Three has been a lucky number for Capt. Cordes Lucas. Three years ago, the Charleston, South Carolina, native took the helm of the 57-foot Sunny Briggs, Buddy Rowe. For Lucas, who began his journey on the Eubanks family’s 54-foot Monterey, Sportin’ Life, at just six years old, this was the culmination of a lifelong passion.
Lucas’ career began as a mate with Capt. Ryan Riggs aboard Micabe. Over the next two decades, he honed his skills with notable captains, including Capt. Reid Bost (Dem Boys), Capt. Mike Glaesner (Sportin’ Life), Capt. Wil Thornhill (Mama Who), and ultimately Buddy Rowe, where he’s been captain since 2022.
“When you’re in a new boat, it takes a while to put a team together,” Lucas shared. “This year, we had a great team, fished all the tournaments, and felt competitive. Our goal wasn’t to win the Governor’s Cup—we just wanted to win a tournament and get over that hump.”
Tournament Achievements:
- Carolina Billfish Classic: 1st Place – 500 pts.
- HMY Lowcountry Cup Billfishing Tournament: 1st Place – 500 pts.
- Edisto Marina Billfish Tournament: 1st Place – 500 pts.
- South Carolina Governor’s Cup: Champion – 250 pts.
A Turning Point Season
The Buddy Rowe faced challenges early in the South Carolina Governor’s Cup Series. Equipment failures kept the team off the scoreboard during the Charleston Billfish Invitational and Georgetown Blue Marlin Tournament. But a pivotal decision during the Big Rock Tournament turned the tide: “I changed my propellers,” Lucas said. “What a difference. It was the turning point for our season.”
The team followed with three consecutive wins, securing the South Carolina Governor’s Cup Championship and Lucas’ AIRMAR East Coast Division title.
Highlights from the Series:
- Carolina Billfish Classic
A one-day shootout due to rough weather didn’t stop Buddy Rowe. A blue marlin release followed by seven sailfish gave Lucas and his team their first major win in three years. - HMY Lowcountry Cup
With four blue marlin and 12 sailfish releases, Buddy Rowe took another victory. Lucas’ decision to leave the pack and find fish 15 miles south proved decisive. - Edisto Invitational Billfish Tournament
Despite rough weather, Buddy Rowe made history with 14,075 points, releasing 11 blue marlin and 37 sailfish. This third win clinched the Series and set a new record.
The Secret to Success
“I tell people I’m lucky,” Lucas says. “Lucky to have a supportive family, great bosses, hardworking mates, and to be on such a fishy boat. I’ve also been fortunate to fish with knowledgeable people who took time to teach me. You have to put everything together for it to work out.”
The Buddy Rowe team includes owners/anglers Todd Wigfield and Matt Byrd, along with Jamie Hood, Chris Byrd, and Jay McMurphy. Mates Cordes Johnson, Chip Bird, and Evan Hamilton, along with Ryan Sullivan on the tower, complete the crew.
Looking ahead, Lucas and his team plan to compete in the 2025 South Carolina Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series, ready to build on this season’s incredible momentum.
The InTheBite Captain of the Year Cup stands as the premier global competition for professional sportfishing captains. Unique in its approach, this competition is the only one in the world that offers a measurable way to compare the tournament achievements of sportfishing captains. Competitors vie for the highly coveted InTheBite Captain of the Year Award across five divisions: East Coast, Florida, Gulf Coast, Hawaii, and International. The Cup encompasses 90 sanctioned tournaments with a scoring system that awards points based on tournament placements and marlin catches. Points are awarded as follows: 1st Place earns 500 points, 2nd Place 300 points, and 3rd Place 100 points, with additional points for the Heaviest Marlin. The Hawaii Division uniquely awards points for 2nd and 3rd Place Heaviest Marlin as well. Achieving success in the InTheBite Captain of the Year Cup signifies a major milestone in a captain’s professional career.
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