MARATHON, Florida Keys – Main Attraction out of Key Colony Beach, Fla., won a $5,500 first prize at the 14th annual Leon Shell Memorial Sailfish Tournament that ended March 4.
Anglers Joe Madrick of Palm Beach, Fla., and Marathon’s Ed Rice, Digger Rodamer and Mike Langemi released one sail – the tournament’s first fish on time – for the win. The teammates fished with Marathon?s Marty Lewis at the helm.
Second place and a $1,500 cash prize went to the Silent Hunter team with Captain Bucko Platt of Marathon. He guided fellow Marathon anglers John Callion, BJ Meyer, Ely Hernandez and Cody Darbie, whose single sailfish landed the team its runner-up slot based on time.
Team TIKI, led by Captain Roy Lindback of Islamorada, Fla., was awarded third place and a $1,000 cash prize. Team anglers Craig Lindback and Seanna Lindback, both from Tavernier, Fla., captured the tournament?s third sailfish, behind team Silent Hunter.
Mark Pairier of Londonderry, N.H., caught the tournament’s largest kingfish at 25.2 pounds and largest tuna at 15.4 pounds. Pairier fished aboard Game On. The largest dolphin was a 6.8-pounder caught by Ely Hernandez.
A check for $15,000 was presented to Hospice and the Visiting Nurses Association of the Florida Keys, the event?s beneficiary.
A field of 37 anglers fished the tournament from eight boats.
