On September 27 and 28, 164 anglers from across the state gathered at River Palms Cottages and Fish Camp in Jensen Beach for the 5th Annual Michael Shields Memorial Inshore Open. The Open is held annually each September to raise critically-needed funds for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County, a youth development organization delivering high-impact after school and summer programming to more than 1,700 local children and teens.
The recent water quality issues caused by the releases from Lake Okeechobee did little to dampen the enthusiasm at the event, and Mother Nature and the mullet run provided excellent fishing.
âWe certainly werenât blind to the problems, but more teams turned in scorecards with all four species of fish caught than any other year and the guides put their teams on lots of big fish,â said Shaun Plymale, who served as this yearâs Event Chairman & Fishing Clinic Director. âAnglers spent less time fishing in the North and South Forks of the St. Lucie River than we have seen in years past, but plenty of fish were caught around the 10 cent bridge.â
Frank Duffy posted the biggest fish of the tourney with an 84 inch tarpon and Jason Broach, fishing by himself, scored the most points by filling his card to take first place overall. Andy Tasker was the Top Guide leading the Ferraro Law Group team to a second place finish. Austin May took the top Junior Angler Award by filling his card, too.  Monte Goodmanâs 43 inch fish took home first place in the snook category. The rest of the results can be seen at www.fishforthekids.org.
In addition to the fishing tournament, a Captainâs Party was held Friday, and on Saturday, Ed Killer, outdoor writer and reports for Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers spoke to Club kids at Saturdayâs fishing clinic about the problems both estuaries are facing.
âAll and all the fishing was fantastic, as well as the turnout,â said Shaun. âThe tournament organizers have been around Stuart a long time and release issues are nothing new to us, and we will continue to support the efforts to clean up the river, but we will also keep fishing.â
To learn more about the Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County, please call 772.545.1255 or visit www.bgcmartin.org.
photo 1:  Austin May was named the Top Junior Angler at this year’s Michael Shields Memorial Inshore Open to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County.  â¨photo 2: (l-r):  Sarah Franklin (Associate Event Chairman), Sarah Spolsky (Top Lady Angler ), and Shaun Plymale (Event Chairman & Fishing Clinic Director)â¨photo 3: (l-r):  Sarah Franklin (Associate Event Chairman), Jason Broach (Overall Winner), and Shaun Plymale (Event Chairman & Fishing Clinic Director)
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