The Home Builders Association Manatee-Sarasota presentation of the “SARASOTA SLAM” fishing tournament was a huge success again. The Sarasota Slam celebrated its Eleventh anniversary with all divisions well represented with 192 anglers in 50 boats.
The Sarasota Slam is a premier stop on the West Coast of Florida for the WBS Billfish series. This year’s winner was “Team Hooker” with 500 release points. It was noted that these boats in this division that left port at noon on Wednesday and headed out into the Gulf of Mexico and some boats traveling over 700 miles round trip.
The Slam also has in addition to the Billfish division, both inshore and offshore divisions. “We had 30% more boats in the Billfish division than last year”, said Tournament Director, Alan Anderson. The winner of the Top Angler Award was Ms. Kelly Cummins of “Team Hooker”, with the 1st Place 75.5 pound Tuna along with the Blue Marlin caught and released. “Double AA” took home 1st Place with a 29.7lb Dolphin and “Team Haulin Grass” had a 40.6 pound 1st Place Wahoo. The winners in the Offshore division were “Team Braggin Rites” with at Tournament Record Grouper at 181.85 pounds which was donate to the Salvation Army. “Team Lucky Strike” had the 1st Place Snapper weighing in at 13.3 lbs and “Team Dirt Dragger” won 1St Place in the wild card with a 61.35 lbs Amber Jack. The Winners in the inshore division were Team E.L.S. with 7.1lbs Redfish and “Team Strung Out” with a 4.67lb Trout.
This four day tournament concluded with the weigh in at tournament headquarters at Marina Jack. “We are extremely honored to be partnered with the Dock master Sam Chavers and all the great people at Marina Jack who have hosted the Slam for many years”, said Alan Anderson, Executive Vice President – HBA. “The venue at Marina Jack is one of the main reasons that the Sarasota Slam has earned a reputation as premier fishing event in Florida”, said Anderson. TJ Nutter, President of John Cannon Homes and founder of the Sarasota Slam announced at the awards ceremony that this year the anglers donated over 600lbs of fish to the Salvation Army of Bradenton and Sarasota.
Each year the Sarasota Slam fishing committee selects a charity and it was unanimous with our choice this year to contribute to “Homes For our Troops” and in particular for a home being built in Parrish, Florida for US Army SSG Juan Roldan who suffered life threatening injuries in Iraq and lost both his legs December 26, 2006. The HBA members are involved in the construction of this home for SSG Roldan and will through this year’s Sarasota Slam donate some of the proceeds for this home.
Last year we added a junior fishing event with the “Kids Klub” and hosted 16 kids from the Venice YMCA, sponsored by United Electric and CB’s Saltwater Outfitters. Each of the junior anglers were given a new rod and reel to take home and fished off the docks at Marina Jack. Several fish were caught, they received Sarasota Slam Medals and had lunch on the dock. This year we added trophies for the junior anglers that caught, “The Most Fish”, The Biggest Fish” and “The Ugliest Fish”.
The HBA is a residential construction trade association representing Manatee and Sarasota counties. Our 400+ member companies are committed to providing top quality and environmentally oriented housing to the community. As advocates for equal housing the association works closely with local government to insure code and regulation concerns are administered fairly for the betterment of the industry. The HBA members are involved and committed to giving back to our great community and the Sarasota Slam is just one of those events that demonstrate our support to Manatee and Sarasota.
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