27th Annual Islamorada Bartenders Sailfish Open

The 27th annual Islamorada Bartenders Sailfish Open started off with a triple header aboard the Fish Tales. By the time things were settled down only Heather from Hog Heaven was still hooked up. After a short 3 minute battle she became the first angler to release a Sailfish in this years fun filled event. The Hopalong with Bartender Wes King fishing for Whale Harbor would soon take over the lead and never let it go. In the end Wes would win the highly prized perpetual trophy which will proudly be displayed at Whale Harbor for one year. Captain Tim Arce was at the helm and was awarded the High Point Captain trophy. Mates Joe Gargan and Tyler Coffman took home high point mate awards. The Tiki fishing Tim, Kim and Kevin from the Safari Lounge in Lower Matacumbe took second place bar honors with three Sails. Anglers Michael, Matt, Carolyn, Denise and Barbara all from Sparky’s Landing in Marathon released two Sailfish aboard the Main Attraction II and took home the third place award.

The Island Grill, mile marker 85.5 oceanside in Islamorada, hosted the Bartenders with live music, fantastic food and great parties. Thirty five anglers fishing aboard 12 boats representing twelve different bars competed for bar trophies as well as individual bartender awards. Overall a total of 18 fish were released out of 27 called in hook ups. High point bartender honors went to Wes King aboard the Hopalong with a total of 4 releases. Second place bartender was Tim Swann from Safari Lounge fishing aboard the Tiki with two sailfish releases. Heather Miciuda from Hog Heaven was awarded the third place bartender award for her first ever Sailfish, released aboard the Fish Tales. The fourth place bartender trophy was awarded to Matt Anthony from Sparky’s Landing with one Sailfish release on the Main Attraction II.

Most Outstanding catch was a 23.4 pound Kingfish caught aboard the Hooked up. Angler Barbara Yohn landed the fish which ate a cigar minnow on monofilament line. Barbara was representing the Oceanview Lounge