|
Florida Keys
|  |
(Jun. 25, 2008)... Kristen Saenger of Tavernier, Fla., won the 15th annual Original Florida Keys Ladies Dolphin Tournament by catching a 45.55-pound dolphin with bait she called a "naked ballyhoo." She fished with Captain Raymond Baiz of Tavernier aboard the Gold Digger, catching her winning fish while trolling about 30 miles off Islamorada, Fla.
Saenger’s prize included $2,500, a gold pendant and a coveted custom-embroidered white satin jacket bearing the tournament logo that traditionally goes to first-place winners.
"It all came to reality when I saw my name in the number-one spot," Saenger said. "I’ve never won anything in my life."
Kristin Tong of Islamorada took second place with a 39.30-pound dolphin she caught while fishing on the Predator with Auggie Wampler of Islamorada.
Tong narrowly edged out Yvonne Black of Tavernier, who came in third with a 39.05-pound dolphin. Black fought her dolphin for 42 minutes coached by her son Richard Black, who served as her captain on his boat Black Gold while home on vacation from college.
"He was so incredibly calm," said Yvonne Black. "He kept saying, ’You’re doing so great -- keep the tension, mom’."
The tournament was the first Saenger and Black ever fished.
The junior angler award went to 13-year-old Brenna McGee of Davie, Fla., for a 7.5-pound dolphin. She caught it fishing with her father, John McGee, aboard his boat Pile ’em In.
The tournament attracted 75 participants. |
|
|
