Weez in The Keys Claims 2015 Jimmy Johnson National Billfish Championship
The 2015 Jimmy Johnson National Billfish Championship & Celebrity Pro/Am (JJNBC) attracted more than 200 celebrities and pro anglers during the 4th Annual week of events, where a total of 180 sailfish were released. Participants fished for various Jimmy Johnson trophies, a large event purse and the coveted Jimmy Johnson National Billfish Championship Rings.
In the Billfish Championship, Weez in the Keys with boat owner, Scott Robins, and Capt.Chris Zielinski, released 23 sailfish along with crew members Brett Dudas, Roy Huff, Reid Kline, Shane Pyle, and Wayne Savage to take home the coveted Jimmy Johnson’s National Billfish Championship Rings. In a close second, Blue Time, with Capt. Bill Wieteha, finished with 20 releases, and Contender One, captained by Quinton Dieterle, finished with 18 releases. Contender One‘s Rick Murphy took home a JJ trophy for the top angler with six sails and Cece Imbriu from Team OCD caught six sails to claim top female angler and take home a Jimmy Johnson signed trophy.
Thursday’s JJ Celebrity Pro/Am Tournament was won by Former Miami Dolphin Patrick Surtain. He fished with Dolphin teammate Sam Madison on Team Rally Cap, owned by MLB’s Alex Gonzalez, releasing 9 sailfish. The event was attended by many of Jimmy Johnson’s friends and celebrity colleagues who participated in this year’s Celebrity Pro/Am Tournament as well as joined for this year’s awards celebration. Among them included Jon Landau, famed producer of Titanic and_ Avatar_, and Heisman Trophy Winner and Super Bowl MVP Desmond Howard who finished second on Jon Landau’s Bali Hai during the Pro/Am. University of Miami’s All Time Sack leader Danny Stubbs fished with Team Finster and finished in third place during the Pro/Am.
The 2015 Jimmy Johnson National Billfish Championship & Celebrity Pro/Am raises money for the University of Miami’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and Tranquil Shores. University of Miami Sylvester Cancer Center provides a variety of cancer services and is the center hub for major cancer-related research, diagnosis and treatment. In 2013, the JJNBC honored a high school student, Billy Thies, Jr., who was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma. Thankfully, Billy received an “All Clear” diagnosis and is now a contributor to the Billy Thies, Jr. Award. This year that award was given to a member of the Big Chill Family, Yolanda Medina, as well as a check to assist with her ever growing medical bills after a long battle of breast cancer. She recently received an all clear and continues to fight while always taking care of the many guests who visit Key Largo.
