Leon Shell Memorial Tournament a Winning ‘Obsession’

MARATHON, Florida Keys — Reel Obsession out of Key Colony Beach, Fla., took the $10,000 first prize at the 13th annual Leon Shell Memorial Sailfish Tournament that ended March 6.

Anglers Norman Moore, B.J. Meyer, John Callion, Ely Hernandez and Cody Darbie, all from Marathon, released five sails for the win. The teammates fished with Marathon’s James “Bucko” Platt at the helm.

Second place and a $1,500 cash prize went to the Natural team with Captain Reese Lewis of Marathon. He guided anglers Buck Daniels of Erie, Pa., Lyle Hamilton of Reston, Va., and Joe Suroviec from Palm City, Fla., whose three sailfish landed the team its runner-up slot and himself the tournament’s champion angler title.

Main Attraction, led by Captain Marty Lewis of Marathon, was awarded third place and a $1,000 cash prize. Marathon anglers Mimi Molden, Matthew Falk, Stephanie Clark, Scott Vaughn, Teny Deane and Clint “Digger” Rodamer teamed up for two sails.

The largest kingfish, weighing 13.6 pounds, was caught by Andy Payne of Marathon. The largest dolphin was a 19-pounder caught by Joe Suroviec, and the largest tuna was a 13.1-pounder caught by Jerry Schlensker from Noblesville, Ind. A wahoo prize was not awarded.

A field of 47 anglers fished the tournament from 10 boats, and a check for $25,000 was presented to tournament beneficiary Hospice and Visiting Nurses Association of the Florida Keys.

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