney.
Team Jackal. The Peoples Champ. For all the grief we get for not winning our own tourney (we did come 1 oz away from winning amateur champion 2 years ago) - this is our year. No one really believes we have a chance (including me on most days) - but we had a team conference call tonight to talk strategy, so watch out!
Either way, Team Jackal MVP Tria will be bringing some lobsters to give away so we will be winners in someones book.
The next few days are key. Reports off of Monomoy are not great right now, but hopefully the fish will move in soon. They did last year, 2 days before the tourney. We will be pre-fishing Friday to see what we can figure out, but we have a plan, and plenty of fried chicken, ready to go for Saturday.
Tourney channel again will be channel 69 on the radio for tourney chatter and we hope to see people Friday night at the Hot Stove - probably 6-8 pm for some pre-tourney trash talking and side wagers.
Get ready. It's Headhunt time.
