The 5th Annual
Mad Dog Mandich Florida Keys Classic
A Huge Success for Anglers, Guests & Mariners Hospital!
The 5th Annual Mad Dog Mandich Fishing Classic in Islamorada proved to be one of the most successful events yet. With 103 anglers on 24 boats, another 100 guests from all South Florida and more fish weighed-in than ever before, everyone enjoyed the weekend, all while helping to raise money for Mariners Hospital.
The tournament, which benefited the Oncology Services at Mariners Hospital, targeted dolphin, kingfish, tuna, wahoo, along with the “Weekend Warrior Division” targeting snapper and grouper. The Caribee kick-off party, auction and Captain's Meeting was held Friday at Ziggie and Mad Dog’s Restaurant. Anglers enjoyed appetizers from Ziggie's, along with cold Heineken Beer, Botran Rum and Tito's vodka. Each registered angler received a beautiful Hook & Tackle shirt and tournament hat, along with angler bags stuffed with goodies from sponsors and donors.
On Saturday morning with beautiful weather, the teams headed out to their favorite fishing spots. The competition was strong, as this year the tournament had more fish weighed-in than ever. It was anybody’s game, but when the scales closed, the top boat prize went to second time winners, Fishin Pole. The team captured the $5,000 cash-and-trophy first-place boat prize by bringing in fish with a combined weight of 101.8 pounds. The team’s total winnings were $6,520. Second Place and $1,000 went to first time participants, the Hopkins Carter team aboard Red Stripe with a total weight of 80.6 pounds. Third Place boat went to another new team to the tournament, Blue Heaven with 50.10 pounds.
Kevin Cabrera aboard Red Stipe took home the Top Angler title and trophy with 51.80 pounds. Audra Hill aboard the Mariners Hospital team boat, All Stoked, captured the Top Lady Trophy with her 12.1 pound tuna. All Stoked also brought in the Top Tuna at 14.4 pounds, caught by Cale Smith. The Top Dolphin at 19.1 pounds was brought in by Jack Neidbalski aboard another Mariners Team boat, See Free; Top Kingfish was caught by Chad Wangen aboard Fishin Pole at 27.9; and the biggest fish of the day was a 29.4 pound Wahoo caught by Don Seifel, Jr. aboard Tiki.
The tournament's “Weekend Warrior” title for catching the top snapper and grouper is always a fun addition. An 11 pound Grouper was caught by Dominick Zannelli aboard Fishin Pole. The heaviest Snapper at 10 pounds was caught by Steve Orton aboard My-Sea-Cin.
Winner of each category also won beautiful trophies from Fine Awards and framed prints from Pasta Panteleo.
After the dock party with appetizers from Mangrove Mike's Cafe, anglers, sponsors and guests enjoyed a beach side dinner, catered by Ziggie and Mad Dog's Restaurant, at the beautiful Chesapeake Beach Resort. The awards ceremony hosted by Adam Kuperstein concluded the weekend as the Mad Dog Mandich Fishing Classic awarded over $11,165 in prize money and was proud to donate $5,120 to Mariners Hospital.
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