TEAM NO SLACK WINS INAUGURAL 7 MILE MARINA MARATHON SHARKATHON

        MARATHON, Florida Keys –.  On Saturday, April 25, the inaugural 7 Mile Marina Marathon Sharkathon proved to be a colossal test of angler skill and dexterity in the pursuit of six species of shark.  The all-release tournament awarded points for mako, tiger, hammerhead, bull, blacktip and lemon sharks.  Minimum qualifying size was five feet, and there were various rules regarding tackle and equipment, including single-hook rigs only, mandatory use of non-offset circle hooks, no electric reels and maximum 50-lb. test.  Each boat was provided a measuring device and camera.  In addition to calling in hook-ups and releases, the teams were required to photograph each catch with the measuring device visible. 

        For the one-day tournament, 13 boats fished 45 anglers, 17 of whom traveled to the Keys from beyond Monroe County for the event.  A total of 70 qualifying sharks were released: 29 blacktip, 23 bull and 18 lemon.  The $5,000 top prize went to Team No Slack consisting of Capt. James “Bucko” Platt, Capt. BJ Meyer and Jamie Koval.  They focused on bull sharks and their catch of 12 paid off for them.  Team Carnada, with Capt. Chris Morrison and Henry Waszcuk, took second place with two bulls and ten blacktips.  The team was rewarded with a check for $3,000.  Team Carnada’s day of fishing was captured on film for the series Fishing the Flats with Henry Waszcuk, which will appear on Sun Sports TV during the last week of June.  Third place and $2,000 went to Team Bionic with Capt. Jack Callion, Buck Bielik, John Ryan and Pat Lynch.  They caught 12 blacktips and one lemon.  Team SeaSquared, with Capt. Chris Johnson, Capt. John Musacchia and Capt. John Callion, caught the most sharks with two blacktips and 13 lemons.  There were no cash prizes or awards designated for the team catching the most sharks.  The top three teams also received custom plaques created by Collectors Corner in Marathon.  A perpetual trophy will reside at the 7 Mile Marina.  There were no registrants in the Junior Angler Division.

        The goal of the 7 Mile Marina Marathon Sharkathon is to provide an exhilarating fishing experience while benefiting two of Marathon’s deserving charities that enhance the quality of life for the community’s children and disabled veterans.  Grace Jones Day Care Center received a donation of $5,000, and the Marathon Affiliate of the Disabled American Veterans was given a donation of $500.

        A great part of the success of the tournament is attributed to the generosity of its sponsors and the many local businesses who donated door prizes, as well as the efforts of its volunteers, too numerous to list.  Special recognition goes to RumBums Bar and Grill for excellent hosting of both the Captain’s Meeting and Awards Dinner.       

        The 7 Mile Marina and RumBums are located at MM 47.5 Gulfside, just east of the 7 Mile Bridge in Marathon.  For more information and pictures from the tournament, please visit www.7milemarina.net.

43^rd Annual Marathon International Tarpon Tournament

Final Standings:  Anglers on left, Teams on right

Captains Standings:

1^st        Billy Rabito                1350pts.                                 

^2nd        Kevin Goodwin          900pts.

3^rd        Jack Callion               900pts.

4^th        John Callion              675pts.

5^th        B.J. Meyer                 525pts.

6^th        Donna Vankirk         450pts.

7^th        Mike Taute                450pts.

Total Fish Caught     35                    NOTE:  All captains are from Marathon, Fl.

Awards were presented at the banquet which was held at Annette’s Steak & Lobster House

       Captain Paul Ross led anglers Fenton Langston of Ocean Reef, Debbie and Jimmy David of  Ft. Lauderdale, and Jimmy Hendrix from Tavernier, FL to a never done before feet.  The team won the Florida Keys Gold Cup Championship Series by winning all three of the series events.  The Islamorada Sailfish Tournament was the first leg of the series.  The team aboard the Relentless released 30 sailfish during the three days of fishing.  The Reel McCoy would release 26 fish for second place in the tournamet.  The next leg was the Islamorada Presidential Sailfish Tournament where team Relentless released 11 Sails.  The Reel McCoy would land in third on time with 9 releases. 

       It would be the final leg of the trilogy that would find the Relentless doing what no others had in the history of the Gold Cup Series.  The Relentless would win the Islamorada Fishing Clubs January Sailfish Tournament with 7 fish.  The unprecedented win with a total of 48 sailfish released was attributed to the Captains and Anglers skill and a little bit of luck.  Captain Paul Ross has been fishing since birth and has learned from the Keys finest Captains.  The accomplishment of this team will go down in history as one of the biggest wins in Sailfishing.  Fenton Langston was all smiles at awards night giving kudos to his captain crew and fellow anglers. 

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FKGC Results

The Islamorada Fishing Clubs January Sailfish Tournament would land another win on the 22^nd of January for the charter boat Relentless.  Anglers Fenton Langston of Ocean Reef, FL. and Jimmy Hendrix from Tavernier, FL released a total of 7 Sailfish to take home the $25,000.00 in the one day tournament. The Relentless’ captain Paul Ross would take the duo into the winners circle for the third time this season.  Along with Mate Jimmy David with his wife Debbie the Relentless would win all three of the Florida Keys Gold Cup Series tournaments.

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       35 Bartenders fishing on 13 boats joined in the fun for the 28^th annual Bartenders Sailfish Open Monday January 12^th.  The first Sailfish release, at 8:59 by Renee Jensen, aboard the T & A put the Ocean View in the lead.  It was not soon after that Captain Nick Stanczyk of the B & M called in a triple header of sails.  B & M’s mate Dan Flynn got the release on all three fish and the B & M never looked back.  With another triple at 12:20 and three single fish released through out the day the B & M would solidly take home first place.  Anglers Skyler Mc Garry and Ryan Crocket will proudly display the 1^st place bar trophy at Dillon’s for the next year.  The T & A’s Captain Phil Wright with anglers Renee Jensen and Kelly Farr from the Ocean View would pick away at the Sailfish all day.  They would land 2^nd place bar honors with a total of 6 releases.  Main Attraction fishing Matt Anthony, Alison Baker, Carolyn Anthony, Denise Matzen and Michael Nealis all from Sparkey’s Landing took third place with 5 releases. 

       Island Grill once again hosted the Bartenders with live music, fantastic food and a great party. Overall a total of 33 fish were released out of 43 called in hook ups.  High point bartender honors went to Skyler Mc Garry aboard the B & M with a total of 6 releases.  Second place bartender was Renee Jensen from Ocean View with 5 sailfish releases.   Ryan Crocket from Dillon’s was 3^rd place bartender with 3 sail releases. The fourth place bartender trophy was awarded to Kenley Turchetti from the Big Chill fishing aboard the Bad Habit with two releases on time. Dillon’s would cap off the awards ceremony taking the Most Outstanding Catch award with a 32.9 Pound Wahoo caught by Ryan Crocket.

Relentless lives up to their name with 30 Sailfish Releases in the

Captain Paul Ross led anglers Fenton Langston of Key Largo, Jimmy and Debbie David from Ft. Lauderdale and Jimmy Hendrix from Tavernier to the winner’s circle of the 45th Islamorada Sailfish Tournament.  The team released a total of 30 Sailfish over the three day event setting a new tournament record.

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45th Annual Islamorada Sailfish Trophy Listing

Main Attraction took home hand painted Captain’s Cups by Pasta Pantaleo and the big check for $20,000.00.

2008 IFCCC Sailfish Tournament Press Release & Results

2006 Mercury Redbone S.L.A.M.

Naples, Florida angler Troy Pruett had two great days of fishing last weekend in 1st leg of the Mercury Redbone Celebrity Tournament trilogy. Pruett caught 9 tarpon, 2 bonefish and a pair of permit to earn Grand Champion Angler honors in the coveted contest. “It was great tournament. Troy and Jeff did a great job and we were very fortunate.” Captain Rich Tudor said when asked about his tournament experience.

The tournament’s format calls for anglers to target bonefish, permit and tarpon. Catching at least one of each of the three species is the objective. The coveted three fish, Keys Flats Slam trumps any and all combinations of catches. For example; if angler A catches 1 bonefish, 1 tarpon and 1 permit he would defeat angler B, who caught 30 bonefish and 27 tarpon, but failed to land a single permit. Moreover, very important bonus points are awarded to anglers and teams for additional slams after the first one. This is an exciting format, and leads to many different strategies, depending on tides, wind directions, catch totals, etc… Captain Tudor’s plan for targeting the tarpon on day two obviously paid big dividends for his two anglers. Captain Tudor’s anglers caught 16 tarpon on day two, 16! Moreover, Tudor, Pruett and Ball’s impressive performance earned them 3750 points! 3750 is just 50 points shy of the all time point record last month by Captain Tim Hoover and his anglers, Jim Bokor and Jim Hoefert at this year’s Redbone at large tournament held at Little Palm Island.

Furthermore, Mercury’s Redbone S.L.A.M always brings out many of the top guides and anglers from the Keys and abroad. The fishing in the Lower Keys and Key West is arguably the best in the island chain this time of year. There are many areas that hold bonefish, permit and tarpon. Therefore, you’ve got a perfect combination for exciting tournament fishing and this year catch numbers prove it, 68 bonefish, 81 tarpon and 34 permit caught on 35 boats.

Subsequently, this year’s event was a perfect example of the stiff competition, especially amongst three teams. Earning runner up grand champion angler honors was Kal Blumberg. Mr. Blumberg had a fantastic fishing performance over the weekend. Blumberg also won the award for most bonefish and most permit releases. Blumberg was fishing with guide, Captain Mark Krowka. Captain Krowka had an outstanding tournament adding a guide to grand champion honor in the Super Fly, (a tournament within the tournament). The Super Fly takes place on Friday, the day before the general competition. Krowka’s angler in the Super Fly was Mo Smith of Tennessee.

In the team division of the S.L.A.M. anglers, Jim Bokor and Jim Hoefert of Tavernier, Florida fishing with Captain Tim Hoover earned grand champion team honors. Mr. Bokor also won the award for the largest bonefish caught in the tournament.

Finishing in the number 2 slot in the team division were Captain Tudor, Jeff Ball and Troy Pruett. Pruett also won the award for most tarpon releases.

The name sake division of the tournament, the Celebrity Division also had some very tough competition. However, when the numbers were all added up former Florida Marlin’s pitcher Bill Hurst came out on top. Bill’s guide was Captain Andy Thompson.

The Grand Champion in the Lady’s division was Mrs. Linda Denkert. Linda was guided by her husband, Captain Dave Denkert. Team Denkert also received the award for most tagged bonefish.
In other divisions, former astronaut Bruce Melnick won the Spin/Plug division, Bruce’s guide was Captain Craig Brewer. Melnick also earned the award for largest tarpon. The fly division was won by Mike Allen guided by Captain Will Benson. In the largest permit division, Tom Beatty was the winner. Tom’s guide was Captain Aaron Snell. Finally, the top anglers for each day were recognized. Top angler day one went to Kal Blumberg, and day two honors went to Troy Pruett. Also, in the Super Fly Nicolas Pierce was runner up grand champion angler.

Wrapping things up, the big winner in the tournament is Cystic Fibrosis. The exact numbers raised weren’t available by press time, by certainly thousands of dollars were raised. The Mercury S.L.A.M. is the first leg of the Redbone tournament trilogy, (S.L.A.M. in Key West, the Mercury Baybone in Key Largo and the Mercury Cheeca Redbone in Islamorada) all which raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis foundation.

In 1984 when the Redbone was first established, children with CF rarely lived to attend high school. Today the median age of survival for a person with CF is 35 years. We should not celebrate this achievement, since a single life is yet to be saved from this devastating disease, but it has become a sign of hope for a brighter tomorrow for individuals with the disease and their families.
Money buys science, and science does save lives. That's why events such as the Mercury Redbone Celebrity Tournament Series, the Redbone@large, and Red-Trout Series are important. Through your support, you are insuring that agressive, innovative research in CF will constantly be explored. By helping us support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, you are helping to build a bridge of hope that will eventually lead to the ultimate victory : a cure for cystic fibrosis.

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5TH Annual Ghost Hunt Fishing Tournament

Betsy Bullard guided by Corey Shulman caught a 29.5” bonefish and two others to earn top angler honors in the 5th Annual Key Largo Ghost Hunt fishing tournament this past weekend. Bullard and Captain Shulman also teamed up with Abraham Concepcion to win top team honors with 3 bonefish. The award winning performance additionally earned Captain Shulman top guide for the tournament.
Bullard’s wasn’t the only impressive fishing performance; John Timura caught 3 bonefish, 1 permit and a tarpon! Timura’s Keys Flats Grand Slam was possible thanks to his guide, Captain Brian Helms. Catching all three species in one day is a very difficult and highly coveted angling accomplishment.
2nd Place Team honors went to two guys very accustomed to winning, Jason Swanson and guide, Captain Troy Mell of REEL MELLO charters.
The one day flats tournament benefits the Don Hawley Foundation, which supports the Keys recreational fishing industry and marine research.

2006 Key West Hog's Breath Tournament Results

KEY WEST, Florida Keys -- After catching a 64.74-pound kingfish Saturday, Jan. 28, the first day of the Hog's Breath King Mackerel Tournament, Team Sundance Marine felt so confident of victory they didn't fish Sunday, Jan. 29, the tournament's final day.

"We had the fish that broke the tournament record initially," said team captain Kevin Kates of Hobe Sound, Fla. "We didn't fish Sunday because chances of beating that fish were slim to none."

But then the unthinkable happened.

On Sunday, Bobby Schoenfeld caught a 66.77-pound monster king aboard Lured Away.

"I never thought we would beat them," said Schoenfeld, a Conroe, Texas, resident. "I was just hoping to catch a fish that would get us in the money."

The big fish did more than get Schoenfeld in the money. It got him the event's top prize, a 21-foot Contender boat with a Mercury 200 Optimax motor and Continental trailer.

"We ran about 80 miles to the first spot," he said. "We fished there about 90 minutes and caught six or seven between 30 and 40 pounds. We didn't think the fish we were looking for was going to be there."

So the team, which also included Texas residents Chico Chamorro and Wally Mercado, moved 10 miles. Only 15 minutes later, the big king gobbled up a live blue runner.

"It ran 400 to 450 yards of line out in a matter of a few seconds," Schoenfeld said. "Then, about 15 minutes later, we got to it and stuck a gaff in it."

The Lured Away team knew they had a large fish, but it wasn't until they returned to Murray Marine, the tournament's headquarters, in their 38-foot Donzi they realized it was the winner.

"It was very tough," said Kates, who finished in second place. "How can you get beat with a 64.74-pound record-breaking fish?"

No Doubt, skippered by Trae Ross of St. Simons Island, Ga., took third place in the open division with a 61.47-pound catch.

The tournament also featured a division for anglers fishing in boats 23 feet and shorter. Top divisional honors went to the team aboard Brute Dusky 23 of Dania Beach, Fla., consisting of Captain Dick Russell and anglers Mike Brown and Chrissy Russell. The team's 41.99-pound fish narrowly edged out a 41.92-pound entry caught by team No Limits.

Kates' stepson, Wesley Thomas, 12, won the tournament's award for top junior angler.

Sanctioned by the Southern Kingfish Association, the Hog's Breath featured about 400 anglers who weighed in 127 fish caught aboard 147 boats.

2006 Florida Keys Gold Cup Sailfish Championship Results

Winners

Second Place

Third Place

Islamorada, Florida - 61 Anglers competed in the 2006 Florida Keys Gold Cup Sailfish Championship for the coveted championship ring. Becky Hester as high point angler won the ring with 19 sailfish released. She was fishing aboard Capt Paul Ross’ Relentless.

The Gold Cup is a series of 3 tournaments fished during prime sailfish season in the Florida Keys’s. All three tournaments take place in The Sportfishing Capital of the World, Islamorada, Florida. This year field of 20 teams participated in the three tournaments: The Islamorada Sailfish Tournament, The Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tournament, and The Islamorada Fishing Club 2006 Sailfish Tournament. All tournaments are catch and release format. With one of the highest number of fish in the tournament’s history, this year anglers released a record 310 sailfish.

Team Contender One released 34 fish to take top honors in the trilogy challenge and is the 2006 grand champion. Aboard Contender One were anglers Joe Neber, Matt Neber, Bill Cordes, and Wayne Savage captained by Bill Cordes. They scored high points by releasing 20 sailfish in the first leg of the series. They went on to release 8 fish in the second leg and 6 fishing in the final leg of the series.

Second place goes to team Relentless with anglers Becky Hester and Armando Horta who had a total of 29 releases over the three tournaments. Third place was won by team Kalex, captained by Alex Adler, with a total of 25 releases. Anglers on the Kalex were Anthony DelDuca, Chris Claypool, Jamie Allen. And Beau Bagley.

The tournament is sponsored by Pursuit Boats and Caribee Boat Sales. All money raised during the tournament benefits the Islamorada Charter Boat Association.

For more information contact Tournament Director Dianne Harbaugh 305-522-4868 or e-mail Ditournaments@aol.com.

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16th Annual
Swamp Guides Ball Fishing Tournament

Winners

Second Place

Third Place

January 30, 2006
The Swamp Guides Ball is a fishing tournament for guides, put on my guides and fished by guides, along with some very talented angler friends. It has become one of the largest and most popular backcountry fishing tournaments in Florida.

This year, 87 two-angler teams blasted from the dock at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 29. Each team had a single objective in mind. They were out to catch at least one redfish, bonefish and snook, all being 20 inches or longer to count points. Without catching all three species, it is virtually impossible to win the Swamp Guides Ball. According to Robert Collins, the 2005 Redbone Trilogy Champion, “The Swamp Guides Ball is the most challenging fishing tournament in existence.”

Not only is the format beyond challenging, but Mother Nature always seems to bless the anglers with 20-35 MPH winds and most years with frigid temperatures.

In order to catch all three species it often requires teams to travel over 100 miles in their shallow water skiffs.

The team with the most species and most points win. In 16 years, there has only been two years that at least one team did not catch all three species and this year was no different.

This year, one team comprised of Captain Dave Denkert of Islamorada and Ron Baker from Miami, FL achieved their objective with one redfish, one snook and two bonefish. All other teams caught only one or two of the species. Denkert and Baker have bragging rights, not for just a year, but can forever say they won the Swamp Guides Ball.

This year, the fishing was a bit slow. With the winds blowing for days at between 20 and 35 MPH and water temperatures going up and down like a yo-yo for weeks, the fish were not easy to find. Additionally, many fish were congregated in manmade canals and no-motor zones which are off limits in the Swamp Guides Ball.

Nine bonefish, 109 Snook and 45 redfish were caught and released by the 174 anglers. Actually, the snook fishing was very good, but redfishing was super slow. Two years ago, 102 redfish were caught and released.

The first runner up team with two species was Jorge Martinez and Brian Helms both from Miami, FL with six snook and three redfish. Second runner up team was Dave Pratt from Coconut Creek, FL and Tony Wells from Coral Springs, FL. Pratt and Wells released seven snook and one redfish.

While the Swamp Guide Ball is predominately a team event, three individual angler awards were presented.

Frank Kulisky fishing with Capt Rick Miller, both from Islamorada, FL. released three bonefish and earned the most bonefish award. Kulisky also caught a redfish. Ashley Cornelius of Homestead, FL, teaming with Captain Andy Thompson, also from Homestead, won the most redfish award with four redfish. Chris Martindale from Royal Palm Beach, FL fishing with Captain Bill Wert from Islamorada won the most snook award, on time, with seven snook.

Other notable performances included:

• Captain Frank Ortiz and Renny Scheerer both from Key Largo teamed for 11 snook
• Barry Shevlin from Bay Harbor, FL and Captain Eric Herstedt from Coral Springs, FL teamed for seven snook
• Captain Bob Reineman and Bill Broach both from Islamorada teamed for two redfish and three snook
• Jim Trice and Captain Chris Jones, both from Islamorada teamed for one bonefish and three snook. The bonefish exceeded 11 pounds.
• Dan Moricoli and Peter Eng both from Wellington, FL released three redfish and five snook
• Captain Wells Gable from Islamorada and Karla Gable also from Islamorada caught and released nine snook
• Sharon Mahoney Ellenwood, fishing with her groom, Captain Billy Ellenwood teamed for three redfish and one snook
• Captain Brian Premaza and Debbie Premaza both from Tavernier, FL released two redfish and two snook
• Capt Mark Johnson and Mike Rempe from Islamorada with seven snook
• Richard Black and Captain Dave Borras both of Islamorada with two redfish and a snook
• John Timura from Islamorada, FL and Ken Biro from Key Largo, FL with one redfish and three snook
• Robert Collins and Captain Paul Tejera both from Islamorada, FL with three snook and one redfish

All proceeds from the Tournament and Silent Auction are donated to the Don Hawley Foundation. Their contribution is estimated to exceed $25,000.