The Peninsula Salt Water Sport Fisherman’s Association held their annual banquet February 28. This event was a kickoff for the 2014 fishing season and a celebration of 2013. Many, many awards were given out. Of these, none are more important than the special youth awards. Youth receiving awards include: Spencer Elford, Hayden Head, Hannah Elford, Lexi Sava, Caleb Sava, Deven Simmerman, Kylie McCormick, Johnathan Bingham, Lillian Linthicum, Caroline Bingham, Hannah Stratton, Ethan Moore, Gaston Shepard, Morgan Cooper, Adelle Hudgins, and Taylor Simmerman.
Annual awards were given out for thirty-two different species of saltwater fish. Of note, are five new club records. Rick Wineman set new records with a 117-inch swordfish and a 42-inch albacore tuna. Jeff Dail raised the dolphin record with a 64-inch fish. Clair Hillard caught a 34.5-inch false albacore. A 29-inch blackfin tuna, caught by John Hunt, Jr., is the new club record for that species. Each of these fish was considered for the Fish of the Year Award. Rick’s swordfish won. In addition to setting the club record, his swordfish was the heaviest sword weighed in Virginia in 2013. An honorable mention goes out to one of our youth anglers, Ethan Moore. Ethan caught and released a 65-inch tarpon on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. A Virginia tarpon is an impressive catch.
The Masters Golf Tournament has their jacket ceremony. The PSWSFA has its own master jacket tradition. When a member wins the Angler of the Year Award for the second time he earns the title of Peninsula Salt Water Sport Fisherman’s Association Master Angler for Life and he receives a special jacket. Three anglers received their Master Jacket: Dave Boyce, Wes Blow, and Rick Wineman.
Two tournament trophies were awarded. Charles Southall won the Don Forman Cobia Tournament with an 81.5 pound fish. Ken Neill won the Irv Fenton Rockfish tournament with 43 pound striped bass.
Ken Neill won the Critter of the Year Award for a lobster and he won the Dr. Boatwright Annual Rockfish Trophy with a 47-inch rockfish.
The Angler of the Year Award is the top “fishing” award given each year. The 2013 PSWSFA Angler of the Year is Jody Linthicum.
The most prestigious award presented each year is the George Robertson Memorial Fisherman of the Year Award. This award has nothing to do with catching the most or the largest fish. This award is presented to the individual who has done most for others and who has done the most for recreational fishing. The winner of the George Robertson Trophy is Rachel Nelson.
Sponsors of the PSWSFA Banquet include among others: Holland Corp., Guy Harvey, George Poveromo, Sport Fishing Magazine, Multi-Print, Yorktown Transmissions, 1st Advantage Credit Union, The Pizza Shop, Grafton Fishing Supply and Seafood, Appomattox River Co., Olivia’s Restaurant, Bishop Bait and Tackle, Wilcox Bait and Tackle, Dave’s Sinkers, Golden Creation Jewelers, West Marine, Sea Tow Lower Chesapeake, Andrea’s Italian Restaurant, Sal’s Sicilian Pizza.
