Results of the 45th Annual Islamorada Sailfish Tournament

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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 [url "http://www.islamoradasailfishtournament.com/"]www.islamoradasailfishtournament.com[/url]
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2008 ISLAMORADA SAILFISH TOURNAMENT
Totals
Total number of anglers 93
Total number of boats 30
Total number of hook ups 509
Releases day one 145
Releases day two 111
Releases Day Three 150
Total Number of releases 406
Total tagged fish 16
Total days fished 3

Trophy List
Overall Champion(s) - Trophy sponsored by Contender Boats

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Anglers: Fenton Langston (Key Largo), Jimmy Hendrix (Tavernier), Jimmy David (Fort Lauderdale), Debbie David (Fort Lauderdale)

Captain: Paul Ross (Tavernier)
Mates: Jimmy Hendrix and Jim David
Total Released Fish: 30
Boat: Relentless

High Point Captain - Trophy sponsored by Caribee Boat Sales

Captain: Paul Ross
Residence: Tavernier
Anglers: Fenton Langston (Key Largo), Jimmy Hendrix (Tavernier), Jimmy David (Fort Lauderdale), Debbie David (Fort Lauderdale)
Mates: Jimmy Hendrix and Jim David
Boat: Relentless
Total Released Fish: 30


High Point Mate - Trophy sponsored Yamaha Outboards

Mate: Jimmy Hendrix
Residence: Tavernier
Anglers: Fenton Langston (Key Largo), Jimmy Hendrix (Tavernier), Jimmy David (Fort Lauderdale), Debbie David (Fort Lauderdale)
Captain: Paul Ross
Boat: Relentless
Total Released Fish: 30

Second Place – Trophy sponsored by Lorelei

Angler: Larry Amyotte (Silver Springs), Sean Smith (Pompano), John Watson (Plantation), Robert Collins (Islamorada)
Captain: George McElveen (Islamorada)
Mate: Ryan Rae, Jamie Allen, Kiki Ferrer
Boat: Reel McCoy
Total Released Fish: 26
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Third Place – World Wide Sportsman Anglers Captain and Mate Abel’s Tackle Box

Angler: Max Tower (Miami), Reggie Rodriquez (Coral Gables), Fulton Ivy (Key Largo)
Captain: JC Cleare (Miami)
Mate: Greg Newell
Boat: XXX
Total Released Fish: 25

High Point Angler – Trophy sponsored TIB -- Bill Hirni Memorial Trophy

Angler: Reggie Rodriquez
Residence: Coral Gables
Captain: JC Cleare
Mate: Greg Newell
Boat: XXX
Total Released Fish: 11 fish on time

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First Place Junior Angler- Sponsored by IFACT

Angler: Ryan Southard (9 years old)
Residence: Hollywood
Captain: Brian Larosiere
Mate: N/A
Boat: Which Way
Total Released Fish: 6

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Second Place Junior Anger-Sponsored by IFACT

Angler: Shawn MacMullin (8 years old)
Residence: Key Largo
Captain: Michael Shawn MacMullin
Boat: Get the Gaff
Total Released Fish: 4

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Third Place Junior Anger-Sponsored by IFACT

Angler: Timmy Fricke
Residence: Big Pine Key
Captain: Derrek Doop
Boat: Squid Roe
Total Released Fish: 1

Most Tagged Fish – Trophy Sponsored by Holiday Isle

Anglers: Max Tower (Miami), Reggie Rodriquez (Coral Gables), Fulton Ivy (Key Largo)
Captain: JC Cleare
Mate: Greg Newell
Boat: XXX
Total Tagged Fish: 9

Most Tagged Fish Captain – Trophy sponsored by Sandy Cove Marine Sales

Captain: JC Cleare
Residence: Miami
Anglers: Max Tower (Miami), Reggie Rodriquez (Coral Gables), Fulton Ivy (Key Largo)
Mate: Greg Newell
Boat: XXX
Total Tagged Fish: 9

Most Tagged Fish Mate – Trophy Sponsored by Caloosa Cove

Mate: Greg Newell
Anglers: Max Tower (Miami), Reggie Rodriquez (Coral Gables), Fulton Ivy (Key Largo)
Captain: JC Cleare
Boat: XXX
Total Tagged Fish: 9

Most Outstanding Catch – Trophy sponsored by Stan Collectors Corner

Angler: Bill Danko
Residence: Miami
Captain: Robbie Ramierez
Mate: Brett Dudas
Boat: Wound Up
Species: African Pompano 34.7

Largest Dolphin – Trophy sponsored by Adventures Outfitters.Com

Angler: Ryan Southard (9 years old)
Residence: Hollywood
Captain: Brian Larosiere
Boat: Which Way
Weight: 17.0

Largest Tuna – Trophy sponsored by Coral Bay Marina

Angler: Lewis Leight
Residence: Hollywood
Captain: Roy Lindback
Mate: Luke Hill
Boat: Tiki
Weight: 16.8

Largest Mackerel – Trophy sponsored by Sun 103.1

Angler: Jonathan Weinstock
Residence: Hollywood
Captain: Roy Lindback
Mate: Luke Hill
Boat: Tiki
Weight: 19.6
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