The 58th annual Islamorada Sailfish Tournament kicked off at Whale Harbor, hosting 80 anglers along with family and friends with a buffet including stone crabs Dec. 2-5.
The sailfish action started on the morning of Dec. 3 and continued over the next two days, concluding on Dec. 5. Capt. John Hagen, aboard the Mdala, led anglers Steve and Sue Pfeiffer from Cedarburg, Wisconsin, along with Brittany Rhonehouse of Destin, Brett Angelillo of Key Largo, Stephanie Harper of Islamorada, and Tyler Valles and Alison Raines, both from Tavernier, to the winner’s circle with 10 releases. The team took home leaping sailfish trophies from King Sailfish sponsored by Caribee Boat Sales and Yamaha Outboards.
The fleet was greeted by great weather over the course of the three-day tournament. Tackle Center called in the first hook up at 8:49 a.m., but Que Mas’ angler Mark Whitley would hook up and release the first fish of the tournament. The day would ultimately belong to the Mdala with a total of seven released sails. Day two was overcast with easterly winds and the sailfish bite was slow. Team Relentless would pick away at the sails all day, releasing three by day’s end. Others found some sails, including the Mdala, which released one fish on the second day bringing its total to eight releases.
Day three started off quickly with a triple header called in by JC Cleare, captain of the Remix. Anglers Jorge Corzo, of Miami, would release the first fish. Doug Mientkiewick, of Islamorada, released the second and Bill Danko from Maineville, Ohio sealed the deal with the release of the third fish, propelling the team into third place with five releases.
Que Mas captain Robert Helms would call in a triple header at 10:56 a.m. The team released all three of the sailfish. Anglers Wally Whitley, Matt Mclean, Brad Goodrich and Trevor Newman, all from Islamorada, fishing with Mark Whitley from Tallahassee, and Mike McCorkle of Marathon, released a total of six fish over the three days, landing them in second place. The team received Tackle Center of Islamorada-sponsored King Sailfish trophies and a check for $36,450. Nick Carullo, of Miami, aboard the Remix, released a sail at 1:32 p.m., giving the team six fish, putting them in third place on time. The team was rewarded with King Sailfish trophies and a check for $17,820. Mdala would continue to stay in front of the pack, releasing two fish on the final day to take the top honors.
Contagious angler Mark Mitchell, of Charlotte, North Carolina released four sailfish over the three days, taking home the Bill Hirni Memorial trophy and a King sailfish trophy sponsored by Tackle Center of Islamorada. Brittany Rhonehouse, fishing aboard the Mdala, released three sailfish, winning the Top Lady Angler award. The Mdala team would also tag five of their 10 sailfish to win the most tagged fish award.
First Place Junior Angler award went to Zach Sullivan, of Naples, with two releases on the Smile Maker. Blake Johnston from Largo, fishing aboard the Valor, would release one sailfish for second place in the junior division.
In true Islamorada style, the sailfish weren’t the only fish biting on this beautiful weekend. The largest tuna, weighing in at 14.6 pounds, was caught by Ryan Cano, of Islamorada, aboard the Skip Jac. Travis Bennett, of Tavernier, weighed in the largest dolphin, an 11.4-pounder caught aboard the Contagious. Chris Herms, of Jacksonville, caught the largest mackerel, an 18.8-pound Kingfish aboard the Back in Business. Most Outstanding catch went to Colby Mason, of Islamorada, with a 3.6-pound mutton snapper caught aboard the Kalex.
“The Islamorada Sailfish Tournament is the primary fundraiser for the Islamorada Charter Boat Association. The Islamorada Sailfish Tournament will continue the fight to preserve and protect the fabulous fishing in the Florida Keys,” said tournament director Dianne Harbaugh.
Over the three days, 61 sailfish were released with 81 called-in hook ups. The Islamorada Sailfish Tournament is the first leg of the Florida Keys Gold Cup Sailfish Championship. The Mdala is currently in the lead of the series with 10 fish. Second place in the Gold Cup is the Que Mas with six releases on time, third is the Remix also with six.
The next leg of the series is the Cheeca Lodge and Spa Presidential Sailfish Tournament on Jan. 22 and 23. The champions of the Gold Cup will be crowned at the conclusion of the Islamorada Fishing Club’s Captains Cup Sailfish Tournament on Jan. 27.
More information on the Islamorada Sailfish Tournament is at www.islamoradasailfishtournament.com.
