By Ed Killer
The Treasure Coast’s offshore fishing tournament season officially kicked off Saturday when two separate 56-boat fleets took to the water in tournaments fished out of Fort Pierce Inlet and Sebastian Inlet. In the 40th annual Spring Fling, presented by the Sebastian Inlet Sportfishing Association, 28 of the 56 boats weighed in at Capt. Hiram’s Resort and Marina in Sebastian. Headhunter led by Chris Delaney earned the $1,000 top boat award with 72.75 points. The team’s 40.25-pound kingfish also was the division’s top catch earning an additional $1,500.Ray Willis on Real Thing won the top dolphin award with a 35.85-pounder. Joe Cramer of Island Girl weighed the largest wahoo at 21.4 pounds. The tournament paid $1,500 for first place in each division, $700 for second, $400 for third and $200 for fourth through sixth places.
OFFSHORE BIG 3
A fleet of 56 boats fished the eighth annual Offshore Big 3 fishing tournament to benefit the Hibiscus Children’s Center of the Treasure Coast, a program that assists children who are abused. Offshore Warrior’s Joshua Bradley hauled in the event’s largest catch — a 44.07-pound kingfish — to win $1,400. LilDevil.com’s 41.50-pound kingfish for Lori Jacquin took home $560 for second place. James Newman on Miss Alice II had the biggest dolphin at 27.56 pounds. Dennis Heaton on Glass Cutter weighed the event’s only wahoo at 14.94 pounds.
KINGFISH
- 1st place- 44.07-lbs, Offshore Warrior, Joshua Bradely, $1,400
- 2nd place- 41.50-lbs, Lil Devil.com, Lori Jacquin, $560
- 3rd place- 33.61-lbs, Blue Runner, Richie Steuder, $280
WAHOO
1st place- 14.94-lbs, Glass Cutter, Dennis Joseph Heaton, $1,400
DOLPHIN
- 1st place- 27.56-lbs, Miss Alice II, James Newman, $1,400
- 2nd place- 14.90-lbs, Miss Lil, Ed Richard, $560
- 3rd place- 14.60-lbs, Glass Cutter, Derek Beard, $28
LADY ANGLER
- 25.28-lbs kingfish, Brittany Bradley, Offshore Warrior, $280
JUNIOR MEN
- 28.8-lbs kingfish, Matthew Miller, Miller Tyme, $140.
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