The annual awards banquet of the Peninsula Salt Water Sport Fisherman’s Association was held on February 24. Many awards were presented to celebrate the 2011 fishing year.
The most prestigious award presented each year is the George C. Robertson Memorial Trophy. Originally called the “Fisherman of the Year” Award, it is presented to the individual that has done the most in service for recreational fishing. This year’s winner is Frank Kearney. Frank is a long-term officer of the PSWSFA and of the Coastal Conservation Association of Virginia. You will find Frank in Newport News at meetings of the Virginia Marine Resource Commission and in Richmond speaking with Virginia’s General Assembly, championing the causes of recreational anglers. Frank volunteers each year for the Children’s Free Fishing Clinic held on the James River Fishing Pier and for every event that the PSWSFA participates in. Thank you Frank Kearney for your service for recreational anglers.
Outstanding Contribution Awards were presented to two individuals for their volunteer work. One was Richie Moore of the York County Sherriff’s Department. The other was Rick Wineman.
The top “fishing” honor is the Angler of the Year Award. The winner for the 2011 fishing Year is Rick Wineman. Rick won the award for his many catches of trophy-sized fish of multiple species.
Fish of the Year was won by Wes Blow for his 144 inch, 6-gill blunt nose shark that he caught and released at the Norfolk Canyon.
Critter of the Year was presented to Deven Simmerman for his catch of a web burrfish.
The Dr. Boatwright Rockfish Trophy was won by Tabb Bridges for his 52-inch striped bass.
Throughout the year, the PSWSFA holds a number of tournaments. The Wilcox Bait and Tackle Triple Threat was won by Wes Blow with a 148.75 inch combined length of his red drum, black drum, and cobia. The Youth Flounder was won by Hayden Head with an 8 pound doormat. Youth Croaker was won by Jackson Stratton with a 1lb 5oz fish. Ladies Flounder was won by Angie Rinck with a 7lb 8oz flounder. Ladies Croaker was won by Kay Uhler with a 1lb 3oz fish. The Grafton Fishing Supply Spot Tournament was won by Steve Martin with a .74 pound spot. The Don Forman Cobia Tournament sponsored by Bishops Fishing Supply was won by Wes Blow with a 46lb 2oz fish. The Bishops Fishing Supply Rockfish Tournament was won by Rick Wineman with a 49 pound striped bass.
Young anglers receive special recognition at the PSWSFA. These individuals received a variety of Youth Awards: Hayden Head, Deven Simmerman, Jackson Stratton, Baylor Rinck, Caroline Bingham, Johnathan Bingham, Spencer Elford, Madeline Hatok, Lexi Sava, and Adelle Hudgins.
Annual Species Winners:
Amberjack: Rick Wineman: 53”
Blackbelly Rosefish: Rick Wineman: 16.5”
Black Drum: Hayden Head: 48”
Blackfin Tuna: Rick Wineman: 25”
Bluefin Tuna: Jody Linthicum: 68”
Bluefish: Jody Linthicum: 42.75”
Blueline Tilefish: Steve Martin: 32”
Channel Bass: Jody Linthicum: 52.5”
Cobia: Hayden Head: 56”
Croaker: Dawn Carper: 18.5”
Dolphin: Rick Wineman: 54.5”
False Albacore: John Hunt, Sr.: 32”
Flounder: Ken Neill, III: 30”
Golden Tilefish: Steve Martin: 40”
Sailfish: Milton Hudgins: 78”
Sea Bass: Deven Simmerman: 24”
Shark: Wes Blow: 144”
Snapper: Barclay Sheppard: 15”
Spanish Mackerel: Rick Wineman: 20”
Speckled Trout: Hunter Southall: 34.5”
Spot: Darlene Hunt: 11”
Striped Bass: Tabb Bridges: 52”
Swordfish: Ken Neill, III: 60”
Tautog: David Agee: 25.5”
Triggerfish: Barclay Shepard: 20”
Wahoo: Dylan Moore: 49”
White Marlin: Deven Simmerman: 90”
Whiting: Rick Wineman: 15.5”
Yellowfin Tuna: Rick Wineman: 49.5”
Many other awards were presented, a lot of food was eaten, and multiple prizes, donated by the sponsors, were won.
The PSWSFA Awards Banquet was sponsored by: George Poveromo, Guy Harvey, Fishing Tidewater (Don Lancaster), Sport Fishing Magazine (Doug Olander), J Henry Holland, Multi-Print Inc., Yorktown Transmissions, 1st Advantage Credit Union, The Pizza Shop, Grafton Fishing Supply & Seafood, Appomattox River Co., Cactus Restaurant, Mountain Breeze Taxidermy, Olivia’s Restaurant, Bishops Bait and Tackle, Wilcox Bait and Tackle, Newport Marine, West Marine Hampton and Gloucester Pt., Dare Marina and Yacht Sales, Dave’s Sinkers, Village Engravers, Yorktown Pub, Golden Creation Jewelers, Chesapeake Angler, Sea Tow Lower Chesapeake, Wallace’s Marina, Affordable Marine, Back River Outfitters, Rev. Art Wolz, Andrea’s Italian Restaurant, Bite Me Charters, Piney Ridge Boat Works, Breakwater Inn, The Flounder Bowl.
