Collegiate fishing match turns 35

The Coastal Carolina Invitational will be observing its 35th year as this nation’s oldest intercollegiate fishing match and seminar. On Oct. 31, student anglers will be fishing for king mackerel and black sea bass on the New Inlet Princess out of Captain Dick’s Marina in Murrells Inlet. In the past Captain Jack Orr has had to run up to 35 miles off the beach to find the kings, but in some years the kings have been in as close as 12 miles.

Participating schools for 2008 will include Clemson University, Coastal Carolina University and the University of South Carolina. Retired Coastal Professor Richard Moore will be judging the competition as he has done every year since 1974. Professor Donald Millus will be organizing and directing the Invitational for the 35th time, assisted by Professor Erin Burge of Coastal’s Department of Marine Science, Dr. Joey Sanders of Conway and Captain Ryan Powers, a Coastal alumnus. Patricia Millus will provide the catered lunch, traditionally hero sandwiches.

Coastal Carolina University is the defending champion, having dethroned the University of South Carolina by a score of 100-96 in last year’s match. The public is invited to the weigh-in at Captain Dick’s Marina at 4 p.m. on Halloween.

For more information, call Don Millus, professor of English at Coastal Carolina University and founder of the tournament, at 843-349-2431.