OUTDOOR CHANNEL OFFSHORE CLASSIC SAILFISH TOURNAMENT
ISLAMORADA, Florida Keys – It was a dark and stormy morning, but the weather would not deter the boats setting out from Islamorada for the final day of sailfishing during the Annual Outdoor Channel Offshore Classic. Though the skies later cleared and the air stayed cool, the fishing remained hot and heavy — 115 hook-ups and 83 releases, most of which were fish over 50 pounds. For the two-day tournament, the 56 anglers logged 222 hook-ups and 153 releases.
THE OUTDOORCHANNEL.COM Tournament Director: Sue Vermillion
The 2006 tournament title went to the team of Neil Grange, Miami , Fenton Langston, Key Largo, Rodger Wilson, Homestead, Fla., and Jimmy David, Miami. The anglers released 31 sails over the two days, while fishing with Captain Paul Ross of Islamorada aboard Relentless out of Bud N’ Mary’s Marina.

Grange also took top angler honors with 12 releases. Langston, who won the top angler award in the inaugural 2005 tournament fishing with Capt. Ross, came in second with eight releases.

Upon accepting his award, Grange shyly said, “The fishing was great down here. I would definitely come back.”

Langston enjoyed the chief difference between Keys and mainland fishing. “Down here they rigger fish, while up in Miami it’s mostly kites,” he said. “But there were a lot of fish out there. We saw five, six fish around baits a lot of the time.”

The team also took home a prize jackpot worth more than $11,000 in cash, and an inviation to fish in the Rolex/IGFA Offshore Championship 2007.
Outdoor Channel Offshore Classic Sailfish Tournament
Second place went to the Critter Control Fishing Team — Captain Kevin Clark of Islamorada, Goran Limgmerth, Jay Arney and Cam Garst, all of Deerfield Beach, Fla. The critter controllers released 16 fish while fishing with Islamorada’s Captain Glenn Miller aboard Wet Dream.

Outdoor Channel
The third place boat was one of the big stories of the tournament. Fishing aboard Pretty Work, also out of Bud N’ Mary’s Marina, with Captain John Oughton of Islamorada, was the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) Team.

Doug Warren of New Boston, TX, Terry Tyna, Valley View, OH, Ron Hoskins, Downingtown, PA and Steve Michels, Tualatin, OR released 15 sails, taking third place by time over Captain Brian Cone’s Contagious.

The PVA team fished from wheel chairs and Pretty Work’s fighting chair.

Ex-Marine Tyna, who has been involved with PVA bass tournaments, fished for sailfish for the first time. He said “This was totally physical. I’m not accustomed to this, when they say ‘turn it, pump it, reel it in,’ you’ve got to do it or you’re going to lose your fish.”

Tyna added, “If you want to see the Keystone Cops, watch the [Outdoor Channel] video of me.”

For the tournament, Tyna hooked five fish and brought four to the boat.
FROM THE FLORIDA KEYS:
January is the best month for Sailfish. The Islander Resort is the official tournament headquarters and special room rates are available for tournament participants. Call Shannon O'Berry at their reservation desk at 1-800-753-6002.

CHARTER BOATS:
Charter boats are available at all of the local marinas in Islamorada. Whale Harbor charter boats are close to the hotel and can be booked by calling Isaac James at 305-664-4511. Holiday Isle is just a short drive away and ask for Bill Niepoth at 800-327-7070. Bud N' Mary's have some great charter boats also and you can speak with anyone there at 800-742-7945. You can contact Sue & Bob Johnson at Papa Joe's 800-539-8326 and World Wide Sportsman www.worldwidesportsman.com is also nearby.

SPONSOR THE EVENT!
Interested in becoming a sponsor for the event and getting your product in front of 26 million viewers? Cantact Sue Vermillion for more details at 808-325-9896 email: hdc@aloha.net

For more information call: 808-325-9896 or Download the official Entry form : Click Here

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