Take a 1-in-30 shot at $20K: ‘Run for the Bulls’ fishing tourney on for Hilton Head

I know many of you have been waiting on this particular column. Why do I know? Because my phone has been ringing off the hook and every caller has asked the same question, “Is there going to be another “Run For The Bulls” dolphin tournament this year?”

The short answer is “YES.”

For those who aren’t familiar with this tournament, now in its third year, I originally concocted it for one reason: a fundraiser for our very special Waddell Mariculture Center in Bluffton.

Being a waterman through and through, I know that this state-operated facility quietly does so much for our unique water world, which is no doubt the biggest draw for most everyone who has made the Lowcountry home.

It is seriously underfunded, and without phenomenal public support over the past decade, I doubt that it would have made it. It took years to finally get funding for a major revamp, now almost complete, but there is so much more that needs to be done to bring it up to snuff.

That is why I decided to try and put together this year’s “2020 Run For The Bulls” tournament, that is if it doesn’t kill me first.

Just so you don’t think we are out there hunting poor old Flipper, the dolphin we are targeting are fish, not mammals.

Being of the old school, it is still hard for me to call them mahi-mahi because, for 60-plus years, “dolphin” was the word.

Anyhoo, this year’s event has moved from Harbour Town to the newly renovated Palmetto Bay Marina. Hilton Head Island’s oldest marina was practically destroyed during Hurricane Mathew, but the new Palmetto Bay is going to be awesome when completed. More dock space and longer docks make this the perfect venue for this year’s event.

No doubt, all the phone calls about this tournament are understandable because of its unique format.

Limited to 30 boats, and 30 boats only, the payout for first-place or the largest dolphin is a staggering $20,000.

Usually that sum of money only happens in tournaments with over 100 boats, and even then, it is rare.

Scheduled for Saturday, May 16, boats that were participants in last year’s tournament have first refusal, but only until April 27, when boats on a waiting list get a crack at participating.

The entry fee is $600 per boat (cash, check or credit card). An e-mail will go out shortly to last year’s boats so those folks better start saving their pennies because only money in hand reserves your spot.

A one-in-30 chance at 20 grand is about the best odds you’ll ever find.

A few small changes will occur this year simply because I am old and tired ... lol.

Though not set in stone, I think I will try and give more prizes for things like second and third place, youth angler, female angler and raffle items. Any businesses that contributed donations last year or new contributors can contact me at 843-816-6608 if they want to get involved.

All donations are tax deductible, and remember that this is a fundraiser for Waddell Mariculture Center.

The more money we raise, the more the staff at Waddell can do to educate future generations, re-populate fish stocks like redfish, cobia, trout and more, and most importantly, give guidance on how to keep our waters clean and healthy, especially with the massive influx of people moving to our coast.

I cannot put into words the gratitude I have for the major sponsors that have stepped forward so that this tournament has become such a hit. They are the Hilton Head Boathouse, Bud Mingledorff, Bass Pro Shops and Jim Hagale.

These folks stepped up to the plate BIG TIME without any arm twisting.

Should you want to contribute a few bucks to Waddell, let me know, and in the works is our website at: info@runforthebulls.com.

So there you have it. Re-line those reels, sharpen those hooks because the “2020 Run For The Bulls” is a go!