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Captain Jeremy Bonnell and his family on the Bandit continued the Class of 23’ dominance in Clearwater, landing a 45.80 to knock Sumorada down one notch to second place. After Caliente’s record 54.97-pounder here last year, these Class boats are setting a trend that belies the weather conditions faced both last year and this April 7th through 9th. With winds exceeding 20 mph and seas easily reaching five to six feet on Saturday, even the teams on 36-footers looked worn coming to the docks. But with checkout half over on day one a 23’ Yamaha powered Bluewater trolled up, the crew all beaming full smiles. They knew they had a serious contender. At the scale the big girl would go 45.80 pounds, and would not be threatened for the remainder of the Boater’s World Tournament of Champions, earning the Bonnell family their first tournament win.

“We made about a 25-mile run to our spot,” reported Captain Bonnell, who was joined by brothers Matthew and Christopher and father Vernon. After already losing one good fish, the team was a little disheartened and the seas were kicking up as the time drew near one o’clock. Then a small white bait on a short line was nailed and the fight was on! Chris grabbed the rod and unknowingly began what would be a fight for a $40,000 fish. After losing his first fish, the pressure was on for Chris to get that king to the boat, and wouldn’t you know it, that’s when another reel started screaming. Chris stepped up and got their first king close enough for Jeremy to put the old meat stick to her, and the Bonnells turned their attention to the second fish. “The second one turned out to be about 40 pounds, we picked him up for a picture and just released him,” smiled Jeremy. You know you’re having a great day on the water when you’re throwing 40-pounders back. After sizing up the leaderboard and realizing just how great of a day they had, the Bonnells decided to rest on their laurels during Sunday’s fishing and it paid off. On Sunday Bondsman / Jaws Too’s 35-pounder would prove to be the big king of the day, and Bandit was named Champion of the Boater’s World Tournament of Champions. At the awards ceremony Captain Bonnell and his family were presented the title and keys to their brand new 21’ Contender complete with Yamaha 200 outboard and Loadmaster trailer.

With a commanding lead in the Class of 23’ you know this St. Petersburg team is thinking hard about Division 6’s next tournament in Clearwater. “I’m thinking we’ll go back to the same place because nobody knows about it,” grinned Captain Bonnell. If the fish stay put look for Bandit to be scoring another big king at the Clearwater Rotary’s KMT.

Captain Eric Beers headed his 31’ Mercury powered Fountain, the Sumorada, to a spot where some of the big ones from last year were caught, in the ditch near buoys 9 and 10. While the team hadn’t pre-fished, they had done their homework with Roffers Forecasting Service and had noticed a point where three temperature breaks intersected right in that area. “That was the only thing that made us go there,” reported Beers, who was understandably happy with the decision. “We got a mid-20’s right off the bat, and about a half hour later we were checking lines for grass when a fish hit a bait and let go. So I put it in neutral and Al Davis started free spooling it and waited a couple of minutes. Then I hit it in gear again and the king hit,” reported Beers. “On the first run she took a good 300 yards of line, and she wouldn’t leave from between the two buoys. We were afraid she was going to get wrapped up,” he continued. But the team kept the boat between the buoys and the fish in an effort to herd her away from the lines, and it worked. After a 30-minute fight the Sumorada crew got their big girl over the side and realized just how close it had been. “There was only one barb stuck in the fish when we gaffed her,” said Davis, “if she had made another run we would have lost her for sure.” Maybe it was the close call, but either way the team decided to play it safe and headed straight in. Reaching the scales at 9:30 it was a long wait to weigh-in, but well worth it as the 43.71-pound king would prove to be worth second place honors and a check for $4,800 for this St. Petersburg Beach team.

Captain Chad Bixler and the Sea Dog crew had a plan for dealing with the rough seas: they made a four-mile run. “We were anchored up, and in close it wasn’t too bad,” reported Bixler. After pre-fishing of Friday, Captain Chad and Karen Bixler, Greg Shipley and Paul Cornell took the 33’ Yamaha powered Hydra-Sports boat on that short trip and were ballooning bait in 21 feet of water. “We had a 25-pound king sky on a trout about six feet from the boat. We got him in the boat and got back on anchor, and that’s when we got our big fish,” reported Bixler. A blue runner on a balloon was snatched at noon, and Paul Cornell took up the fight. “We were around a couple crab traps, just to make it exciting,” he continued. But Cornell got the king to the boat in a quick 15 minutes, and Shipley put the gaff to her. The team stuck it out for the rest of the day, but could not top that second king. At Coachman Park their fish would tip the scales at 39.48 pounds, and would not be threatened for the rest of the tournament. In addition to the third place $4,000 award, Karen Bixler was awarded a Raymarine DS500x and Boater’s World gift certificates for earning Top Lady Angler honors. Watch out for this Redington Beach team at the Nationals, they’re foregoing the second Division 6 tournament in order to concentrate their energies on the big show, so you know they’re hungry.

Captain Tom Teffenhart and the Bad Habit crew were another team that found a good Saturday king. Fishing a 32’ Mercury powered Fountain, Teffenhart pulled in a 35.80-pound smoker that sat in fourth place at the end of Saturday’s fishing and could not be contested on Sunday. The Bad Habit earned a check for $3,600, but it was anything but an easy payday. “We were fishing off the beach of Sarasota because we had lost our electronics to a wave pre-fishing on Friday,” explained Teffenhart. In addition, a piece of plastic had gotten into the livewell system, killing all the bait collected that day. “Luckily, Mark from Economy Tackle was nice enough to give me two dozen bait, or we wouldn’t have had any bait to fish.” In spite of all the adversity, at 3:30 on Saturday Teffenhart found himself fighting a 35-pounder with the clock ticking. “We hooked the fish, he did his initial run, and he turned and came back toward the boat. He was on the surface while he was passing by the boat and my gaff guy just nailed him. I didn’t even know he had gaffed the fish!” After so many obstacles, it’s great when something goes that smoothly, but the challenge wasn’t over. With no electronics, the team didn’t know how far they had to go to the scales, and ran wide open, reaching the bridge with five minutes to spare. “We wouldn’t have made it if it wasn’t for that Fountain,” he grinned. Teffenhart will be fishing the Clearwater Rotary event next and also took fourth in his hometown of Sarasota, FL, last year, so watch for them to make a strong showing at the Division 11 finale.

After landing the dreaded goose egg on Saturday, Captain Dave Mistretta and the Bondsman / Jaws Too team of Rob Somers, Dave Bayes, Andrew Myers and Rhonda Johnson knew they had to dig deep and find that big king. “Since it was such a big tournament we opted to fish for big fish, knowing that we would only get a few bites. But if we got one, it would put us in the money. We were going for that boat, motor and trailer, that was our goal,” said Captain Mistretta. While they didn’t get the Contender, the plan paid off, nailing the biggest king of Sunday. Trolling their 35’ Mercury powered Triton a few miles off the beach to the north and south of Clearwater, the team had just two bites, but two giant fish. “We let our new angler, Rhonda, grab the first rod. She caught the biggest kingfish she’s ever caught in her life, and it was a money fish for us, so it was great,” smiled Mistretta. Captain Dave put the gaff to her and the smoker was in the bag. “We fished right to the very end, looking for that bigger fish to win the whole thing. Right at the very end the rod started screaming and we ended up catching an identical fish. We had to scale the pair to figure out which was bigger.” Mistretta’s plan to target big kings paid off in a big way, earning Bondsman / Jaws Too fifth place honors and a $3,000 check. Division 6 anglers already know to keep their eye on this team, but everyone should be wary of Mistretta and company come Nationals, they’ve already won one boat in Ft. Pierce.

Captain Bryan Wallace and the Desperado had a great day one fifth place 35.17-pounder, but were knocked down one spot by Mistretta and crew. Captain Bryan, Angie and Scott Wallace and Mark Murdock fish a 34’ Mercury powered Fountain out of Desperado, FL. Seventh place fell to Captain Pete, Andy and Dean Tsourakis on the Four Mary’s with a 35.09. This Wesley Chapel, FL team is red-hot this season, watch for the 34’ Mercury powered Yellowfin come Nationals. Captain Michael Luz and the Reel Knotty crew of James, Randy and Tanner Zellmer and Zach Luz fish a 27’ Yamaha powered Polar out of Seminole, FL. The team took eighth place and Top Junior Angler honors for Zach and Tanner with a 33.65-pounder. Hailing from Seminole, FL, PromarineUSA.com / Hannon’s Cannon is up next with a 32.40-pound mackerel. Captain Kevin Hannon, Steve Rowley, Joel Zalud and John Zalud, Jr. were fishing a 34’ Yellowfin powered by Mercury, Yamaha and Evinrude motors. Never Satisfied rounds out the top ten with a 32.06-pounder, earning Captain Timothy Wooten Top Senior Angler honors. Captain Wooten, Doug Clark, and Doug Boling fish a 35’ Yamaha powered Contender out of Largo, FL.

Captain Mike Irwin’s Contagious took 11th place on the strength of a 32.06-pound mack, while Captain Jack Penny’s Penny Wise took 12th and third place Junior Angler honors for Steve Dellane with a 29.70. The 13th spot went to Captain Debbie Crisp’s 29.56 on the Hook ‘er, while Team Alehouse’s Captain Brad Fuller reeled in a 28.70 for 14th. Rounding out the top 15 is the Blue Runner On Top, Captain A.J. McLauchlin’s boat, with a 28.04.

The Mother Ocean treated Captain Buddy Bradham well, bringing him to the dock with a 27.60-pounder for 16th place. Justin Smith took over Captaining duties aboard the Comfortably Numb to the tune of a 26.65-pound 17th place finish, while Captain Richard Fabrizzi’s PromarineUSA.com / Wise Guy hooked a 26.54 for 18th place. The Dirty Laundry landed a 26.10 for 19th, narrowly blocking the SKA sweep of the money places. You can’t win them all. Finally the Knot Guilty rounds out the top 20 with Captain Alcides Miranda weighing a 25.98.

In the Class of 23’ Captain Keith Thomas earned top position with a 35.09-pound king. Fishing his “overgrown flats boat,” a 20’ Yamaha powered Polar, Thomas and crew headed north out of John’s Pass and made a short trip. “The boat broke first thing in the morning, we headed north at about eight miles per hour,” grimaced Thomas. “We thought we were done, we just got lucky, that’s all.” The team managed two fish during the day, their 35.09-pounder coming at 10:30 on a goggle eye on the long line. Keith grabbed the rod and began what would develop into a 40-minute fight. Playing it safe and leaving by noon to allow plenty of time to get back to the docks, the team was anchored up and waiting for the scales before two o’clock. Day two continued to make things “interesting” for the team as they were confounded by a lack of bait and couldn’t find a king. However, their 35-pounder could not be challenged in the Class, and this St. Petersburg team goes down in the books as the Boater’s World Tournament of Champions Class of 23’ Champion, winning $1,800.

Captain Bill and Bobbi Rew and Chase and Bryant Carter were another one of the chosen few teams who landed a Sunday money fish. Fishing on The Rew Crew II, a 21’ Yamaha powered Carolina Skiff out of Jacksonville, the team had had a rough time of it on Saturday. “We had a fish on but we lost it, we think he got cut off on a crab trap. We’re not used to that fishing the Atlantic,” said Bobby. On Sunday, fishing nine miles west of Coachman’s Park, the team got a late bite at 2:45 when a ribbon on the downrigger set at 34 feet was taken. Bill grabbed the rod while Bobbi navigated the Carolina Skiff and Chase and Bryant cleared lines. “It was really a combination of all of us,” clarified Bobbi. The team has a system worked out where the boys grab the wheel while Bobbi gets the gaff, then Bill and Bobbi switch positions and Bill brings the kings over the side. The system obviously works well, this team won the huge annual Greater Jacksonville tournament last year. With no time left the team hammered down and headed for the scale. A solid 30.08-pounder would earn The Rew Crew II second place in the Class, second place Junior Angler honors for Chase and Bryant Carter, and a check for $900, dropping Tampa Bay Angler.com down to third. Division 6 anglers should be wary, after their success at this tournament Rew and his crew might come back and try their luck at the Clearwater Rotary event.

After landing a 26.86 on Saturday, Captain Lynn Zirkle on the Tampa Bay Angler.com, a 23’ Mercury powered Triton, went out Sunday knowing he needed to add ten pounds to that fish, but it was not to be. Captain Zirkle, L.J. Smith, Mike Muar and Todd Ferguson earned third place Class honors and a check for $600 to take home to St. Petersburg. Wrapping up the money fish is Captain Ron Heideman’s Fair Warning, a 23’ Evinrude powered Hydra-Sports boat. Captain Heideman hails from Largo, FL, and was joined in the victory by D.J. Ward and Tom Bruno.

With Division 6’s tournaments all falling within a two-month period, this should be an especially exciting season for Gulf Coast Florida anglers. Teams were especially tight-lipped concerning fishing spots, understandably so with another Clearwater tournament only one week away. Plus, with Sarasota ending Division 11 in May, the West Coast is going to be a hotbed of kingfishing action for the next six weeks. Keep reading as these Gulf Coast teams kick Division 6 into overdrive and finish up Division 11 in May.

Clearwater Final Standings

1. BANDIT ..... 45.80
Bluewater/Yamaha
Jeremy Bonnell
Matthew Bonnell
Christopher Bonnell
Vernon Bonnell

2. SUMORADA ..... 43.71
Fountain/Mercury
Eric E. Beers
Al Davis

3. TEAM SEA DOG ..... 39.48
Hydra-Sports/Yamaha
Chad Bixler
Karen Bixler
Greg Shipley
Paul Cornell

4. BAD HABIT ..... 35.80
Fountain/Mercury
Tom Teffenhart

5. BONDSMAN/JAWS TOO ..... 35.62
Triton/Mercury
Dave Mistretta
Rob Somers
Dave Bayes
Andrew Myers
Rhonda Johnson

6. DESPERADO ..... 35.17
Yellowfin/Mercury
Bryan Wallace
Angie Wallace
Scott Wallace
Mark Murdock

7. FOUR MARY’S ..... 35.09
Fountain/Mercury
C. Pete Tsourakis
Andy Tsourakis
Dean Tsourakis

8. REEL KNOTTY ..... 33.65
Polar/Yamaha
Michael Luz
James Zellmer
Randy Zellmer
Zach Luz
Tanner Zellmer

9. PROMARINEUSA.COM/HANNON’S CANNON ..... 32.40
Yellowfin/Mercury, Yamaha, Evinrude
Kevin Hannon
Steve Rowley
Joel Zalud
John Zalud, Jr.

10. NEVER SATISFIED ..... 32.06
Contender/Yamaha
Timothy Wooten
Doug Clark
Doug Boling

11. CONTAGIOUS ..... 31.14
Crusader/Cummins
Mike Irwin
Bennie Irwin
Mike Murphy

12. PENNY WISE ..... 29.70
Contender/Yamaha
Jack Penny
Ken Dellane
Fred Dellane
Mike Penny
Steve Dellane

13. HOOK ‘ER ..... 29.56
Calcutta/Yamaha
Debbie Crisp

14. TEAM ALEHOUSE ..... 28.07
World Cat/Yamaha
Brad Fuller
Roy Fullgrapp
Dan Grey
Ralph Fullgrapp

15. BLUE RUNNER ON TOP ..... 28.04
Yellowfin/Mercury
A.J. McLauchlin III
Frank Quinto
A.J. McLauchlin IV
Kevin Reardon
Kerry Reardon

16. MOTHER OCEAN ..... 27.60
Wellcraft/Mercury
Buddy Bradham
Missy Bradham
Karen Wotring
Rod Westenbroek
Gary Osborn

17. COMFORTABLY NUMB ..... 26.65
Yellowfin/Suzuki
Justin Smith
Eric Smith
Becky Smith
Jake Smith

18. PROMARINEUSA.COM/WISE GUY ..... 26.54
Fountain/Mercury
Richard Fabrizzi
Brian Brandano

19. DIRTY LAUNDRY ..... 26.10

20. KNOT GUILTY ..... 25.98
Contender/Yamaha
Alcides Miranda
Chris Rubio
Rhett Dixon
Jack Hehenberger
Kyle Hehenberger


Class of 23’

1. YELLOWBIRD ..... 35.09
Polar/Yamaha
Keith Thomas

2. THE REW CREW II ..... 30.08
Carolina Skiff/Yamaha
Bill Rew
Bobbi Rew
Chase Carter
Bryant Carter

3. TAMPA BAY ANGLER.COM ..... 26.86
Triton/Mercury
Lynn Zirkle
L.J. Smith
Mike Muar
Todd Ferguson

4. FAIR WARNING ..... 25.70
Hydra-Sports/Evinrude
Ron Heideman
D.J. Ward
Tom Bruno

Top Lady Angler
Karen Bixler ................................... Team Sea Dog

Top Junior Anglers
Sponsored by Johnston Jewelers

1st Zach Luz & Tanner Zellmer ......... Reel Knotty
2nd Chase & Bryant Carter .............. The Rew Crew II
3rd Steve Dellane ........................... Penny Wise

Top Senior Angler
Timothy Wooten .............................. Never Satisfied