My wife, Karen, and I headed for the Keys on Tuesday morning where I would participate in the Islamorada-Sarasota Shootout fishing tournament. It is a low stress, fun fishing tournament with lots of social activities in the evening hosted by a group of anglers headed up by Capt. Pete Lutz in Islamorada and members of the Sarasota Sportfishing Anglers Club from Sarasota. My wife, Karen, and Judy Lutz, from Islamorada, run much of the festivities handling all the weigh ins, raffle prizes, etc.

Aledia Tush, owner of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, and I fished 3 days with good friend and fellow Orvis-Endorsed fly fishing guide, Capt. Duane Baker, from Tavernier, FL (www.keysflatsguide.com) . We usually do well when fishing with Capt. Duane and this trip was no exception. Actually, it was better than ever since Aledia and I each caught and released our biggest bonefish ever!

On Wednesday, fishing Florida Bay west of Islamorada with a 20- mph plus wind, Aledia caught and released an 11-pounder with a live shrimp and I caught and released a 10-pounder (both fish weighed on a Boga Grip) on a crab fly pattern. The tournament didn’t start until the following day, but with fish like that who cares! Conditions were better on Thursday, but fish were scarcer and didn’t eat. However, we did have 3 or 4 shots at permit as big as 17 or 18-pounds.

On Friday, conditions improved enough to allow us to fish the ocean side near Key Largo. Aledia landed a bonefish big enough to win the bonefish division of the tournament on a live shrimp and I landed a pair of smaller bonefish on flies to come in second.         

The tournament is based on a point system for each place won by an angler. The final tally was Islamorada 19 and Sarasota 17. Islamorada won by a nose! With Hurricane Ike spinning towards the Keys like a buzz saw, visitors were ordered out of the Keys on Saturday morning. Results attached and a few photos posted below.

Aledia Tush, from Sarasota, FL, with the winning bonefish caught and released in the 2008 Islamorada-Sarasota Shootout.

Aledia Tush, from Sarasota, FL, accepts her prize for winning the bonefish division in the 2008 Islamorada-Sarasota Shootout.

Chris Miller, Islamorada, FL, accepts his plaque from Capt. Pete Lutz for winning the dolphin division in the 2008 Islamorada-Sarasota Shootout.

Chad Drovish, from Sarasota, FL, with the 2nd place dolphin in the 2008 Islamorada-Sarasota Shootout.

Capt. Rob Roberts, from Sarasota, FL, with the 3rd place dolphin in the 2008  Islamorada-Sarasota Shootout.

Allen Rodriguez, from Sarasota, FL, accepts his awards plaque for winning the snapper division in the 2008 Islamorada-Sarasota Shootout from tournament director, Capt. Pete Lutz.




 Charles Porter, Islamorada, FL, accepts his award from tournament director, Capt. Pete Lutz, as the Jr. Angler Dolphin division winner (11-lbs) in the 2008 Islamorada-Sarasota Shootout.

 

Official Results for the Islamorada-Sarasota Shootout Tournament are publiched here.

Capt. Rick Grassett
Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc.
FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor
(941) 923-7799
E-mail snookfin@aol.com
www.flyfishingflorida.net and www.snookfin-addict.com