The 10th annual Dream Fields Spanish Mackerel Fishing Tournament on August 18 hosted 58 boats vying for almost $6,000 in prize money on the Chesapeake Bay.
“The tournament is a fundraiser that directly benefits the Dream Fields baseball and softball complex on Irvington Road,” said co-director Mia Loser.
The overall winner is determined by the total aggregate weight of up to four Spanish mackerel. Lady, junior and special angler divisions are determined by weight of a single fish. Although the weather was quite rough in the morning, the waters calmed in the afternoon.
“Reports of fishing in the morning were a little slow, but as the weather improved, so did the bite. By the time boats rolled into the weigh station at Chesapeake Boat Basin, it was a beautiful afternoon,” said director Mike Loser.
An awards ceremony following the tournament was held at Dream Fields and featured a catered dinner by Willaby’s.
Greg Jones captained Dare Me and was declared the overall tournament winner with a total catch of 10.1 pounds. This was the highest total weight in the history of the tournament, said Mike Loser.
Other in the top five were Carlie Woodard, 9 pounds; Kevin Wilkins, 8.9 pounds; Ryan Conway, 8.9 pounds; and Tommy Watson, 8.73 pounds.
Placing first in the lady angler division, Gayle Bondurant aboard the Lil Bill weighed in a 2.80-pound fish. Diana Smith followed with 2.58 pounds; and Heather Boden, 2.39 pounds.
The special angler title went to Jeff Cogswell aboard Liquid Assets II, with a fish weighing in at 3.11 pounds. Travis Smith posted a 1.63-pound catch.
However, the biggest fish of the day was the highlight of the tournament, said Mike Loser. Eleven-year-old Alayna Holcomb had everyone talking. Aboard her grandfather’s boat, Roll With It, she won the junior angler division with a Spanish mackerel tipping the scales at 6.09 pounds.
Dallas Walker was the junior angler runner up with 2.24 pounds; and Rylee Buck placed third, 2.39 pounds.
Many sponsors and a wonderfully supportive community made this event a great success again, said Mike Loser.
“A great example of this, is Kevin Wilkins’ team, Kevin’s Lawn Care, placed third and donated his $750 winnings back to Dream Fields,” said tournament consultant Kathy Pittman.
The tournament committee thanked all captains, anglers, volunteers and major sponsors, Chesapeake Boat Basin, Tri-Star Supermarket, Chesapeake Tree Service, Docks of the Bay, First Strike Sport Fishing, Hanley Electrical, Hudson Blunt Insurance, Noblett Appliance and NWP Energy.
