Second Annual Outdoor Channel Offshore Classic Sails to Success

Red hot sailfish action off Islamorada yields 222 hook-ups and 153 releases

ISLAMORADA, Florida Keys — The final day of fishing during the annual Outdoor Channel Offshore Classic produced another day of high scoring.  All combined for the two days of fishing there were 222 hook-ups and 153 releases of Sailfish.

The first day of fishing during the second annual Outdoor Channel Offshore Classic produced 107 hook-ups, and 70 releases along the reef line in the waters off Islamorada.

The second and final day of fishing during the annual Outdoor Channel Offshore Classic produced 115 hook-ups, and 83 releases under partly cloudy skies and windy conditions for the 14 tournament boats on the water.

Coming into day two in the lead was Neil Grange from Miami FL, Fenton Langston of Key Largo FL, Rodger Wilson of Homestead FL, and Jimmy David from Miami. On day one this team released 15 sails while fishing aboard Relentless, with Captain Paul Ross, at the helm.  During day two they stayed ahead of the rest of the fleet by releasing an additional 16 sails, making their two day total 31 releases and securing the first place position of the tournament.

The Critter Control Fishing Team took second place.  Team captain Kevin Clark, of Islamorada FL, Goran Limgmerth, Jay Arney, and Cam Garst, released 16 sails while fishing aboard Wet Dream, with Captain Glenn Miller.

Third place was taken by Doug Warren of New Boston TX, Terry Tina of Valley View OH, Ron Hoskins of Downingtown PA, and Steve Michels of Tualatin OR who released 15 sails while fishing aboard Pretty Work with Captain John Oughton.  Team members represented the Paralyzed Veteran's of America and landed their hard-fighting Atlantic sailfish from wheel chairs.

Top angler of the tournament went to Neil Grange, from Miami, with 12 releases and second place angler Fenton Langston, from Key Largo, FL had 8 releases.  Both anglers were fishing aboard Relentless, with Captain Paul Ross, at the helm. 

Teams fishing the Outdoor Channel Offshore Championship used circle hooks on all live and dead bait. Thirty-pound or lighter test line was required and all anglers were required to adhere to International Game Fish Association (IGFA) rules.

The winning team on the Relentless also won an invitation to enter the Rolex/IGFA Offshore Championship 2007, held each year in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.  They will represent the Outdoor Channel Offshore Classic for this prestigious event against the top anglers in the world.

The fourteen local charter boats from Islamorada placed in the following order: 

31 releases        Relentless with Captain Pauly Ross,

16 releases        Critter Control Fishing Team with Captain Sam Worden,

15 releases        Pretty Work with Captain John Oughton,

15 releases        Contagious with Captain Brian Cone,

13 releases        Class Action with Captain Dave Morris,

12 releases        Big Baby with Captain Ed Yennetti,

11 releases        The Reel McCoy with Captain George McElvey,

10 releases        Man O War with Captain Marc Ellis,

9 releases         Prize Fighter with Captain Chris Daly,

8 releases         Stella 1 with Captain Mike Nichols,

6 releases         Deceiver with Captain Greg Poland,

4 releases         Evelyn C with Captain Angelo Durante,

3 releases         Finish Line with Captain John Hagen,

0 releases         High Hook with Captain Fred Ferriera,

The tournament has a superior group of championship sponsors that make the event possible:  The Outdoor Channel, Kenwood Wine, Kershaw knives, Surefire and the Islamorada Charter Boat Association. Local community individuals also stepped forward to help with the event.

Special thanks were extended by tournament director, Sue Vermillion, to Dianne Harbaugh, Lola Ching, Jeanine Hewlett, Michael James, Cal Sutphin, Bill Kelly, Whale Harbor Marina, Bud n Mary’s Marina, Holiday Isle Marina, World Wide Sportsman and the Islander Resort.

The third annual Outdoor Channel Offshore Classic is planned for January 15-17, 2007. Additional information can be obtained by visiting the official tournament website at www.igfatournaments.com or at www.outdoorchannel.com.

For more information contact: Sue Vermillion, Tournament Director, 808-936-2083;

Email:  hdc@aloha.net.