The River Palms Cottages in Jensen Beach was the site of the 2009 CCA Inter-Chapter Challenge. A record ninety-one anglers gathered for the catch and release tournament on June 26 and 27. The tournament is a team event where local chapters compete against other chapters from around the state.
The event is an all-artificial lure tournament with Spin, Cast and Fly casting allowed. Rules require the anglers to place their catch on a measuring stick along with a numbered token assigned to each angler. A digital picture is then taken to turn in to the committee at the end of the tourney. In this catch-photo-release event all fish must be released.
The team winner is determined by the CCA chapter that catches the most inches of three fish. The categories consist of an East Coast Slam of Snook, Redfish and Trout. Each species has a minimum length for entry into the contest. Snook must be at least 22 inches, trout at least 15 inches and redfish at least 18. There are also winners in the Team Snook, Team Redfish and Team Trout divisions based on the total inches of three fish in each category. In addition to the team event there are individual awards for the largest fish in each category.
When fishing the Jensen Beach area the redfish is always going to be the toughest to find and catch. This year was no exception. Nevertheless, Capt. Chris Myers tempted the oversize red shown below with a D.O.A. C.A.L. series jerk bait in silver mullet color. It was rigged as a weedless worm to catch the red that won the honor of largest redfish. He also finished his personal slam by catching a snook on the same C.A.L.
This beautiful 28 1/2 inch specimen of a red was good enough to give Capt. Chris the individual championship in the redfish division. Capt. Chris also caught a huge gator trout on a 5.5 inch D.O.A Big Fish Lure. Measuring in at 28 1/4 inches, the fish was runner up in the largest trout division.
Jerry McBride, associate editor of Shallow Water Angler Magazine won the individual trout division with a 30 inch gator caught on a D.O.A. shrimp. Jerry has a passion for fishing from a kayak and that is exactly what he was doing when he caught the winning trout. According to Mark Nichols, owner of D.O.A. lures, “Jerry is a master when it comes to using the D.O.A. shrimp.”
The individual snook award went to an angler from Martin County, the host chapter. Fishing his home waters Jay Honan caught a 33 inch snook on a D.O.A. C.A.L. Series Paddle Tail lure. The snook pictured below is not the winning snook but gives you the idea of how the measuring stick, numbered token and digital camera are used in the catch-photo-release event.
The “home” team from Martin County, last years winners, only managed runner up this year for Grand Champion, but won the Team Snook and Team Trout divisions. Orlando won the Team Redfish division.
In the Grand Champion competition the Orlando Chapter, led by Capt. Myers’ big red and gator trout, took home the hardware and earned the bragging rights as the best chapter in the state - but it only lasts until next year where they will have to prove themselves again.
Every person that travels to the tournament and fishes is considered a team member for his local chapter. There is no limit to the number of people that can come and represent a chapter, but everyone that fishes must be a CCA Florida member. So, if you are a member start planning for next year and if you’re not a member sign up so you can take part in this fun filled tournament. Oh, did I mention the food and fellowship is always great too!
That’s what it’s all about. Good fishin’.
Announcement: I want to take this opportunity to announce my upcoming book entitled Secrets From Florida’s Master Anglers. It is a book intended to provide many tips and pro secrets to fishing success. It is based on interviews with 20 of Florida’s top guides on various fishing topics. The book is being published by University Press of Florida. It will be available in bookstore across the state, on Amazon.com or from the publisher directly, sometime this fall. Regardless of your level of fishing skill this book will have something for you.
Here is what some early readers of the book say:
"Ron's highly privileged interviews with many of Florida's top guides expose lots of secrets that are sure to improve fishing success."--Phil Chapman
"A great peek into twenty of the finest fishing minds of Florida! No matter your current skill level, this book will improve your confidence on the water."--Brett Fitzgerald
"Unique in that it includes a variety of approaches to inshore saltwater fishing, provided by a broad selection of some of Florida's finest fishing guides. There is something for almost everyone who fishes the Florida coast."--Richard A. Davidson
If you are interested in the book send me your name and mailing address and I will send you a pre-publication order form that is good until October and you get a 20% discount. Send to Capt. Ron, 516 S. Plumosa St., #19 Merritt Island, FL 32952.
Captain Ron Presley
www.inshorefishingadventures.com
presleyr@bellsouth.net
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