THE 2015 YAMAHA CONTENDER MIAMI SPORTFISHING TOURNAMENT
CONCLUDES ITS SUCCESSFUL EVENT
Proceeds Go to Marine Conservation, Education, Scholarships and Wounded Warrior Project
The Yamaha Contender Miami Sportfishing Tournament (formally the Miami Billfish Tournament) concluded a successful and exciting fishing tournament and fundraiser! This was the first year of the tournament’s new format, designed to open it up the competition to anglers from all around South Florida, with an emphasis on Funfishing. The new format and tournament produced a winning weekend for everyone! Held at the Miami Beach Marina on South Beach in Florida, 261 anglers aboard 54 boats fished for a $30,000 Top Boat Prize, plus other cash prizes, gifts and trophies. Thanks to its anglers and sponsors, this non-profit organization donated proceeds to area marine conservation organizations, education programs, scholarships and the Wounded Warrior Project.
On Thursday, April 23rd, the tournament started with the Kick-Off Party and Captain’s Meeting with fantastic food from Flanigan’s. Saturday, April 25th, was the day of fishing competition for dolphin, tuna, kingfish, wahoo, cobia and billfish (3 billfish per boat). This mixed bag made it possible for anyone to win! The fleet was able to head out from any South Florida inlet for a day of fishing and then meet back at Miami Beach Marina for the official weigh-in. At the end of official fishing hours, the fleet converged on the marina and the excitement of the weigh-in grew. To make the festivities even more enjoyable, participants and their family, friends and spectators enjoyed ice cold Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer, Tito’s Vodka, Papa’s Pilar Rum and wine at the Presidential Challenge Wine Bar.
Once all the fish were weighed and the billfish catch cards confirmed, it was an extremely close competition, but Eren’s Addiction Too was in the lead after weighing three kingfish, three cobia and releasing three sailfish for a total of 183.6 points. This earned them the title of Top Boat of the 2015 Miami Sportfishing Tournament and won them $39,352.50. This was from the Top Boat Prize of $30,000, plus $2,125 from the Heaviest Kingfish added value prize, top boat in the Kettle of Fish for $2,677.50, another $4,250 for the top boat in the Sportfish Jackpot and $300 for the heaviest Cobia.
Second Place went to Team Doing It All/Bluewater Towers. They were only one pound from first place with a total of 182.6 points and 3 sailfish releases. This won them $9,156.50 as a result of the $5,000 second place prize, $1,606.50 for second place in the Kettle of Fish and $2,550 for second place in the Sportfish Jackpot. Third Place boat in the tournament went to Team First Choice with 172.10 points and three Billfish releases. This allowed them to take home $5,071. Team Covered Up came in forth with 153 points and 3 Billfish releases, but because of winning many of the added value categories, they were able to take home a whopping $19,417.50! Fifth Place went to the Thomas Flyer with 150.8 points and 3 billfish releases and 6th place with 149 points and 3 Billfish releases went to Team D+D/Flanigan’s.
The Master Angler of the tournament also happened to be the Top Junior! He was James David aboard Frick & Frack with 93.9 points. The Top Lady went to Debbie Morrell aboard Bar Bill with 30.4 points and the Top Pee Wee went to Danny Horowitz on Fishing Experience. Other winners included Craig Hardie aboard Smoke Trail for the Top Wahoo, Chris Carpenter on Team Fine Awards.com 1 with the Top Kingfish, the Top Tuna was brought in by Keith McDonald on Covered Up and the Top Dolphin went to Jon Hoffman aboard Instinct, which also won them $1,870 for the Heaviest Dolphin added value prize.
All of the winners received their cash prizes, trophies and other great prizes during the Yamaha Awards Party catered and hosted by Flanigan’s with a fantastic BBQ dinner. This party also offered participants and the public a huge silent auction with exotic trips, tackle, electronics, jewelry and more. The end of the party was the moment everyone was waiting for…the drawing for the 25′ T Contender Boat with twin 200 hp Yamaha 4- stroke engines, Bluewater T-Top and Lean Post, Tigress Outriggers and Lighting and a Continental trailer. This year’s winner was Mary Green from North Carolina.
The Miami Billfish Tournament has now raised and donated $740,000 to marine conservation, education, scholarships and the Wounded Warrior Project fulfilling the Tournament’s mission to promote awareness and support marine enhancement, education and conservation.
mike, July 21, 2012 at 3:02 am My brother, dad and I had a great day fisnhig with Captain Kevin and his mate Hayden. Kevin’s boat was the cleanest and most well-maintained fisnhig boat we had the pleasure of being on, and it is obvious from the care that he and Hayden took throughout the day in continuously washing the deck and cleaning rods and reals that he intends to keep it that way. Kevin was the most knowledgeable and experienced captain we encountered during our three day fisnhig trip through the Florida keys. We went way out into the shipping lanes and beyond and were the only fisnhig boat in sight, and Kevin put us on a school of 5 slammer Mahi and thanks to his spirited direction from the bridge and Hayden working his but off, we landed every one of them! We also landed some tuna and a nice Amberjack before the sharks moved in. We got back to the with the most fish of any boats that went out that day, and several of the other boats caught NOTHING! We will forever be repeat customers and look forward to future trips on the Gold Reserve with Kevin. -tripadvisor
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