Hurricane Erin didn’t scare these billfish hunters

Sure, Hurricane Erin’s passing dealt organizers of the Virginia Beach Billfish Tournament more than a few headaches.

And some teams opted out of the event because of bad conditions offshore.

But the 39 that decided to wait for changes and still play the game were rewarded Saturday during the second day of fishing.

All of the teams took off Friday’s Day 1 to let things calm down.

They enjoyed an influx of billfish that can be common after the passing of a cyclonic weather system.

The teams caught and released 172 billfish – 1 blue marlin, 1 sailfish and 170 white marlin. Nine gamefish – 8 dolphin and 1 tuna – also were caught.

When the standings were released at Saturday night’s dock party, Waterman, with Capt. Ben Horning, found itself in the lead with 840 points on 12 white marlin releases.

Griffin was in second – also with 840 points on 12 whites – but fell to second on the time of the last fish caught between the two contenders.

In third is Labrador with Capt. Wake Fickling, 700 points on 10 whites on time of last fish; followed by Cuervos with Capt. Foz Gibson, also with 700 points on 10 whites; and Fender Bender with Capt. Colin Oxnard, 630 points on 9 whites.

Will Pittman, fishing with Capt. Brian Peele on the Goombay, led the dolphin division with a 12.9-pounder.

Vance Fortier’s 44.9-pound yellowfin tuna caught with Capt. Chris Cornell on the Fin Planner led the tuna division.

Competing teams are vying for a $453,750 total purse and all 39 of them are out to sea for today’s final round.

Stay tuned, ‘cause we all know what happens on the last day of big billfish tournaments.