2012 Gulf Coast Open Fishing Tournament

Gulf Coast Open Wrap Up:
Liquid Fire Wins 2nd Annual Gulf Coast Open

The Liquid Fire fishing team based out of Cape Carteret, NC bested the local teams and won the 2nd Annual Gulf Coast Open Contender Kingfish Jackpot with a 47.96 Kingfish.

Team Liquid Fire with their winning catch on the right.

This year’s Gulf Coast Open featured a high stakes high rewards tournament Big Pig Shoot-Out on Friday, May 4. Anglers paid $1,000 per boat to enter this tournament and were rewarded with 100% pay back. Eleven boats entered the first Big Pig Shoot-Out. Two places were paid for the Shoot-Out with first paying $9,000. Team Delosa’s Pizza captained by Jimmy Breazeale won first place with a two fish aggregate of 84.42. The Pro Marine USA team placed second with a two fish aggregate weight of 78.66.

The Southern Kingfish Association sanctioned Contender Kingfish Jackpot took place on Saturday, May 5. Thirty-five boats entered the king mackerel tournament with one place for every 10 boats being paid.

Team DeLosa's Pizza Kitchen with a couple Kingfish.

Crockett Henderson of Contender Kingfish Jackpot winning team, Liquid Fire, also captured the junior angler award sponsored by Pro Marine USA. Idle Time placed second with a 44.99 Kingfish and Ocean Isle Fishing Center (OIFC) placed third with a 44.57 Kingfish. Mark Henderson and his team were awarded $12,000, a $10,000 voucher towards a new Contender and a GOST Nav-Tracker. Second place paid $6,000 and third place paid $2,000.

Sea Dog with its Lady Angler winning catch.

“Winning a respected event like the NBOAGulf Coast Open was truly special for our Liquid Fire Fishing Team,” said Mark Henderson captain of Liquid Fire. “Our new Intrepid 375CC Open performed flawlessly! The Sarasota area is home to some of the greatest king mackerel fishing teams in the world, and it was an honor and pleasure to be able to compete with them.”

All tournament proceeds benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central and Northern Florida. Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. The final amount raised for Make-A-Wish Foundation has not been determined yet, but NBOA’s Marketing Director, Iceseas Farrell, is confident that more than $7,000 has been raised for the Foundation, which is enough to fund one wish.

Thank you to our 2012 sponsors! 

The National Boat Owners Association, in conjunction with the Southern Kingfish Association, is pleased to announce the Second Annual Gulf Coast Open to be held May 4-6, 2012 in Sarasota, Fl. Hundreds of anglers, sponsors, industry leaders and spectators assembled for last year’s three-day fishing event. With such great success last year we decided to do it all again!

The Gulf Coast Open is a fishing tournament benefitting the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Central and Northern Florida. It consists of two tournaments over the course of two days, captain’s meetings and an awards ceremony. This year will include a new event, the Big Pig Shoot-Out.

Our tournament goal is to raise enough funds to grant at least two wishes for Make-A-Wish. On average, a wish costs $7,000 to grant.

Sara Bay, our host Marina, and its on-property hotel, the Ramada Waterfront Hotel Sarasota, are nestled in north Sarasota Bay. The shared hotel and marina properties provide plenty of slips to accommodate your vessel. Throw in an on-site restaurant, The Bearded Clam Waterfront Restaurant and Tiki Bar, pool, and live music, and you have a pretty amazing venue.