The Peninsula Salt Water Sport Fisherman’s Association held their annual awards banquet to celebrate the 2014 fishing season. Many awards were handed out. Of these, some of the most important are the special youth awards. They are the future of our sport.
Young anglers receiving awards for their 2014 catches include: Johnny Bingham, Gaston Shepard, Hayden Head, Spencer Elford, McKenna Head, Caleb Sava, Lexi Sava, Madison Hunt, Morgan Cooper, Ethan Moore, Michael Speas, Taylor Simmerman, and Alexa Robb.
Awards were given to the winners of the various tournaments held in 2014. The Triple Threat (red drum, black drum, cobia) tournament was won by Wally Veal with a total length of 162”. The Youth Flounder Tournament was won by Hayden Head with a 5 pound 9 ounce fish. Hayden also won the Youth Croaker Tournament with a 1 pound 4 ounce croaker. Amy Blow won the Ladies Flounder Tournament with a 4 pound 4 ounce flatfish. The Ladies Croaker Tournament was won by Diane Greasley with a 1 pound 7 ounce croaker. Chris Nelson won the Spot Tournament with a .64 pound spot. The Youth Spot Tournament was won by Caleb Sava with a .63 pound spot. The Don Forman Cobia Tournament was won by Hayden Head with a 55 pound 8 ounce cobia. Wes Blow won the Irv Fenton Rockfish Tournament with a 49 pound striped bass.
A number of special awards were presented.
Deven Simmerman won the Critter of the Year Award with a barracuda.
The Angler of the Year Award is won by catching a large variety of trophy-sized fish. This year’s winner of the top angling award is Wally Veal.
The Fish of the Year Award was presented to Stan Simmerman for his 85-pound wahoo. This was the largest wahoo caught in Virginia in 2014.
The Dr. Boatwright Rockfish Trophy is presented to the angler catching the largest striped bass for the year. Charles Southall won this trophy with his 50-inch rockfish.
Two awards were presented for Outstanding Contribution. These awards are presented to individuals or businesses whose service to the PSWSFA is so outstanding that it has to be recognized. This year’s recipients are Amy Blow and Dawn Agee.
Considered the most prestigious of all of the PSWSFA Awards is the George C. Robertson Memorial Fisherman of the Year Trophy. This award has nothing to do with catching fish but rather of service. This award is presented to the individual who has done the most for the sport fishing community. This year the George C. Robertson Trophy was presented to Rick Wineman.
Numerous awards were presented for a variety of fish species. The first place awards: Amberjack-WallyVeal-62”, Blackbelly Rosefish-Wally Veal-16”, Black Drum-Ken Neill-51”, Blackfin Tuna-Paul Hunt-28.5”, Bluefish-Wally Veal-37”, Blueline Tilefish-Stan Simmerman-33.5”, Channel Bass-Wally Veal-54.5”, Cobia-Hayden Head-60.5”, Dolphin-Richie Moore-56”, False Albacore-Charles Southall and Jeff Dail-37”, Flounder-Jody Linthicum-30”, Grouper-Wally Veal-24.5”, King Mackerel-Ken Neill-57”, Sea Bass-Charles Southall-24”, Shark-Wally Veal-132”, Sheepshead-Wes Blow-25”, Snapper-Johnny Bingham-18”, Spanish Mackerel-Johnny Bingham-21”, Speckled Trout-Wes Blow-31”, Spot-Matt Waddell and Wally Veal-10.5”, Striped Bass-Charles Southall-50”, Tautog-Ken Neill-31”, Triggerfish-Stan Simmerman-72”, Wahoo-Stan Simmerman-72”, White Marlin-Spencer Elford-84”, Whiting-Morgan Cooper and Michael Hudgins-14”, Yellowfin Tuna-Tabb Bridges-55”.
The PSWSFA Awards Banquet was supported by very generous donations from: Dr. Guy Harvey, George Poveromo, Sport Fishing Magazine, Multi-Print Inc., Yorktown Transmissions, 1st Advantage Credit Union, The Pizza Shop, Grafton Fishing Supply and Seafood, Reel Fast Tackle, Appomattox River Co., Olivia’s Restaurant, Juan’s Mexican Café, Rustic Eagle, Mountain Breeze Taxidermy, Bishop Bait and Tackle, Wilcox Bait and Tackle, West Marine, Dare Marina, Dave’s Sinkers, Yorktown Pub, Golden Creations Jewelers, Eggheads Diner, Beachcomber Restaurant, Simmerman Wildfowl Sculptures, Sea Tow Lower Chesapeake, Affordable Marine, Wallace’s Marina, Holland Inc., Andrea’s Italian Restaurant, Sal’s Sicillian Pizza, River Walk Restaurant.
