Florida Anglers Earn Sugarloaf Showdown Win in Lower Keys

SUGARLOAF KEY, Florida Keys — Guide Chad Huff of Marathon, Florida, and angler Zach Huff of Fort Myers, Florida, earned 1,600 points and the spin division grand championship in the Sugarloaf Showdown that ended Nov. 16 in the Lower Florida Keys. 

The father-and-son duo released six barracuda, three bonefish and two permit during the tournament’s two fishing days. 

In the fly division, guide Drue Eymann and angler Matt Atkinson, both of Key West, Florida, Florida, released five bonefish and a barracuda to earn 600 points and the divisional victory. 

The youth division grand championship was handily won by guide Will Benson and his daughter Alice Benson. Both from Sugarloaf Key, they released a barracuda, a bonefish and a permit to amass 550 points. 

The father and daughter also teamed with Key West angler Gannon Dudlar to earn the second runner-up title in the spin division. Dudlar added two barracuda to the team’s tally, bringing the team point total to 750 points. 

The first runner-up team in the spin division consisted of guide Jared Brierley of Big Pine Key, Florida, and angler Clay Wagner of Summerland Key, Florida. The duo released two barracuda, two bonefish and one permit, ending the tournament with 750 points but placing ahead of the Benson/Dudlar team based on the time of the final catch. 

The first runner-up team in the fly division consisted of guide Justin Rea of Sugarloaf Key, Florida, and angler Tyler McKay of Key West. The duo released three barracuda and three bonefish, earning 600 points and placing behind the divisional winners based on time.  

Guide Nicholas Calabro and angler Rob Kaufman, both Key West residents, took second runner-up honors in the fly division. The duo released three barracuda and two bonefish for a total of 500 points.

Presented by the Lower Keys Guides Association, the challenge drew 72 registered participants on 31 boats. It raises funds for the Florida Keys Guides Trust Foundation, which benefits inshore fishing guides, their communities and the Keys’ fishery.