Fishing on a 40' Riviera named the Wet Dream, the team had 16 of the sleek billfish during the tournament, just one ahead of the pink sportfishing yacht Pretty Work - but well behind the true to their name 'Relentless' crew, which finished with 31 spindlebeaks. During the Key Largo Sailfish Challenge (19 fish), the Holiday Isle Sailfish Tournament (4th place/15 fish), and the 16 fish at the Outdoor Channel Tournament, the Critter Control team has caught an even 50 sails during tournament action so far this month.
"We had to skip the Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Challenge this weekend to rest and to get ready for next week's big Reef Cup Sailfish Tournament," said Clark. "The seas have been pretty rough lately, and last Saturday we fished in 4-8 foot seas, with winds blowing steady at 25-30 knots, gusting 35-40, and it just plain wears you out."
Two boats flooded their cockpits and engine compartments backing up on fish during the tournament and had to call for emergency pumps, while one angler had her leg smashed by a 50 gallon bait well that slid across the cockpit, and one of the mates nearly severed a thumb in a door that slammed shut door during Saturday's rough seas. "It's not all fun and games, " said mate Sam Worden. "There's a lot of preparation and hard work for us to consistently be in the hunt."