Grouper Grapple benefit to cast lines Saturday
The second annual Grouper Grapple will again involve local businesses and military fundraising efforts this Saturday, Aug. 16.
The Offshore Fishing Tournament, which will be hosted at Fish-Tale Marina, was established as a fundraiser for two military causes. The event actually begins on Friday with a Captain’s Meeting at Pincher’s Crab Shack Tiki Bar at Wyndham Garden Fort Myers Beach with a registration period from 4 to 8 p.m. and dinner from 6 to 8 p.m. Rules and posed questions will follow.
Anglers can begin fishing from Gordon Pass to Boca Grande at 7:30 a.m. Saturday. Weigh-in time is slated for 4 to 8 p.m.
Only specified grouper (gag, red, black and scamp) will be eligible for tournament weigh-in. The three heaviest grouper per boat will count toward each team’s overall total weight, which will determine the winner. All grouper will be weighed individually and must meet measurement standards set by Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission regulations.
This year’s fundraising format will include a second benefactor and a special way of honoring United States military personnel. Besides raising funds for Marine Corps Association Foundation Wounded Marine Support Program, Grouper Grapple officials have partnered with Freedom Alliance to sponsor a group of military heroes.
“We’re doing something that’s really cool that’s a little different than most charity fishing tournaments,” said event coordinator Brian Peachy. “We actually got together with Freedom Alliance, which was founded by Oliver North, and have invited eight wounded marine veterans.”
Peachy said the military heroes will be indirectly participating in the tournament. They will be provided the opportunity to experience freedom on the water. The different approach is more hands-on then just giving Freedom Alliance the money they would raise.
“We flew them in, put them up in a hotel, got them a back bay fishing charter, dinner and plaques,” he said. “We wanted to do something a little special for those guys. We want to show them appreciation and give them some r(est) and r(elaxation) after they have been injured in combat.”
Extra money raised will be forwarded to the charities via a check. In fact, 100 percent of donations collected from sponsorships, silent auction sales and ticket sales are donated to the military organizations.
Wyndham Garden FMB is helping with the cost of accommodations to put up the eight veterans. Pincher’s Crab Shack will be catering the tournament from 4 to 10 p.m., while Fish-Tale Marina is hosting the event and helping with the charter. Bidding for the silent auction takes place from 4 to 8 p.m. with winners announced from 8 to 9 p.m. Live entertainment will also be provided.
Awards for the fishing tournament is being held from 9 to 10:30 p.m. Winners from first through fifth place will be honored as well as Top Junior Angler, Top Female Angler and the angler who hooks the largest snapper and cobia. There will also be a winner-take-all Calcutta for the largest grouper at $200 per boat.
Go to www.groupergrapple.com for more information and a complete list of sponsors or contact Peachey at info@groupergrapple.com .
In 2013, the first annual Grouper Grapple Offshore Fishing Tournament was put together in only 30 days and had more than 250 people come through the gates to enjoy food, fun, live music and to catch the teams’ weigh-in action. There were 17 fishing teams (91 anglers) with the winning anglers receiving a payout of $13,000, and a check for $3,000 was presented to the Marine Corps Association Foundation.
Freedom Alliance is an educational and charitable organization which sponsors numerous program activities aimed at supporting and honoring service members and their families.
Marine Corps Association Foundation is the preeminent association and foundation for all Marines and friends of the Corps dedicated to development and recognition of professional excellence and expanding awareness of the rich traditions, history and esprit of the United States Marine Corps.