2021 Annual Awards


DR. JAMES C. WRIGHT CONSERVATION HONORARY AWARD

Purpose: Presented to an individual, who in the opinion of the VBAC, contributed substantially to the conservation of freshwater or saltwater fish. Although not a firm requirement, this award normally focuses on conservation efforts within the State of Virginia.

Format: Candidates are proposed by the Board of Directors at the November Board meeting and tabled for thirty days. The slate is reviewed at the December Board meeting. Other candidates can be added at this time. The merits of each candidate are discussed in open forum and the final selection made by a raising of hand vote. The name of the recipient is held secret until the Annual Awards Banquet. The name of the recipient is coordinated with Dr. Wright by the VBAC President.

Award: The recipient’s name and year of the award is engraved on the perpetual trophy. The recipient also receives a replica trophy for permanent retention.

2021: Steve Bowman




VIRGINIA BEACH ANGLER’S CLUB MEMBER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Purpose: This award recognizes an outstanding VBAC member who has given much time and effort to improving the quality of the VBAC. This award is not based on angling efforts and excludes from consideration those duties performed in conjunction with an elected office.

Format: The President appoints a Committee Chairperson on or about the October time frame. The Committee Chairperson will select the remaining committee members (normally 2-3 persons). The President is an ex-officio member of this committee. At the December Board meeting, the Committee Chairperson proposes to the Board a list of candidates for the award. The Board can propose other candidates. Selection of the recipient is by ballot vote. The recipient must receive a majority vote of the Board. The Chairperson keeps the name of the winner secret. This award can be won more than once by any member.

Award: The award is a plaque. The plaque is sponsored and presented each year by the Virginia Beach Angler’s Club at the annual awards banquet.

ANGLER'S OF THE YEAR!

Most Outstanding Saltwater Catch of the Year:
David Smith

Most Outstanding Freshwater Catch of the Year:
Alan Hunter

Jay Smith Memorial Male Surf Angler of the Year Award
Kelly Hoggard

Gene Farrar Memorial Female Surf Angler of the Year Award
Patty Searby

Female Angler of the Year, Saltwater
Patty Searby

Release Angler of the Year, Saltwater:
Kelly Hoggard

Male Angler of the Year, Saltwater:
Kelly Hoggard

Female Angler of the Year, Freshwater:
Melanie Bayford

Release Angler of the Year, Freshwater:
Melanie Bayford

Male Angler of the Year, Freshwater:
Alan Hunter

Youth Angler of the Year:
Alex Ramos

Sand Witches Memorial Award:
Caroline Robinson

EXPERT ANGLER AWARDS

The following anglers have caught and/or released at least six club minimum sized fish of the same species. This earns them the title of “Expert Angler” for that species.

Kelly Hoggard -- Roundhead, Shark
Russell Willoughby -- Black Crappie
Melanie Bayford -- Black Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Bowfin, White Perch, Chain Pickerel
James 'Ike' Eisenhower -- Black Crappie, Speckled Trout
David Smith -- Speckled Trout
Alan Hunter -- Black Crappie, Bluegill, Longnose Gar, Shellcracker, White Perch, Yellow Perch, Bowfin
Patty Searby -- Roundhead



MASTER ANGLER AWARDS

The following anglers have caught and/or released at least one club minimum sized fish of six or more different species. This earns the title “Master Angler.”

Kelly Hoggard
Red Drum, Grey Triggerfish, Roundhead, Pompano, Spanish Mackerel, Shark & White Marlin.

Melanie Bayford
Black Crappie, Blue Catfish, Bluegill, Bowfin, White Perch, Largemouth Bass, Longnose Gar, Yellow Perch, Shellcracker, Sunfish (other) & Chain Pickerel

Alan Hunter
Black Crappie, Bluegill, White Perch, Largemouth Bass, Longnose Gar, Yellow Perch, Shellcracker, Blue Catfish, Bowfin & Chain Pickerel

Most Outstanding Saltwater Catch: Kelly Hoggard: 9 lb 5 oz Flounder
Most Outstanding Freshwater Catch: Preston Mangum: 1 lb 8 oz Yellow Perch


VBAC MEMBER OF THE YEAR:
Butch Eason


2021 Top Fish Saltwater Catch

Species Place Name Weight
Grey Triggerfish 1st Kelly Hoggard 3 lb 13 oz
Grey Trout 1st David Smith 7 lb 2 oz
Pompano 1st Kelly Hoggard 2 lb 8 oz
Roundhead 1st Kelly Hoggard 2 lb
Speckled Trout 1st David Smith 7 lb

 

2021 Top Fish Saltwater Release

Species Place Name Weight
Bluefish  1st Alex Ramos 17.25 in
Grey Triggerfish  1st Kelly Hoggard 15.5 in
Red Drum 1st Kelly Hoggard 50.25 in
Roundhead 1st Kelly Hoggard 16.5 in
Shark 1st Kelly Hoggard 113 in
Spanish Mackerel 1st Alex Ramos 26.5 in
Speckled Trout 1st James Eisenhower 23 in
Spot 1st Alex Ramos 9.25 in
White Marlin 1st Kelly Hoggard 1 Release

 

2021 Top Fish Surf Release

     Bluefish                      Alex Ramos                           17.25 in
     Roundhead                   Kelly Hoggard                           16.5 in
     Red Drum                    Kelly Hoggard                           50.25 in
     Shark                          Kelly Hoggard                           113 in
     Spanish Mackerel        Alex Ramos                           26.5 in
     Speckled Trout            Alex Ramos                           14 in
     Spot                          Alex Ramos                           9.25 in

2021 Top Fish Surf Catch

     Pompano                  1st      Kelly Hoggard                      2 lb 8 oz
     Roundhead                1st     Kelly Hoggard                      2 lb
     Spanish Mackerel      1st    Kelly Hoggard                       6 lb 1 oz
     Speckled Trout          1st    Zac Thomas                          5 lb 11 oz
  


2021 Top Fish Freshwater Catch     

      Blue Catfish                    1st        Alan Hunter              32 lb 12 oz
      Longnose Gar                 1st        Alan Hunter             16 lb 2 oz
      Shellcracker                    1st        Butch Eason             15 oz
     

2021 Top Fish Freshwater Release    
 
      Black Crappie                 1st       James Eisenhower     15.5 in
      Blue Catfish                     1st       Melanie Bayford     34 in
      Bluegill                             1st      Alan Hunter         9 in
      Bowfin                             1st       Melanie Bayford         30 in
      Chain Pickerel                 1st        Melanie Bayford         25 in
     Largemouth Bass              1st       Melanie Bayford       18 in
     Longnose Gar                   1st       Alan Hunter         45.5 in
      Shellcracker                    1st       Alan Hunter         10 in
      Sunfish (other)                  1st      Melanie Bayford        10 in
      White Perch                    1st        Melanie Bayford         13 in
      Yellow Perch                  1st        Alan Hunter         12.75 in


  

  

 

 


DONATIONS
Dozens of businesses and individuals provide donations to the Virginia Beach Anglers Club on an annual basis. Their contributions don’t always appear as raffle prizes at the banquet.  They may also contribute by buying ad space in our calendar, website, or newsletter. Donations are made monetarily towards our Seton Youth fishing event as well. Each of these contributions help to make the club successful.

Support those local businesses that support us and thank all the individuals that help make a difference. Without all of them, the club would not be able to provide the many opportunities it does to give back to the community.

COASTAL BREEZE CAR WASH
PRINCESS ANNE DISTRIBUTERS
SEA TOW HAMPTON ROADS
LONG BAY POINT BAIT & TACKLE
RUDEE TOURS
5.11 TACTICAL
WALMART
OCEAN’S EAST BAIT & TACKLE
FIRST WATCH
WHISKEY KITCHEN
JIMMY DA GREEK’S
USA FUEL SERVICE / DAVE TROSIEN
MURPHY’S IRISH PUB
    LUCKY OYSTER
THE EGG BISTRO
HAIR OF THE DOG EATERY
MOD PIZZA
PEMBROKE PIZZA
PETE FEDERICO PHOTOGRAPHY
JERRY MARIANO, CAROLINE ROBINSON, GARY DORHOFF, RUSSELL WILLOUGHBY, MARY BRADLEY



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P.O. Box 8602 Virginia Beach, VA 23450
Email: vbanglersclub@gmail.com