KEY WEST - Key West was the host to the 5th Annual World Sailfish Championship this week. For a change high winds were not a factor in this years tournament. In fact the conditions were less than perfect for sailfishing. A calm sea and no current are two things that make pursuing sailfish very difficult.
Despite the flat calm conditions and westerly winds which are usually the kiss of death for our fishing, a record number of sailfish were released. The final tally of documented releases was 538 fish which meant that nearly ninety two percent of the boats caught fish.
Being in the right place was luck of the draw and for the winning team, Get Lit; it was not only luck but a history of tournament fishing that led them to yet another victory.
Captain Ray Rosher and his team pulled off another victory during their three days of fishing in Key West waters. Team Get Lit released a total of 14 sailfish releases during the three days of fishing. Close on their heels was the Steel Magnolia with 13 sailfish releases.
Rosher, captain of Get Lit, along with owner Christopher ‘’Kitt'’ Toomey, and anglers Jon Cooper, Peter Miller, Claudio Martinez and Kelly Mayo returned to Miami with winnings totaling $100,000 and first prize in this year’s tournament.
Carl Masiello, owner of the Spanish Gardens Motel in Key West fished aboard the 33- foot Contender Beautiful Bonds II with owners Nick and Suzie Trivisonno and local guide Captain Tony Murphy. Murphy, who runs charters on his own Contender, Key Limey, is a well-known light tackle guide out of Murray Marina.
Masiello explained that their tactics during the first day kept them close to Key West. Apparently the day prior Masiello and Murphy were out catching some additional baits and caught a glimpse of two sailfish jumping.
“That was a good sign,” Masiello said.
Finding a spot to fish between Marathon and Key West along the ‘sailfish highway’ sounds like an easy feat but factor in 110 boats and the power of the VHF radio and you’ll find that boats seemed to be congregated in specific areas hoping that their bait gets taken.
Suzie Trivisonno had lady luck on her side during this tournament. As an accomplished angler she is not new to tournament fishing. The first day Trivisonno released one fish out of four that they hooked.
The second day she released another sailfish. By that time it was apparent that they should gun for the women’s division on day three.
“The last day it was all up to Suzie,” Masiello said.
Trivisonno finished with four sailfish releases taking third place in the Women’s Division. The top lady angler with 8 releases went to Yalennie Vinas on Persistance and second place was awarded to Angie Wolf on Win-N-Angel. Wolf released 5 sailfish and also was recognized for tagging the most fish.
The World Sailfish event is a great tournament that benefits many charities. For more information about the tournament and for complete results visit their website at www.worldsailfish.com.
Besides a record number of sailfish releases the Key West offshore waters have had some other notable catches this week.
Captain Steve Magee on the Ramerezi out of Charter Boat Row in Key West nearly had an offshore slam this week. His anglers landed a blue marlin estimated at 150- pounds and a white marlin that was 60- pounds. The blue marlin was taken on 30- pound test on a dead bait. Magee was fishing an area called Middle Crack in 835 feet of water.
Magee also noted that several large dolphin were also being caught in the same area.
Reef and wreck fishing has improved. Mutton snapper should be gearing up to spawn in May and June. Permit are still occupying the wrecks and patch reefs in the Atlantic and Gulf but surprisingly there are still large permit being caught on the flats too.
The tarpon may need a little more time to warm up here in the Lower Keys. So far this year there have been only a handful of days where the shallow water tarpon fishing has been good. We’ve got a south east breeze now which will hopefully warm the water up for good and bring the tarpon in to feed.
