35th Onancock Bay Challenge a huge success

Youth winners

The 35th Onancock Bay Challenge, sponsored by the Eastern Shore of Virginia Anglers Club, was a huge success this past weekend, taking place on a day where strong winds churned up Chesapeake Bay.  There was a record 170 participants registered for the event, and over $7,000 worth of prizes was presented in awards and drawings. Registration proceeds will fund scholarships for Eastern Shore youths to attend summer camp at the Chincoteague Bay Field Station.

In the youth category, Landon Power took first place in both croaker (0.835 lbs.) and spot (1.05 lbs.), while Asher Justice landed the top gray trout (1.45 lbs.). Dryden Dorman led in red drum with a 4.08 lb. catch, and Riley Johnson secured the speckled trout title at 2.025 lbs. Corbett Johnson also made the board with a 0.565 lb. bluefish.

On the adult side, Will Patterson earned first place in croaker (0.89 lbs.), while Dane Hunsucker dominated gray trout (1.05 lbs.) and spot (0.635 lbs.). Andy Dip’s 1.62 lb. sand mullet and Anna Yurken’s 3.89 lb. speckled trout also topped the standings. Bill Phillips reeled in the heaviest flounder at 5.74 lbs., and Dwayne McCullagh led bluefish with a 3.74 lb. catch. Captains whose boats produced adult species winners also received special recognition.

Adult plaques, youth trophies, and gift certificates sponsored by SeaHawk Sports Center and Oceans East Eastern Shore, were awarded for the largest and second-largest entries in eight possible fish categories.

For more information about the Eastern Shore of Virginia Anglers Club, visit www.esanglersclub.org.