nasa florida keys
Team Crisdel of Islamorada released three sailfish to capture the grand championship at the 25th annual Captain Al Flutie Over the Hill Rip-Off Sailfish Tournament that ended Jan. 21 in Islamorada.
The Crisdel anglers, led by Islamorada’s Captain George Stellar, were Frank Criscola of Far Hills, N.J., John Magursky of Key Largo, Fla., and David VanArtsdalen, a resident of Dayton, Ohio, and Islamorada.
Yabba Dabba Do placed second with two sailfish. Teammates were Islamorada anglers Mark Tomasson and Bernie McAleese, Kip Edwards of Hobe Sound, Fla., Keith Robinson of Berlin, Md., and Captain Steve Leopold.
Third place went to team Sally Margaret, also releasing two sails but placing behind Yabba Dabba Do based on time. Led by Captain Billy Bishop, anglers were John Eaton, John McLaughlin and Russ Molitar, all of Islamorada.
The First Choice team learned a painful lesson when co-captains Larry Wren and Casey Scott, with mate Justin Matson, discovered that release clips were installed backwards and entangled the fishing line. As a result, angler Steve Warren lost his sole sail of the tournament and received the event’s Hard Luck trophy.
Rules of the one-day tournament, referred to as the “Flutie,” require that at least one angler on each team be older than 50. The event is ostensibly the only sailfish tournament for seniors in the world.
The field of 65 anglers fishing from 21 boats released 16 sailfish.
The Over the Hill Rip-Off is an officially recognized Redbone@Large offshore fishing competition. All proceeds benefit cystic fibrosis research and the Keys’ Monroe Association for ReMARCable Citizens. The tournament has raised more than $42,000, according to event organizers.
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