For 8 year-old Hunter Blount, Jr., winning the Barta Billfish Tournament is becoming routine. On the stage at the awards banquet on Saturday night, Blount Jr., listened to Captain Tred Barta discuss the principles and values of his tournament and then with outstretched arms and a salty grin, he received the coveted overall-winner, Billfish trophy. Aboard his grandfather´s Barbra B, Hunter reeled two sailfish to the boat for releases. His grandfather, also known as Poppy, says, "I am so proud of him. Right now he is leading the Junior Angler division of the Governor´s Cup and he won the Junior Angler at the Swansboro tournament. He is a real lucky kid and I am just so happy." The Barbra B´s win capped an exciting seventh installment of the Barta Billfish tournament. This year, Captain Barta returned following his illness and subsequent paralysis and his voice and energy was felt throughout the docks. Also felt throughout the docks was the wind. On Friday many boats headed to sea and many boats returned to find fish closer to home as the seas and wind was relentless. On Saturday only a handful of boats fished offshore with the inlet by Fort Macon busy with more than one-dozen charter boats fishing for Spanish and sharks as the wind built and the seas were heavy, too. Grandfather Blount says that his son, Hunter, takes Hunter Jr., fishing in all kinds of conditions and they can be found fishing for rock fish in the winter when it is blowing 30 and the temperature 20-degrees. "He is tough as they come," said Blount of his grandson, "he was cool and calm the whole tournament." When asked about the Barta, Blount says that he had fished with Captain Tred in the past and that this tournament is good for the old-guys. "I fished with Barta back in the 70´s and 80´s. I like that this is a dead bait tournament and I think it really creates for excitement. The Barta is a great tournament in that it promotes the sport and creates enthusiasm about fishing with your family," says Blount.

While the fishing at the 7th Annual tournament was limited by the weather, those who support Tred and support the mission to raise funds for the Boys & Girls Club filled the docks and tent alike. 81 boats fished the tournament this year and as in years past return anglers reunited beneath the tent and along Front Street in Beaufort. The staff and directors of the Barta Billfish tournament thanks all that participated, sponsored, volunteered, and assisted in the planning and production of this tournament. The 8th Annual Barta Billfish Tournament begins on July 14, 2011.