Anglers with Carolina Reel Men released 18 sailfish to win the 61st Islamorada Sailfish Tournament on Dec. 8.
Capt. Sean O’Donnell led anglers Jonathan Bickett and Steve McLaughlin of
Charlotte, North Carolina, Marathon’s Brandon Simmons and Islamorada residents Jimmy Hendrix, Ramiro Hildalgo-Gato, Doug Mientkiewicz and Hudson Wampler to victory. The team took home artwork by Pasta Pantaleo, sponsored by Caribee Boat Sales and Yamaha Outboards, and a check for $30,240.
Hendrix released six fish to win the top angler award, a framed original Art by Pasta painting and the Bill Hirni Memorial High Point Angler award. Hirni was a major player over the Islamorada Sailfish Tournament’s 61-year history, before his passing in 2005.
Framed prints of the original went to Top Lady Angler Logan Spaulding aboard the Legasea
with two releases. Wampler won the Top Junior Angler award with three releases. Most Tagged Fish team awards went to the Legasea with 6 tagged fish. The most outstanding catch was a 9.5-pound mutton snapper, caught by Chris Chastain from Noblesville, Indiana.
Overall, 87 sailfish were released out of the 100 called-in hook-ups. The Islamorada Sailfish Tournament is the first leg of the Florida Keys Gold Cup Sailfish Championship. The Killbox is
leading the series with nine followed by the Skipjac Fishing Team with eight and the Trophy Hunter with six releases.
The next leg of the series is at the Islamorada Fishing Club’s Sailfish Tournament on Wednesday, Jan.15, and the champions will be crowned at the Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tournament, held Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 18-19.
