ISLAMORADA, Florida Keys — A team of young anglers from Islamorada, Florida, and Lyons, New York, pulled ahead of rivals from Miami, Florida, to capture top team honors at the 58th annual Islamorada Junior Sailfish Tournament that ended Dec. 11.
Overall, 27 anglers age 16 and under fished in 10 boats and released 18 sailfish out of 27 hookups, according to tournament organizer Tammie Gurgiolo.
The first-place team released five fish while fishing on the Contagious with Islamorada Captain Brian Cone. The winning team of anglers included Hudson Wampler, Andy Cone, Cooper Slonin and Sawyer Slonin of Islamorada along with Parker Williamson from Lyons.
Eddie Pulles of Miami took the title of high point angler with four sailfish releases. He and Miami teammate Myles Castellanos captured second place overall, fishing with Miami Captain Alex Castellanos on the Lady K.
The team of Jack Krieg of Islamorada and Anthony Cagle of Tavernier, Florida, took third place, fishing on Rum Front with Captain Josh Krieg.
First runner-up angler with three sailfish was Abe Myers of DeMotte, Indiana, fishing on Sea Rebel with Islamorada captain Danny Lombardo.
The all-release challenge helps forge new and younger generations of anglers in Islamorada, widely known as the Sport Fishing Capital of the World. Proceeds from the tournament benefit Florida Keys charities.
