Sandman Wins Top Honors at Key West World Sailfish Championship

KEY WEST, Florida Keys -- Sandman, skippered by Captain Neil Orange of Miami, released 17 sailfish to earn first place and $255,785 at the World Sailfish Championship that ended Saturday, April 16, in the Florida Keys.

The team consisted of Jason Roe of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Domie Adames of Miami; Robby Waddick, Corey Ryan and Wes Stevens of Pompano Beach, Fla.; and boat owner Sandra MacMillan of Fort Lauderdale, also named the tournament's top female angler with seven releases.

Sandman concluded the tournament's first fishing day, Wednesday, April 13, in 28th place with a single release, but scored 10 Thursday to move to second.

After a tournament lay day Friday, the team fished Saturday near Sand Key Light with sardines and threadfin herring. They added six more releases before noon to take and keep the lead. After that, action waned and a tense wait was endured until fishing ended at 2 p.m.

"That was pretty nerve-wracking because it got good for a couple of boats near the end," said Orange. "{We were} keeping baits in the water and trying not to listen to the radio chatter about people getting bites."

Orange said preparation and learning the territory were key elements in Sandman's victory. The team skipped the recent Miami Billfish Tournament to spend several days in the Keys practice fishing.

Second place and $123,870 went to Lights Out, captained by Chester Sims of Key Largo, Fla., for releasing 14 sails. Despite leading the field going into the third day, Lights Out scored just two releases Saturday.

The team included owner Bill Haugland of New York City, Richie Kornahrens and Randy Weichbrodt of Long Island, N.Y., Guy Moseley of Key Largo, Carlos Smith of Miami and Tyler Morris and Shay Danzig of Islamorada, Fla.

Conched Out/Team Sea Hunter topped the field battling for third. Led by Captain Corey McBride of Lighthouse Point, Fla., the team released its 12th sail less than 60 seconds before lines-out.

Although two other boats also scored 12 sails, Conched Out took the third-place spot and $20,830 based on time of the final release.

Team members were boat owner Gary McBride of Lighthouse Point, Kevin Crosillat of Pompano Beach, Fla., Steve Fishman of Lighthouse Point and Kurtis Schuttler, Gerrad Weigood and Carl Weigood of Boca Raton, Fla.

The remainder of the million-dollar prize purse was divided among 16 other boats.

Tournament director Captain Mike Weinhofer reported the event attracted 71 boats, with anglers releasing 335 sailfish over the three fishing days.

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