Relentless lives up to their name with 30 Sailfish Releases in the
45th Annual Islamorada Sailfish Tournament
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. The Relentless team has also won an entry into the 2009 IGFA Offshore World Championship in Cabo San Lucas. The Relentless, from Bud and Mary’s Marina released 15 fish on the first day putting them in the lead. The XXX remained close on their heels with 14 releases the first day. On day two Relentless released another 7 fish, and even though the Kalex released 12 fish that day, Relentless remained on top of the leader board. The third and final day would go to the Reel McCoy with 12 Sailfish releases but it was not enough to catch the Relentless. Relentless released another 8 fish that day. Relentless was crowned Grand Champions with a record setting 30 releases.
Second place Reel McCoy anglers Larry Amyotte of Silver Springs Florida fishing with Sean Smith from Pampano, John Watson of Plantation and Robert Collins from Islamorada and Naples Fl took home second place honors. The team Captained by George McElveen released 10 fish the first day and 4 fish on the second day. With lines in at 8:30 on the final day the Reel McCoy radioed the committee boat at 8:32 that they had a quadruple hook up. The Reel McCoy successfully released the 4 Sailfish and just kept going. They released a total of 12 fish that day. The Reel McCoy took home second place trophies with a total of 26 Sailfish releases.
Third place XXX said the Relentless lived up to their name. “Every time we got close to catching them they would find more fish” said the XXX Captain JC Cleare. Anglers Max Tower, Reggie Rodriguez and Fulton Ivy released a total of 25 Sails to firmly take third place. Reggie Rodriguez released 11 of those Sailfish to win the beautiful high point angler award as well as the Bill Hirni Memorial Trophy. The XXX also tagged 9 of the 25 Sailfish they released to win the Most Tagged Fish awards.
The Islamorada Sailfish Tournament is the first leg of the Florida Keys Gold Cup Sailfish Championship. The XXX is not competing in the Gold Cup Series so angler Jimmy David of Relentless is first in line to the coveted Championship ring at this time. The Relentless is in 1st place in the Gold Cup Series with Reel McCoy in second and the Kalex is in third place with 23 Sailfish releases.
Third generation Ryan Southard, fishing with his father Robert Southard and his grandfather Robert Southard Sr. took top honors in the Junior Division. Ryan who is from Hollywood Florida released six sailfish aboard the Which Way. Second place junior angler Shawn MacMullin from Key Largo was the only angler on his dad’s boat Get the Gaff. Shawn released 4 Sails. Third place junior angler, fishing the tournament for the first time, was Timmy Fricke from Big Pine Key. Timmy released one Sailfish fishing aboard the Squid Roe.
30 Boats competed in the 2008 Islamorada Sailfish Tournament with a total of 93 anglers. 406 Sailfish were released out of the 509 called in hook ups. 16 fish were tagged. The Islamorada Sailfish Tournament is the primary fund raiser for the Islamorada Charter Boat Association. With the help of our major sponsors Caribee Boat Sales, Contender Boats, Yamaha Outboards, TIB, World Wide Sportsman, the donation of non-offset circle hooks from VMC, and the splendid parties put on by Whale Harbor Restaurants and Marina, the Islamorada Sailfish Tournament will continue the fight to preserve and protect the fabulous fishing in the Florida Keys. More information on the Islamorada Sailfish Tournament can be found on the web site www.islamoradasailfishtournament.com
