Got White Flags??

Usually, the September White Marlin bite is like none other and this year proves no different. The Lizanne decided to stay at Sunset Marina in OC Maryland another week following the Challenge Cup. This decision would later be describe as the best call a captain could make.

Later that week, White Marlin release whispers of boats producing single day numbers in the twenties had the crew heading out. That day, the Lizanne had the best day a fishing crew could imagine. White Marlin was in abundance and there was no sign of slowing down. The Lizanne released 12 Whites and should have had another 7, meanwhile seeing at least 30 tailing…

Great Day for a fisherman and glad to see the White Marlin numbers do exist. Thanks to conservation awareness and circle hooks the fatality rate is low and hopefully the trend & numbers continues for years to come.

2009 Challenge Cup

The Lizanne headed to Ocean City, Maryland for the 2009 Challenge Cup between Ocean City, Md Marlin Club and Cape May, Nj Marlin and Tuna Club. Host by Ocean City Tuna Marlin Club and Sunset Marina, the two day event brought the best fishing boats together for the crown of top offshore club. The White Marlin bite was hot which produced release numbers equal to lasts years tournament. Total Billfish released was 207 in just two days.

Cape May won the tournament with 6675 total points to keep the Cup. The Lizanne was proud to contribute as one of the top six boats points taken for the tournament finishing 5th with 675 points. Congrats to all the top boats.

Mid-Atlantic 2009

The LizAnne, Intensity Boat Works first build, was present in their first major tournament, Mid-Atlantic $500,000, since being commissioned back in March 09'. The Mid-Atlantic $500,000 is a prestigious marlin tournament fished by the best which takes place in South Jersey and is hosted by The Canyon Club. The LizAnne crew consisted of owner Capt. Bob Mormile Jr, Captain John Ball, Bob Mormile Sr, Russell DiGiallorenzo of the Buzz Kill, Greg Alfonsi, son's Mike and Andrew Mormile and mates Shane and Paul.
The preparation alone for these tournaments is something that you can only see for yourself. Captain John accompanied by mates Shane and Paul rip through boxes of baits, re-spoil reels, and test the drags as they try to prevent any unforced errors. The tournament ranges for five days and each boat chooses three of them to fish. The LizAnne choose to fish Day 1, Day 2 and Day 4 base on the weather.
Day 1 The LizAnne decided to head North and went 2/2 on White Marlin.
Day 2 Traveled North once again and saw 3, releasing 2 white marlin.
Day 4 With rumored success South, the LizAnne followed and went 1/2 on White Marlin.

All and all it was a great tournament for the LizAnne, despite not producing a 'money fish', who was able really test the fishablity of the custom Intensity Work.

White Marlin Open 09' - Team 'Covert Mission'

Despite 'LizAnne’s' absents from the esteemed White Marlin Open due to scheduling conflicts, owner Bob Mormile partnered up with owner Jim McCarthy of the Covert Mission to go after the big prize money offered in Ocean City Maryland.

The partners consisted of four boat owners: Jim McCarthy of the ‘Covert Mission’, Jim Miner of the ‘Judge’, Bob Mormile of the ‘LizAnne’, and Don Gentillini of the ‘Super Crew’.

It was an electrifying week of fishing for the crew of the Covert Mission who were able to seek out action each day they fished. Day 1 the crew went three of four white marlin to put them in the top range of the release category. Day 2 released two whites on a slower fish day but still able to remain in contention.
The drama came down on the last fish day with some big decisions to be made for the Convert Mission team. With a state record Blue Marlin at 1,062lbs and a 93.5lbs white marlin, biggest catch in 20 years, at the top of the leader boards it was a unanimous decision to continue the quest for the Most Release white marlin category.
Day 3: The conditions were less than desirable with 15 to 20 knot winds and seas ranging 4 to 6 feet as the Convert Mission’s morning started out slow with no action. Capt Keith Greenberg was pondering a move with only four hours to go in the tournament that would be considered a ‘Captain’s Sense.’ With no real indicators of desirable water or positive reports from the fleet, Keith made a risky move based on years of experience. Roughly 10 minutes into the new spot, a couple white marlins showed up and the team quickly hooked and released a double. The team’s energy level was running high and the focus could have been comparable to that of a playoff game in the 4th quarter with two minutes to go. Capt. Keith continued to work the area hard with their next White hook up and release 54 minutes later. With only an hour and a half left in the tournament the Covert Mission was three for three on white marlin which put them right back in the hunt. With 15 minutes left in the final day they were able to hook up with another white; knowing that releasing this white could be the difference between in or out of the money, Capt. Keith directed the crew to clear the lines in order ensure a clean fight. Once the white was released the final day came to an end with the crew of the Covert Mission going 4/4 on Day 3.

To sum it up for the tournament the Covert Mission had nine White Marlin which put them into prize money:
First- Daily Release Category for Friday
Third- Release Overall Category.

"What a great Friday. Great job Captain Keith Greenberg and the team of the Covert Mission for a memorable week at the White Marlin Open."

Tight Lines
Capt. Bob

Enjoying the podium, anyway they can...

The Lizanne had another impressive tournament outing at the White Marlin Invitational hosted by Stone Harbor Yacht Club, NJ. The Lizanne was randomly teamed with 2 other boats, The Covert Mission and the Intuition, for the team portion of the 2 day tournament which seemed to be the right recipe. Each boat was able to hold their own by releasing 3 white marlin a piece for a tournament total of 9 white marlins. The team effort elevated them to an overall first place team trophy. Meanwhile, the Lizanne missed 3rd place overall individually by 25 minutes in a close finish.

Day 1
Saw one white marlin and released 2 whites. Angler's Greg Alfonsi and Bob Mormile.

Day 2
Slow day throughout with a couple moves while still being able to release one white marlin. Angler Bob Mormile.

'In the Pit' with Bob Mormile

Stone Harbor White Marlin Invitational

Day 1

The fishing was slow during the first morning for the Lizanne. We had our first white marlin up in the spread at 10:00 but the fish was not interested. Afternoon came around with no luck so we made a 10 mile move at 1:00 that proved to save the day. The first white came into the spread at 1:30 which raised the excitement level to quickly hook and release him. About an hour later a second white surfaced and we were able to hook & release him with a great team effort. Once day one was complete the crew and I were able to look back in excitement for the first white marlin caught on the Lizanne. It was a great moment for everyone.

Day 2

The second day was slow for us as well and weren't seeing anything all morning. We took a gamble and chased some water up north with no success. Made a late day move south and inshore that proved to salvage the day with raising & hooking a white and releasing shortly after.

My special thanks to the team of the Lizanne as they all did a great job. This was a especially impressive due to the fact that we are still working out the fishing kinks on the new boat and testing the new dredge set ups. Great job Capt. John for taking the risk on the late day moves to restore the day and put us into the fish. The one thing I can say so far is that the Lizanne is definitely 'luring the fish'

Tight Lines
Capt.Bob

LizAnne - First Tournament, First Place

Intensity Boat Works was well represented in the Cape May Marlin and Tuna Club Tournament- Shockley Off-Shore- as the LizAnne takes 1st Place in the Heaviest Tuna Category with a 140lb Blue Fin. LizAnne crew member Mike Mormile was the lucky angler in the chair for the trophy fish and once leadered received a team effort from the crew. The Shockley Off-Shore was the first tournament entered for the just splashed LizAnne and while its still to early make any major predictions for the coming tournament season, lady luck seems to start on their side.