Upcoming Tournaments

Sarasota Sportsman's Club Tarpon Tournament: May 24th through June 29th. Look for applications and more details at area tackle stores.

The Tournament Report

Results from the 13th Annual CCA Sarasota “Photo All-Release Challenge”
The Sarasota chapter of Coastal Conservation Association held their 13th annual fishing tournament out of Sarasota Hotel and Marina (formerly Sarasota Cay Club), 7150 N. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota on Saturday, April 26, 2008. This tournament featured a catch-photo-release format for snook, redfish and trout with anglers only using identical boxes of lures or flies that were provided.

The tournament, raised money for CCA’s conservation projects, also featured an upscale raffle, a silent auction and an awards dinner on Saturday evening. Cost was $85 per angler and $30 for youth anglers (12 years old and younger).

RESULTS

Angler Division
Largest Trout – Chris Hamblet (Sarasota) – 23.00”
Largest Redfish – Jamie Purcell (Sarasota) – 27.75”
Largest Snook – Randy Beckham (Longboat Key)– 27.25”

Trout High Point Total
1st Place – Lance Pocock (Plant City) – 174.50”
2nd Place – Ken Taylor (North Port) – 169.75”

Redfish High Point Total
1st Place – Dave Turgeon (Sarasota) – 69.50”
2nd Place – Doug Forde (Sarasota) – 66.75”

Snook High Point Total
1st Place – Anthony Katsarelas (Sarasota) – 52.25”
2nd Place – Blake Hekter (Venice) – 24.75”

Grand Champion (Slam)
Rusty Driver (Sarasota) – 66.50”
25.00” Snook 23.00” Redfish 18.50” Trout

Fly Division
Trout High Point Total
Robert Fischer (Tampa) – 88.00”

Snook High Point Total
Frank Lanzisera (Bradenton) – 27.25”

Fly Division Champion
Brent Wilson (Sarasota) – 41.50”
25.25” Snook 16.25” Trout

Ladies Division

Largest Trout – Patricia O’Hara (Palm Beach Shores) – 20.75”

For more information, contact Brian Gorski at (941) 531-4019 or Capt. Bruce Burkhart at (941) 302-1164 for an application or more information

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The Mangrove Coast Fly Fishers and Sarasota Chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association held the Third Annual Fall Fly Fishing Challenge on Oct. 27, 2007.

Here are the Results...

Forty fly anglers participated in the 3rd Annual “Fall Fly Fishing Challenge” held out of Ken Thompson Park on Saturday, October 27th, 2007.

Fly anglers fished in 2 divisions; an open division for guides, their fishing partners and anyone that opted to participate in that division targeting snook, redfish and trout and a Fly Angler division that targeted snook, redfish , trout and 7 other species with a point system (guides not allowed in this division).

The tournament also featured an awards BBQ catered by The Oaks BBQ, a raffle and a silent auction for an Orvis Zero Gravity 8-wt. fly rod.

The Mangrove Coast Fly Fishers, Tampa Bay Fly Fishers and Suncoast Fly Fishers all had club members participating in the event. Despite rainy conditions, anglers had a successful day catching multiple species with a fly including 4 slams (snook, redfish and trout).

The event, which features a catch-photo-release format, is one of the largest fly fishing only tournaments in the state. In addition to promoting the sport of fly fishing in a friendly competition, the event raises money for CCA-Florida’s Conservation efforts and Mangrove Coast Fly Fishers Scholarship Fund.

Sponsors of the event were: Orvis, Temple Fork Outfitters, CB’s Saltwater Outfitters, Casey Key Anglers and Outfitters, Fisherman’s Edge, Cook’s Sportland, Economy Tackle, All About Fishing, New Pass Grill and Bait Shop, Discount Tackle Outlet and State Farm Insurance-Heath Marston and Jason Flatch.

Open Division Winners

Grand Champion (Slam-consisting of largest snook, redfish and trout)
Capt. Ray Markham, Terra Ceia, FL - 63.5”
Award-Plaque and Temple Fork Outfitters 8 wt. fly rod

Snook-total inches
Steve Gibson, Sarasota, FL - 157”
Award-Plaque and $75 sponsor gift certificate

Redfish-total inches
Capt. Keith Pratt, Bradenton, FL - 67.5”
Award-Plaque and $75 sponsor gift certificate

Trout-total inches
Capt. Nick Angelo, Land O’ Lakes, FL - 146”
Award-Plaque and $75 sponsor gift certificate

Fly Angler Division Winners

Grand Champion-Total points
Brent Wilson, Sarasota, FL - 221.25 points
Award-Plaque and Temple Fork Outfitters 8 wt. fly rod

2nd Place-Total points
Preston Jones, Palmetto, FL - 165.5 points
Award-Plaque and $75 sponsor gift certificate

3rd Place-Total points
Tony Saviano, Bradenton, Fl - 163 points
Award-Plaque and $50 sponsor gift certificate

4th Place-Total points
Steve Gibson, Sarasota, FL - 118.5 points
Award-Plaque and $25 sponsor gift certificate

5th Place-Total points
Bill Hopper, Sarasota, FL - 100 points
Award-Plaque and $25 sponsor gift certificate

6th place-Total points
Tom Hummel, St, Petersburg, FL - 76.25 points
Award-Plaque and $25 sponsor gift certificate

Thanks to our Sponsors and to tournament co-chairs Rick Grassett and Steve Gibson for organizing this great tournament!

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Keep watching here for more tournament news!