George Hays Memorial Big Fish Award

2008 Winner : AM Boat Early Bird - 16.80 lb Lake Trout

The Captain George Hays Memorial Big Fish Award, named for our past tournament director, is given to the team that catches the largest fish in the Pro Am Division.

Capt. George Hays was involved with getting the Tournament started in 1996. He was serving as Secretary/Treasurer for both the Grand Haven Steelheaders and the Grand Haven Charterboat Association and then took on that same position with the Offshore Challenge. Capt. George Hays had been a charter boat captain for many years running mostly out of Muskegon but after retirement he sold his boat and worked as a first mate primarily for SWAT Charters.

During his years with the tournament George was always promoting the big fish part of the tournament giving anyone a chance to be a winner. He loved watching the big fish get weighed in. George also set the precedence that he would not fish the tournament and be on hand to run the weigh in and designed the original scoreboards that allow everyone to see where they stand at any time.

George Hays
After his untimely death in January of 1999 the committee decided to dedicate our Big Fish award in his memory. We feel each year George would be proud of what we have accomplished with his helpful start. Thank you George for all you did, we miss you and think of you often.

- Grand Haven Offshore Challenge Committee

First Ever George Hays Big Fish Award Winner(1999) - 27.5lb Salmon