16 November 2016
SUGARLOAF KEY, Florida Keys — Six permit, three bonefish and three barracuda releases were the winning combination for the team of Captain Kyle Giampaoli of Naples, Florida, and Sugarloaf Key’s Justin Rea at the recent Sugarloaf Showdown.
The duo took first-place team honors at the tournament that ended Nov. 12 in the Lower Florida Keys.
“Catching all three species was a challenge, so that was our focus — we always had an extra rod ready for whatever we might see,” said Rea, who added that he and Giampaoli tried to fly fish as much as possible to maximize their point total.
Giampaoli said he and Rea started guiding together many years ago in California, and spoke philosophically about their winning releases.
“For the most part, you just take what you can every time you’re out there,” he said. “We just caught the fish that we could.”
The second-place team consisted of Will Benson and Zach Drazner, both of Key West, Florida, who ended the showdown’s two fishing days with five barracuda, three permit and three bonefish releases.
The third-place award went to Luke Kelly and Bo Carter, both of Key West. The teammates released two barracuda, two permit and a bonefish.
The tournament drew 37 participants on 16 boats. Presented by the Lower Keys Guides Association, the challenge was a fundraiser for the Guides Trust Foundation, which provides funds to assist fishing guides who are recovering from an illness or injury.
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The duo took first-place team honors at the tournament that ended Nov. 12 in the Lower Florida Keys.
“Catching all three species was a challenge, so that was our focus — we always had an extra rod ready for whatever we might see,” said Rea, who added that he and Giampaoli tried to fly fish as much as possible to maximize their point total.
Giampaoli said he and Rea started guiding together many years ago in California, and spoke philosophically about their winning releases.
“For the most part, you just take what you can every time you’re out there,” he said. “We just caught the fish that we could.”
The second-place team consisted of Will Benson and Zach Drazner, both of Key West, Florida, who ended the showdown’s two fishing days with five barracuda, three permit and three bonefish releases.
The third-place award went to Luke Kelly and Bo Carter, both of Key West. The teammates released two barracuda, two permit and a bonefish.
The tournament drew 37 participants on 16 boats. Presented by the Lower Keys Guides Association, the challenge was a fundraiser for the Guides Trust Foundation, which provides funds to assist fishing guides who are recovering from an illness or injury.
Social: Facebook · Twitter · Instagram · Youtube · Keys Voices
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