A Big Little Fishing Tournament

September 2, 2010 | Staff Writer | The Sandestin Celebration Fishing Tournament took place August 25th-29th at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Despite stormy weather, 20 boats signed up and headed out to the Gulf Thursday evening competing for an incredible $233,100. After two days and nights in almost constant rain and 5-7 foot seas they returned, wet and sore through and through, but triumphant.

Fourteen billfish were caught, mostly swordfish of which three were weighed, along with 36 gamefish—wahoo and amberjack being the most plentiful. Marine biologists were on hand to take samples for research after each fish was weighed, and the majority of the fish were donated to the Harvest House Food Bank.

Anglers came to the scales with fingers peeling and puckered from the rain. "Normally by this time of the year your fingers are calloused from running line, " one participant said. "But this year, well, we're just happy to be back out there."

The Top Boat was You Never Know!, a brand new 72' F&S. Capt. Joey Birbeck and his team collected 1st Place Dolphin, 2nd and 3rd Place Tuna, 3rd Place Swordfish and 3rd place Release Team. Gordon Gill, fishing aboard Never Better, a 55' Hatteras with Capt. Clay Dubuisson took Top Angler by releasing two swordfish, one white marlin and one sailfish in addition to weighing a 79.6-pound swordfish and a 19.6-pound blackfin tuna. Full results are listed below.

"I'm really happy that Sandestin decided to host this event," said Shawna Meisner, Tournament Director. "It was great to see everyone having such a good time."

The Awards Brunch wrapped up with a reminder, greeting by applause, that the Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic would be back next year and is scheduled for June 21st-26th.

Special thanks also went to the sponsors that jumped in at the last minute to support this event: Emerald Grande, Galati Yacht Sales, Hydroglow, J&M Tackle, Lazorscape Landscaping, Legendary Marine, Lindgren Pitman, MTU/Florida Detroit Diesel, Gulf Coast Hatteras, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, Sandestin Real Estate, Saunders Yachtworks, South Bay Ace, West Marine and Yellowfin Gallery.

Sandestin Celebration Fishing Tournament Results

Top Release Teams

BOAT	CAPTAIN	POINTS
Never Better, 55' Hatteras	Clay Dubuisson	775 points - 2 swordfish, 1 white marlin, 1 sailfish
Emerald Grande, 73' Donzi	Mike Tokheim	575 points - 1 blue marlin, 1 sailfish
You Never Know!, 72' F&S	Joey Birbeck	400 points - 1 swordfish, 1 white marlin

Top Swordfish

BOAT	CAPTAIN	ANGLER	WEIGHT
Legal Dose III, 33' Grady White	Andy Lindsey	Ford Torrey	121.4 lbs.
Never Better, 55' Hatteras	Clay Dubuisson	Gordon Gill	79.6 lbs.
You Never Know!, 72' F&S	Joey Birbeck	Mark Hebert	68.4 lbs.

Top Dolphin

BOAT	CAPTAIN	ANGLER	WEIGHT
You Never Know!, 72' F&S	Joey Birbeck	Eldon Rogillio	26.7 lbs.

Top Tuna

BOAT	CAPTAIN	ANGLER	WEIGHT
Never Better, 55' Hatteras	Clay Dubuisson	Gordon Gill	19.6 lb. blackfin
You Never Know!, 72' F&S	Joey Birbeck	Courtney Westbrook	19.0 lb. blackfin
You Never Know!, 72' F&S	Joey Birbeck	Baron Davis	18.5 lb. blackfin

Top Wahoo

BOAT	CAPTAIN	ANGLER	WEIGHT
Ole Miss, 65' Hatteras	Brad Benton	Emeril Lagasse	60.3 lbs.
Two Buy Four, 43' Viking	John Pugh	John Pugh	44.0 lbs.
Quick Time, 56' Ocean	Patrick Ivie	Robert Burroughs	42.7 lbs.

Top Amberjack

BOAT	CAPTAIN	ANGLER	WEIGHT
Ole Miss, 65' Hatteras	Brad Benton	Chris Wilson	49.8 lbs.
Mollie, 66' G&S	Jeff Shoults	Blake Roberts	42.7 lbs.
Ole Miss, 65' Hatteras	Brad Benton	Chris Wilson	39.8 lbs.

Top Grouper

BOAT	CAPTAIN	ANGLER	WEIGHT
Legal Dose III, 33' Grady White	Andy Lindsey	Van Phillips	18.7 lb. gag
Juan in a Million, 36' Carrera	Juan Aden	Jim Lee	11.3 lb. gag
Juan in a Million, 36' Carrera	Juan Aden	Jim Lee	6.5 lb. gag

Top King Mackerel

BOAT	CAPTAIN	ANGLER	WEIGHT
Two Buy Four, 43' Viking	John Pugh	Bob Stewart	15.7 lbs.
Mollie, 66' G&S	Jeff Shoults	Darryl Carpenter	10.7 lbs.
Another Well, Well Done, 35' Silverton	Jonathon Upfold	Anthony Spiva	6.6 lbs.