Reel McCoy wins the 47th annual Islamorada Sailfish Tournament

[Fishing Report]

Reel McCoy wins the
47th annual Islamorada Sailfish Tournament


l-r Justin Miller,Larry Amoyette,Lee Gahagen, George McElveen and little George
photos Tim Rahn Photography


l-r Sean Smith, George McElveen, Larry Amoyette,Justin Miller, Kiki Ferrer

Captain George McElveen led anglers Larry Amoyette (Silver Springs, FL), Sean Smith (Ft. Lauderdale, FL), Kiki Ferrer (Islamorada, FL), Justin Miller (Islamorada, FL) to the winner’s circle of the 47th Annual Islamorada Sailfish Tournament. The team released a total of 16 Sailfish over the three day event. The Reel McCoy team has also won an entry into the 2011 IGFA Offshore World Championship in Cabo San Lucas. The Reel McCoy took the lead on the first day, as mate Lee Gahagen grabbed the leaders, releasing 8 Sailfish. The Olympic Gold was hot on their heels with 7 releases. Day two was another great day for Reel McCoy. They released 7 fish giving them a two day total of 15 releases. Captain Alex Adler on the Kalex was coming on strong and had 12 fish by the end of the second day. Kalex would release 3 Sails on the final day, but Reel McCoy would release one more Sailfish before it was over guaranteeing them a front row seat at the awards ceremony.


photos Tim Rahn Photography
Kalex anglers Jim Verner (Duck Key, FL), Anthony DelDuca (Naples, FL), Josh Ardis (Duck Key FL), and Joe Flynn (Greenwood, SC) took home second place honors. With the help of mates Matt Guthrie and K.J. Zeher the team released 4 fish the first day, 8 fish the second day and 3 Sails on the final day. Captain Alex Adler’s Kalex would take home second place trophies with a total of 15 Sailfish releases.


photos Tim Rahn Photography

Third place Relentless would have a nice steady pick of Sails. Anglers James David, Jimmy David and Debbie David (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) and Jimmy Hendrix (Tavernier, FL) would release 5 fish on the first day, 3 on the second and 5 again on the final day. Both Olympic Gold and Catch 22 would also release 13 Sailfish by the end of the 3rd day. It was Captain Paul Ross with mates Ben Ekblom and Scott Stoky that got the job done first and the Relentless would take third place with 13 fish on time.

It was the family team of Benny Spaulding Sr, Benny Spaulding Jr, both from Tavernier FL fishing with Captain Kenny Spaulding aboard the CaribSea that would be in hot pursuit of the High Point Angler award and Bill Hirni Memorial Trophy. Benny junior released a total of 7 fish to take these honors and is in the lead for the Gold Cup Series High Point Angler and Championship Ring.

Most Tagged fish went to the Olympic Gold. Captain J.C. Cleare with Anglers Max Tower (Palmetto Bay, FL), Reggie Rodriguez (Coral Gables, FL), Doug Mientkiewicz (Coral Gables, FL), Fulton Ivy (Key Largo, FL) tagged 7 of the 13 Sailfish they released.

James David fishing with mom and dad aboard the Relentless was the Grand Champion Junior Angler. James who is 11 released 2 Sailfish. Second place junior angler Shawn MacMullin from Key Largo, who fishes the tournament every year, was the only angler on his dad’s boat Get the Gaff. Shawn released 2 Sails as well.

The Islamorada Sailfish Tournament is the first leg of the Florida Keys Gold Cup Sailfish Championship. The Reel McCoy, Kalex, and Relentless are all participating in the Gold Cup event. The next leg of the series is the Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tournament January 20th thru the 22nd. The champions will be crowned at the Islamorada Fishing Clubs January Sailfish Tournament on the 27th 2011.

27 Boats competed in the 2010 Islamorada Sailfish Tournament with a total of 92 anglers. 205 Sailfish were released out of the 257 called in hook ups. 18 fish were tagged. The Islamorada Sailfish Tournament is the primary fund raiser for the Islamorada Charter Boat Association. With the help of our major sponsors Caribee Boat Sales, Yamaha Outboards, TIB, World Wide Sportsman, and the splendid parties put on by Whale Harbor Restaurants and Marina, the Islamorada Sailfish Tournament will continue the fight to preserve and protect the fabulous fishing in the Florida Keys. More information on the Islamorada Sailfish Tournament can be found on the web site http://www.islamoradasailfishtournament.com


2010 ISLAMORADA SAILFISH TOURNAMENT
Totals
Total Number of anglers 92
Total Number of Boats 27
Total number of hook ups 257
Releases Day One 69
Releases Day Two 73
Releases Day Three 63
Total Number of releases 205
Total tagged fish 18
Total days fished 3

Trophy List
Overall Champion(s) - Trophy sponsored by Yamaha Outboards

Anglers: Larry Amoyette, Silver Springs FL, Sean Smith-Ft. Lauderdale, FL,
Kiki Ferrer-Islamorada, FL – Justin Miller-Islamorada,FL
Captain: George McElveen
Mates: Lee Gahagen
Total Released Fish: 16

High Point Captain - Trophy sponsored by Caribee Boat Sales
Captain: George McElveen
Residence: Tavernier, FL
Anglers: Larry Amoyette, Sean Smith, Kiki Ferrer, Justin Miller
Mates: Lee Gahagen
Boat: Reel McCoy
Total Released Fish: 16

High Point Mate - Trophy sponsored Mercedes Benz of Cutler Bay

Mate: Lee Gahagen
Residence: Tavernier, FL
Anglers: Larry Amoyette, Sean Smith, Kiki Ferrer, Justin Miller
Captain: George McElveen
Boat: Reel McCoy
Total Released Fish: 16


Second Place – Trophy sponsored by World Wide Sportsman
Angler: Jim Verner-Duck Key,FL. Anthony DelDuca-Naples,FL. Josh Ardis-Duck Key FL. Joe Flynn-Greenwood, SC.
Captain: Alex Adler
Mate: K.J. Zeher and Matt Guthrie (Gunner)
Boat: Kalex
Total Released Fish: 15



Third Place – TIB Bank
Angler: James David, Jimmy David and Debbie David-Ft. Lauderdale, FL Jimmy Hendrix-Tavernier, FL
Captain: Paul Ross
Mate: Ben Ekbloom and Scott Stokey
Boat: Relentless
Total Released Fish: 13 on time


High Point Angler – Trophy sponsored Ocean Sotheby’s International Reality
& Bill Hirni Memorial Trophy

Angler: Benny Spaulding Jr
Residence: Tavernier, FL
Captain: Kenny Spaulding
Mate: Conan Yates- Jake Turek
Boat: CaribSea
Total Released Fish: 7

First Place Junior Angler- Sponsored by Caloosa Cove

Angler: James David Ft. Lauderdale, FL age 11
Captain: Paul Ross
Mate: Ben Ekbloom and Scott Stokey
Boat: Relentless
Total Released Fish: 2 fish on time



Second Place Junior Anger-Sponsored by ICBA
Angler: Shawn MacMullin age 10
Residence: Key Largo, FL
Captain: Shawn Mac Mullin Sr.
Mate:
Boat: Get the Gaff
Total Released Fish: 2



Most Tagged Fish – Trophy Sponsored by Islander Resort

Anglers: Max Tower, Reggie Rodriguez, Doug Mientkiewicz, Fulton Ivy
Residence:
Captain: J.C. Clear
Mate:
Boat: Olympic Gold
Total Tagged Fish: 7

Most Tagged Fish Captain – Trophy sponsored by Barefoot Baits

Captain: J.C. Clear
Residence: Miami, FL
Anglers: Max Tower, Reggie Rodriguez, Doug Mientkiewicz, Fulton Ivy
Mate:
Boat: Olympic Gold
Total Tagged Fish: 7



Most Tagged Fish Mate – Trophy Sponsored by VMC Hooks
Mate:
Anglers: Max Tower, Reggie Rodriguez, Doug Mientkiewicz, Fulton Ivy
Captain: J.C. Clear
Boat: Olympic Gold
Total Tagged Fish: 7



Most Outstanding Catch – Trophy sponsored by Holiday Isle Marina

Angler: Wayne King
Residence: Tavernier, Fl
Captain: Nick Ewald
Boat: Viva La Vida
Species: Wahoo 35.3 Pounds


Largest Dolphin – Trophy sponsored by Coral Bay Marina

Angler: Greg Tolpin
Captain: Brian Cone
Mate: Shannon Attales
Boat: Contagious
Weight: 6.0 pounds

Largest Tuna – Trophy sponsored by Mangrove Mike’s

Angler: John Stout
Residence: Islamorada, FL
Captain: Greg Eklund
Boat: Cloud Nine
Weight: 14.1 Pounds


Largest Mackerel – Trophy sponsored by Clear Channel Radio

Angler: Matt Daniels
Residence: Cincinnati, OH
Captain: Ed Yannetty
Mate: Justin Baker
Boat: J.A.C.S.
Weight: 18.2 pounds

[Fishing Report]

Reel McCoy Team Reels in Victory at Islamorada Sailfish Tournament

ISLAMORADA, Florida Keys -- Anglers aboard the Reel McCoy, skippered by George McElveen, released 16 sailfish during three days of fishing to earn top honors at the 47th annual Islamorada Sailfish Tournament that ended Dec. 5 off the Florida Keys.

McElveen's team consisted of a trio that has fished the tournament together for three years -- Larry Amoyette from Silver Springs, Fla., Fort Lauderdale's Sean Smith and Kieran Ferrer of Islamorada -- joined by Islamorada's Justin Miller.

"We had lots of action on kites and sight-fishing," McElveen said. "Ballyhoo were plentiful out there to feed on. We used live ballyhoo, lots of goggle eyes, and just caught everything that bit."

Amoyette, who landed six of the team's fish, said he loves Keys sailfish tournaments like the Islamorada challenge.

"For anyone who's had the excitement of catching their first sail, it's completely different and so much more exhilarating," he said. "We really enjoy tournament fishing."

Second place went to Team Kalex, scoring 15 sailfish under the guidance of Captain Alex Adler. Teammates were Anthony Delduca of Naples, Fla., Josh Ardis and Jim Verner of Marathon, Fla., and Joe Flynn of Greenwood, S.C.

Relentless placed third with Captain Paul Ross at the helm. Jimmy Hendrix of Tavernier, Fla., with Fort Lauderdale anglers Jimmy David, Debbie David and 11-year-old James David, released 13 sailfish.

Young James David was named the tournament's high-point junior angler.

Team Reel McCoy is to receive an invitation to the 2011 International Game Fish Association Offshore Championship in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Tournament organizer Dianne Harbaugh said the Islamorada competition drew 27 boats and 92 anglers who released 205 sailfish.

The Islamorada Sailfish Tournament is the first leg of the Florida Keys Gold Cup Sailfish Championship. Next in the series is the Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tournament scheduled for Jan. 20-22, followed Jan. 27 by the IFC Sailfish Tournament.