The annual Waterman Fly Fishing Tournament was held Friday and Saturday, Feb. 20 and 21. The two-day, fly-only Redfish tournament with a Snook Calcutta was a sellout, with a total of 150 anglers and 77 teams.
The fishing boundaries were wide-ranging and included the west coast of Florida, from Crystal River to the southernmost tip of Sanibel Island. The photo submission format and the use of the iAngler Tournament phone app made it possible for fishermen in this entire range to participate.
The tournament culminated in an awards banquet and raffle at the Bradenton Yacht Club on Saturday evening with special guest Andy Mill – tarpon angling phenom and co-host of the popular Mill House Podcast with his son, Nicky.
Mill participated in a question-and-answer session with tournament founder and Tampa Bay Waterkeeper (TBWK) Chairman Adam Fernandez and members of the audience.
This year’s tournament took on special significance with the looming threat of the proposed Knott-Cowen Cruise Port, which has been covered in this space and will remain a focus going forward.
The 150 anglers, fishing mostly in teams of two, received a tournament shirt, a Tampa Bay Waterkeeper cap, dinner for two at the awards ceremony and one raffle ticket for each angler. Target species were redfish and snook. Scoring was done by the highest combination of the two longest redfish caught between day one and day two.
Fernandez, in his introduction at the evening’s awards ceremony and raffle, went out of his way to thank TBWK Executive Director Justin Tramble for his efforts. Tramble “has taken my idea for a tournament to the next level,” he said.
Tramble was up next and he credited his wife Rebeka, the volunteers and the many anglers who have made his efforts, and those of the organization, bear fruit.
According to Tramble, “This annual gathering of fly-fishing anglers – some of the best in the state – drives our organization’s fight to protect our local marine habitat. It’s an exciting opportunity to shine a light on Tampa Bay and our surrounding waters. As the continued fight against the Skyway cruise port takes shape, events like the Waterman fuels our ability to stay in the fight.”
The winner of the Snook Calcutta was Greg Dini with a 40-inch linesider. The largest redfish was landed by Kyle Nalls and measured 36.75 Inches.
OVERALL TEAM WINNERS
Team TBS Beverage, consisting of anglers Sean Kersting and Trip Saunders, captured first place with a combined length (two redfish) of 67.5 inches.
Team Darkhorse, consisting of anglers Vince Azoy and Kyle Nalls, won second place with a combined length of 62 inches.
The third-place winner was Team Triple B anglers Christopher Dierlam and Greg Peterson, with a combined length of 61.75 inches.
Special thanks are in order for everyone who participates in and supports the tournament and those who are working tirelessly to protect the waters and habitat of the Tampa Bay region.
To join in the protection of local water visit the Tampa Bay Waterkeeper and Suncoast Waterkeeper websites.
