Onancock Bay Challenge fishing tournament benefits summer camp scholarships

Ethan Willett of Parksley was the big winner in the Onancock Bay Challenge fishing tournament on Saturday, bringing in the biggest fish of the day with his 8.12-pound speckled trout.

The tournament, now in its 27th year, focuses on families and especially youth anglers.

It raises thousands of dollars annually to fund scholarships for Eastern Shore of Virginia children to attend summer camp at Chincoteague Bay Field Station.

"All the money stays here on the Shore. It goes to kids here on the Eastern Shore that might not otherwise have a chance to go to summer camp and experience that," said Sam Sellard, president of the Eastern Shore Anglers Club, which sponsored the tournament.

Seven camp scholarships were awarded to Eastern Shore children last year.

More than $6,500 of prizes donated by sponsors were handed out during an awards ceremony held Saturday evening, after participants weighed in their catches at the Onancock Wharf.

Willett for his prize-winning trout won a fishing charter trip with SeaHawk Sports fishing team, plus a $150 cash award sponsored by Sam and Jean Sellard and Seaworthy Marine.

He also won the award for best overall catch of the tournament, which came with a $250 cash prize.

Daniel Pruitt of Nandua won the best adult catch award for his 5.74-pound flounder, receiving a $150 cash award sponsored by PNC Bank and a fishing charter trip with SeaHawk Sports fishing team, sponsored by K&E Marine.

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Additional awards were given for first and second place for several species, by weight.

Junior awards:

Croaker, first place Anna Yunker, second place Ethan Willet

Gray trout, first place Conway Turner, second place Seth Taylor

Sand mullet, first place Grayson Ford, second place Dylan Padgett

Spot, first place Ethan Willet, second place Anna Yunker

Speckled trout, first place Ethan Willet, second place Chad Saunders

Bluefish, first place Jacob Morrison, second place J. C. Morrison

Adult awards:

Croaker, first place Steve Gaskill, second place Josh Yunker

Gray trout, first place Buddy Taylor, second place Marty Bull

Red drum, first place Sandy Murphy, second place George Phillips

Sand mullet, first place Tim Smith, second place Woody Gaskins

Spot, first place Marty Bull, second place Buddy Taylor

Speckled trout, first place Andrew Keisel, second place Bobby Keisel

Flounder, first place Daniel Pruitt, second place Tommy Splawn

Bluefish, first place Ken Schultz, Gus Burmeister

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