Warmer water temperatures combined with a wicked forecast for windy weekend conditions made sail fish hookups during the 14th Annual Leon Shell Memorial Sailfish Tournament particularly challenging.
The three sailfish landed during the two-day tournament, based on the order in which they were caught, determined the top three finishers.
Marty Lewis at the helm of the Main Attraction led his anglers Ed Rice of Key Colony Beach; Mike Langemi of Grassy Key; Digger Rodamer of Key Colony Beach; and Joe Madrick of West Palm Beach; to the first hook up on Saturday.
Second place anglers aboard Silent Hunter included BJ Meyer; Ely Hernandez; Cody Darbie and Bucko Platt, all of Marathon.
Roy Lindback of Islamorada and Craig and Seanna Lindback of Tavernier secured third place aboard TIKI with the third and final hookup of the tournament.
In the individual species divisions, Hernandez landed a 6.8-pound dolphin, and Mark Pairier of Lindenberry, N.H. aboard the Game On took home awards for his 25.2-pound kingfish and his 15.4-pound tuna.
