SAVE THE DATE! Nov. 1-3, 2013

Anglers Reel In Record $125,000 in 2012 RedSnook Tournament for Conservancy of Southwest Florida

Forty-four teams participated in the 2012 RedSnook Catch & Release Charity Tournament Nov. 2-4, 2012, generating a record $125,000 to support the water quality protection and gamefish research conducted by the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.

“We are more than pleased with these record results,” said Conservancy President Andrew McElwaine. “Perhaps even more importantly, we are overwhelmed with the level of support provided by the community --- the anglers, guides, sponsors and donors. The money raised from the event will ultimately help ensure that our waters and estuaries remain viable for sport fishing far into the future.”

Rob Moher, Conservancy of Southwest Florida vice-president of development and marketing stated, “We are deeply appreciative of all the hard work and leadership provided by the Tournament Co-Chairs Lloyd Liggett and Rhett Robicheaux and the entire RedSnook Committee. We also thank Dr. Aaron Adams from Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium for volunteering as the honorary chair of the Tournament.”

Co-Chair Rhett Robicheaux, Honorary Chair Dr. Aaron Adams and Co-Chair Lloyd Liggett.

Tournament Co-Chair Lloyd explained his reason for supporting the event. “This Tournament is a perfect match for the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. I believe the angling community now better understands the role the Conservancy plays in keeping our waters and our fisheries healthy.”

“The Tournament attracted more sponsors than ever before and the united forces and energy of all the people involved helped make this event a huge success,” stated Rhett Robicheaux, Tournament Co-Chair.

The weekend began with a Kick-Off Party and Silent and Live Auctions. Naples Yacht Club provided the food and location, and Whole Foods Market provided the organic beer and wine. The competition began on Saturday. Launch sites included Everglades City, Naples and Goodland. The competition continued again on Sunday and the event concluded with an awards ceremony on Sunday evening, Nov. 4, at Northern Trust, with food provided by Outback Steakhouse.

First place winners included:

1. Guided Bait Division First Place Winners: 3955 Points
Mike Ison and Jack Kuhn, guided by Jim Stoner

2. Unguided Bait Division: 4060 Points
Doug Hanks and Troy Pruitt

3. Guided Artificial Bait Division: 3670 Points
Wayne Meland and John Kukk guided by Andrew Bostick

4. Unguided Artificial: 3465 Points
Jeff Ball and Derek Pruitt

5. Fly Division: 3400 Points
Travis Fulford and Pat Fulford guided by Ken Chambers

In addition, awards were given for: (Photo Credit: Mark Block)

The presenting sponsor of the Tournament was Wayne Meland/Morgan Stanley. Northern Trust and Naples Yacht Club were co-sponsors. Other generous sponsors included Florida Weekly, Betty Maclean Travel, Inc., CRS Technology Solutions, RGM Capital, LLC, D. Garrett Construction, Inc., Larson Allen, Lutgert Insurance, Premier/Sotheby’s, Florida Marina Clubs, Atlantis Roofing of Naples, Inc., Conditioned Air, Azimuth Technology, Everglades Isle, Heatherwood Construction, Outback Steakhouse, Whole Foods Market and SW Technology. Allen Systems Group sponsored the “Stars and Stripes” team of servicemen Dave Johnson & Tim Tyler. www.conservancy.org/redsnook

Following is a list of first, second and third place winners in each division.

Guided Bait

	Angler A	Angler B	Guide	Points	Guided Bait First Place Winners: Mike Ison and Jack Kuhn with Guide Jim Stoner and Daughter.
1st PLACE	Mike Ison	Jack Kuhn	Jim Stoner	3955
2nd PLACE	John Wajda	Chuck Lapham	Matt Maloney	3885
3rd PLACE	Greg Lamonakis	David Rowe	Chris McCubbin	3600

Unguided Bait

	Angler A	Angler B	Guide	Points	Unguided Bait First Place Winners: D. Hanks and T. Pruitt.
1st PLACE	Doug Hanks	Troy Pruitt	---	4060
2nd PLACE	Ed Novinski	Jason Krishnan	---	3325
3rd PLACE	Michael Platt	Scott Bechtol	---	2895

Guided Artificial

	Angler A	Angler B	Guide	Points	Guided Artificial First Place Winners: Jon Kukk & Wayne Meland with Guide, Andrew Bostick.
1st PLACE	Wayne Meland	Jon Kukk	Andrew Bostick	3670
2nd PLACE	Keith Sullivan	Andy Dolwick	Bill Faulkner	3590
3rd PLACE	Matt McLean	Marc Huling	Mike Friday	3065

Unguided Artificial

	Angler A	Angler B	Guide	Points	Unguided Artificial First Place Winners: Derek Pruitt and Jeff Ball.
1st PLACE	Derek Pruitt	Jeff Ball	---	3465
2nd PLACE	Andy Hill	Terry McMahan	---	3180
3rd PLACE	John Mclean	Joe Sullivan	---	2750

Fly

	Angler A	Angler B	Guide	Points	Fly Division First Place Winners: Travis Fulford and Pat Fulford with Guide Ken Chambers.
1st PLACE	Travis Fulford	Pat Fulford	Ken Chambers	3400
2nd PLACE	Michelle Brown	Jason Sherwood	Kyle Giampaoli	3390
3rd PLACE	David Preston	Aaron Adams	Kevin Mihailoff	3320

ABOUT THE CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida began in 1964 when community leaders came together to defeat a proposed “Road to Nowhere” and spearheaded the acquisition and protection of Rookery Bay. The Conservancy is a grassroots organization focused on the critical environmental issues of the Southwest Florida region --- our water, land and wildlife. This is accomplished through the synergies of environmental education, science, policy, and wildlife rehabilitation.

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida and Conservancy Nature Center are located in Naples, FL at 1450 Merrihue Drive, off Goodlette-Frank Road at 14th Avenue North.

For information about the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, call (239) 262-0304 or www.conservancy.org.

Media Contact: Barbara Wilson, 239.403.4216 or barbaraw@conservancy.org