Forty-three boats and 129 anglers fished the 10th annual Reef Builder fishing tournament, produced by the MCAC Reef Fund foundation, on July 9, 2016,
A tournament record of $30,000 was raised through boat entry fees, sponsorships and auctions. The funds are earmarked to build more artificial reefs in Martin County coastal waters.
Twisted Tuna in Port Salerno was the host location for the captains meeting, weigh-in and awards dinner.
Team Roll Tide, captained by Kelvin Johnson of Port St. Lucie, won the Kyle Conrad Memorial Trophy, awarded to the tournament’s top private boat.
Fishing with Kelvin Johnson, were Phil Adams, Robert Lindsey and Lance Johnson, 14, a freshman at St. Lucie West Centennial High School, caught a 26.59-pound cobia, the heaviest fish caught in the tournament, earning Johnson a check for $1,000 and the tournament’s top junior angler award as well.
Lance’s fish was caught over the Halsey wreck on a ribbonfish.
Capt. Rocky Carbia and owner Marjorie Belcher, of the Safari 1, a deep sea fishing boat based out of Pirates Cove Resort and Marina in Port Salerno, were named the tournament’s top charter-boat award. Barbara Sanders, one of the anglers fishing aboard the Safari 1, pulled in a 16.68-pound kingfish, placing third overall, and earning her the Top Lady Angler award.
The team on Full Circle took the first- and third-place dolphin—a 22.98-pound fish for David Cork and a 16.44-pounder for Mike Kneip.
John Ruiz, fishing aboard Day Maker, took the first-place award in the grouper category with a 4.16-pound. It was the only one weighed.
Shane Dixon and team members on Cowboy Up took the first place spot in the kingfish division with an 18.51-pound fish.
Bob Gemmill on Fore Reel won the snapper division with his 10.17-pound fish.
Carissa Burford, fishing aboard Marsea, was named the second-place junior angler with her 20.12-pound cobia.
Captain Jim Page on Fin Addict hooked a blue marlin and David Singer, Ian Wichers, Montana Hataway, Ken Pence, Codee Moore and Pierce Killer all caught and released sailfish during the one-day tournament.
Since inception, the Reef Builder tournament has raised more than $100,000 for Martin County artificial-reef projects. In addition, MCAC Reef Fund partnerships with private donors have resulted in the deployment of two cargo ships, a tug boat, and thousands of tons of concrete and steel material to create marine fish habitat.
For more information on the MCAC Artificial Reef Fund or more on the tournament, visit www.mcacreefs.org.
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