THE PUBLIX MAD DOG MANDICH FISHING CLASSIC GEARS UP FOR THE
5th ANNUAL TOURNAMENT IN THE FLORIDA KEYS OCTOBER 5TH & 6TH, 2012!
A Portion of the Proceeds to Benefit Mariners Hospital Oncology Services
Continuing a community and civic tradition, the Publix Mad Dog Mandich Fishing Classic returns to host its fifth annual tournament October 5 & 6, 2012 in Islamorada. The tournament will honor the memory of Jim “Mad Dog” Mandich. Jim was a passionate angler, former Miami Dolphins star player, local radio personality and a Keys resident and business owner. The creation of the Mad Dog Mandich Fishing Classic filled Jim with great pride and joy as he loved to bring his family, friends and the community together for a great weekend of fishing and fellowship, all while supporting local organizations. It was one of Jim’s requests that the Mad Dog Classic carry on now and into the future in order to fulfill his efforts of creating awareness and financial support for these organizations, including Mariners Hospital Oncology Services.
The Mad Dog Classic has other Miami Dolphin greats scheduled to be there throughout the weekend. The tournament targets Funfish (dolphin, tuna, kingfish, wahoo, along with snapper and grouper) with a $5,000 cash prize for the top boat. This is awarded for to the boat with greatest cumulative weight of the tournament's target species – Dolphin, Tuna, Kingfish and Wahoo. The second-place team is awarded $1,000 and there are $500 prizes to the angler with the heaviest catches of each species. Trophies are also given to the Top Lady, Top Angler, Top Junior as well as largest Snapper and Grouper.
The tournament’s kick-off party is from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Friday, October 5, at Ziggie & Mad Dog's Restaurant, MM 83 bayside, and includes a silent auction fundraiser, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Anglers can register until 8:00 p.m. Captains should be present for the tournament rules meeting at 7:00 p.m.
The following day, boats are free to run to their desired fishing sites with lines in at 7:00 a.m. and lines out at 3:30 p.m. All fish must be weighed in between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. at the weigh station at the Chesapeake Resort, MM 83.5 Oceanside. Dinner buffet and live music are to start at 6:30 p.m. under the party tent on the beach at Chesapeake, with awards scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Registration is $450 per boat for four anglers, and early entry is $400 if received by September 28. The entry fee includes entry into the tournament, an angler shirt, hat and bag, along with all food and drinks at tournament functions throughout the weekend. The tournament is open to the public and everyone is welcome to participate in fishing and/or any of the social events.
A portion of proceeds benefit Mariners Hospital Oncology Services. To date the Mad Dog Classic has raised over $35,000 for Mariners Hospital and over $130,000 for all its charities combined in less than four years.
The Mad Dog Mandich Fishing Classic is brought to you in part by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council.
For more information or to register, call 305-667-0399 or visit www.maddogclassic.com.
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