ECRC Third Stop North Light Yacht Club Niceville Florida
Upon arriving at the boat ramp I was amazed at the teams that were
already there, launched and ready to fish. The weather would have
been challenged to be any worse than it was, and there were still 26
teams that were in attendance and not bothered by the high winds
and possible thunderstorms in the forecast.
Most all teams sought sheltered water on the leeside of some form of
land mass, so almost all teams focused on the south side of
Choctawhatchee Bay from Destin to Hogtown Bayou. There were even
a few teams that made the long run to Panama City.
At the end of the day the team of Miles Hicks and Bryant Eubanks
came to the scales with a brace in their bag that scaled 8.93 lbs and
place them soundly into 3rd place. Just a few ounces in front of them
were the Team of Mike Klinger and Robert Lawson with a pair of very
nice Redfish that ran the scales up to 9.09 lbs which edged Mike and
Robert into 2nd Place. After a long run to Panama City in some really
rough conditions the Team of Fred Myers and Darren Midyette
brought the heaviest bag to the scales which weighed 12.70 lbs. Fred
and Darren made the long hard run pay off and clinched the 1st Place
finish, on a day that many anglers wouldn't have launched the boat.
Congrats to Fred and Darren on an Outstanding performance.
The weigh in location was hosted by North Light Yacht Club in
Niceville Florida. The North Light facility and amenities were simply
Amazing and a pleasure to be involved with. The Staff of North Light
was as receiving as well as professional as could have possibly been
wished for by the ECRC Teams. If you have never seen the North Light
Marina you owe yourself the honor, give Therese VanGogh a call at
850-678-2350 and schedule a tour that you want regret. North Light
Marina is a wonderful place to be located. Very Special Thanks to
Blackfyn Customs and Coastal Angler Magazine for braving the
elements and participating in the event as well. Both Blackfyn
Customs and Coastal Angler Magazine are a very important part of the
ECRC.
Overall, the level of Competitiveness, Enthusiasm, Fellowship and
Tenacity that was demonstrated by the ECRC Teams that fished this
tournament would be hard to match anywhere, and it was done with
Concern for Safety on the behalf of each Team that fished. There was
one boat that didn't make it back due to the high winds and rough
seas, and every team made an effort to assure that the missing team
was located and safe, which was the case. Being a part of this event
was truly a pleasure and something that sets the standard for other
Inshore Tournament Series' to strive for.
Next Stop May 22, in Panama City Beach Florida. Come out and see
the ECRC, you can expect, Cool People, Great Anglers and a Big Time.
Curtis Gilbert
The Emerald Coast Redfish Club "Cool People, Great Anglers, Big Time"