2003 Tournament Results

Daily:
China Girl -1st Day
Salemwolf -2nd Day
Jack O Hearts -3rd Day

2003 CUSTOM SHOOT-OUT CHAMPION: Rybovich (Salemwolf)

Final Team Results:
Salemwolf – 1st Place
Miss Allied - 2nd Place
China Girl - 3rd Place
Lil’ Hook - 4th Place
Jack O Hearts- 5th Place

Top Angler: Roger Hammond

Largest Wahoo: Double Dog (49#)

Top Wahoo Points: Double Dog

“Race From Pocket” (Fastest Custom Boat):
Double Dog (Hines-Farley)

"Salemwolf” (Rybovich) Overall Winner
of the 2003 Custom Shoot-Out

2nd Annual Charity Fishing Tournament
to benefit Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (January 9, 2003) Boca Raton, FL.

The 2003 Custom Shoot-Out was held January 2-5, 2003 in Chub Cay, Bahamas. Sixteen custom-built sportfishing boats entered the 2nd annual fund-raising tournament. Eleven custom boat builders were represented including Merritt, Garlington, Tribute, American, Rybovich, Jim Smith, Hines-Farley, Whiticar, Ryco, Gamefisherman, and Sonny Briggs.

The weather for the tournament was beautiful, with cool temperatures, light winds, and calm seas. Nearly every boat had at least one shot at a blue marlin each day. There were thirteen billfish hookups, with six blue marlin, one white marlin, and one sailfish released, along with several nice wahoo boated during the three days of fishing. SALEMWOLF, a 50’ Rybovich released two blue marlin and had a 25lb wahoo on the second day of fishing to qualify for a “Shoot-Out Slam”, and the bonus points, which was enough to capture the overall title in the 2003 Custom Shoot-Out. MISS ALLIED, a 64 Tribute, placed second with a blue and white marlin release. CHINA GIRL, a 65’ Ryco, took third place with a blue marlin and sailfish release. LIL’ HOOK, a 34 Gamefisherman, placed fourth (based on time) with a blue marlin release and JACK O HEARTS, a 60’ Jim Smith, took 5th place with a blue marlin release.

At the end of the fishing on Sunday, several boats lined up for the “Race from the Pocket”. FREEDOM (65’ American Custom Yacht) run by Dominick LaCombe, the winner of the 2002 race was challenged by several newcomers including Mickey Rupp’s brand new 65’ Ryco CHINA GIRL, Jack Dell’s 60’ Jim Smith JACK O HEARTS, and Don Mckinney’s new 66’ Hines-Farley DOUBLE DOG. All four boats kept pace in excess of 42 knots until DOUBLE DOG edged out FREEDOM at the finish and was crowned “2003’s Fastest Custom Boat”.

Everyone attending the tournament events seemed to have a great time. Captain Sam Crutchfield, noted song composer and entertainer, kept everyone entertained at the evening events with his salty humor and songs. Among the events were silent and live auctions of fine merchandise donated by our sponsors. Release Marine, one of our major sponsors, again donated a marlin chair. Other major sponsors present were Florida Detroit Diesel, Treasure Coast Props, Phasor Marine, Marine Exhaust Systems and many others who offered tremendous financial support for the tournament. Among the custom builders that were major sponsors were Tribute Performance Boats, Merritt Boat & Engine Works, American Custom Yachts and Whiticar Boatworks. According to Steve Roy, tournament director, the tournament was a tremendous success with good weather, good fishing, lots of great food and fun, all for the benefit of Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation.

At the awards dinner and banquet, each sponsor and boat team were recognized with a Custom Shoot-Out commemorative plaque. DOUBLE DOG won the “Largest Wahoo” award with a 49lb wahoo. Laurel Dell was presented a plaque for her 1st blue marlin catch. The SALEMWOLF team accepted the “1st Place Boat” trophy, a unique bronze sculpture by Pat Hammond titled “Old Man & Sea”. Roger Hammond, owner of SALEMWOLF, won the “Top Angler” trophy. Tribute Performance Boats, winner of the 2002 Custom Shoot-Out Trophy passed on the perpetual “ Custom Shoot-Out Trophy”, a beautiful custom Carey Chen glass sculpture to Roger Hammond of SALEMWOLF for display at Rybovich for the current year.

Custom Shoot-Out is a non-profit corporation. For additional information, contact us at 102 NE 2nd Street, #180, Boca Raton, FL 33432, or 561-394-6331, 561-393-7548 (fax), or email @customshootout@aol.com, or visit our website @ www.billfishnetwork.com/customshootout/index.asp.