The 33rd Annual South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce Ladies Kingfish Tournament held on August 8-10, 2014 was a huge success.

Early Saturday morning, 248 anglers and 98 boats hit the waterways, returning to the docks before 7  p.m. to weigh in their catch.  This year’s tournament brought 157 bay anglers and 91 offshore to the Island for a fun filled three days.

This year’s bay champion was Yochabel Moreno  from Edinburg. Moreno brought in all three species — redfish, trout and flounder — for a total weight of 11.3 pounds.  She was fishing with Troy Monjaras on the boat Ghost Reds.  Moreno brought tears to several in attendance when she stated she was fishing this year in memory of her grandmother.

Kathleen Hollon from Harlingen, walked away with the Offshore Championship when she brought in all four species — kingfish, bonita, blackfin tuna and dolphin — for a total weight of 59.2 pounds.  Kathleen was fishing on the Stormin’ Norman with Bubba Zittle.

The Awards Ceremony on Sunday brought anglers and their families together to recognize those who took top prizes.  Thirty anglers received framed original artwork by Dinah Bowman specific to the species they won.

Coner Harrison