The Inaugural Treasure Coast Bonito Blast held August 24th at Manatee Island Bar & Grill in Port Salerno raised $20,000 for Wounded Warriors of South Florida through entry fees, donations, and auctioned items.
First place winner Capt. Ryan Nehls on “Big Blue” won a $1500 cash prize with his 16.07 lb. bonito. Coming in second was Capt. Jason Phillips on “Nail ‘Em” with a 15.02 lb. bonito and $750 cash. Third place went to Capt. John Summers for his 14.85 lb. bonito winning $250. Junior Angler Bentley Forester won $100 with his 8.52 lb prize winning bonito.
The promise of a fun event drew a field of 76 boats with more than 150 anglers with a goal of bringing in the largest bonito, also known as a little tunney or false albacore.
The event was presented by Blue Marlin Motors USA and nearly 100 other businesses supported the event as sponsors or donated auction and raffle items.
For more information visit www.TreasureCoastBonitoBlast.com.
See more reader contributed photos from the tournament here.