The sixth annual Bonito Blast, held August 18, 2018, had a fleet of 187 boats and raised approximately $70,000 for Wounded Veterans Relief Fund (WVRF.org), and more than 50 veteran anglers, were hosted on 16 of the tournament’s participating boats.
RESULTS
First-place: Christina Fortin, 20.2-pound bonito
Second-place: Karl Kruse, 19.4-pound bonito
Third-place: Dano Russo, 19.2-pound bonito
Jr. Angler Girl
Khloe Kleabir, 10.8-pound bonito
Jr. Angler Boy
Logan Eddington, 16.5-pound bonito
Largest Bottom Feeder
Marjorie Belcher, 13.8-pound snapper
Largest Dolphin
Johnathan Kanker, 9.8-pound
Christina Fortin won first place in the tournament fishing on My Other Honey. Karl Kruse’s father was a veteran and he has come from Long Island the past three years to fish the Bonito Blast. Dano, from Iheart radio, fished on the Alikai owned by DayMaker Fishing Charter.
Marjorie Belcher fished on Safari 1 and this is their third year in a row hosting a tournament winner.
The winning dolphin, caught by angler Johnathan Kanker, was the only dolphin caught.
U.S. Congressman for the 18th District of Florida Brian Mast fished the tournement, participating as a veteran in support of veterans, and spoke at the awards ceremony.
‘Thank you every one of you for your service. Whether you served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Panama, Kosovo, Bosnia, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Gulf War, or sometime in between, it doesn’t matter when you served, your community here loves you, they’re proud of you, they can’t thank you enough for your service,” said Mast. “Awesome day on the water, thanks for supporting this great organization, keep doing it, it’s what community is all about. Thank you, veterans, awesome to be out there with you today. Well done.”
Roger Trudel, a veteran from Port Saint Lucie, won the golf cart raffle.
PHOTO CREDITS: Michael Todd Lee.
