Team Crisdel Wins 23rd Annual Flutie Over The Hill Rip-Off

ISLAMORADA, Florida Keys — Team Crisdel released five sailfish to capture the grand championship at the 23rd annual Captain Al Flutie Over the Hill Rip-Off Sailfish Tournament that ended Jan. 24 in Islamorada.

The Crisdel anglers, led by Islamorada’s Captain Paul Dalik, were Frank Criscola of Manasquan Inlet, N.J., John Magursky of Key Largo, Fla., and Islamorada’s Joseph Prestifilippo.

Team Play Baby placed second with four sailfish. The team, all from Islamorada, consisted of anglers PJ Milazzo and Bobby Milazzo and co-captains Benny Solding and Sam Milazzo.

The third-place team, also with four sails but finishing behind Play Baby based on time, was Drop Back led by Captain Jon Reynolds of Florida City, Fla. Anglers on board were John Fuechsel of Cutler Bay, Fla., Florida City resident Brian Reynolds and Gary Salyers of Tavernier, Fla.

Rules of the one-day tournament nicknamed the “Flutie” require that at least one angler on each team be older than 50. The event is believed to be the only seniors’ sailfish tournament in the world.

Jim “Jimbo” Burgin was awarded the Hard Luck prize after fighting three sailfish to the boat and watching each one get away.

A field of 65 anglers fishing from 24 boats released 31 sailfish during the tournament.

The Over the Hill Rip-Off is an officially recognized Redbone@Large offshore fishing competition. All proceeds benefit cystic fibrosis research and the Keys’ Monroe Association for ReMARCable Citizens. To date, more than $400,000 has been raised according to tournament organizers.