Rain doesn’t dampen Low Key Tiki
Early Saturday morning, 22 boats with 68 anglers left the docks in the pouring rain for the start of the Low Key Tiki 4th Annual Redfish Challenge.
“If you remember last year, we almost tripled the number of anglers from the previous year,” Scott Adams, owner of Low Key Tiki, said. “That allowed us to triple the prize money. I’m really happy to match that again this year considering the weather.”
The boats started returning about 3 p.m..
“It’s pretty much rained all day,” Adams said. “Everyone seems to have had a great time and that’s what keeps bringing them back.”
The winning team, Team Break-a-Way Boys, won the challenge with 68 1/4 total inches.
“The secret to winning this thing is the boat captain,” team member Jay Zeh said. “He put us on the fish and we reeled them in.
“We found out about this from a friend of mine,” Zeh said. “He came here and caught fish like never caught before. So we came down from the Outer Banks of North Carolina. We’ve had a great time and I want to thank Capt. Danny Johnson. He’s a great captain.”
Team Break-a-Way Boys won with a 20 -inch redfish, a 22 -inch redfish and a 25-inch trout and collected the top prize of $2,000.
Second place went to Vision Home Inspections, which brought in a 24 5/8-inch redfish, a 25 1/8-inch redfish and a 15 -inch trout for a total of 65 inches. Vision Home Inspection won $1,000.
The third place team, Triple Tail, landed a 24-inch redfish, a 24 3/8-inch redfish and a 15 3/8-inch trout for a total of 63 inches. Team Triple Tail won $435.
The longest redfish was caught by Team Vision Home Inspections and measured 25 1/8 inches.
Weigh master Jesse Bartholomew was excited with the turnout.
“This is my first time weighing, actually measuring fish,” Bartholomew said. “I’m originally from Tallahassee, moved to Cape Coral and I work at the marina. Overall it’s a pretty good day. People are bringing in some good size fish.”
“In previous years the Low Key Fish Challenge benefitted local charities,” Scott said. “Last year, and again this year we felt that we would benefit the fishermen. The first place winner s won $2,000. That’s e pretty good day of fishing.”
Music was provided by High Tide from 4-8 p.m. and food and a beverage were free for all participants in the tournament.
This year’s sponsors were Monroe Canal Marina, ET Lawn Care, Castaways Reality, Jensen’s Marine, Beach Fender Mender, Mayday Mobile Welding and Parrot Magazine.