Sea Birds Soar To Lead Day 2 of Rhode Island Offshore Invitational

Day one of the Rhode Island Offshore Invitational, presented by MeetPerry belonged to the Atlantic Division leaders, South Florida Sails Angling Club, but day two belonged to their stiffest competition this season: The New Jersey Sea Birds.

The Flock turning a fifth-place start into the tournament lead after an incredible six-white marlin day. Their rally bringing their total 700 points by lines out, atop the leaderboard entering Championship Sunday.

With one day remaining, just 200 points separate the top four clubs, setting the stage for one of the closest finishes of the Atlantic Division season.

Saturday began with North Carolina Flare erasing the overnight deficit to South Florida Sails. Under an hour into lines-in, David Dressler released a white marlin to bring the Flare to 550 points, matching the South Florida Sails atop the standings, with the Sails still ahead due to the tiebreaker of reaching that point total first.

Behind the leaders, New Jersey Sea Birds wasted little time getting back into contention. Stephen Birch released a white marlin before 9:15 AM tying Lights Out Boston at 200 points before, Mike Nini added another release less than 20 minutes later to move the Sea Birds above their division rivals.

Every time the Sea Birds seemed poised to pass them, South Carolina Outcast answered earlier in the day.

Steven Lackey recorded another white marlin release at 11:00 AM to reclaim sole possession of third place before Trey Kemmerlin followed with yet another release just before noon.

Suddenly, the Outcast sat at 500 points, only 50 behind co-leaders South Florida Sails and North Carolina Flare.

The Flock took flight after Mike O'Connor released another white marlin at 1:23 PM, bringing New Jersey within one fish of third place. Less than 30 minutes later, Jay Brower added another release, pulling the Sea Birds level with South Carolina Outcast at 500 points. Five minutes later, Jarrett Birch released a white marlin of his own to push the Sea Birds to 600 points, completing a stunning leap from fifth place at sunrise to the overall tournament lead before 2:00 PM.

The charge wasn't finished from there, with Birch releasing yet another white marlin to reach 700 points.

While the Sea Birds stole the spotlight, this tournament remains wide open.

South Florida Sails and North Carolina Flare each held steady at 550 points, only 150 points off the lead. South Carolina Outcast remained well within striking distance at 500 points, while Lights Out Boston added another white marlin courtesy of Ray Rosher to reach 300 points.

Even as the afternoon unfolded, missed opportunities reminded everyone how quickly fortunes can change. East Coast Remix endured another frustrating day with several missed billfish opportunities, while both North Carolina Flare and Lights Out Boston added tuna but continued searching for the billfish.

Saturday also brought official confirmation that the Rhode Island Breakers will not compete this weekend. Club owner Paul Squarcia confirmed the team was forced to scratch after rough conditions prevented the boat from safely making the trip north from Ocean City after a month of extensive repairs to El Bendido’s transmission

If the current order holds through Sunday, the New Jersey Sea Birds and South Florida Sails will officially clinch the Atlantic Division's two berths in the Zane Grey Championship Playoffs in Cabo San Lucas.

But with one final day remaining, and every club knowing what’s at stake, Championship Sunday is poised to be a roller coster ride.

Buckle up. 

Day 2 Leaderboard
New Jersey Sea Birds - 700 points
South Florida Sails - 550 points
North Carolina Flare - 550 points
South Carolina Outcast - 500 points
Lights Out Boston - 300 points
East Coast Remix - 0 points
Rhode Island Breakers - Scratch