Buyer's Guide  :   SFTV  :   Weather  :   Contests  :   Wallpapers  :   Galleries Members : Videos : Photos : Forums
 
advertisement
Click here to enter our monthly Photo Contest!
 
 E-mail to a friend |  Print Page
Competitors can't beat the main attraction at Leon Shell Memorial Sailfish Tournament
Competitors can't beat the main attraction at Leon Shell Memorial Sailfish Tournament
Mar 12, 2009

The Main Attraction team out of Key Colony Beach, Fla., won the $25,000 first prize at the 11th annual Leon Shell Memorial Sailfish Tournament that ended March 1.

The victory marks the third consecutive year that one of the three Main Attraction boats has won. Main Attraction II won the 2007 and 2008 tournaments, making tournament history with its repeat victory.

In the 2009 tournament, with Marathon's Captain Marty Lewis at the helm, the Main Attraction team released five sails. Anglers were Max Gray and Robert Griffin of Charlotte, N.C., Fred Bumgardner Jr. of Denver, N.C., James Snyder and Peter Bernard of Richmond, Va., R. Edward Howell of Charlottesville, Va., Tom Adams of Pinehurst, N.C., and Dick Crittenden from Alpena, Mich.

Second place went to the Imagine That team, led by Captain Ray Eggert of Ramrod Key, Fla., for releasing four sailfish. Teammates were Eggert's son Dan Eggert and grandson Ray Eggert as well as Jeff Swopek and John Messenger, all from Ramrod Key.

Third place went to the Main Attraction III team, led by Key Colony Beach Captain Morris Lewis, Marty Lewis's father, with three sailfish releases. The anglers were Susan Manios, Deborah Shirley and R. Dion Watson, all of Marathon, and Richard Jeselskis of Big Pine Key, Fla.

Champion individual angler was Randy Hamilton for his two sailfish releases.

The largest kingfish, 18.7 pounds, was caught by Dan Eggert aboard Imagine That. The champion dolphin was 17.1 pounds, brought in by Ed Jekielek aboard a Vacation Boat Rentals boat.

A field of 66 anglers fished the tournament from 20 boats.

Lois Shell, widow of Captain Leon Shell, for whom the tournament is named, presented a check for $25,000 to Hospice and Visiting Nurses Association of the Florida Keys.

 
Free Trial Issue
Receive a FREE issue of Sport Fishing and a FREE Gear Bag!
To get a complimentary issue of Sport Fishing, simply fill in the form below. If you like it, pay just $19.97 for 29 more issues (30 in all) -- you get 3 years for the price of 1. Plus with your paid subscription you receive a FREE gear bag! Otherwise, write "cancel" on the invoice you receive, return it, and owe nothing. The FREE issue is yours to keep!
Name:
Address:
City:
State: Zip:
Email*:
* Required. Only used for communications about your subscription.

Digital Delivery Non-US subscriber
advertisement
advertisement
Tournament Calendar

View All Tournaments And Events

advertisement
Readers Poll
Have you ever had mount created for a fish you've caught?
Yes, traditional mount
Yes, replica mount
No
View Poll Results
advertisement
Advertise With Us | Contact Us | Renew Online | Affiliates | Customer Service | Employment Opportunities | Editorial Guidelines | Site Map
Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy & Your Privacy Rights
visit our sister sites
Marlin | Fly Fishing in Salt Waters | Salt Water Sportsman | Sport Fishing Television | Bermuda Big Game Classic | Bermuda Triple Crown | Bermuda Billfish Blast | Fish Stock
Los Cabos Billfish Tournament | Trinidad Tarpon Bash | Marlin University | IGFA Offshore World Championship

The Authority on Salt Water Fishing
Sport Fishing magazine is published by Bonnier Corporation, ©