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News
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Frequent Flyer 2006 Barta Winner |
| August 1, 2006 |
By Jason Hawkins
For Tred Barta, who often speaks through dry lips, sore throat, and boasting voice; his message of sharing the priceless intangibles found in fishing could not have scripted a better story than angler J.D. Carter. Carter, his dad Sonny Carter, Mike Moseh, Chris May, Martin Jones, and boat mate, Alan Willis were aboard the Frequent Flyer for two days of fishing during the Barta. The captain of the boat, Glynn Loftin, most likely thought Carter was any typical angler when the crew boarded the boat on the first day. However, any "thoughts of typical" were soon evaporated when the following day, Carter and crew were announced as the overall winner of the tournament by releasing 12 billfish in two days of fishing.
Even Captain Loftin recognizes the goal of the Barta, and he found that in what J.D. brought to his boat during last years tournament. Says Captain Loftin, "Having great fishing and a great charter party like we had at the Barta Tournament is why I do this job". Loftin continued by saying, "J.D. is a quality kid, he got on the boat and did not go to the salon. Instead, he stayed in the cockpit and asked questions, watched Alan (the mate) rig baits and was truly interested in all aspects of fishing. His actions during the first few hours of the first day made me want to work hard for him". Captain’s comments are common threads found within the boats that take kids offshore to fish for kids inshore, at the Boys & Girls Clubs.
Following a successful day one on the water, Frequent Flyer and Job Site had managed to release 6 fish. Day two would be the day that Captain Loftin would have to make good on his “hard work”, in order to reward J.D. for his interest and desire to learn about fishing. On this day, the Job Site and Frequent Flyer headed offshore for a gamble bite that could decide the outcome of this charity tournament. Within the span of an hour, Job Site managed to release five fish in sixty minutes. In most tournaments, this would have placed pressure on Captain Loftin and other anglers as the quest to "win money" would have surpassed the basic need to have fun and fish. And so, with a future and eager angler on board, Captain Loftin pressed the Frequent Flyer on and eventually hit a double header with the final fish released with only thirteen minutes remaining in the tournament.
For Captain Loftin, the spirit of the Barta tournament was the opportunity to take a kid fishing, and hopefully to leave a lasting and morally sound, impression on a young anglers life. Loftin, who is originally from Kinston and had spent many years in the Keys and Bahamas, became Captain of the Frequent Flyer in 1994 and lives in Swansboro with his wife Annette. Loftin is recognized as one of North Carolina’s most experienced and successful Captains with many key tournament wins to his credit.
And while it would be acceptable in many angling cliques to laude the luck J.D. had on the water, what many may not know about J.D., is that he is fishing for someone other than the crew on board. In 2004, J.D. and the Carter family lost Dean Carter, J.D’s grandfather, to cancer. From his death, the family started the "Carter Saltwater Tournament" held annually in Georgetown South Carolina. The tournament, like the Barta, gives something back to the community, with the benefiting community being those affected and searching for a cure for Cancer; like the American Cancer Society. In addition, J.D, participates each year in the "Locks of Love" charity, which provides wigs, grown from donors like J.D. to children who experience hair loss from cancer treatment therapy.
When the 2007 tournament gets underway in July, Loftin and Carter will be among the many other participants that will compete for the release division winner. However, the real competition in Beaufort will be in raising money for a deserving charity in the Boys & Girls Club. |
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