When first meeting Mama C’s Capt. Rob Mahoney, you wouldn’t expect the sturdy redhead to be a casual poet and a bit of a romantic. Like most professionals in this business, he’s passionate about fishing and no stranger to getting fired up in the middle of a competitive tournament day. However, the husband and father of two seems to have a soft spot, especially when it comes to his forthright appreciation for his family, a sentiment that often springs to mind following his many tournament victories. 

That was certainly the case as Mahoney stood alongside the Mama C team under the glowing lights of the Cooper River Bridge to accept their award for first place in the Charleston Billfish Invitational at Seabreeze Marina. Clutching a check for over $70,000 on the night before Mother’s Day, Mahoney thought of his wife Courtney and their two young boys.

“Courtney is one of our biggest cheerleaders behind the scenes,” says Mahoney. “She makes it possible for me to continue to chase my dream. We started dating in high school, so she is used to me being gone and traveling. There are many times it isn’t easy when I’m away, but she keeps the house and our two young boys in line. Without a good partner by my side, I would never get to fish the amount I do each year, and I am very thankful for all that she does.”

Indeed, Mahoney fishes often and everywhere. Mama C, a 60’ Bayliss, is just one of two boats owned by Chris Perry. The other is a 51’ Ricky Scarborough called Miss AC. Mahoney is responsible for both boats, each of which spends time in different corners of the world.

While Mama C currently sits amid South Carolina’s coastal creeks, Miss AC is tied up in the bright blue waters of Costa Rica. The two-boat approach allows Mahoney and his crew access to some of the best bites in the world. Managing such a program of course comes with its own challenges, but it’s a sweet set-up for all involved.

“Having a good owner like Chris is a big part of being successful,” says Mahoney. “Chris never questions anything taking place with the boat or fishing and allows us the freedom to do and get whatever we feel we need. We pre-fish as much as we want, and I am very grateful to have that kind of situation.”

Mahoney has worked as a professional fisherman for all of his adult life. He’s had a long list of notable mentors throughout his career, including several legendary figures that are household names in the sport fishing industry.

“My uncle Capt. David Graham, Capt. Jimmy Hardee, Capt. Mike Glaesner, and John Bayliss are all heroes to me,” Mahoney says. “I feel if I work hard to be half of what they are in this industry, I’ll be doing okay. Gary Sansburry also played a huge part in molding me into the captain I am today. He is more knowledgeable about every aspect of boats than anyone I know, and fortunately for me, I have worked countless hours by his side. I am also lucky that my father-in-law, Jeff Hathaway, is a diesel mechanic and kind of a local legend around Dare County, so I always have him there for me with mechanical stuff as well. I’ve really been lucky to work with a long line of great captains, owners and teams over the years.”

Mama C, like most tournament winning operations, boasts a talented and reliable crew that has spent years fishing together as a team. “We are fortunate to always have a great group of guys fishing with us,” Mahoney says. “During the Charleston Billfish Invitational, we had Chris Perry, Dan Pimental, Joe Dieffenbach, our full-time mate Tommy “Tomahawk” Farella and Blue Sky’s Donnie Todd on board. They all take tournament fishing seriously, but still have fun and don’t get worked up if things aren’t going our way. It’s extremely helpful when everyone knows the proper flow of how everything takes place. There doesn’t have to be a lot of talking or explanation when we’re out there.”

Competing in a tournament with the caliber of talent that Farella brings to the cockpit is a welcome advantage as well. Farella is regularly celebrated as a representative of the upper echelon of mates in the industry, not only for his professionalism and good-natured, easygoing attitude, but also for his skill and consistency. He and Mahoney have been fishing together on and off since 2008, growing up and learning from each other along the way.

“We were both young when Tomahawk and I started working together,” Mahoney recalls. “I’ll admit I wasn’t easy on him in my younger years. I had high expectations and pushed him hard, but as we’ve gotten older, everything is much more laidback and smooth. We have fished a lot of days together in a lot of different places, and there isn’t much that needs to be said anymore while fishing. Most of the time we’re thinking the same thing anyway. I usually have a fair amount of stress on me during tournaments, and Tomahawk remains calm throughout it all, which is a nice balance to help keep our anglers levelheaded. I couldn’t ask for a better person working beside me. We both have each others’ backs through the good and bad, and we’re very close even outside of the boat.”     

That dynamic is palpable back at the dock. Mahoney and Farella seem to sort through everything as a well-balanced team, whether discussing tackle or sorting through unfamiliar tournament rules.

“With the weather forecast that was dealt to us for the tournament, the Series’ rule about fishing being called off due to a small craft advisory was a challenge for me,” explains Mahoney. “You certainty do not want to make a wrong decision for your fish days and put yourself in a position where you only get to go once.”

Weather was definitely not ideal for the tournament this year, but 17 boats turned out to compete in the event, the first of the 2024 South Carolina Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series. Mahoney and the Mama C had never fished a tournament in South Carolina before, but the team sure made an entrance in their debut. They released one blue marlin and six sailfish in the first two days of competition. As they sat back at the dock on the final day of the tournament, they watched the app announce one release after another as Capt. Alan Neiford and the Mister Pete chased after their lead. 

“Alan on the Mister Pete is a great fisherman and is always so consistent in his home waters, so when he started picking away on the last day, I figured he was going to get us,” Mahoney admits. “If he had bumped us out of first, I would have been happy for them and congratulated him, just as he did for us.”

It was a close finish, but Mama C held the lead and took home the tournament win with 1,800 points. Neiford and Mister Pete, owned by Bob and Rusty McClam, finished in second place after releasing one blue marlin and five sailfish for a total of 1,600 points. Third place went to Outlier, owned by Will Dorminy and captained by Ryan Riggs, with 1,400 points after releasing one blue marlin and four sailfish. 

A total of 12 blue marlin and 24 sailfish were released during the Charleston Billfish Invitational at Seabreeze Marina. It was a nice start to the Series.

“The thing that jumps out to me about the tournament is how welcoming all the locals are and how helpful everyone is,” says Mahoney. “It seems that most of the local fishing community comes together for the Governor’s Cup Series and the camaraderie around the events is very nice.”

Next, the Mama C will head up the road to participate in the second leg of the Series, the 56^th Annual Georgetown Blue Marlin Tournament at Georgetown Landing Marina. And while Mahoney, Farella, Perry, and the rest of the crew prepare for another competitive few days of fishing, Mahoney’s wife will be busy prepping the luck at home for her favorite team. “Our boys are three and six,” Mahoney says with a grateful grin. “On tournament days, Courtney will wash their lucky blue marlin pajamas daily so they have them to wear to bed each night.” 

We’re looking forward to seeing how everyone’s luck shakes out this week in Georgetown. We’ll see y’all up there soon for another great tournament event in the Palmetto State!

See all winners from the Charleston Billfish Invitational

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The Teaser is a series dedicated to showcasing the stories of the South Carolina Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series and its lively community. The Gov Cup was created several decades ago to encourage the conservation of ocean resources through the tagging and release of billfish. Learn more here.