2014 Ocean City Marlin Club OFFICERS Franky Pettolina President Mark Radcliffe Vice President Annette Cropper Secretary Brian Tinkler Treasurer BOARD OF DIRECTORS Pat Svehla Ron Callis James Jefferson Val Lynch James Giles Mike Diffendal Bill Regan 9659 Golf Course Rd Ocean City, MD 21842 410-213-1613 February 2014 A Message from the President - Will the snow ever go away? Looking out my office window and seeing white stuff all over the ground is beginning to get OLD! The old saying of March coming in like a lion and going out like a lamb better hold true this year. The Last Call is supposed to launch in 5 weeks, and I have some work that needs to be done before that can happen. The time period between Valentine’s day and the Pirate party is usually a pretty quiet time at the Club. That being said, every time I have been in there the place is still pretty packed. I attribute this to the hard work of our staff and the great atmosphere that comes from the quality of our members. I am happy to say that we have had over 90% of our members choose to renew their membership this year. We have some fun things planned and I am sure everyone will be very happy to belong to the greatest fishing club out there! Thank you members, and thank you staff! The Fishing Committee recently held its winter meeting. Topics covered included more discussion on Live Bait fishing as it pertains to seasonal awards and tournaments, some off season tweaks to tournaments and the seasonal awards, and some ideas to help tournaments grow. I always enjoy the “back and forth” that goes on at the Fishing Committee meetings. I will be taking the suggestions from the Committee before the Board at the next meeting, and I will be sure to keep everyone posted as to the Board decisions. Social media has kept most people in the loop as to how the bite has been internationally this winter. Some things that have stuck out in my mind, however, are the continued good reports from Costa Rica, Guatemala and Isla Mujeres. It is hard to suppress a smile when I hear complaints about slow fishing of “only” 10 or 15 shots at billfish per trip. Then again I have seen so many reports of 30, 40, 50 or more shots a day this winter that I guess I can understand how 10 shots can feel slow. Keep up the good work guys, and keep those reports coming! Even the “slow” ones. The Club recently lost a long time friend and member with the passing of Capt. Elmer Gallion. Elmer is probably best known for his time with the Jones Family on the Kingfisher. I first met Elmer when my father brought the Last Call to Ocean City in the early 80s and we were tied up a few slips away from Elmer’s boat, the Gail IV. There were always fun things going on around that rig. I remember a day that they caught a sailfish. You have to understand that some of those years in the 80s were pretty lean as far as billfish went, and many fish were still brought to the dock for bragging rights. Anyway, Elmer was telling how they fought the fish and didn’t realize it was a sail until they got it to the boat as the fish never Continued on next page.
Transcript
2014
Ocean City Marlin Club
OFFICERS
Franky Pettolina President
Mark Radcliffe Vice President
Annette Cropper
Secretary
Brian Tinkler Treasurer
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
Pat Svehla
Ron Callis
James Jefferson
Val Lynch
James Giles
Mike Diffendal
Bill Regan
9659 Golf Course Rd
Ocean City, MD 21842
410-213-1613
February 2014
A Message from the President -
Will the snow ever go away? Looking out my office window and seeing white stuff all over
the ground is beginning to get OLD! The old saying of March coming in like a lion and going
out like a lamb better hold true this year. The Last Call is supposed to launch in 5 weeks, and
I have some work that needs to be done before that can happen.
The time period between Valentine’s day and the Pirate party is usually a pretty quiet time at
the Club. That being said, every time I have been in there the place is still pretty packed. I
attribute this to the hard work of our staff and the great atmosphere that comes from the
quality of our members. I am happy to say that we have had over 90% of our members choose
to renew their membership this year. We have some fun things planned and I am sure
everyone will be very happy to belong to the greatest fishing club out there! Thank you
members, and thank you staff!
The Fishing Committee recently held its winter meeting. Topics covered included more
discussion on Live Bait fishing as it pertains to seasonal awards and tournaments, some off
season tweaks to tournaments and the seasonal awards, and some ideas to help tournaments
grow. I always enjoy the “back and forth” that goes on at the Fishing Committee meetings. I
will be taking the suggestions from the Committee before the Board at the next meeting, and I
will be sure to keep everyone posted as to the Board decisions.
Social media has kept most people in the loop as to how the bite has been internationally this
winter. Some things that have stuck out in my mind, however, are the continued good reports
from Costa Rica, Guatemala and Isla Mujeres. It is hard to suppress a smile when I hear
complaints about slow fishing of “only” 10 or 15 shots at billfish per trip. Then again I have
seen so many reports of 30, 40, 50 or more shots a day this winter that I guess I can understand
how 10 shots can feel slow. Keep up the good work guys, and keep those reports coming!
Even the “slow” ones.
The Club recently lost a long time friend and member with the passing of Capt. Elmer
Gallion. Elmer is probably best known for his time with the Jones Family on the Kingfisher. I
first met Elmer when my father brought the Last Call to Ocean City in the early 80s and we
were tied up a few slips away from Elmer’s boat, the Gail IV. There were always fun things
going on around that rig. I remember a day that they caught a sailfish. You have to
understand that some of those years in the 80s were pretty lean as far as billfish went, and
many fish were still brought to the dock for bragging rights. Anyway, Elmer was telling how
they fought the fish and didn’t realize it was a sail until they got it to the boat as the fish never
Continued on next page.
A Message from the President—(continued)
jumped. He said something to the effect that they let that “son of a gun” (or something like that…)
back out and made it jump before they brought it in. I can still picture the home made sailfish flag
hanging from the rigger. It was a plain white flag with a mini sailfish replica like you see hanging on
walls in restaurants or bars duct taped to it. Years later I had the opportunity to fish with Elmer when
he was on vacation in Cancun. I can remember him telling me that I had to get the sailfish up to the
boat and grab the bill or he didn’t count it as a release. None of that “30 foot Palm Beach Bull
Crap” (or something like that…) Rest Easy Elmer, my old friend.
In closing this month I would like to congratulate Ioana and Rolfe Gudelsky on the arrival of their son
Avrum. As I understand it both Mom and the little Fella are doing great and Rolfe has not stopped
smiling yet! Can’t wait to meet him.
Until Next Time,
Franky Pettolina
PS- please share fishing stories or some OC fishing memories with us and we will put them in future
Invitation Only: Invitations are mailed via the USPS to your home address during the month of October 2014.
5th Annual White Marlin Party with DJ BK Friday, October 17, 6:30-10:30 p.m.(-ish)
This party celebrates all those boats and individuals who have released five (5) or more white marlin during this fishing season & have reported them via catch report on-line: www.ocmarlinclub.com . Please call Amanda for any report edits or if you need assistance. Trust me — you do not want to miss the party of the year !!
2014 OC Marlin Club Seasonal Awards Saturday, October 18, 6:30-10 p.m.
5th Annual Memorial Day Bluefish Tournament To benefit the Catherine & Charles Kratz Memorial Foundation and Scholarship Fund Chairmen: Franky Pettolina & Chris Evans Registration: Friday, May 23, 2014, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Captain’s Meeting: 8:00 p.m, Fishing Days: (1 of 2) May 24 & 25 Weigh Ins: May 24 & 25, 3:30-6:00 p.m., Sunset Marina Awards Banquet: May 25, 6:30-9:00 p.m. Awards Presentation: 7:00 p.m. 35th Annual Small Boat Tournament Chairmen: Bill Regan & Annette Cropper Registration: Friday, June 20, 2014, 6:30 p.m. Captain’s Meeting: 8:00 p.m. Fishing Days: (1 of 2) June 21 & 22 Weigh Ins: June 21 & 22, 3:00-6:30 p.m., Sunset Marina Eastern Shore Style Crab Feast: June 22, 6:30-9:00 p.m. Awards Presentation: 7:00 p.m. 32nd Annual Canyon Kick Off Chairman: N. Dave Birkett Registration: Thursday, July 3, 2014 6:30 FREE TO PAID OCMC BOAT MEMBERS Captain’s Meeting: 8:00 p.m. Fishing Days: (2 of 3) July 4, 5, & 6 Weigh Ins: July 4, 5, & 6, 5:00-7:30 p.m., Sunset Marina Awards Banquet: July 6, 6:30-9:00 p.m. Awards Presentation: 8:00 p.m. 10th Annual Kid’s Classic: To benefit the Wish-a-Fish Foundation Chairmen: TBA Registration: Friday, July 18, 2014, 6:30 p.m. Captain’s Meeting: 7:30 p.m. Fishing Days: (1 or 2 of 2) July 19 & 20 Weigh Ins: July 19 3:00-6:30 p.m., July 20 3:00-6:00 p.m., Sunset Marina Sunday Carnival & Awards: July 20, 5:00-8:00 p.m. Awards Presentation: 7:00 p.m. Every Angler receives an award!
6th Annual OCMC Ladies’ Tournament: “Heels & Reels” To benefit the OCMC Auxiliary Scholarship Fund Chairmen: Franky Pettolina & Amanda Shick Registration: Thursday, July 31, 2014, 6:00 p.m. Captain’s Meeting: 8:00 p.m. Fishing Days: (1 of 2) August 1 & 2 Weigh-Ins: August 1 & 2, 5:00-7:30 p.m., Sunset Marina Awards Banquet: August 2, 6:30-9:00 p.m. Awards Presentation: 8:00 p.m. 56th Annual Labor Day White Marlin Tournament Chairmen: Franky Pettolina, Bob Wimbrow, & Bill Fenwick Registration: Thursday, August 28, 2014, 6:30 p.m. FREE TO PAID OCMC BOAT MEMBERS Captain’s Meeting: 8:00 p.m. Fishing Days: (2 of 3) August 29, 30, & 31 Weigh-Ins: August 29, 30, & 31, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Sunset Marina Awards Banquet: August 31, 6:30-9:00 p.m. Awards Presentation: 8:00 p.m. 36th Annual Challenge Cup Chairmen: Jon C. Duffie & Andy Helms Registration: Thursday, September 11, 2014, 7:00 p.m. Captain’s Meeting: 8:00 p.m. Fishing Days: (2 of 2) September 12 & 13, No weigh-ins. Italian Night: September 12, 6:30-9:00 p.m. Awards Banquet: September 13, 6:30-9:00 p.m. 2nd Annual OCMC Rockfish Tournament To benefit the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Chairman: Colin Campbell & Jeremy Blunt Registration: Friday, December 5, 2014, 6:00 p.m. Captain’s Meeting: 7:00 p.m. Fishing Days: (5 of 9) December 6-14 Weigh-Ins: December 6-14, Time: TBA, Ake Marine Awards Banquet: December 14, Time: TBA
2014 Ocean City Marlin Club Tournament Schedule:
Ocean City Marlin Club Hours of Operation:
Friday - Saturday
3:00 – 11:00 p.m.
Light fare Served 4:00 – 10:00
Full Menu Available 5:00– 10:00
Sunday
3:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Light fare Served 4:00 – 9:00
Full Menu Available 5:00 – 9:00
Wednesday - Thursday 3:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Light fare Served 4:00 – 9:00
Full Menu Available 5:00 – 9:00
5th Annual Memorial Day Bluefish Tournament May 23—25, 2014
Registration: Friday, May 23 @ 6:30 p.m. Captains Meeting: Friday, May 23 @ 8 p.m.
Fishing days: (1 of 2) Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25 Awards Banquet/Party @ OCMC Clubhouse: Sunday, May 25 6:30—9:00 p.m.
Chairmen: Franky Pettolina & Chris Evans
Catherine & Charles Kratz Memorial
Foundation and Scholarship Fund Our Purpose: The purpose of the Foundation and Scholarship Fundraising program is to provide support, encouragement and a better life for the noble men and women who upheld world peace and United States freedom. Phase IV is providing graves for the needy, homeless, hospitalized and disabled Veterans at their time of need. The Honor Museum, Freedom Wall and Historic Bell from the War of 1812 and thirty-three memorials, three flags flying and the twelve-foot “Statue of Liberty” is located at the beautiful 109-year-old famous Druid Ridge Cemetery, 7900 Park Heights Avenue in Baltimore, Maryland on Exit 20, one block off 695, (the Baltimore Beltway) (410) 486-5300.
Entry Fee(s):
A portion of the Entry Fee will be donated to the Catherine & Charles Kratz Memorial Foundation and Scholarship Fund: www.kratzmemorialfoundation.com
Boat Entry Fee* $200.00
*includes 4 tickets to the awards banquet/party
Shore Entry Fee* $50.00 *includes 1 ticket to the awards banquet/party
Dancing, Caribbean Buffet, Costume Contest with Prizes,
one free evening cocktail—beer, wine, liquor, spirit-free,
& keep one eye out for Rick’s Pirate Punch!! ARRRRRGGGHHHHH!!!
8 ticket limit. Dinner limited to 140 people. There is no reserved seating.
Call to make reservations! (410) 213-1613. Sel
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ut
ever
y y
ear!
Boo
k e
arly!
SEASON OPENER DANCE PARTY!!!
Saturday, May 3, 2014
Live Music with Ocean 98.1’s DJ BK!
Only $25 per person!! 6:30 p.m. — 10:00 p.m.
Cornhole on the Porch, Drink Specials, Dancing,
All-You-Can-Eat Gourmet BBQ by OCMC Head Chef Mikey J.,
& one free evening cocktail—beer, wine, liquor, spirit-free
Please make pre-paid reservations in advance (410) 213-1613.
The OC Marlin Club Board of Directors would like to thank all of our Corporate Sponsors for all the support they have given the Club over the past year.
White Marlin Level—$5,000 Sponsorship
Sailfish Level—$500 Sponsorship
Blue Marlin Level—$2,500 Sponsorship
Experience Ocean
City’s Premiere
Miniature golf —
23rd St., 28th St.,
68th St.., 136th St.
Are you interested in becoming a CORPORATE SPONSOR of the Ocean City Marlin Club?? Call 410-213-1613 today to find out more information.
