The 4th Annual Mad Dog Mandich Florida Keys Classic
A Huge Success Despite the Weather!
The weather was the topic of the weekend in Islamorada for the Staff and anglers of the 4th Annual Mad Dog Mandich Fishing Classic. The decision was made to continue with the tournament despite the wind, non-stop rain and 5 foot plus seas. With 92 anglers on 21 boats and more fish weighed-in then ever before, everyone managed to enjoy the weekend, all while helping to raise money for Mariners Hospital.
The tournament, which benefited the new Oncology Services at Mariners Hospital, targeted dolphin, kingfish, tuna, wahoo, along with the “Weekend Warrior Division” targeting snapper and grouper. The weather held out for the event’s kick-off Friday evening with a Caribee Boat Sales Cocktail Party and Captain’s meeting at Ziggie and Mad Dog’s. Anglers enjoyed Heineken Beer, Botran Rum and received beautiful Hook & Tackle shirts and hats, along with angler bags stuffed with goodies. It was a very exciting turn out with celebrity some guests joining in on the action like Chad Henne, Matt Moore, Pat Devlin, Dick Anderson and Nat Moore.
On Saturday morning with rain pouring down and the wind against them, the teams headed out for a day of some rough fishing. The competition was strong, as this year we had more fish weighed-in than ever before. It was any body’s game, but the top boat went to first time winners on the boat Fishin Pole. The team captured the $5,000 cash-and-trophy first-place boat prize by bringing in fish with a combined weight of 123 pounds. The team’s total winnings were $6,020. Second Place Boat and $1,000 went to My-Sea-Cin with a total weight of 109.4 pounds. Third Place boat went to past tournament champion team aboard the Contagious. And in the new category for the Top Mariners Hospital Team, the trophy went to Boat Danica Anne.
Hank Cusaro aboard My-Sea-Cin took home the Top Angler title and trophy with 61.4 lbs pounds, doubling last year’s total. Heidi Sandrey aboard Danica Anne captured the Top Lady Trophy with her 15.7 lb dolphin. The Tuna and Wahoo were hiding from the storms, so it was down to who would take Top Dolphin and Kingfish. Cynthia Orton aboard My-Sea-Cin brought in a 26.6 pound Kingfish to seal the deal, and Rick Freeburg, CEO of Mariners hospital captured the Top Dolphin weighing in at 19.9 pounds. Rick Freeberg donated his $500 winnings back to Mariners.
The tournament's “Weekend Warrior” title for catching the top snapper and grouper was the main attraction at weigh-in this year. A 32 pound Grouper stole the show caught by Dominick Zannelli aboard Fishin Pole. Dominick also won the Top Snapper Trophy with his 10.3 pound Snapper.
After the rainy weigh-in and dock party, anglers, sponsors and guests enjoyed a beach side dinner, catered by Mangrove Mike’s, at the beautiful Chesapeake Beach Resort. The awards ceremony hosted by Joe Rose concluded the weekend as the Mad Dog Mandich Fishing Classic awarded over $10,400 in prize money and was proud to donate $7,000 to Mariners Hospital.
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