Team ‘Spook’ wins Ladies Day

Jello shots and good company were the theme for the first part of the 18th annual Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce Ladies’ Day aboard Spook, but lightheartedness took a back seat to serious fishing as the team proceeded to take top honors.

Julianne Greenberg received the first place angler award in the tournament with two releases. Her teammate, Jody Levesque, also had a release.

In all, 43 teams participated in the May 10 tournament. While it started at 3 p.m., Greenberg got the first confirmed release at 5:42 p.m., and her second at 6:09 p.m. Levesque got her release in the interim at 5:57 p.m.

Greenberg said her first tarpon was relatively small, approximately 45 to 50 pounds, and was a quick fish to bring to the boat. Her second tarpon was estimated at about 80 to 85 pounds, and had a bit more fight in it.

“The first one was easy, but the second one was a decent fighter,” she said. I fought him so hard, I lost track of time. It was amazing, seeing all the fish around us. It was kind of like playing bumper boats, too.”

While it wasn’t Greenberg’s first tarpon, it was still a very exciting time for her.

“It was a great day, fishing with good friends,” she said. “For the first hour and a half, we were just visiting with people on other boats and passing out Jell-o shots. Then we got serious.”

This was Greenberg’s second Ladies’ Day with the same teammates. The first tarpon she caught was quite memorable for her, but it wasn’t caught during a tournament. And she didn’t just catch a “Silver King,” she caught an “Italiano.”

“It was on my first date with Nat, we went tarpon fishing and I caught one then,” she said. “This year we have been out a few times, but we’ve always been hosting people. I was really excited to be in the chair this time.”

The winning team, which included Levesque, Jamie Love, Sue Wilkes and Greenburg, took home a $500 cash prize and trophies, as well as gold and silver tarpons designed by Barbara Anne’s Jewelry.

Greenberg also took home the Christine Hollins Memorial Award, which has been given out since 2000 to the winning angler. The prize, a gold pendant, was sponsored by Wachovia Securities, and the angler’s name was added to the perpetual trophy through a donation by Dixie Hollins.

Greenberg said it wasn’t until all good luck charms were in place that the fish started biting.

“We all have little rings we got last year at Ruhama’s, and we call them our “bling” rings,” she said. “They’re these gaudy rings, and Nat wasn’t wearing his for a while. So we yelled at him to put it on, and when he did we caught the fish.”

Italiano’s success at Ladies’ Day cannot be argued. He has taken four titles as the winning captain, but is understated about his success.

“I guess we’ve won three or four, I can’t remember,” he said. “There weren’t a lot of fish in the pass to begin with,” he said. “We hooked two fish before Julianne’s first release, but they jumped off. I would say all the action happened in the last hour of the tournament, then they started biting. We had a great time, and it’s so exciting to be on the boat with the ladies. They’re so much more emotional about it.”

Carol Stewart took home the first Carol Lockett Memorial Award, which was donated by Craig and Cindy Lutz. Lockett, who participated in many Ladies’ Day tournaments, passed away recently. The memorial was created by the chamber board of directors and, according to Craig Lutz, the executive director of the chamber, it goes to the angler who represents the “spirit of the tournament, family, friendship, joy, laughter and a little bit of craziness.”

“It went extremely well,” Lutz said. “We’re all really excited about the outcome, especially the last 45 minutes when 11 fish were released. There was a great turnout, and everyone had a great time. That’s what this is all about, it’s a special time for family, friends, camaraderie and fun.”

All fish caught in the tournament included:

Time        Angler            Boat        Captain

• 5:42 p.m. - Julianne Greenburg         Spook       Capt. Nat Italiano

• 5:45 p.m. - Patsy Fyfe                      Native      Capt. Frank Davis

• 5:57 p.m. – Jody Levesque               Spook       Capt. Nat Italiano

• 6:06 p.m. – Lila Lavigne Sessums    Sitarah      Capt. Mark Futch

• 6:09 p.m. – Julianne Greenburg       Spook       Capt. Nat Italiano

• 6:11 p.m. – Tricia Hopkins              Seahawk   Capt. Babe Darna

• 6:13 p.m. – Tricia Boyers               Sally “J”    Capt. Cappy Joiner

• 6:18 p.m.  - Shay Walpole             Faithful II  Capt. Matt Coleman

• 6:21 p.m. – Jen Zipay                     Teal          Capt. Mark Liberman

• 6:24 p.m. -  Tammy Clements       Sundown    Capt. Tim Smith

• 6:45 p.m. – Migliaccio/Roqueplat  Last Drift   Capt. Gary Peeples