The South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce welcomed anglers, captains and their families to the 37th Annual Ladies Kingfish Tournament beginning on Friday, Aug. 10 for registration.
Early Saturday morning anglers hit the waterways returning to the docks before 7:00 p.m. to weigh in their catch. For the second year in a row there were concerns early in the week regarding high seas, but once again, “Chamber weather” prevailed and everyone had a great time.
The Awards Ceremony on Sunday brought anglers and their families together to recognize those who took top prizes. A total of 30 anglers received framed original artwork by Dinah Bowman specific to the species they won. Trophies done by Bowman were also awarded for Grand Champion Bay Division and Grand Champion Offshore Division.
This year’s bay champion was Vicki Lambert from Bellvine. Vicki brought in all three species for a total weight of 12.2 pounds. She was fishing with Vere Wells on the boat Poppn’ Rodd.
Robin Jones from Bayview, walked away with the Offshore Championship when she brought in all four species for a total weight of 57.7 pounds. Robin was fishing on the boat Miss Guided with Daniel Cole.
The LKT Legacy Award, created by Vicki Lambert in memory of her mother Ann Wells, who fished LKT for 35 years prior to her death in 2017, was awarded to Sandra Veale. This award was started in 2017 as the “Angler Annie Award,” and was presented to Maria Pinkerton.
Special recognition was also given to Ingried Steinbach who was a longtime participate of the Ladies Kingfish Tournament, and the recipient of numerous awards over the years. Ingrid passed away earlier this year, and her family donated several of her LKT awards to the SPI Chamber and LKT for their use, and where on display as a memorial to Ingrid, and her love of fishing and LKT.
Sponsors for year’s event were Title Sponsors LaCopa Inn & Suites/LaQuinta Inn & Suites/Hilton Garden Inn, Rio Grande LNG, Shallow Sport of Texas/The Sportsman, South Padre Island Convention & Visitors Bureau and Valley Crossing Pipeline; Gold Sponsors, Rental World, and Sea Ranch II at SouthPoint; Bronze Sponsors Louie’s Backyard and Palms Resort & Café on the Beach, and Friend Sponsors A Clean Portoco, Anglers Marine Center, Blackbeards’, Blue Marlin Supermarket, CAS-CPA, LLC, Cameron County Insurance Center, Inc., Central Texas Concealed, Core Business Solutions, First National Bank-SPI, Padre Island Brewing Co., Pirate’s Landing Fishing Pier, Republic Services, Rio Grande Valley Premium Outlets, Schlitterbahn Beach Resort, Sea Ranch Restaurant, and Tequila Sunset. This year’s Awards Lunch Sponsor was Furcron, Inc. REALTORS and Property Management.
Trophy Sponsors for this year’s event were American Diving, Captain Bryan Ray Fishing Adventures, Coral Reef Lounge, First Community Bank-SPI, Fudge Consulting, PLLC, Furcron, Inc. REALTORS® and Property Management, Gabriella’s Italian Grill & Pizzeria, Harbor Street Laser Wash, Inertia Tours, Isla Grand Beach Resort, Island Cinema, Jordan Luera, Kay Young Ezell – RE/MAX 1st Choice, Laguna BOB, Louie’s Backyard, Lynn and Gary Tate, Mike and Patty Johnson, Padre Elite Team – RE/MAX Elite, Padre Island Brewing Co, PI/SPI Guides Association, Red Mango South Padre Island, Renee’s of South Padre, Rio Grande Valley Abstract, Sea Ranch Restaurant, Shallow Sport Boats, Sharon Taylor, Ship Shape, South Padre Marie, Tequila Sunset, White Lumber and Yummies Bistro.
Trophies were awarded to first through fourth place on all fish. The winners list along with photos taken on Sunday of the winners will be available on the South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce website (www.spichamber.com). Everyone is welcome to download and print photos at no cost. Alexa Ray was tournament photographer this year, and photos taken on Friday night and on the dock Saturday are also available on the SPI Chamber website.
Mark your calendar for the 38th Annual Ladies Kingfish Tournament scheduled for August 9-11, 2019 and start your own Island tradition.
Bay Division – Redfish
Weight Length Angler
1st Place 8.35 27 7/8 Vicki Lambert
2nd Place 7.25 27 1/8 Lauren Foster
3rd Place 6.65 26 3/4 Kaitlin Peteres
4th Place 6 25 7/8 Norma Anguiano
Bay Division – Trout
Weight Length Angler
1st Place 4.15 23 1/4 Sophia Bonas
2nd Place 3.55 23 3/8 Krista Gallegos
3rd Place 3.25 22 1/4 Karen Watt
4th Place 3 22 5/8 Ann Monique Hensely
Bay Divison – Flounder
Weight Length Angler
1st Place 3.9 21 Carrie Lee Buchan
2nd Place 3.2 19 1/2 Dorina Ramirez
3rd Place 2.95 19 Melissa Mikulik
4th Place 2.9 19 1/8 Kelsey Garcia
Offshore – Kingfish
Weight Length Angler
1st Place 33.85 47 3/4 Robin Jones
2nd Place 27.15 45 3/4 Sarah Bryan-Reyes
3rd Place 24.15 44 3/8 Lois Marchand
4th Place 24 42 1/2 Alexa Ray
Offshore – Bonita
Weight Length Angler
1st Place 8.95 25 1/4 Emily Weisfeld
2nd Place 7.95 24 1/2 Lois Marchand
3rd Place 7.2 24 1/4 Janet Behm
4th Place 6.95 22 3/4 Sandra Anderson
Offshore – Dolphin
Weight Length Angler
1st Place 11.25 33 3/8 Cheryl Olson
2nd Place 10.2 31 1/2 Robin Jones
3rd Place 9.4 30 3/4 Alexa Ray
4th Place 7.35 28 1/4 Cynthia Rodriquez
