SEBASTIAN — Nearly 90 boats entered in the 20th annual Sebastian Exchange Club’s Blue Water Open fishing tournament this weekend in the hope of bringing in the largest fish.
The event was originally scheduled for June 1, but was rescheduled a week later.
Fishing was good, though no anglers brought in any qualifying wahoo. Anglers took to the water starting at 6 a.m. Saturday and returned to Capt’n Butcher’s by 5 p.m. for the weigh-in.
Last year, the event raised $47,000 and the Exchange Club has raised more than $300,000 in the 19 years it has held the fishing tournament to help prevent child abuse, aid at-risk children and support local charities in their goal to fund college scholarships.
How much was raised this year was not yet calculated.
Here’s how the anglers fared:
Dolphin –
- First Place: 25.2 pounds – Michael Floyd, Liquor Box
- Second Place: 19.95 – Brandon Smith, Blade Runners
- Third Place: 19.8 pounds – Jason Mahfood, Victory
- Fourth Place: 17.55 – Thomas Butz, El Frita
Kingfish –
- First: 39.1 pounds – Tom Kenney, Off Shore Warrior
- Second (tie): 24.7 – Cliff Schoonmaker, Little Debbie
- Second (tie): 24.7 – Tom Kenney, Off Shore Warrior
- Fourth: 23.6 – Richard Strickland, Hot Mess
Grouper –
- First: 31.2 pounds – Brent May, Georgia Cracker
- Second: 17.55 – Bill Stewart, Mini Rogue Nave
- Third: 17.05 – Alan Harshman, Robin Hood
- Fourth: 16.1 – Scott Chilberg, Catchin’ & Cookin’
Lady Angler: Nicole Carnes, Georgia Cracker
Jr. Angler: Robbie Timmeman, 7, Time Out