PFTS #2 – The Mystery Lure

On Saturday, October 23rd, 43 anglers showed up to compete in the second event of the PFTS. The format for this event is “The Mystery Lure”. In this format, the PFTS organizers choose the lures and hand them out on the morning of the event. Anglers show up with no idea what they will be using that day.

The winners in the Slam Division are:

Mark Belotte (CooknFish) took 1st Place with a 69.5″ slam. He won $215 and a Polar Bear Cooler

Phinla Sinphay (Noles) got 2nd Place with a 61″ slam. He took home $129 and a Wang Anchor

Steve manning (Manning) captured 3rd place 59.25″ slam. He took home $86 and a Finatic Designs print

In the largest Trout division, the winners were:

John Ward (Vercetti) in first place with a 21.25″ trout got a $25 Gift Certificate from Masthead Sailing Gear

(l-r) Todd, Vercetti and Paul Silvernail, owner of Masthead.

John Lee (JKL) in 2nd with a 20″ trout got a hat from Hook1

Check Statham (Teamshaft1) got 3rd with a 19.5″ trout and took home a light from Custom Safety Light

In the largest Redfish Division, the winners were:

Peter Poletti (Mako) got 1st with a 25.5″ redfish

Mark Couch (Saltwater Cowboy) got 2nd with a 25.25″ redfish

Dave (Bigfish171) caught 3rd with a 24.25 inch redfish and took home the Perpetual Jug Trophy!

In the largest Snook division, the winners were:

JoseC took first with a 16.75″ snook

MarkM got 2nd with a 16.5″ snook

Bob (Dunfly) took 3rd with a 16.5″ redfish

This year we gave the anglers an excellent assortment of lures from various manufacturers. In the bag were:

4.25 inch HighRoller from High Roller Lures

Two bucktail jigs from Anglers-Ammo

Jig heads from Slayer, Inc.

A spoon from Aqua Dream

Assorted plastic tails from Bass Assassin

Anglers began arriving at the sign in at 6 a.m. eager to get their lures and start fishing

Though a bit windier than we expected, it was a beautiful, sunny day with a lot of water movement during the fishing day. Several of us launched from the Weedon Island Park launch.

The Weedon Island Park launch at sunrise
After launching we are greeted byt the start of a beautiful day
Mike (Pembrokayak) found 3 reds from this hole
Dave (Bigfish171) trying to upgrade his redfish
Gary searching…..
Steve (Tide1on) searcing….
Mark (MarkM) with a red on the line.
At Harvey’s 4th Street Grill in St. Pete awaiting the results
At Harvey’s 4th Street Grill in St. Pete awaiting the results
At Harvey’s 4th Street Grill in St. Pete awaiting the results
At Harvey’s 4th Street Grill in St. Pete awaiting the results
Mark and Todd – judging is serious business!