2009 Capt. of the Year
1.	Christian Campos	0%
2.	Ronnie Fields	1%
3.	John Dudas	2%
4.	Chris Galati	29%
5.	Bryce Garvey	6%
6.	Ryan Higgins	6%
7.	Ricky Linder	4%
8.	James Robinson	2%
9.	Paul Ross	50%
10.	John Uhr	1%

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Please read below for a profile on each nominee


Congratulations to the following 2009 Captain of the Year Nominees. This year’s class includes captains who not only harvested a winning fish, but also captains who led their anglers to win release events. Our criteria for selecting the nominees has remained simple – choose captains who have had a most outstanding year fishing tournaments based on our tournament coverage. InTheBite’s 2009 Class represents one our most diverse ever. Like the Heisman trophy winner, strength of schedule, conferences and individual stats are as subjective as tournament formats, amount of entrants and number of fish caught. One of the following captains will win and join an elite group of past recipients of Captain of the Year. Each nominee is applauded for outstanding achievement in 2009. We ask the sportfishing community to congratulate each nominee in passing. Recognizing professional captains for a great year is the primary goal.



2009 Captain of the Year Nominees (alphabetical order)

Central America

Captain Christian Campos
Clean Sweep
Herradura, Costa Rica
Years Pro: 7
Age: 34
1st Year Captain of the Year Nominee

Pura Vida means “the good life” in Costa Rica and when it comes to a captain living just that it’s Christian Campos. For the past two years Campos has been running the Clean Sweep out of Los Suenos Marina in Costa Rica and not just competing in most of the marina run tournaments, but earning a reputation as the odds on favorite. In 2009 Campos led his team to an unprecedented 3 first place wins out of 4 world-class events. A professional fisherman for 7 years, Campos says he credits his wins to God, an excellent fish raising boat, good equipment, good anglers and most of all to luck.

Tournaments fished in 2009: 4

• 1st Place: Los Suenos Marlin Invitational
• 1st Place: Los Suenos Signature Series, Leg 1
• 4th Place: Los Suenos Signature Series, Leg 2
• Overall Champion: Los Suenos Signature Series
• WBS Grand Championship


Southeast Atlantic

Captain John Dudas
Wound Up
Miami, Florida
Years Pro: 26
Age: 44
2007 Captain of the Year, 2nd Nomination

You'd be hard pressed to find a tournament captain who takes competing in tournaments more seriously than Captain John Dudas. The run of wins the Wound Up has had in the last few years has been unprecedented by any South Florida live bait sailfish team. When asked if any tournament win stands out, Dudas replies, “They are all special. I am fortunate to have a boss who allows me to have unlimited resources, a crew that prepares well and an agile boat. We also have a routine where no one is yelling and everyone onboard is on the same page.”

Tournaments fished in 2009: 17

• 1st Place Islamorada Sailfish Tournament
• 1st Place Miami Mayors Cup (36 releases most ever in a Miami Tournament)
• 1st Place Sailfish Kickoff (Heavy Hitters Division, 6th place Open Inboard Div)
• 1st Place Atlántico Billfish Cup (45 Releases)
• 1st Place Ft. Lauderdale Billfish Tournament
• 1st Place Capt. Bob Lewis Billfish Challenge
• 1st Place Charity Division World Sailfish Championship
• 3rd Place Florida Keys Gold Cup
• 4th Place The Sailfish Tournament (Top Junior Angler, Top Female Angler)
• The Sailfish Cup
• K-Rock Klassic
• The Sailfish Open
• The Diamond Challenge
• Islamorada Fishing Club Sailfish Tournament
• Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tournament
• Florida Billfish Masters
• Miami Billfish Tournament

Eastern Seaboard

Captain Ronnie Fields
Big Oh
Riviera Beach, Florida
Years Pro: 18
Age: 35
2nd Year Captain of the Year Nominee

“The key to winning is being on the ball and having a good team,” explains Capt. Ronnie Fields. No stranger on the tournament circuit, Capt. Fields is considered by many one of the best in the business. In 2009 Fields racked up some impressive wins and said he had even more wins in 2008. One of most memorable events in ‘09 was winning the Jupiter Billfish Tournament with 5 minutes left. “I definitely enjoy competing in tournaments more now than I did just a few years ago,” says Fields.

Tournaments fished in 2009: 12

• 1st Place: Jupiter Billfish Tournament
• 1st Place: Palm Beach Sailfish Classic
• 1st Place: Ocean City Marlin Club Women’s Tournament
• 2nd Place: Ocean City Marlin Club Labor Day Tournament
• 2nd Place: Buccaneer Cup
• 3rd Place: Carolina Custom Shootout
• Top Dolphin/Daily: Virginia Beach Billfish Tournament
• Ocean City Tuna Tournament
• Big Rock Marlin Tournament
• Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tournament (NC)
• Ocean City White Marlin Open
• Fish For Life Sailfish Tournament


Gulf of Mexico/Bahamas

Capt. Chris Galati
Team Galati
Anna Maria Island, Florida
Years Pro: 10
Age: 40
1st Year Captain of the Year Nominee

Captain Chris Galati loves tournament fishing! What Galati loves even more is teaching the next generation of future fisherman. A good example was when Galati’s 13 year old son Christopher Jr. stepped up to be an angler during the Treasure Cay Tournament after waiting in the wings for so many years. The result was a trip to the podium for a 1st Place trophy. Galati watched as a proud parent and captain as his son caught 2 blue marlin on the first day to propel the team onto victory. Galati didn’t stop in Treasure Cay, his crew put together several 1st Place finishes in 2009 and when asked about his success Galati says his crew pre-fished every tournament which helped them get dialed in.

Tournaments fished in 2009: 6

• 1st Place: Treasure Cay Billfish Tournament
• Top Captain: Treasure Cay Billfish Tournament
• 1st Place Dolphin: Sarasota HBA Billfish Tournament
• 1st Place: Galati Yachts Labor Day Billfish Tournament
• 1st Place: Bradenton HBA Tournament
• 1st Place: St. Pete Yacht Club Tournament (Set an IGFA World Record Black Grouper)
• BBC Boat Harbor Leg, 1


Bermuda & Bahamas

Capt. Bryce Garvey
72 Merritt
St. Augustine, Florida
Years Pro: 13 yrs
Age: 30
1st Year Captain of the Year Nominee

The youngest skipper to be nominated in 2009 is Captain Bryce Garvey. Just 30 years old, but already a formidable captain when it comes to finding fish. Captain Garvey’s most memorable win occurred during the Bermuda Big Game Classic. Fishing the same crew for the past two years made it even more special. During the tournament Capt. Garvey said they didn’t see a fish the first day and were disappointed. On day 2 their luck changed and they released 3 blue marlin. With high hopes going into day 3, their luck continued when Garvey and crew weighed in a 558 lbs. blue to win. Garvey then went on to win the coveted Bermuda Triple Crown among some of the world’s top marlin teams.

Tournaments Fished in 2009: 6

• 1st Place: Bermuda Big Game Classic
• 1st Place: Bermuda Triple Crown Tournament
• 2nd Place: Bermuda Release Cup
• 4th Place: Chub Cay Marlin tournament
• 5th Place: Bermuda Billfish Blast
• Sea Horse Marlin Tournament


Mid-Atlantic

Captain Ryan “Chief” Higgins

Viking 76
Jupiter, Florida
Years Pro: 11
Age: 31
1st Year Captain of the Year Nominee

Employed by Viking Yachts as the Factory Demo Captain, Capt. Ryan Higgins has been working on boats since he was 17. After working in various jobs throughout his career, Higgins landed the high profile Viking job in 2002. In 2009, Higgins led his team to impressive finishes in some of the most competitive events in big game sportfishing. A personal favorite for Higgins was achieving the Top Captain in release points out of the 300 plus boat fleet of competitors during the annual White Marlin Open in Ocean City, Maryland. Higgins attributes his success this year to having the same team and crew for every event and being at the helm of the newest Viking 68’ and Viking 76’ demos. “I feel I have a competitive advantage every time we enter a tournament. I’m not one to sit in the same spot when a bite tapers off. Having the opportunity to pick up and run & gun down the line at over 40 knots is something not every team can do,” says Higgins. “I have the best of everything at my disposal and am very fortunate to fish with a great team from Viking.”

Tournaments Fished in 2009: 7

• 1st Place White Marlin Points: Viking/Ocean Showdown
• 1st Place: Ocean City White Marlin Open Release Classic
• 1st Place: Challenge Cup
• Top Boat: Ocean City White Marlin Open
• Top Captain: Ocean City White Marlin Open
• 3rd Place White Marlin Points: Beach Haven Marlin and Tuna Club White Marlin Invitational
• 3rd Place Blue Marlin Points: Beach Haven Marlin and Tuna Club White Marlin Invitational
• 10th Place: Pirate’s Cove Sailfish Classic
• Mid-Atlantic 500 Day 3 and 4 On the Board Reward 77 lb. White Marlin


Southeast Atlantic

Captain Ricky Lindner
Jichi
Key Biscayne, Florida
Years Pro: 20
Age: 42
1st Year Captain of the Year Nominee

Captain Ricky Lindner said point blank "luck" has been the reason for his incredible winning streak in 2009. Outside of having a solid crew with good anglers, being lucky has been the biggest factor this year. Before taking his first captain job many moons ago, Lindner attributes most of what he has learned about fishing from when he worked as a mate on the Sonny Boy III under the command of Captain Frank Godwin out of Key Biscayne, Florida. Captain Lindner has been at the helm of the Jichi for the past three years.
When asked about the most memorable win in 2009, he reflects back to the Miami Sailfish Tournament where he made a move to the north side of the tournament fleet. He picked off 4-5 sailfish to win in the last 2 hours of the event.

Tournaments fished in 2009: 17

• 1st Place: Miami Billfish Tournament
• 1st Place: The Sailfish Tournament
• 1st Place: Islamorada Swordfish Tournament
• 1st Place: The Libertad Challenge
• 1st Place: The World Billfish Series – Southeast Division
• 1st Place: Florida Swordfish Series
• 2nd Place: Ft. Lauderdale Billfish Tournament
• 2nd Place: Pro Series Championship
• 2nd Place: Florida Billfish Masters
• 3rd Place: Capt. Bob Lewis Billfish Challenge
• 4th Place: Sailfish Cup
6th Place: Sailfish Open
• 6th Place: World Sailfish Championship
• 10th Place: Palm Beach Shootout
• 23rd Place: Mayor’s Cup
• 23rd Place: Sailfish Kickoff
• ABC/World Diamond Source Billfish Challenge

Bermuda

Capt. James Robinson
Wound Up
Bermuda
Years Pro: 22
Age: 39
1st Year Captain of the Year Nominee

Many would agree Captain James Robinson has become one of the top captains to emerge from the cockpit in recent years. As a mate under the famous bridge of Captain Allen DeSilva of the DeMako, Robinson purchased the 37’ Duffy Wound Up in 2006 and took the helm as a Bermuda charter captain. No stranger to tournament leader boards, Robinson had an incredible year in 2008 setting a Bermuda Wahoo record and weighing in a 1049 lbs. marlin. In 2009 Robinson kept his winning streak alive by claiming victory to two prestigious blue marlin events – the Bermuda Billfish Blast and the World Cup Marlin Tournament. One of the biggest highlights was watching his long time friend and junior angler catch the winning World Cup marlin of 865 lbs. Visit www.woundupbermuda.com for charter information.

Tournaments fished in 2009: 5

• 1st Place: Bermuda Billfish Blast
• 1st Place: World Cup Blue Marlin Tournament
• 2nd Place: Bermuda Triple Crown
• 5th Place: Sea Horse Marlin Tournament
• Bermuda Big Game Classic



Southeast Atlantic

Captain Paul Ross
Relentless
Islamorada, Florida
Years Pro: 17
Age: 35
1st Year Captain of the Year Nominee

When fishing live-bait in the Florida Keys, Captain Paul Ross is dialed in. A charter operation running out of Islamorada, Ross had one of his better years in the winner’s category in 2009. The biggest win was the prestigious Florida Keys Gold Cup Sailfish Championship which is a culmination of three tournaments, Islamorada Sailfish Tournament, Presidential Sailfish Tournament and the Islamorada’s Fishing Club Sailfish Tournament. In 2009 Captain Ross became the first three-time recipient of the Championship. When asked about his success in ’09, Ross mentions how luck is the biggest factor, but also having the same crew fishing the events for almost 15 years is also an important piece of the puzzle. Visit www.relentlessfishing.com for charter information.

Tournaments Fished in 2009: 6

• 1st Place: Islamorada Fishing Club Sailfish Tournament
• 1st Place: Islamorada Presidential Sailfish Tournament
• Gold Cup Series Champion
• 3rd Place: Don Gurgolio Sailfish Classic
• 3rd Place: Islamorada Ladies Sailfish Tournament
• 4th Place: Islamorada Sailfish Tournament



Gulf of Mexico

Captain John Uhr
Seay Goddess
Rockport, Texas
Years Pro: 27
Age: 48
1st Year Captain of the Year Nominee

A Texas native who has fished all over the world, Captain John Uhr and the Seay Goddess team represented the lone star state in a big way in 2009. Competing in only five events in 2009, Capt. Uhr guided the Seay Goddess to two huge wins in the Gulf of Mexico finishing first in the Texas Legends Billfish Tournament and landing a 429 lbs. blue marlin to win the prestigious Poco Bueno Billfish tournament. The Seay Goddess also became the first ever boat to win the Poco event twice. Captain Uhr also stated how much fun the entire crew had fishing together which consisted of Clay Hensley, Bo Jennings and Eddie Kopplow.

Tournaments fished in 2009: 5

• 1st Place: Texas Legends Billfish Tournament
• 1st Place 429 lbs. Blue Marlin: Poco Bueno Invitational Billfish Tournament
• Offshore Grand Champion: Texas International Fishing Tournament (TIFT)
• Rockport Offshore Challenge
• Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic

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[Updated on: Mon, 01 March 2010 15:29]