Calusa Blueway Fishing Tournament raises more than $9,000 for Candlelighters of SWFL
Gulf Coast Kayak hosted the Annual Calusa Blueway Fishing Tournament on Saturday, Nov. 13. According to Gulf Coast Kayak owner Diana Stockbridge, they were able to give Candlelighters of SWFL just over $9,000 from the proceeds of the event.
“That’s the most we’ve been able to raise for them, so that was nice,” Stockbridge said.
She attributes the tournament’s success this year to support from the community via sponsorships, as well as anglers. This year, 90 anglers showed up for the tournament, she said.
The tournament has been going strong since 2015, when Gulf Coast Kayak took it over from Lee County Parks and Recreation. Although Stockbridge said it’s been growing steadily, she admits the tournament has taken off in the past two years like never before.
In addition to placing in the tournament, prizes were given for biggest redfish, nook and trout, as well as a Mystery Fish prize, and several raffles for paddleboards, donated by Body Glove, and a kayak donated by Captiva Spirits, and from Vanhunks Boarding.
Stockbridge said there was also a silent auction, with items donated by sponsors around the island.
“We were approached by Candlelighters a few years ago to see if we would be able to donate something to the organization, so we offered them a guided paddle and they took us up on the offer. They brought all the kids here and we saw what a great grass-roots organization it was. I felt like we were giving directly to the children,” Stockbridge said.
Stockbridge said although Candlelighters has had difficulties maintaining a normal level of activities throughout the pandemic, recently they were able to take families to an air show event in Punta Gorda. Most of the volunteers in the organization, she said, are families of the ill children. Being immune-compromised has unfortunately prevented many of them from having fundraisers or participating in activities. Stockbridge said they were also grateful that Olde Fish House marina owner Lisa Dence raised $2,100 from bingo sales.
“She’s great — not only does she donate her space, she donates food for the event. Her goal was to raise $2,000,” Stockbridge said of Dence.
Tournament results:
1st Place: Mitchel Marinack : 72 Inch Slam $1,500
2nd Place: David Driscoll: 71.5 Inch Slam: $750
3rd Place: Mike Lahn: 70 Inch Slam: $500
4th Place: David Shields: 67 Inch Slam: $250
5th Place: Annalissa Xioutas: 66.5 inch Slam: $150
6th Place: Jason Price & Mckeon Mayhoff : 66 inch Slam: $50
Top Lady Angler: Annalissa Xioutas: Body Glove ISUP
Mystery Fish: Rodrigo Diniz: (Jack Crevalle): 21 Inch: Body Glove ISUP
Biggest Redfish: Joe Henry: 31 Inches: $100
Biggest Snook: Elon Hertzfeld: 29 Inches: $100
Biggest Trout: Paul Thompson: 23.5 Inches $100
David Bruce-Angler Raffler Winner Body Glove Performer ISUP valued at $999
Major sponsors:
1. Body Glove
2. Captiva Spirits
3. Any Lab Test Now Ft Myers
4. FFI Contracting Services
5. VanHunks Boarding
6. Olde Fish House (Hosted event & donated food for anglers)