HOMESTEAD, FL – June 29, 2021 — Since its inception in 1984, Contender Boats has led the industry in building semi-custom sportfishing boats — for fisherman by fisherman. That mission has only grown stronger over the years.
Today, in a market trending toward brand consolidation, Joe Neber, president and owner of Contender Boats, solidified Contender’s legacy as a family-owned, Florida-based company by purchasing a second manufacturing facility in Fort Pierce.
By Nichole Osinski
“I’ve always wanted to be in the Big Rock,” Pelagic Hunter II Captain John Cruise III says thinking back on the many years he’s attended the tournament.
And in 2020, Cruise took his first step toward that goal by signing up for the Lady Angler Tournament. His wife would be competing, but fate, and foul weather, had other plans and it looked as if the Pelagic Hunter II wouldn’t be sharing the seas with other boats during those two days.
The InTheBite Captain of the Year Cup is the championship of sportfishing. The Cup is the world’s only quantifiable way to recognize the tournament success of professional sportfishermen. Comprised of 90-sanctioned events that span the world, there is nothing else like it. Winning an InTheBite Captain of the Year Award is a major achievement. From the winners to the Cup’s origin, it is an interesting tale.
Photo courtesy Todd Malicoat
The Contender 31 Classic. It was boats like this one that put Contender on the map.
The 44ST is the largest, and perhaps most anticipated, offering in Contender’s 35-year history. With a beam of 12’ and coming in at 44 feet long, the 44ST is perfectly stationed for serious bluewater application. With a maximum horsepower rating of 2,000 and a 600-gallon fuel capacity, the 44ST delivers on Contender’s promise of “performance through innovation.” Powered with triple or quad engine configurations, the boat excels in speed, performance and reliability.
Two-time Captain of the Year Glenn Cameron and his wife Jennifer proved that they are not only a formidable tournament team, but throw a great party as well. The Camerons hosted the 2017 Contender Florida Division Captain of the Year Party on Saturday March 10 at Fish Heads Marina in Stuart. What a party it was.
About a 150 people came out to celebrate Capt. Glenn’s 2017 Award. The party included an open bar, a live band, and two giant 5’ vats of paella cooked on-site by the fine folks at Paella Grill. The festivities were a who’s who of the Stuart fishing community and a really good time.
InTheBite would like to especially thank Jennifer Cameron, Glenn’s wife, whose expertise in throwing a party is only matched by her skill catching sailfish. Congratulations Capt. Glenn Cameron and Mate of the Year JJ Davidson and the whole Floridian team.
