2nd annual Redfish Poker Championship a huge success
TowBoatUS Cape Coral has announced that the 2nd Annual Redfish Poker Fishing Championship event was a resounding success. The tournament took place May 24 at Olde Fish House Marina in Matlacha. The event raised close to $37,000, which went to benefit the Wounded Warrior Anglers organization.
Each year the Redfish Poker Fishing Championship is held in honor of a wounded veteran who has passed the previous year. This year’s event was held in honor of Sgt. John R. Pestel, a local disabled veteran who lived in Bokeelia, and served in the United States Air Force in Vietnam. He passed away Feb. 4.
“We were honored to be a sponsor for this event, and do our part to help such a worthwhile cause,” said TowBoatUS Cape Coral owner Richard Paul. “The event had a great turnout, and was a fun day for everyone involved.”
This year’s tournament participants consisted of 11 kayakers and 23 boat teams. The largest catch was a 7.52-pound redfish.
The winning teams were:
Boat Division
n JBA Construction ($1,000)
n Newton Supply ($500)
n Dirt Necks ($250)
Kayak Division
n Jeff Gabrick ($500)
n Steve Miller (Rod & Reel Combo)
Calcutta’s
n Heaviest legal redfish – Donald Archambault ($2,000)
n Redfish w/ Most Spots Caleb Smith ($600)
n Veteran w/ Heaviest Legal Redfish Donald Archambault ($100)
n Veteran Redfish w/ Most Spots Charles Burger (Rod & Reel Combo)
n Youth 16 & Under w/ Heaviest Legal Redfish Jimmy Conant ($100)
n Youth 16 & Under w/ Most Spots Jimmy Conant
The tournament raised between $11,000 $12,000 and the boat raffle raised between $24,000 $25,000. For more information about the mission of the Wounded Warrior Anglers, visit WoundedWarriorAnglers.org.