[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he annual MCAC Reef Builders tournament was held July 10th and 11th, with the headquarters at Twisted Tuna, in Port Salerno. The money raised goes into creating artificial reefs. This is one of the few tournaments where participating anglers actually improve fishing for everyone.
What made the July 11th Reef Builders tournament particularly interesting was the participation of Will Embry, Robert Huntley, and Marcy Burford, of the vessel âMarseaâ. Unlike the other entries, these folks are all commercial anglers.
In most cases, mixing commercial anglers and recreational anglers is like pulling on Supermanâs cape or spitting in the wind. Historically these two groups donât play well together.
There are still plenty of heated issues between commercial and recreational anglers. However, we all must accept the fact that, if not for commercial anglers, the fresh fish found at super markets and on restaurant menus would be pretty slim. Those fish donât magically fall out of the sky.
What was admirable about the Captain and crew of âMarseaâ they had the courage it took to enter a tournament dominated by recreational anglers. They were walking right into potential enemy territory. To top it off, they went on to win the entire kingfish category, taking first, second and third place.
Although nobody envisions recreational and commercial anglers ever going to the tavern and singing karaoke together, both groups do have the common interest of improving fishing.
On another note, sometimes the results of a tournament can be downright hilarious. Such was the case of Richard Debvec winning the $1,000 first place prize for his eight-ounce grouper. He caught the fish aboard Safari 1. It was one of the less common grouper, with no size limit. After the fish was weighed, it was released so that it could grow up.
2015 MCAC 9th Annual Reef Builders Tournament Results
COBIA: 1–14.94 lbs. Pierce Killer, Jr. Angler, Renegade. DOLPHIN: 1–20.32 lbs., Robert Carlson, Miss K; 2–13.8 lb., Andrew Carlson, Miss K; 3–12.63 lbs. Bob Carlson, Miss K. GROUPER: 1–.51 lbs., Richard Debvec, Safari I. KINGFISH: 1â19.77 lbs., Will Emby, Marsea; 2â10.04 lbs. Robert Huntley, Marsea; 3–10.02 lbs., Marcy Burford, Marsea. SNAPPER: 1â9.13 lbs. Chad Woodham, Stuart Plumbing; 2â4.83 lbs., Dave Hickson, Skippers Revenge; 3â4.37 lbs., Steve Broxmeyer, Safari I.
Top Junior Angler: Pierce Killer, 14.94 lb. Cobia, Renegade
2nd Place Junior Angler: Richard Kramer, 4.44 lb. Dolphin, Ferd The Third
Top Charter Boat: Marjorie Belcherâs Safari I, 4.37 lb. Snapper
Top Private Boat, Kyle Conrad Memorial Trophy: Bob Carlsonâs Miss K, 20.32 lb. Dolphin
Jim Weix is the Broker/Owner of The Real Estate Company, Inc., located on Colorado Ave., in Stuart. He is also on the Board of Directors of the Stuart Sailfish Club. Many anglers also know him as the Weigh Master at various fishing tournaments. He can be reached at jimweix@jimweix.com.
