The 23^rd Annual Grand Slam KDW was held at the Riverwalk Events Plaza in Jupiter on May 11 & 12, 2018. This year’s tournament continued to be in memory of Grand Slam KDW founder, Richard Black, who passed away in October of 2014. The tournament saw 125 boats compete for over $50,000 in cash and prizes. “Thanks to the community’s tremendous support, we are so happy to continue Richard’s vision to bring the community together for a great day of fishing while benefitting local charities,” said Kathy Black, Richard’s wife. Since 1996, the KDW has raised over $550,000 for various local charities.  Proceeds from this year’s tournament will be donated to charities including the Coastal Conservation Association, Rendina Family Foundation and AustinBlu Foundation.

As the boats returned to the docks the excitement grew. The competition started right away as the reining heaviest overall KDW female winner Kari Townsend brought her 49.4lb Kingfish to the scale at Sailfish Marina to regain the title again this year. To make the festivities even more enjoyable, participants family and friends could hang out at the Square Grouper or Sailfish Marina to cheer them on and take pictures.

In the heaviest overall KDW male angler division, Rich Luchini weighed in a 32.1lb dolphin aboard “Cape Horn”. The kingfish division also saw some nice size fish with first place winner Dawn Wayland weighing in a 36.9lb kingfish.  In the dolphin division, Tom Godino on the boat “Katalyst” brought in a 22.7lb dolphin to take first place. In the wahoo division, first place went to Jeff Hayden with his 15.1lb wahoo on the boat “Baby Doc”. Jeff was also the winner of the Richard Black Memorial Grand Slam Award which is awarded to the angler that catches the heaviest accumulated weight of all three fish.

Michael Murray Jr. on the boat “Taggin Sails” took home first place in the Junior Division with a 35.4lb kingfish. The meat division saw a 24.9lb blackfin tuna caught by Carl Lombardo, an 8.4lb mutton snapper by Hunter Hansen and a 4.6lb red grouper by David Wetten. All of the winners received their checks, trophies and other great prizes during the awards party. For more information on the tournament and a full list of all of the 2018 winners you can visit the website at fishgrandslamkdw.com