When it comes to running top-notch offshore tournaments, the name Robert ‘FLY’ Navaro often gets thrown around. Fly is known throughout the game fishing community for pulling off the blue marlin world cup year after year where boats from all over the world compete for a million-dollar payday. So it’s no surprise that Fly was named tournament director for the Stuart Sailfish Clubs 68th Stuart Light Tackle Tournament (SLTT).

What is the Stuart Light Tackle Tournament 

The SLTT, based in Stuart Florida, is a light tackle tournament fished over the 9th and 10th of December every year for the past 68 years. As the name would suggest each vessel is allowed to fish up to 20lb (9kg) line class with a total of 6 lines. Only dead baits are to be used with the help of two teasers and two dredges per vessel.

Categories 

The SLLT has a total of 5 different categories.

• Championship division 1st, 2nd, and 3rd 
• Semi-pro division 1st and 2nd only  
• Top female angler 
• THE COVETED CAPTAIN A.A. WHITICAR MEMORIAL AWARD
• Gamefishing cat Mahi/Dolphin, Tuna, Wahoo, Kingfish

Championship Division 

Canyon Lady, a 65′ Ricky Scarborough based in Palm Beach, released six sailfish to earn the top trophy in the 68th annual Stuart Light Tackle Tournament on December 9-11, 2021. (Legacy Award).

Whilst the vessel Vintage a 43′ Torres run by Capt. Hans Kraaz, was the second-place boat overall. Vintage released five sailfish on the first day and finished with six on the scorecard.

Small Change, a 64′ Tribute with Capt. Wink Doerzbacher on the bridge earned third-place honours with four releases.

Semi-Pro Division 

Captained by Mike Hunter the 66 foot viking, Princess Lily took out the semi pro division with a total of four sailfish released Over the two days.

Top Female Angler

Dawn Samuels, aboard the 66′ Viking Princess Lily took out the female division.

Top Juniors

Willis Milner VI on Triple Net captured a 16.8-pounder (97.6 kg) blackfin tuna to earn the top junior gamefish trophy. Meanwhile, Cole Bates took home the top junior angler trophy in the billfish division.

Captain A.A Whiticar Memorial Award

Boat owner and skipper of the overall winning boat Canyon Lady, Jamie Diller, won the Captain AA Whiticar Memorial Award as the top-scoring captain. His name and Canyon Lady will be engraved on a plaque mounted on a framed print by Curt Whiticar (Legacy Award).

The Last Cast

All proceeds of this successful tournament go to Project LIFT which is a non-profit organisation that helps at-risk youth by providing counselling, career training, mentorship and volunteer opportunities. We look forward to covering next years events!

You may also like:

• Our Top 10 Gift ideas for Anglers this Christmas!
• Top 5 Stick Baits That Could Turn a Good Day Into a Great Day!
• Mad About Popper Fishing? Our Top 5 Must Have Lures to Add to Your Tackle Bag
• Penn Slammer IV: Affordability Meets Hardcore Fishing
• Major Events Cancelled! AFTA, Sydney International Boat Show, Postponed due to Covid-19
• Fishing Destinations Open For Business. Where can you travel?
• 2022 Dream Fishing Calendar for the Adventurous Angler
• Australia Launches ‘Four Phase Plan’ to Escape Covid-19 Blues
• 3 Stunning Places to Go Fishing in the Seychelles
• Why International Anglers Flock to Fish in Costa Rica?