Matlacha Hookers say thank you!
To the editor:
Thank you and thank you again! The results of hurricanes Helene and Milton last fall resulted in the loss of two Bokeelia landmarks and local icons: Capt Con’s Restaurant and the Bokeelia Fishing Pier. These were the locations of the 2024 November Pine Island Elementary Fishing Tournament & Derby.
Luckily, Jug Creek Marina greeted us with open arms and we were able to host a make-up event the weekend of May 16-18. As always, we cannot do what we do without the continued support of the Greater Pine Island Community. We are humbled and grateful.
Congratulations to the winners of the PIE Fishing Tournament and the kids that fished in the Derby that won awards for their fish; winning trophies, bicycles in the drawing, gifts in the Hook-A-Basket for items selected just for them and the Pie in Face Drawing for a staff member of Pine Island Elementary. It was a beautiful day with clear skies and plenty of activities for all.
But, once again, we cannot complete any of our effort without support from all of you. So, it’s time to say thank you for the donations of the Jug Creek Marina for a location and allowing us to literally invade their space; Kickstands for hosting the Captains Meeting Dinner, all of the auction items, Hook-A-Basket items for kids and adults, GPIA for cooking and serving lunch for the Derby kids, activities and so many more.
The American Legion; American Legion Auxiliary, Legion Rides, Sons of the Legion, Bobby Holloway, VFW Auxiliary, Moose Lodge, Elks Lodge, and Kiwanis organizations.
The businesses that supported our efforts this year were Miceli’s, Traders Hitching Post, Matlacha Tropical Jewelry, CW Fudge Factory, Perfect Cup, Blue Dog Bar, Barnhill Seafood Market, Matlacha Menagerie, Island Flair, Yucatan, Christine Karow Hair and Massage, Lazy Flamingo, Yogaz LLC, Street Eatz & Ale, Tarpon Lodge, Bubba’s Roadhouse & Saloon, Centennial Bank, The Bear’s Den Apothecary, Thrive by K, Honc Industries, Island Bikeworks, Mel Brinson, Jay Johnson, Uni-Scape Landscape and Design, WB Williamson Bros, Winn-Dixie, Publix, Sam’s Club, Capt Matthew Lee, Four Winds Marina, Pine Island Feed Store, Pine Island Family Hair, John Nichols Music DJ, the Staff and Teachers at Pine Island Elementary, Coach Frantz at PIE for being a good sport and was the recipient of the pie in the face, Pine Island Pools, Winfield’s Machine Repair, Mangrove Republic, Spartan Plumbing, Boat Life Maintenance Co, Pine Island Bait & Tackle, Bobber’s Bait Shop, Coca Cola, Chuck’s Auto Repair, Colita Cuban Bakery, Costco, Eagles Nest, Land-N-Sea Distributors, Low Key Tiki, Matlacha Hookers Merchandise, Monroe Canal Marina, Phuzzy’s Boat Shack, St James City Automotive, Sweeney’s SOS, Waterfront Restaurant, SOS, Pine Island Auto, Premier Growers.
Thank you to all the members of our greater Pine Island community that sponsored kids, donated items and gave us tremendous support.
Finally, we thank our honorary sponsors and hard-working crew; Bert’s Bar, Capt’n Con’s Fish House and Bokeelia Fishing Pier, Matlacha Hookers members, tournament fisherman and Derby kids, our community attendees that are always ready for a great day of music, food and drink, raffles, Hook-A-Basket and auction. We do hope that we didn’t leave off any donors and please know that it was not intentional.
Because of your support we will once again be able to support education needs that are not provided at PIE. Heads up; remember that our May event was a make-up from the fall of 2024. In an effort to get back to our regular schedule, we will once again hosting the Pine Island Elementary Fishing Tournament & Derby on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, at Jug Creek Marina with a brand-new class of students. Keep your eyes on the Eagle for more information in the future.
Kelly LaMagna, DJ Ruscik and Madam Linda Bo
Co-Chairs Matlacha Hookers