InTheBite

Capt. Patrick Price Memorial

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patrick price reef project

By Dave Powell, Captain Patrick Price Reef Project Manager

On Sept. 6, 2021, Capt. Patrick Price passed away from COVID-19. Soon thereafter, a group of about 100 boat owners, captains, and fishermen, all friends of Pat’s, got together for afternoon beer in front of Fish Heads Tackle Shop. Their goal was to come up with a memorial to honor their good friend.

An artificial reef project was at the top of their list in addition to a boat parade. A couple of these friends of Pat contacted me, knowing I have a long history of managing artificial reef projects and am Vice President of the Mac Reef Fund. 

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Sandman Takes first in 2020 Jimmy Johnson’s Quest for the Ring

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Sandman team wins tournament

Photo courtesy JJ Fish Week

South Florida (January 16, 2020) – Brought to you by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., the 9th Annual Jimmy Johnson’s “Quest for the Ring” Championship Fishing Week (JJFISHWEEK) expanded its boundaries and took over all of South Florida, March 3-7, 2020, with fishing options available in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Key Largo spanning over 112 miles, and hosting the ultimate parties at the iconic new Guitar Hotel at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fl. Annually boasting the World’s RICHEST guaranteed purse, this tournament, led by the newest pro hall of fame inductee, Coach Jimmy Johnson, hosts the largest fleet in South Florida and is ALL about the RING, presented annually by Contender Boats, powered by Yamaha Outboards, and fueled by Papa’s Pilar.

Sandman team wins tournament

Photo courtesy JJ Fish Week

98 teams joined together for 5 days of events and the ultimate sportfishing experience, which included a 2-day Billfish Championship, featuring a Catch & Release Division hosting 82 of the 98 teams, and a Weighted Division, with tournament days taking place Thursday, March 5 and Friday, March 6, from three official marinas: Ocean Reef Marina, Miami Beach Marina, and Bahia Mar Marina. 435 sailfish and 1 white marlin were released and 65 fish were weighed in.

The winners were decided by a nail-biting :26 seconds. Additionally, the tournament week included a private Hard Rock tournament and a 1-Day Celebrity Charitable Pro Am, which was supposed to occur Saturday out of Papa’s Pilar Captain’s Quarters at Bahia Mar in Fort Lauderdale, but unfortunately due to weather, was turned to a simulation competition at PLA, the new interactive game bar at Seminole Hard Rock.

The event week started Tuesday night with a Kick Off at Daer Rooftop, presented by GlassTech, Captains Meeting at The Comedy Club, presented by American Custom Yachts and Seakeeper, and Private Invite Only Champions Dinner at Abiaka, hosted by LPL Financial and Papa’s Pilar. Wednesday was a pre-fish day, which ended with dockparties at all three host marinas. Friday started the weekend events at Hard Rock with a Weekend Kick off and Celebrity Meet & Greet at Daer DAYCLUB, presented by KM Relief and Hines Securities and, Saturday closed out the week at the Hard Rock Event Center for the Ultimate Gifting Suite, hosted in part by Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, featuring over 40 sponsors gifting complimentary gifts to all registered anglers of the tournament, who walked away with $7,000+ gifts per team, and the over the top Closing Awards Bash, hosting 1,400 members of the fishing community for the final celebration.

The guaranteed payout for the Billfish Championship is set as a hybrid payout, annually guaranteed at $1Million and based on boat entry, accrues for every 10 additional paid teams above 85 in the Catch & Release Division. Addition to the Billfish Championship payout, the Hard Rock tournament includes a $500,000 prize payout, and $100,000 were gifting to charity with the Celebrity Pro-Am simulation competition tournament for a total of $1.6 Million in prizes gifted throughout the event week.

This year’s tournament top honors in the Catch & Release Division went to:  

The 2020 Champions with 12 releases winning a total of $238,000 and another RING in Coach Johnson’s RING OF HONOR: SANDMAN

The 63’ Spencer registered to Fort Lauderdale with Captain John Dudas at the helm from Miami, Fl and owner Sandra MacMillan from Minneapolis, MN receiving Top Female Angler, featuring anglers Domi Adams, Alex Castalonos, Jeffrey Liederman, Ryan Montesino, Robbie Ramirez, receiving Top Master Angler, and Robbie Watick.

2nd Place for a total of $195,000 with 12 releases: De-Bait-Able, the 62 Viking out of Palm Beach with Captain KJ Zeher at the helm and owned by Mike Walsh

3rd Place for a total of $66,500 with 11 releases: ReelEstate / Shell Yeah, the 39 SeaVee out of West Palm Beach, with Captain Dallas Twist and owner Todd Minnick

4th Place for a total of $100,000 with 11 releases: Reel Easy, the 62’ Viking out of Jupiter, Fl with Captain Jon McIntyre

5th Place for a total of $47,000 with 10 releases: Marc Sherry Fishing Team on the CaribSea, 46’ Guthrie out of Islamorada owned by Kenny Spaulding and chartered by Marc Sherry, owner of Old Homestead Steakhouse

6th Place for a total of $23,000 with 10 releases: Smile Maker , the 37 Freeman owned by Dr. Bill Sullivan and captained by James Chappell out of Islamorada

7th Place for a total of $6,000 with 10 releases: Weez In the Keys, the 58’ Merritt out of Miami Beach, Fl captained by Chris Zelinski and owned by Scott Robins

8th Place for a total of $120,000 with 9 releases: JICHI, the 61’ Paul Mann out of Coral Gables, Fl captained by Hannibal Moya and owned by Luis Isais

Additional prizes were awarded to PRICELESS, DOUBLE DIAMOND, WET DREAM, JUST DO IT, FISH TALES, SERAPHIM, BAR SOUTH, HARDWAY/DOING IT ALL, FROST BITE, LUNATICO, OUTNUMBERED, AND TAR BABY.

On the weighted division:

The Overall winner with an aggregate weight of 66.5LBs weighing in a 35lb Kingfish and a 31.5lb Kingfish,

For a total winnings of: $42,500 : TEKEZE CHARTERS

The 34 SeaVee out of Islamorada is captained by Charles Hertel, Angler Amanda Gale, Emily Gale, Ryan Hullihan, Patrick Jackson, Tommy Twyford, and owned by Harris Katz, out of Coral Springs, Fl.

2nd place weighing in an aggregate weight of 59,5 for their kingfish winning a total of $20,000: ONE MORE Sportfishing, a 43’ Everglades led by Captain Brandon Singh and owned by Patrick Lewis out of Atlanta, Ga.

Additional prizes were awarded to BELOW ME, OSH-IT, HELLREYZER, TOUCH OF GREY, and ADVANCED ROOFING/SAILSMEN.

In the Hard Rock division:

The overall winner with a total of 114 points was team: OSH-IT , a 72’ Viking led by Captain Jim Puller and owned by Marc Osheroff .

Additional prizes were awarded to BIG SMOOTH, CATCH 23, TOO MANY MARTINIS, and CHASIN’ TAIL.

The Celebrity Pro-Am was attended by some of Coach Johnson’s former players and friends and the tournament saw some celebrities throughout the billfish tournament participants, to include Jonathan Vilma, DJ Williams, Brian Griese, Russell Maryland, Alex Gonzalez, Worldwide Wes, Desmond Howard, Brett Romberg, Bennie Blades, Charles Johnson, Twan Russell, Michael Jordan, Michael Vick, and Willie Young Jr.. Thanks to KM Relief and Hines Securities, the Celebrity Pro-Am gifted $100,000 in charitable monies to Tranquil Shores Foundation, Fishing for Muscular Dystrophy, and the University of Miami.

RankTeamPoints

1Sandman :12

2Debaitable :12

3Reelestate/Shell Yeah :11

4Reel Easy11

5CaribSea :10

6Smile Maker :10

7Weez in the Keys :10

8Jichi :10

9Just Do It :9

10Reel Life :9

11Fish Tales :9

12Seraphim :9

13Wet Dream :9

14Priceless :9

15Lights Out :9

16Frost Bite :9

17Still Right :8

18Hardway / Doing It All :8

19D&D :8

20LUNÁTICO :8

Reelestate/ShellYeah Wins Their 1st Quest for the Crest Tournament

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Shell Yeah Fishing team photo

Photo courtesy Endless Imagery/Bluewater Movements

Pompano Beach, Fla. (Feb 25, 2020) – The 17th Annual Sailfish Challenge was one for the history books in many ways. 55 teams were treated to an amazing kick-off party hosted for the first time by “Oceanic” at Pompano Beach Pier, a premier new seafood and steak restaurant located on the beach in Pompano. The tournament partnered with Costa and their “OneCoast” initiative to help with the ongoing fundraising effort for Bahamas Relief from Hurricane Dorian.

Team FFMD won the “Lucky Fish” 50/50 raffle at the kick-off party and generously donated their winnings back to OneCoast!

An approaching cold-front brought strong northerly winds on Day 1 of the tournament with the teams fishing on the north end of the boundary battling the roughest conditions. With the fleet spread out from Jupiter to Miami, it was a slow pick for most of the day up and down the line. As time pressed on, the boats to the south managed to find a few more fish than their competitors to the north. Three boats, Doing it All/Hardway, Reel Addiction, and Potential finished the day in a three-way tie with 4 releases, but it was Doing it All/Hardway that came out on top, based on time, in their Yamaha powered 39’ Contender.

Reel Addiction were the big money winners on Day 1 with daily winnings of $51,705. Team Chop it Up had the best meatfish catch of the day with 118.8 pounds that earned them a daily payout of $7,560. Heading into Day 2, a forecast for gale-force winds and 12 to 15-foot seas led to a postponed fishing schedule from Saturday to Sunday. While the seas improved on Sunday, the sailfish bite remained slow.

Despite tough fishing, team Reel Estate/Shell Yeah stayed steady on their Mercury powered 39’ SeaVee releasing 3 fish before noon to jump into the lead with 6 releases. As the day pressed on teams Jichi, Reel Addiction, and Doing it All/Hardway evened the score with 6 releases a piece as well. It was a battle to the end, but Reel Estate/Shell Yeah was able to hang on to their time-based lead and win the tournament, earning a check for $38,125. Jichi finished in 2nd overall with 6 releases and a massive check for $204,095!

Reel Addiction finished in 3rd with winnings of $67,275 followed by Doing it All/Hardway in 4th with 13,075 and Bar South in 5th with 5 releases and a $47,405 payday. Without question, it was the exceptional meat fishing action that created all the buzz in the 2020 Sailfish Challenge. A red-hot kingfish bite off Palm Beach had crews battling to keep baits in the water all day.

Team Chop it Up improved on their Day 1 catch with four massive kings on Sunday that ranged from 31.2 to 49.8 pounds for a total weight of 156.1. They posted a combined weight of 274.9 pounds over the two days of fishing to win the aggregate weight division and a check for $22,590. By midday on Day 2, rumors were flying around about a record-setting meatfish catch onboard team Old No 7. When they arrived at the dock in Palm Beach the rumors were put to rest.

Not one, but two giant wahoo, plus a cobia and a kingfish were on their way to the scale. Both wahoo, set new tournament records in their category with the first fishing weighing in at 84.7 pounds and the second at 85.5 pounds! Even more amazing, both fish were caught on 16-pound test line, and 30-pound leader with a circle hook! Their 4-fish bag on Day 2 was an astounding 223.9 pounds, for a 56-pound average per fish! Old No 7 won $39,080 in meatfish money and earned a bonus $1,000 gift certificate from Grizzly coolers for the heaviest fish of the tournament.

The 3rd Annual Coin Challenge competition kept the team spirit alive during the tournament. Seven groups of 8 teams mixed it up to see which color group would come out on top and win the commemorative challenge coins. In the end, the blue color group emerged victorious with a total of 26 releases. Team Native Son was the grand prize winner, earning a 3 day/2 night vacation package to Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort courtesy of Landshark Lager.

Nicole Paul-Hus on team SkipJac 2 was the top female angler with 1 release and Benji Fernandez on team Potential was the master angler of the tournament with 3 releases. Branch Office defended their Non-Pro division title for the third year in a row with 2 releases. The tournament concluded at Blue Moon Fish Company, a 5-star restaurant on the beautiful intracoastal in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. Anglers indulged on an amazing array of food and Reel Estate/Shell Yeah was treated to a delicious steak and lobster dinner at the champions table for the tournament.

The race for the burgundy jacket has one more event to determine who will claim the world’s most prestigious sailfishing title. Team BAR South holds the lead with 57 points followed by Jichi with 51 points and Reel Estate/Shell Yeah in 3rd with 49 points, and several other teams are still in the hunt heading into the final leg in Miami at the DoubleTree Grand Hotel with Final Sail on April 1-4.

For more information on the Sailfish Challenge, visit www.SailfishChallenge.com or call 954-725-4010. The entire Quest for the Crest schedule and series standings can be found at questforthecrest.com

  • Total amount paid out: $479,275
  • Top team overall – Reelestate/ShellYeah (6 releases) $38,125 total
  • 2nd place team/Highest paid – Jichi (6 releases) $204,095
  • 3rd place team/2nd Highest paid – Reel Addiction (6 releases) $67,275
  • 4th place team – Doing It All/Hardway (6 releases) $13,075
  • 5th place team/3rd Highest paid – BAR South (5 releases) $47,405
  • Notable Team: Old No. 7 – caught 2 massive wahoo weighing 85.5 lbs. and 84.7 lbs. off of Palm Beach winning them a few calcutta categories for a total of $39,080

Leaderboard from the 17th Annual Sailfish Challenge:

Captain Greg Eklund and Cloud Nine team take first at IFC Captain’s Cup Sailfish Tournament

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Photo courtesy Pete Pehrson

The Islamorada Fishing Club welcomed 48 anglers fishing on 16 boats for the Islamorada Fishing Club Captain’s Cup Sailfish Tournament. Northwest winds at 15kts greeted the fisherman with lines in at 8 a.m.

Captain Greg Eklund aboard his charter boat Cloud Nine called in a doubleheader of sailfish at 8:24. Mate Eric Ehlers would get the release on both fish putting the Cloud Nine in first place with two fish.

winners of tournament

Photo courtesy Pete Pehrson

The team would sit on pins and needles throughout the day searching for more sailfish. Other teams would slowly catch up to them, first Crisdel then Hell Reyzer followed by Remix, Conetagious and Relentless all with two releases.

When the committee boat called lines out at 4 p.m. anglers Josh Jackson from Temple, TX along with Cory Nelson and Jake Turek from Islamorada, Fl, would breathe a sigh of relief as the early morning double landed them in first place on time. Centennial Bank would present the team with beautiful Tim Rahn Photography prints and a check for $16,000. Winning Captain Greg Eklund was awarded the Captain’s Cup full of gift certificates from local establishments.

runner up of tournament

Photo courtesy Pete Pehrson

Second Place went to Crisdel with anglers Frank and Tony Criscola from Fairhills, NJ along with Joe Prestiffillpo also from NJ. Captain George Stellar along with mates Brad Goodrich and Jeff Dickman were all awarded Caribee Boat Sales and Yamaha Outboard sponsored second place trophies for the team’s two releases.

Captain Ryan Alexander of the Hell Reyzer took third place with two fish on time. Anglers Victor Paneda, Eric Darvill and Johnny Vilorio along with Mate Cap Hinkley all from Miami would take home the third-place awards sponsored by Baker Mitchell Plumbing and Tackle Center of Islamorada.

“The Islamorada Fishing Club put on another great event”, stated tournament director Dianne Harbaugh. “The great food and service the club provides makes it a fun place to have a party.”

In total 17 fish were released in the one-day event. The Islamorada Fishing Clubs Captains Cup Dolphin tournament will be held June 25, 2020. More information can be found on the web site theislamoradafishingclub.com

Three Natives Takes Top Honors at the 30th Annual Cheeca Lodge & Spa Presidential Sailfish Tournament

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Photo courtesy Cheeca Lodge & Spa

83 anglers fishing on 22 boats released 57 sailfish over challenging two-day competition

ISLAMORADA, FL (Jan. 27, 2020) – Cheeca Lodge & Spa’s 30th Annual Presidential Sailfish Tournament, the second leg of the Florida Keys’ Gold Cup Series, hosted 83 competitive anglers this past weekend in the sportfishing capital of the world.

Clinching first place, Team Three Natives earned overall champion honors releasing a total of six sailfish. Team members included Matt Turner of Tallahassee, FL; Tim McGavern of Tampa, FL; and Moriah Davis of Tuscaloosa, AL. Outstanding Captain and Mate Awards went to Richard Black and Ross Render of Tavernier. Captain Richard Black was the Artificial Division Champion Guide at Cheeca’s 7th Annual All-American Backcountry Fishing Tournament last year.

First Place Overall Champions. Photo courtesy Cheeca Lodge & Spa

“We were excited to celebrate the tournament’s 30th anniversary with top-shelf competition by anglers from all over the world. We appreciate the tremendous support of our anglers and sponsors, and are proud to be part of the Florida Keys Gold Cup,” says Lisa Thornhill, Tournament Director.

Overall, 29 sailfish were released on the first day of the tournament and 28 were released on the second day, for a total of 66 hookups and 57 releases by 83 anglers on 22 boats.

Three Natives best photo award. Photo courtesy Cheeca Lodge & Spa

The Grand Champion Angler Award, sponsored by Caribee Boat Sales and Marina, went to Reed Ekey of Port Orange, FL, on The Booty Shaker captained by Denny Perna for four releases.

The Top Lady Angler Award sponsored by Blue Marlin Jewelry, went to Madison Wright of Islamorada, FL, for one release onboard the Remix captained by JC Cleare of Miami. The Top Lady Angler Award is dedicated to the memory of Jay Anna and Kenny Cohan, beloved members of the Islamorada community.

Grand Champion Angler Reed Ekey and Team Booty Shaker. Photo courtesy Cheeca Lodge & Spa

Second Place went to Team Kelly Dawn led by Captain Justin Baker of Key Largo, FL. Kelly Dawn released six sailfish with anglers Patrick Nutt and Will Ochse of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Nick Caito of Davie, FL; and Jimi Fickling of Islamorada, FL.

Team Remix earned Third Place honors. With Captain JC Cleare of Miami, anglers Doug Mientkiewicz and Madison Wright of Islamorada, FL and Jorge Corzo and Sarah Melia of Miami, released five sailfish.

Most outstanding Captain Richard Black and Mate Ross Render. Photo courtesy Cheeca Lodge & Spa

In a long-standing Presidential Tournament tradition of conservation, The First Choice team won the Most Tagged Fish Award, captained by Larry Wren of Islamorada, FL, with Angler Oliver Bastian from Southampton, Hampshire UK, tagging one sail.

New this year, the Top Photo Award went to Miles Murphy onboard Shitz & Giggles of Key Colony Beach, FL. A runner-up award sponsored by Bass Pro went to Patrick Nutt of Ft. Lauderdale, FL onboard the Kelly Dawn.

Tournament trophies were created by famed Keys artist Pasta Pantaleo and sponsor King Sailfish Mounts of Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Pantaleo’s artwork was also featured on the tournament shirts.

Top Lady Angler Award_Madison Wright on Remix. with Capt. Cleare. Photo courtesy Cheeca Lodge & Spa

The 30th Annual Presidential Tournament Title Sponsors included Caribee Boat Sales and Marina, Yamaha Outboards, Bacardi and Titos. Partner sponsors included King Sailfish Mounts, BlueFin USA, Pasta Pantaleo, Blue Marlin Jewelry, Keys Audio Visual, World Wide Sportsman, Executive Printers of Florida, Florida Keys Brewing Company and RideStarRX.

Live scoring for the 30th Annual Presidential Tournament can be found at https://www.islamoradasailfishtournament.com/tournament.php?id=889.

Cheeca Lodge & Spa also hosts the All-American Backcountry Fishing Tournament set for Nov. 12-14, 2020.

Florida Keys Gold Cup Sailfish Championship

The 30th Annual Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tournament was the second leg of the prestigious Florida Keys Gold Cup Sailfish Championship, following the Islamorada Sailfish Tournament. The Islamorada Fishing Club Tournament on January 29, 2020, is the third leg of the series. The Gold Cup Championship benefis the Islamorada Charter Boat Association.

Results: 2020 Buccaneer Cup & Reef Cup

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running boat

Photo courtesy Leonard Bryant Photography

2020 BUCCANEER CUP

JANUARY 22 – JANUARY 25, 2020

First Place: Sandman, Capt. John Dudas, 2800

Second Place: Wicked Wahine, 2400

Third Place: Two Cats, Capt. Nathan Benz, 2400

Full Results…

sandman boat running

Photo courtesy Leonard Bryant Photography

picture of sandman boat

Photo courtesy Leonard Bryant Photography

picture of sandman team

Photo courtesy Leonard Bryant Photography

2020 Reef Cup

JANUARY 22 – JANUARY 25, 2020

First Place: Sweet Release/Buckalot, Capt. Chris White, 800

Second Place: Tar Baby, Capt. JP White, 700

Third Place: Hope, Capt. Floyd Leach, 500

Full Results…

The Championship of Sportfishing: The Evolution of the Captain of the Year

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inthebite captain of the year trophy

Captain of the Year

The InTheBite Captain of the Year Cup, presented by Hatteras, 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.

boat Tranquilo crew holding Captain of the Year plaques in the back of the boat

Tranquilo crew COTY pic. Photo courtesy Pepper Ailor

Origins of the Cup

InTheBite Magazine started in 2003. Since its conception, the magazine [Read more…]

Navigating the High Seas: Fishing and the Changing Landscape of Marijuana Laws

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By Winslow Taylor

Between fish whistles, square groupers, and the inherent “leisure” aspect of fishing, it’s no secret that booze and other recreational substances have long since been around the sportfishing scene. I’m not condoning or promoting, it’s just a fact. If you can show me a sportfishing captain/mate who hasn’t seen some absurd behavior, I’ll buy you dinner for a month. Although booze has been legal since 1933, it’s only in the past few years that the political climate regarding marijuana legalization has begun to drastically change.

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