THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 9, 1997 TAG: 9701090556
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BOB HUTCHINSON, OUTDOORS EDITOR
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 57 lines
Dr. James C. Wright, the fishing physician from Virginia Beach, has added to his laurels with a double victory in the 1996 Virginia Salt Water Fishing Tournament.
Wright has earned the contest's two top honors: angler of the year and release angler of the year. The former goes to the fisherman with entries in the most categories, the latter to the one with releases in the most categories.
Wright, an ophthalmologist and host of the regional TV program ``Saltwater Fishing with Dr. Jim,'' had entries in a record 16 categories, including releases in eight.
In addition, Wright was the first angler to earn citation awards in six categories, thus becoming the tournament's first ``expert angler,'' an award inaugurated in 1996.
Another 14 anglers would go on to earn the designation by the close of the 12-month contest Dec. 31. Julie Ball of Chesapeake, a Navy dentist, became the first woman to garner ``expert'' recognition, while David A. Davis of Portsmouth became the first junior (under age 16) ``expert angler.''
A total of 3,115 anglers earned citation awards from the 1996 contest, including 1,348 for releases. The total was most since 4,150 scored in 1980.
The awards go to anglers registering any of 29 saltwater species meeting either minimum weights or minimum lengths (for releases). The awards are laminated hardboard plaques containing the recipient's name and place of residence and the fish's species and size.
One fish, a 61 3/4-pound striped bass caught by James R. Muse of Richmond, set a Virginia record. The old record was 61 pounds.
Additionally, Wayne Seymour of Virginia Beach set a state record with a 45 1/2-pound barracuda. While the contest maintains barracuda records, the species is not eligible for citation awards.
White marlin were the easiest touch for anglers seeking the awards, producing 692, all for released fish. Next came cobia with 582, including 88 for releases.
The greatest increase was for spadefish. From only two entries in 1995, when the qualifying weight was 8 pounds, the total skyrocketed to 307 in 1996, when the weight was lowered to 7 pounds.
Claude Bain, director of the contest, which began its 40th year Jan. 1, said no weight or length changes have been made for 1997. The contest is a function of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission and is financed through the state's saltwater fishing license. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Dr. James C. Wright of Virginia Beach earlier was named angler of
the year by The Virginian-Pilot.
Graphic
Chart
1996 Virginia Salt Water Tourney Winners
[For complete copy, see microfilm]