Their boats bobbing out in the lagoon, captains and crews patiently waited their turn for the weigh-in at the Sebastian Exchange Club Foundation’s 2016 23rd Annual Blue Water Open Offshore Charity Fishing Tournament at Capt’n Butcher’s Seafood Grille & Marina last Saturday.
Before the Captain’s Party Friday evening, Michael Natale, co-chair of the event with Eva Chapman, said they were expecting more boats than usual because the weather and conditions were forecast to be perfect. He was right on target – 116 boats registered to take part in the event, which raised about $50,000 to benefit the Exchange Club mission of child abuse prevention.
“We had a record crowd last night. This place was packed,” said Donna Keys. “We had a 50/50 that raised $3,000, and we have another one going today.”
The 45-plus club members and countless volunteers have gotten the event down to a fine science, each person competently doing their job and making everything run very smoothly during the three-day undertaking.
“It’s an exciting event,” said Natale, who provided constant banter with the crowd and the incoming boats, bellowing out the weight of each magnificent fish hoisted onto the scales, provided for the past 20 years by Bob Maxwell, owner of Fishtales Scale Service. The job of getting the beautiful fish measured and weighed fell to such able-bodied volunteers as Zach Timm and Lee Roberts.
Boats with catches of at least 10 pounds first checked in with the anchored committee boat, were given a numbered paper plate and bided their time. Next stop, at the end of the dock, outgoing Club President Rene Van de Voorde held them at bay before directing them in to show off their prized catches. The sunburned captains, ever mindful that their every move was being watched by a crowd of hundreds of onlookers, all mastered their craft with expert precision.
“We’ve had a lot of juniors and lady anglers this year; I think more than last time,” said Chapman, watching with a smile as two little girls proudly presented their fish.
“All our junior anglers get a fishing pole; if they win they get a bigger one,” said Kathy Falzone, the club’s incoming president. “What this event really does is help spread the word about what the Exchange Club does. We do so many wonderful things for the community.”
The Sebastian Exchange Club supports children’s charities and youth activities, such as the Yellow Umbrella (a National Exchange Club Child Abuse Prevention Center in Brevard County), Youth Guidance, the Boys and Girls Club, Sebastian Soccer, Shiloh Youth Ranch in Sebastian, CASTLE and countless other smaller charities through this annual fundraiser.
“Before I looked into it, I thought that the money was made off of the captains’ boat registration, but that doesn’t even cover our expenses. What makes this profitable is all the businesses who sponsor the event. They realize that the money stays local and they’re supporting kids in the community,” said Dr. Jeff Slade, pointing out that Platinum Sponsors were once again TD Bank, Health First and Tiki Bar and Grill.
Winners: 28.1 (lbs.) dolphin, Charlie Larson; 22.6 wahoo, Steven Loudermilk; 42.2 kingfish, Kim May (also top Lady Angler); 45.25 grouper, Brent Oakley; 32.4 amberjack, Rex Hailey; 20.95 cobia, Dan Nelson; and 45.25 big fish bonanza, Brent Oakley. Justin Jones’ Mow Money was top boat at 72.85 lbs.; and Carson Lawson won Junior Angler.
The Sebastian Exchange Club meets Wednesdays at Noon at Capt. Hiram’s Tiffany Room.