Finest Kind Quickie Results

(From Stuart News, 12/1/11)

Congrats to all who fished & took away cash at the Quickie, especially Club Charter Member, Bone Shaker and crew.  Looking forward to seeing you next week at the SSC Light Tackle Tournament.

2011 Members Tournament Results

(View more pictures in Stuart Sailfish Club Pictures)

Yes, it happened! After a 1 week weather delay, then threats of another cancellation, and with a rules modification allowing anglers to fish "captains choice" of either Saturday or Sunday, 10 boats signed up delivering 31 hardy anglers. (We DID NOT wish to have it weathered out 2 years in a row!) Fish were few and scattered, but most caught something.

Not included in the tournament gamefish, but worthy of Honorable Mention, Conrad Casselli brought in a 22 pound blackfin tuna. 22 lbs., WOW! No kingfish or wahoo were weighed, but winners reported sailfish and dolphin. (Oh, yes, bonita and scattered barracuda abounded.)

Thanks to master chefs Andy Kubiak and Dave Powell, and the tenacity of many Club volunteers (including new members) everyone enjoyed a fun filled awards event.

Awards were as follows:

Gamefish Division
1st Place - Paver - Captain Matt George
2nd Place - Skurry Along - Captain Michael O'Neill
3rd Place - Prime Time - Captain Tom Wichers
Billfish Division
1st Place - Challenge - Captain Jim Hardee - 4 releases
2nd Place - Sea Check - Captain VJ Bell - 2 releases
3rd Place - Hotty Toddy - Captain Mack MacDonald - 1 release
Outstanding Junior Angler - Will Ponsoldt 3rd - 1 release, 1 dolphin
Outstanding Angler - Michael Fogel - 2 releases
Top Boat - Challenge - 4 releases

Congrats to all!

2011 Members Tournament Captains Meeting

Well, again, it's been hard to plan for this one. The weather gods looked like they would favor us until about 36 hours ago. Then, they turned on us. We decided to have the Captains Meeting tonight, and then try to fish next Saturday.

The turnout was light, but enthusiastic. And, food and drink was excellent. Many thanks to our volunteers, and particularly the "clean up team", as it's so easy to eat, drink, laugh, and depart leaving the "clean up" to others. (I love to do that!)

Staying behind and "leaving the place the way we found it" were the Wichers gang, Tom, Sarah, and Madison..also, Mary Jo, Sherry, JodiM, Erika, Char & Ronnie.

And hats off to the bar tenders, Mary Jo and Sherry, and provider of culinary delights, Char. Her "gourmet meatballs" brought her two marriage proposals, even right in front of Ron!

Looking forward to a little support from the weather team. Hope to see you out next Saturday, the 12th for some actual fishing.

In the meantime, check out Stuart Sailfish Club Pictures for many of Betty & Betsey's pictures from tonight.

Nautical Flea Market Weekend - Sept. 16,17,18

Liz Cordier, June Phillips, and Jodi Mills work the booth.

13 Club Members generously gave up part of their week end to work the Flea Market at the fair grounds to make SSC some money. They included Gary Greenfield, Ed Skupeen, Nippy & Sue Pauels, Liz Cordier, June Phillips, Dave & Jodi Mills, VJ Bell, John & Chase Franco, Curt Groteau, and Jim Weix. Thanks to all of you for bringing $641 into the Club in support of our scholarship programs.
And, thanks to Julie Lentine for donating space and Shurhold Industries for donating items for sale. The Club was able to sell the balance of the tournament shirts left over after our events.
These Flea Market events have brought in over $2,000 over the past three years.
Thanks to all for their help.

First Annual Charter Mania -WOW!

Two to three hundred people attended our 1st annual Charter Mania, and all report that it was a great success. Attendees toured 5 of the most successful tournament fishing boats on the Treasure Coast, talked with captains and owners, then deposited their "signed tickets" in a bucket for drawings for free charters on those boats. There were also raffles, food, drink, vendors, and prizes.

Thanks to all boat owners and captains for their time, support, and generosity. These include:

DayMaker - Capt. Patrick Price - Daymakerfishing.com

Boneshaker - Capt. Scott Fawcett - Boneshakercharters.com

Sea Check - Capt. V.J. Bell - Seacheckcharters.com

My Other Honey - Capt. Peter Morello - stuartflsportfishing.com

Challenge - Capt. Jim Hardee - Challengesportfishing.com

All donated full or half day charters to support the Stuart Sailfish Club and its scholarship program benefitting Martin County High School graduates in their endeavors toward careers in the marine industries.

Thanks also to the vendors who donated items to the raffles, and to the many SSC members who gave their time & effort to help make this a success. Special recognition to the tent builders who get the tent, tables, & chairs up & down and handle garbage & clean up detail. They include Andy Kubiak, Greg Carpino, Nippy Pauels, Tom & Van Wichers.

All agreed that we need to continue this in future years.

Look to Stuart Sailfish Club Pictures on our website for a bunch of great pictures, most compliments of Allison Wigley who really knows how to capture the best in people.