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Houston Big Game Fishing Club's
Monthly Newsletter
On the Wire
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The Lone Star Shootout
The bite was on last week at the 2013 Lone Star Shootout! In addition to an impressive 31 billfish released, Mechanical Man boasted a 518 pound Blue Marlin catch!
We had 42 entries at the close of registration and the 37 boats that entered the optional pots shattered last year's record prize money with an incredible $681,500 pot setting a new record contribution to the HBGFC's Charitable Program of $34,075!
Final Results:
The 2013 Shootout Champion is the Done Deal, with an incredible 4 blue marlin released totaling 3,000 points. Done Deal owner is Jon Gonsoulin, Captain Jason Buck.
Second Place: Nereus released 3 blue marlin, totaling 2,250 points. Nereus owner is Michael Thorn-Leeson, Captain Sean Welsh.
Third Place: REHAB released 2 blue marlin, totaling 1,500 points. REHAB owner is Jasen Gast, Captain Kerry Fritz.
Click here to see weighed fish category winners!
Special Congratulations to:
Top Female Angler: Carla Hadley, owner of Dream Catcher
Top Junior Anglers: Collin Stinson, Contigo, Doyce Gore, Sun Doll
We would like to extend a very special thank you to Randy Bright, Tournament Chairman and the entire Tournament Committee including Allan Legge, Kevin Deerman, Kevin Harper, Wayne Timmermann and Dee Wallace for all of their hard work, time and dedication.
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W.A.D.E (Water Activity Day Events)
The Houston Safe Boating Council hosted its 16th annual  W.A.D.E. program on Clear Lake in June and July. 62 teens now have their Texas Parks and Wildlife Boaters Education Certificates. Despite heavy rain and high temperatures during both sessions, the students had a great time and worked hard. The Houston Safe Boating Council could not host W.A.D.E. without the support of their sponsors and partners. The Club has sponsored the W.A.D.E. Program since 2009.
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News from The Billfish Foundation
This Billfish Foundation would like to congratulate the captains, anglers, and crew on an extremely successful Lone Star Shootout. The number of blue marlin released during the tournament was impressive and is a testament to the dedication and skill of the crews who fished the tournament.
As the tournament season begins to wind down in the Gulf of Mexico and knowing that many of the members of the HBGFC travel to Central America to fish, TBF recently released the report "Sportfishing in Panama: A Natural Economic Gold Mine." The study revealed that sportfishing is a major factor in attracting tourists to Panama and provides a valuable economic lift to the country. In 2011 alone, 86,250 visitors fished in Panama and those anglers and the rest of their travel companions spent $97 million on charter boats, fuel, food, lodging, and other related expenses. The number of anglers visiting Panama has doubled from 2001 to 2011 and shows promise for the future. For every U.S. angler that has visited the country, eight more anglers are interested in Panama as a fishing destination. If each interested angler was enticed into visiting, it could translate into an additional $776 million for the Panamanian economy.
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2013 Club Awards Program
Get involved in the year long tournament by submitting a verification form for each catch and release! Click here for Club Awards Program information and verification forms.
Thanks to the 2013 Lonestar Shootout, we have had a big shake up in the Texas Division! Will Lett's Mojo is still leading the Top Boat Category with 3,200 points with the winner of the 2013 Lone Star Shootout, Done Deal in a close second place with 3,000 points. George Gartner's Legacy is in third place with 2,623 points. Eric Alarid is leading the Top Male Angler Category with 2,250 points with Alan Latham in second place with 1,902 points and Richard Richardson in third place with 1,872 points. Mandy Trahan is still leading the Top Female Angler Category with 400 points and new Club member and Top Lone Star Shootout Female Angler Carla Hadley is in second place with 200 points. Lisa King is currently leading the Top Wahoo Category, Randy King is leading the Top Yellowfin Tuna category, Sherry Potter is leading the Top Dorado Category and Chase This is leading the Top Swordfish Category.
In the International Division, Bob Henderson's Great Escape is leading the way with 16,700 points. Will Lett's Boo-Lo is in second place with 9,100 points and Chris Bays' Raven is in third place with 7,650 points. Bob Henderson is the current Top Male Angler with 14,050 points, Buddy Schultz is in second place with 8,500 points and Rob Cromie is in third place with 3,750 points. Mandy Trahan is still leading the Top Female Angler Category with 1,300 points!
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Sponsors of the Month
Release Marine became a Corporate Sponsor in 2011. Sam and Melissa Peters, owners of Release Marine, have not only generously donated to the Annual Awards Banquet for the past three years, they also donate a custom step box to the winner of the Lone Star Shootout yearly.
 John Cochrane of the Texas Legends Billfish Tournament has been a long time supporter and active member of the Club. For the past five years, John has donated an entry to the Legends Tournament to our Annual Awards Banquet. The Texas Legends Billfish Tournament will be held next week, August 7-11th!
 Prestigious Event Rentals recently became the newest Silver Level Corporate Sponsor of the Club. Greg Dugat, owner of PE Rentals generously donated an air-conditioned comfort station to the Lone Star Shootout.
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Captain's Corner
The Texas tournaments are almost over and the time to travel to other fishing destinations is closing in. Even though the fishing season has been phenomenal this year, finding new ways to fish using new tackle, technology and techniques is a constant learning experience. Speaking of experiences, seeing old friends, making new friends and just the camaraderie of hanging out with people with the same interests is the most important part of it all. So when you arrive at your winter fishing destination whether it be Costa Rica, the Caribbean or almost anywhere else in the world, chances are you'll see one of your Texas fishing buddies there! Be safe, have fun and enjoy the experience.
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2013
HBGFC OFFICERS
Michael Thorn-Leeson, President
Kevin Deerman, 1st Vice President
Marc Gentry, 2nd Vice President
Randy Bright, Treasurer
Kevin Harper, Secretary
HBGFC DIRECTORS
Deano Merrigan
Fred Pyle
Kirk Elliott
Mike Hopkins
Richard B. Richardson
Russell Potter
CONTACT THE CLUB
The Houston Big Game Fishing Club
7819 Broadway, Suite 100
Galveston, Texas 77554
T: 409-744-2307, F: 409-744-2313
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