Wednesday, February 5, 2014

60th Annual Light Tackle Tournament






(Click on images to enlarge)

2013 – 60TH Annual Light Tackle Tournament was held Dec. 12-15, 2013. The tournament went back to one division since adding an Open Division last year did not bring more boats or anglers. 16 boats averaging 55 feet and 68 anglers released 212 fish. Having planned a big 60th anniversary celebration, we were hoping for more boats. It was a fun event anyway, as many people who had played a big part over the past several years attended. Included among the 20 or so honored were Jan Fogt, Kathy Garlington, Squeeky Kelly, Keith Carroll, Sandy Fogt, Sandy Thurlow, Curt Whiticar, Blaine Rhoads, Bob Barratta, Dave Berard, Boogie Warren, Dave Chasmar, Tom Chamberlin, and John Whiticar.

 Top boat was Challenge (24 releases) with Captain Jimmy Hardee, mates Terry Brennan & James Turner, and owner Michael Fogel. Anglers were Dave Berard, Jr., James Robinson, James Turner, Michael Fogel, and Steve Butcher. 2nd place went to Canyon Lady (18 release) and 3rd place to J-Hook (16 releases on time)
     
Light Tackle Tournament Winners
 
DAILY AWARDS
1ST DAY – Lo Que Sea
2ND DAY – J-Hook
3RD DAY – Challenge
TOP MALE ANGLER – Joey Belton
(Most releases total)
TOP FEMALE ANGLER – Christy Crews
(Most releases total)
TOP MEMBER ANGLER – Fred Hardwick
(Most releases overall for a member angler)
FIRST PLACE OVERALL & TOP BOAT TEAM – Challenge
(Boat total releases)
             TOP CAPTAIN – Jim Hardee on Challenge

See an album of pictures on Stuart Sailfish Club Pictures from our Home Page.


 

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

2013 Members Tournament

Outstanding Jr. Angler
L-R Tom Wichers, Heather Milner, VJ Bell

Outstanding Adult Angler
L-R Tom Wichers, Wyatt Hendry, VJ Bell

Top Boat
Team Bone Shaker L-R Tom Wichers, Capt. James Ewing, Dave Powell, Joe Lehner

The 2013 Members Tournament held in November each year followed the same theme as last year whereas anglers brought in their fish to supplement options of hamburgers and hot dogs cooked and served by the members. And, we ate well.

 This is a team tournament and winners were:
Billfish Category – Team Base Camp – Capt. Gary Hendry
Gamefish Category – Team Lo Que Sea – Not SSC member boat, but chartered by SSC Members Rob & Patti Miller
Top Boat – Team Bone Shaker – Capt. James Ewing
Outstanding Adult Angler – Wyatt Hendry on Base Camp
Outstanding Junior Angler – Heather Milner on No Worries

 Congratulations to all!

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Great Junior Angler Tournament - 2013








(Click pictures to enlarge)
STUART SAILFISH CLUB JUNIOR ANGLER TOURNAMENT - AUG. 10, 2013
With brisk winds and choppy seas blowing up late morning, 35 anglers (8 to 18) hung in and fished all morning aboard the Safari I charter boat.  Another 25 kids fished on smaller private boats.  All were participating in The Stuart Sailfish Club’s 35th Junior Angler Tournament out of Sailfish Marina Saturday morning.  Most of the boys and girls on the Safari I were from the Florida Sheriffs Youth Camps from around the state for the second year in a row.  Ten anglers were from The Port St. Lucie scout troop who joined in the fun.  They all caught fish, with large blue runners being the dominant catch.  Kids on the private boats caught dolphin and kingfish up to 24 pounds as well as many Bonita. 
Back at Sailfish Marina each fish was weighed, including a certificate of catch, photographed and displayed by the happy anglers.   After a BBQ lunch prepared by “Southern Pig and Cattle Company” each angler received the traditional rod and reel from the Club as well as dozens of sports and fishing prizes won in a raffle.  Every angler won something.  After lunch the trophies covering offshore and inshore categories were presented. The nearly 40lb and 3’ high, Ted Glasrud Perpetual Outstanding Junior Angler Award was won by Derek Scherz as the Club junior angler with the most points/pounds overall.  He had just joined the Club prior to the tournament! Brent Kane won the Yamaha motor donated by Manatee Marina for his 4 kids.
A heartfelt moment came when Andrew Boyer, from Merritt Island, who had just won a new bike in the raffle came up to the emcee and offered to give his new bike to one of the Florida Sheriff Youth Camp kids.  The 20 club volunteers who organized the event and all of the 120 adults and kids in the crowd were overwhelmed by his generosity. In addition to the many raffle prizes, the Florida Youth Camp kids were going home with two new bicycles!  Heartfelt thanks to all of the sponsors and volunteers; the Club could not hold such an event without their support. 
RESULTS:  OFFSHORE
Ted Glasrud Perpetual Outstanding Junior Angler Award -   Derek Scherz
Outstanding Offshore Angler – Ethan Milton
Outstanding Inshore Angler – Baylor Bullock
Kingfish -  1st- Derek Scherz (24  #) , 2nd- Ethan Milton  ( 18 #)  ,3rd - Marlin Huff ( 16 #)
Dolphin -  1st - Chase Franco (  5 #)
Bonita  -   1st – Chase Franco  ( 12 #),   2nd -  Derek Scherz  (  11 #),  3rd – Marlin Huff  ( 8 #)
Peewee Division –Kingfish, 1st - Bentley Forester (13 #), Bonita 1st– Bentley Forester (9 #)
Outstanding Peewee Angler - Bentley Forester

INSHORE:                                                   
Snapper -    1st -  Baylor Bullock                                
Trout –  1st - Baylor Bullock       
Catfish – 1st - Lindsay Carnes              
Ladyfish – 1st  - Morgan Carnes

VOLUNTEERS

Team Leaders: Martin Kurtz, Jim Weix, Brett Shamming, Betty Olliges, Carol Burke, Tish Gelineau, Erica Long
Volunteers: Beth Davis, Keith Grandchamp, John Millroy,Joyce Powell, Doug Lindsey, Andy Kubiak, Chase Franco, Bobby Beatty, Jeffrey Mullen, Corry Gindlesperger, Brisley Lopez, Betsey Riley,

CHAIRMAN: Dave Powell
See and album of pictures at Stuart Sailfish Club Pictures from our web site.

www.stuartsailfishclub.com                               
 
Contributed by Dave Powell

Monday, July 15, 2013

CONGRATS TO 2013 SSC SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS


Dave Powell with Greg Kusel and Ashley Meade

Representing Martin County High School are Greg Kusel and Ashley Meade.

 Greg has been active with the Boy Scouts and Eagle Scouts and has received some of their highest awards, as well as being active in several other civic activities. In the area of marine service and conservation, he has volunteered with the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuse, Indian River lagoon Oyster Habitat Restoration, and Treasure Coast Waterway Cleanup. He plans to study Environmental Engineering at University of Florida in order to focus on such issues as water runoff, nutrient levels in water and how to encourage efficient use of land to maximize the natural habitat for plants and animals.

 Ashley was awarded Gold, Silver, and Bronze Congressional Meals for her voluntary public service. Among other activities, she has worked with the American Red Cross and Boys and Girls Club. She has over 650 volunteer hours. Additionally, she is a member of the Treasure Coast Junior Rowing Club and has won several awards. Ashley will attend U of F, FIT, or SUNY where she plans a double major in Wildlife Conservation and Ecology as well as Biology.
 
 
 Liz Cordier with Jennifer Guerra and Victoria Caba

From Jensen Beach High School are Jennifer Guerra and Victoria Caba.

 Included among the many organizations Victoria has volunteered for during high school are Beach Clean Up, Treasured Lands Foundation, Red Cross, Humane Society, and the Environmental Study Center. She plans to attend University of Miami, University of South Florida, or Florida Institute of Technology and study Marine Biology. “One personal goal of mine is to continue to work to keep our marine ecosystems and marine habitat healthy and clean. Water is viewed as a renewable resource, but our oceans and its ecosystems are nonrenewable.”

 In addition to the many extracurricular activities at school (Key Club, Spanish Honor Society, National Honor Society, Earth Savers Crew, Cheerleader, Relay for Life to name a few), Jennifer has nearly 200 volunteer hours with such groups as the Environmental Studies Center and Environmental Studies Junior Council. She understands that realizing her dream of becoming a Marine Biologist will be a financial challenge for her and her family, but she is determined. She plans to attend UCF and major in Marine Biology.
 
 
Liz Cordier with Brisly Lopez
 
Representing South Fork High School is Brisly Lopez.

Brisly’s co-curricular activities have been largely focused with JROTC. “I was the S-5 assistant sophomore year, a Company Commander my junior year, and I am currently the primary S-6. S-5 is in charge of public affairs, which includes taking pictures and posting up newsletters for every month. Being Company Commander, I am in charge of 2 classes, a total of about 40 students. Our mission is to help teach the cadets about JROTC and to help influence them to be better citizens. I am now the primary S-6, and in charge of organizing major events such as the Raider PACMAN Challenge, Military Ball, and the Homecoming float. We won 1st place in both the Raider Challenge and Homecoming float.”

Brisly plans to attend Florida Atlantic University or Indian River State College to study Marine Biology and become a Marine Biologist.

 Many thanks to all our 2013 Scholarship Recipients for helping out at SSC functions this summer. Special recognition goes to Greg and Brisly whose faces have become familiar to us on several accessions.

Sunday, June 16, 2013

2013 Fishing Classic



53 anglers on 20 boats fished Stuart Sailfish Club’s 2013 Fishing Classic. This Father’s Day weekend event differed from previous years in that it included the Ladies Tournament and Small Boat Tournament rolled into one day. Men, ladies, and juniors fished for sailfish, dolphin, cobia, kingfish and wahoo using their choice of dead or live bait. Interestingly enough in this summer time event, all species were caught except dolphin.
The Friday night Captain’s Meeting was held under the tent at Sailfish Marina where Rules Committee Chairman, Tom Wichers read the rules , and the Awards Dinner took place at the Fish House Art Center in Port Salerno Saturday evening. Activities included a 50/50 raffle, Silent Auction, and Chinese Auction. Proceeds go to fund SSC’s college scholarships for Martin County HS Seniors who are going on to careers in the marine industry.  5 of this year’s recipients fished this tournament, Greg Cusel and Ashley Meade on R KA NU and Victoria Caba, Brisley Lopez, and Jennifer Guerra on Unicity, a 48 foot boat generously donated by Tom Dyer for this purpose. Brisley released her 1st sailfish ever.

The Tournament Committee Members, Liz Cordier, Gary Greenfield, Tish Gelineau, Erika Long, Don Wilson, Brett Schaming, Jim Weix, Bill Whippen, and Martin Kurtz wish to recognize and thank the many volunteers who generously gave their time to make this tournament a success. And, the Stuart Sailfish Club thanks our sponsors, boat owners, and anglers who support these fun events. Please visit our sponsors and give them your business whenever you have a need.
Trophy winners are listed below. Many pictures will be posted on Stuart Sailfish Club Pictures from our Home Page this week. Congratulations to all our winners.

20 boats – 53 anglers – 14 Releases -12 on live bait – 2 on dead bait – 1 on a J hook
JUNIOR DIVISION

1st Place           Jon Fogel         25 pts. 1 Sail (Live Bait) (Challenge)

MEN’S DIVISION
3rd Place          Dave Powell    30.64pts.         1 King (R KA NU)

2nd Place          Skyler Wichers            32.36pts.        1 Wahoo, 1 King (Prime Time)
1st Place*         JJ Davidson      50.00pts.         1 Sail (Dead bait) (Lucky Duck)

*It was later determined that an earlier release by Dustin Hicks was recorded as Live Bait due to radio distance relaying confusion, and actually was on Dead bait.  Therefore the Club issued an additional 1st place trophy to Dustin Hicks on Coconut Express.
LADIES DIVISION

3rd Place           Patty Miller     45.45pts          1 Wahoo (Lo Que Sea)

2nd Place          Jodi Fogel        50.00pts          2 Sails (Live bait) (10:25) (Challenge)
1st Place           Nicole Mueller 50.00pts         2 Sails (Live bait) On Time (9:07) (Scurry Along)

TOP SMALL BOAT      < 35', Total Poins

Prime Time     57.36pts.         1 sail, 1 Wahoo, 1 King
POLLY WHIPPEN AWARD      Total points sailfish release, Member Lady Angler

Jodi Fogel       50pts. 2 Sails (Live Bait)