What a difference a year makes.  The 54 boat fleet fishing the West Palm Beach Fishing Club's 70th annual Silver Sailfish Derby experienced the opposite end of the sailfishing spectrum this year when compared to the record shattering sailfish release numbers from the previous year.  A total of 148 sailfish were released during three days of fishing.

"We tallied almost that many sails in a two hour period last year.  The 2006 Derby is a hard act to follow," commented tournament radioman Pete Schulz from Fishing Headquarters in Jupiter, who had a much easier time keeping tabs on sailfish releases this year. 

Many of the boats participating in this year's Derby had a hand in last year's amazing 958 sailfish releases, so it was understandable that some anglers were disappointed with the slow fishing. While the fishing was slow, there was no shortage of drama on the water.  In fact, the competition often times intensifies when fewer fish are being tallied. 

"Nobody runs away with the tournament when there is a slow bite, everybody stays in the game.  A few double or triple headers can change the entire leader board," added Schulz.

Team Reel Lucky Too won Top Boat honors with 11 releases on time (their 11th fish was released before Sandman's 11th fish, which earned team Sandman a second-place finish). "It was a real pleasure to watch these guys in action today.  They really stayed focused and came from behind to win.  My hats off to them," said tournament observer John Smolik who was assigned to the Reel Lucky Too the final day. 

"I feel like we brought the Top Boat Trophy back home.  After watching Ray Rosher and his team take the Derby three years in a row, we're glad we were the ones who brought the trophy back to West Palm," said Reel Lucky Too owner and angler Jim Gill, who won the Derby in 2003.  

Team Billfisher finished third overall with 10 releases.  The Goin' Raptor team consisting of Todd Burley, Nick Cardella, Bill Sabayrac and his two boys Will and Paul Sabayrac finished fourth overall.  It was the first sailfish tournament the anglers ever fished. 

"I'm so proud of my guys.  We stuck with our game plan and everyone on the boat played their part.  We're thrilled!" said Bill Sabayrac. 

Goin' Raptor angler Todd Burley of Coral Gables finished fourth overall in the angler category with 4 releases on time.  Jeremy Duffie finished third individually with 4 releases on the Billfisher.  Fellow teammate Joe Kelly of Jupiter finished in second place with 5 releases.  Angler Art Frigo of Jupiter earned the coveted Mrs. Henry R. Rea Trophy, the Derby's top angler award, by posting 7 individual sailfish releases.  His name will be added to the magnificent Rea Trophy, a large silver sailfish trophy that dates back to 1935, and will receive a miniature silver sailfish replica of the award.  
 
The Louis Boski Memorial Trophy for the Derby's most outstanding catch was awarded to Steve Alexander of Delray Beach.  Steve lead the Dos Amigos team to one sailfish release under very rough conditions on the Derby's second day by deploying a dead bait dredge and trolling rigged ballyhoo.