Team High Stakes Wins Inaugural Key West Sailfish Tournament
KEY WEST, Florida Keys — Four sailfish releases earned the High Stakes team, skippered by Captain Jason Jonas of Key West, first place and a $56,370 prize at the inaugural Key West Sailfish Tournament that ended Saturday, April 13.
High Stakes anglers Jeff Feret of New Alexandria, Pennsylvania, and Key West’s Don Jonas, the captain’s father, each released two sailfish to secure the win. Other teammates were David Canobbio of Export, Pennsylvania, and Key West residents Matt Bronson and Sean Caggiano.
“We were off of Pelican Shoal for the first two, and the second two we were by the main ship channel,” said Don Jonas of the releases.
The team’s strategy, he said, included checking out the ocean, color of the water and where sails had been biting recently.
Team Reel Wheels, with Captain Clayton Baker of Coral Springs, Florida, at the helm, ended the tournament in second place with three sailfish. Team member Reece Kramer of Pompano Beach, Florida, released all three and earned the title of top male angler.
The Reel Wheels team also included Florida anglers Mark Ransford of Boca Raton, Mike Perez of Pompano Beach, and Erica Contreas and Dan Baron of Pompano Beach.
Double Down, with Captain Shawn Thomas of Key West, placed third with two sailfish releases. While several other teams also scored two releases, Double Down tallied its second fish before the competing teams did, earning the third-place title based on time.
Double Down anglers, all from Key West, were Tara and Dale Darmante, Shannon and James Killeen, Pavel Puta and Jameson Henley. Tara Darmante, who released the team’s first sail early on the initial fishing day, was named the tournament’s top lady angler.
Awards also were presented for the event’s heaviest catches in three species. Taylor Santoiemma of Deale, Maryland, caught the heaviest tuna at 30.02 pounds, while fishing on Tippzee.
Christo Christakis of Pompano Beach caught the heaviest kingfish at 11.02 pounds while fishing on Flight Plan. Flight Plan teammate Jordan Eddington of Deerfield Beach, Florida, scored the heaviest wahoo at 18.43 pounds.
Tournament organizer Brice Barr said the event drew 75 registered anglers who fished on 12 boats and collectively released 19 sailfish.
