Torrential rains did not deter anglers in the 52nd Annual Islamorada Sailfish Tournament during the kick off December 3 at Whale Harbor Restaurants and Marina. Nineteen boats with 82 anglers pursued Sailfish over the three day tournament. One Up was declared the winner with a total of 14 Sailfish releases, taking home over $23,000 in prize money. Captain JC Cleare with mates Ryan Alexander and Eric Darvill, anglers Doug Mientkiewicz of Islamorada, along with Michelle Beltran, Rudy Espinosa, Rudy Espinosa Jr, Reggie Rodriguez, and Max Tower all from Miami, were awarded beautiful Sailfish trophies sponsored by Tackle Center of Islamorada.
The Islamorada Sailfish Tournament is the first leg of the Florida Keys Gold Cup Sailfish Championship. The One Up is currently in the lead with 14 fish followed by Relentless with 12 releases and Silent Hunter with 9 releases. The next leg of the series is the Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tournament January 14 – 16. The champions will be crowned at the Islamorada Fishing Clubs Sailfish Tournament on January 21, 2016.
OTHER WINNERS:
Top Angler
Doug Mientkiewicz
Top Lady Angler
Michelle Beltran
Top Junior Angler
Shawn MacMullin Jr. – age 15
Most Tagged Fish
Challenger 2
Most Outstanding Catch
Patrick Nutt aboard the Kalex
More information on the Islamorada Sailfish Tournament can be found on the web site www.islamoradasailfishtournament.com
