The Big Dog Fat Cat KDW Shootout is a tournament that challenges anglers to fish for a greater purpose. It is the fastest growing KDW tournament in Palm Beach County since 2010. 226 boats fished in this year’s 12th annual tournament and over 4,000 people attended the 2 day event.
Bill Wummer, Howard Tuman, and Peter Testa
Photos by Leonard Bryant Photography.
The festivities began Friday evening at the captain’s meeting and continued Saturday with some very competitive fishing, the weigh-in, and award ceremony and dinner; all held at the beautiful Sailfish Marina. Participants and attendees enjoyed a silent auction, raffles, delicious food, 3 bars, and the Sidewalk Celebration with 30 vendors.
The beneficiaries of this year’s event received over $27,000 were Growing Together Farm and A Second Chance Puppies and Kittens Rescue. Growing Together Farm, based out of Loxahatchee, is a nonprofit that helps schools grow vegetables and fruit for children. A Second Chance Puppies and Kittens Rescue is a nonprofit, all volunteer, foster based rescue group that saves pregnant or nursing dogs and cats and their offspring until adopted into forever homes. 17 dogs (who were temporarily named after teams that had participated in the KDW) were adopted at the event.
The grand prize winner was team Lori Jo as their 43lb. wahoo caught early in the morning off the Boynton Inlet won the team $5,000 plus $8,000 in prizes; including a Humminbird unit, Cannon Downriggers, an Airmar gift certificate, a Marine Electronic Solution gift certificate, and a Grey Taxidermy gift certificate. Spiced Rum was the 1st place aggregate with 130.4lbs. as well as Top SKA boat with a 33.9lb. kingfish. They caught over 30 kingfish on their Cannon Optimum Downriggers. “Having the electronic downriggers is a must. Our Solix Humminbird unit kept us on the fish that were in a 2 mile stretch. We were able to stay on the bait and our numbers.” said Bill Wummer. Spiced Rum took home $2,500 plus a $2,500 Loadmaster Trailer gift certificate.