Tourney fit for kings

Strong winds that stir up rough seas have kept many local anglers from heading offshore, but if you can get out when the waves have subsided, you could be in for some good fishing.

The weather was perfect for the recent St. Patty's Day Small Boat Fishing Tournament, and several of the 179 anglers that fished on 71 boats 37 feet and smaller took advantage of the calm seas.

Rob Morgan of Davie caught the biggest fish, a 44.3-pound kingfish, fishing on Plastered with Neal Laue and Eddie Ellison of Pembroke Pines to win $3,500. Rick LeBel was second with a 43.4-pound dolphin and his Kindred Hospital Fishing Team teammate Fernando Durand was third with a 38-pound dolphin. Those fish were worth $1,500 and $1,000, respectively.

Lauren Lospilluto, 15, was the top female angler with a 15.6-pound dolphin on My 3 Gulls. Nancy Diaz was second with a 15.3 kingfish on High Gear. Christine Deka was third with an 11.5 king on Doing It All. Randy Smith of Nothin But Lies was the top junior with a 23.3 kingfish. Sebastian Stark of Bustin Loose was second with a 9.6 king.

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