Florida Keys Anglers Win Marathon Premier Sailfish Tournament

Captain James “Bucko” Platt of Marathon led team No Slack to first place in the third annual Marathon Premier Sailfish Tournament that ended April 20.

The No Slack team, all from Marathon, released four sailfish during the contest’s two days of fishing to earn winners’ trophies. The tournament is a fundraiser for Mission Fishin’, a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding marine adventures for kids with special needs and their families.

Captain Platt’s 7-year-old son, James Platt III, caught and released the first sailfish of the tournament and earned the title of top junior angler.

No Slack angler Melissa Bennett released two sailfish while mate and angler Ely Hernandez released one, bringing the team’s total to four and securing the win based on time.

Team Yeti or Not, captained by Marathon’s Jared Dieguez, returned to the dock in second place with four releases. Team members were Jonathan Sanchez, Tony Palm, Luca Picariello and mate Tod Picariello, all from Marathon; and Caden Hudson and Kevin Reid, both from Naples, Florida.

Two of Yeti or Not’s four releases were caught by Sanchez, earning him the top male angler award.

Third-place team Memory Maker ended the tournament with three releases. Teammates included Captain Jon Henry, mate Casey Yaworsky and angler Christina Henry — all from Marathon — with Florida anglers Sean Marrero of Key Largo and Alissa Keiler of Fort Lauderdale.

Keiler scored all three of Memory Maker’s sailfish releases to garner the top lady angler award.

The tournament drew 75 registered anglers on 16 boats. Collectively, they released a total of 27 sailfish.

Next year’s tournament is set for April 24-26, 2025, according to organizers.

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