Standing-Watch.org A Boating Coalition

The First Annual Fall Standing Watch Fishing Tournament was a success. We had a total of 29 boats entered with 84 anglers participating. Team Conover consisting of Capt. Albert Garner, Bonnie Beers, and Chris Conover took first place prize of $350.00 with the combined weight of one redfish and one mangrove snapper totaling 10.29 lbs. and also took the prize for redfish with most spots (3) and numerous other raffled prizes as well.....good job !

1st place in the kids' tournament was taken by Eddie Love followed by Ryan Robinson.

There was lots of good food, lots of beer, good music provided by Ray Jardine, and most importantly, lots of good people having a good time for a good cause. There were no people or animals harmed in the process and most of the fish were safely returned to the water intact, healthy, and possibly a little more wary of a free lunch offering.

Our newly elected president, Vance Hurd, emcee'd the event and newly elected vice-president John Kinney manned the info tent. Patty Kinney and Jeannie Harrington helped to organize the food operation.

Jay LeBlanc, our very capable and knowledgeable weighmaster from Anglers' Outlet, did a great job and will hopefully assist at the next tourney.

Thanks to Becky at Viking Marine Inc. for hosting the event and all of her help (also husband Evan for putting up with us), Randy Johnson of Standing Watch for his help and his excellent shrimp feast and Capt. Terry Pitz for his help and advise.
We would like to thank all of the people that helped out at the event selling tickets, beer, food, and setting up. The Cape Coral Tarpon Hunters Club went above and beyond in their assistance on short notice and I would like to thank those Ladies and Gentlemen for their generous help. Tight lines, ya'll........

A special thank you to J.D. Hollway from the Waterfront Restaurant and Marina in St. James City for his help, advice, and donation. He not only provided us with tables and a very large tent, but he put it up and took it down as well. Thanks to the Matlacha Hookers for their help with tables, chairs, sodas, etc. and to the North Ft. Myers Firefighters for the tables and chairs.

We would like to thank the following people and businesses for their donations, contributions, and kindnesses and would ask that you support them with your patronage as often as possible : The Waterfront Restaurant and Marina, Bonita Furniture and Patio ( thanks, Pat ! ), Artwave Images, Capt. Terry Pitz, American Marine Const., Smith Marine, Pine Island Realty, Richard's Mobile Marine Repair, Fishing Fever Marina, Pork Bellies BBQ, Double Nichol Pub, Dockside Realty, Knoll's Ct. Motel, Honc Marine Const., SouthTrust Bank, Sellstate Realty Pine Island, Suntrust Bank, Offshore Audio, Cherry Estates !!, Bridgewater Inn, Gulf Coast Automotive Services, The Battery Connection, Cape Tool & Tackle, Jensen's Twin Palms Resort and Marina, Suncoast Beverages, Waterman & Son, Boat U.S., S.W. Fl. Marine Trades Association , Lehr's Economy Tackle, Marina 31, Seven Seas Bait & Tackle, Anglers' Outlet, Bill Algier, Pine Bay Seafood, Bubba's Roadhouse, Bert's Bar & Grill, R.C. Marine, Youngblood's Sanitation Services, West Marine, Sea Tow, Carraba's Italian Grill, Larry Ryan , WCI Marine, Pepsi, The Landings, and last but by no means least, Jim Hohnstein from Bonita Bay for bailing me out when I needed it.

We learned a lot from this first tournament and the following tournaments will get better and better. We are tentatively planning a spring tournament at the Double Nichol Pub and Fishing Fever Marina in St. James City for sometime in April or early May. We will keep you posted.

Thanks again for all of your help.
Capt. R.H.(Dusty) Harrington
Assist. Director, Standing Watch Lee Co.
Fl. State Standing Watch BOD