More than 100 anglers and fishing guides participated in 44 teams in the Conservancy of Southwest Florida’s 27th annual RedSnook Catch & Release Charity Fishing Tournament Oct. 24 and 25. The tournament benefits the Conservancy’s commitment to water quality protection, as well as preservation and enhancement of local fisheries. This year’s event was co-chaired by Conservancy supporters Mokey Shea and Henley Shotwell. Teams fished in guided and unguided teams, using live, artificial or fly bait.
“The tournament is a reminder of one of our region’s greatest treasures: our water,” said Rob Moher, Conservancy of Southwest Florida president and CEO. “Clean water is essential to the Southwest Florida ecosystem, and a lack of it will threaten the region’s economy, fisheries, sea turtles, wading birds and other wildlife.”
In light of the pandemic, the traditional in-person Friday Night Kickoff Party was not held. Instead, an online silent auction was available the week before the tournament. Contactless angler buckets and measuring devices were available for participants to pick up prior to the tournament. A virtual award ceremony was held Oct. 25.
Presenting sponsor was Benjamin F. Edwards & Co. Supporting sponsors includes RGM Capital, Tompkins Family, Oliver Rodgers Photography, Newbury North Associates, Davidson Engineering, Sticky Holsters, Kukk Architecture & Design, P.A., Surf & Turf Custom, MANG, Papa’s Pillar Rum, Bond Schoeneck & King and Northern Trust.
Over the years, funds raised at the RedSnook Catch & Release Charity Tournament have helped support the Conservancy’s water quality work in several ways, including:
- Providing assistance and expertise to water quality projects at the local, state and federal level.
- Creating the “Estuaries Report Card,” which rates the condition of our region’s vital waters.
- Working to limit the amount of pollution from the north that enters Southwest Florida’s water.
- Researching and monitoring juvenile gamefish habitats.
- Helping to restore the Western Everglades and Ten Thousand Islands.
- Working to protect the Ten Thousand Islands, Big Cypress, Estero Bay, the Cocohatchee Slough and the Caloosahatchee River.
Winners included the winning corporate team of Benjamin F. Edwards & Co., with Wayne Meland, Jon Kukk and guide Andrew Bostick. Largest snook caught was 35 inches by Nick Camusi and largest red fish was 27 inches by Terry McMahan.
First place winners included:
First Place Guided Bait Division: 3,670 points
- Brad Price and John Harris
- Guide: Christopher Turner
First Place Unguided Bait Division: 3,940 points
- Troy Pruitt and Brian Carlos
First Place Guided Artificial Division: 4,120 points
- Jeff Boyd and Kevin Johnson
- Guide: Andrew Bostick
First Place Unguided Artificial Division: 3,775 points
- Kyle Coar and Pat Butler
First Place Fly Division: 2,355 points
- Charles Waterman and John Leach
- Guide: Ken Chambers
In addition, awards were given in the following categories:
Winning Corporate Team: 3,975 points
- Benjamin F. Edwards & Co.: Wayne Meland and Jon Kukk
- Guide: Andrew Bostick
Largest Snook: 35 inches
- Nick Camusi
Largest Red: 27 inches
- Terry McMahan
Trash Can Slam: 885
- Rick Hatch
About the Conservancy of Southwest Florida:
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is a not-for-profit environmental protection organization with a 56-year history focused on the issues impacting the water, land, wildlife and future of Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties. The Conservancy accomplishes this mission through the combined efforts of its experts in the areas of environmental science, policy, education and wildlife rehabilitation. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida, world-class Nature Center and von Arx Wildlife Hospital are headquartered in Naples, Florida, 1495 Smith Preserve Way, south of the Naples Zoo off Goodlette-Frank Road. Learn more about the Conservancy’s work and how to support the quality of life in Southwest Florida www.conservancy.org.
