Caloosa Catch & Release celebrates 20 years
The 20th anniversary of the Caloosa Catch & Release saw 69 teams of anglers trying to hook the largest snook, redfish and trout for more than $30,000 in cash and prizes last weekend.
The top three places and mystery fish winner for the Hooters Bonanza are as follows:
1. Team #62, Bent Rod: Joe Williamson, Terry Cook; total weight: 14.0 pounds.
2. Team #36, Black Pearl Cast Nets, Capt. David Holzhauer, Troy Burns, Glen Simon; total weight: 13.9 pounds
3. Team #2, Team Lowrance, Steve Matthews, Gary Walker, Shepard Tucker;
total weight: 13.7 pounds
Mystery fish (mangrove snapper): Team #62, Bent Rod: Joe Williamson, Terry Cook; total Weight: 2.0 pounds/15 inches.
The fishing tournament had no geographical limitations and was held between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Anglers were allowed two fish per species per day based on total inches of fish for both days of fishing and brought their catches to the weigh station between 3 to 5 p.m. each day.
Tournament Director Ron Riley began this tournament in 1989.
“It’s a real big milestone,” said Riley. “When I started this tournament in 1989, there was not one public fishing tournament in South Florida and I’m not even sure if there was one in Florida.”
Riley has seen many tournaments come and go during the 20 years.
“Over the years, the competition, good and bad, has increased to the point where it is almost ridiculous how many tournaments there are on an average weekend,” he said. “We’ve really set the standard and maintained that for a long time.”
The fishing tournament had two divisions -guided and non-guided (licensed captain aboard= guided)- and a mystery fish competition to “give people a chance to win some money,” said Riley.
“We retro-ed everything,” said the South Fort Myers resident. “We rolled back prices to like 1989 levels. We increased the prize money – who does that in this economy? We just had tons of things to make it more special for the anniversary year. I think it’s been very well received.”
For more information and more full results, go to www.caloosacatch&release.com.