Team Natural II Wins Key West Realtors Charity Fishing Tournament

KEY WEST, Florida Keys - Team Natural II scored a 22.06-pound dolphin fish to take first place in the Key West Association of Realtors Charity Fishing Tournament that ended July 1.

Gilbert Rivera of Immokalee, Florida, caught the fish that earned the team its victory along with $7,500 cash and prizes. Led by Captain Reese Lewis of Little Torch Key, Florida, the team also consisted of the captain's nephew Devon Hannah of Marathon, Florida; and the captain's sons Karel Lewis, RJ Lewis and Joshua Lewis - all of Little Torch Key.

Reese Lewis said the tournament's fishing day was nearly over when they sight-casted the dolphin that put them in first place.

"The last 24 minutes, we hooked the winning fish," he said, citing the late time of the catch as a motivational lesson for the young anglers on his family team. "I tell all the kids 'don't give up'."

In addition to the team victory, the Natural II's Joshua Lewis, 16, earned the title of top junior angler for bringing in a dolphin fish that weighed 6.32 pounds. It was his second junior angler win in a week, since he also took the title in the Florida Keys PBA Dolphin Tournament that ended June 25.

Reese Lewis also noted that the Natural II family team won the Marathon Bull and Cow Dolphin Tournament in early May.

"I don't have to teach them anymore; they've learned so much," said the captain of his sons and nephew after the Key West Association of Realtors triumph.

Second place in the tournament's adult division went to the Expert Realty team led by Captain Justyn Ewald of Big Coppitt Key, Florida, for an 18.93-pound dolphin. Winning $3,000 and prizes were team members Coby Taylor of Big Pine Key, Florida, and Marathon anglers Andrew Hunt and Tracy Wollschlager.

The Chase Me team, under the direction of Captain Jason Johnson of Cudjoe Key, Florida, took third-place honors for a dolphin fish weighing 8.99 pounds. It was caught by the captain's 13-year-old son Chase Johnson, also of Cudjoe Key.

Kathy Westlund of Summerland Key, Florida, was named top female angler for catching a 7.7-pound dolphin. Westlund fished on DaViking captained by her husband, Summerland Key's Roger Westlund.

The tournament's largest tuna was caught by Alexis Guevremont of Key West, Florida. Guevremont boated the 15.79-pounder while fishing with the Danco/BHHS team led by Captain Justin Annarino of Big Coppitt Key.

According to event organizers, the tournament drew 74 participants fishing on 17 boats. Proceeds benefit Fair Insurance Rates in Monroe, also called FIRM, a nonprofit organization that works toward equitable and affordable property insurance for homeowners and business owners in the Florida Keys' Monroe County.

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