Chris Turner

Second Runner Up - Red Snook Catch & Release Fishing Tournament

Chris is a Naples native, who grew up fishing commercially with his Uncles in the family fishing business, and recreationally. In his teen years Chris became interested in stock car racing and began his racing career at the long since defunct Collier County Speedway. Chris raced in several divisions getting as far as the Hooters Cup level, but his favorite class of cars, an the one in which he had the most success and enjoyed multiple championships was the Open Wheel Modified Division.

When racing became more stress than fun, he returned to his first love, fishing. By participating in tournaments throughout Florida Chris is able to satisfy his competitive streak and enjoy a family tradition. Since refocusing his energies to fishing, Chris has won the 2008 Back Country Classic and 2008 Redsnook Tournament with his fishing partner and long time friend, Rich Gorden.

When not fishing, Chris is thinking about fishing, watching fishing on T.V., talking about fishing or planning his next fishing trip. Chris is the owner of Kidd’s Quality Cleaning in Naples, Florida.

Rich Gorden

First Rinner Up - Red Snook Catch & Release Fishing Tournament

Rich is a wildland firefighter/forester who works for the Florida Division of Forestry as the Fire Training Officer for the agency. He grew up fishing in Naples and worked on offshore fishing boats during weekends and breaks in high school and college. Rich worked as the County Forester in Jacksonville for 5 years and fished the northeast Florida area quite a bit in the late eighties. He moved back to Naples as a Forest Area Supervisor for 10 years.

During that time in Naples he fished his personal flats skiff all over Southwest Florida from Bonita Springs to Key West. Rich currently lives in Brooksville, Florida and often spends time fishing from Bayport to Cedar Key, but frequently returns to Naples to fish with fellow tournament angler Chris Turner.

When Rich isn’t fishing or working, he also enjoys building custom fishing rods, golfing, and Ballroom & Latin dancing with his wife Dawn.

Larry Leszczynski

First Rinner Up - Sarasota Sportfishing Anglers Club Tarpon Tournament

Larry Leszczynski was raised on Houghton Lake, Michigan where he began fishing at an early age. He caught walleye, northern pike, bass, perch, and small inland lake fish. Larry also fished the big waters of the Great Lakes for salmon and trout.

He moved to Sarasota, Florida seven years ago and was introduced to big game fishing and from the first scream of the reel he was solidly hooked! Tarpon are hands down his species of choice and he refers to them as “The most exciting fish in the world!” Larry is excited for the opportunity to fish Florida Keys Outfitters/IGFA Inshore World Championship with ESPN and test the waters around Islamorada, Florida.

He is a member of the Sarasota Sportfishing Anglers Club where he was first runner up in the 2008 Sarasota Sportfishing Anglers Club Tarpon Tournament. Larry says his other passions are “fishing, fishing, and more fishing!” In addition his black lab Daisey Mae always keeps him on my toes. He also enjoys a good round of golf and of course there is nothing wrong with a sunny day out in the boat, good friends, good fishing and a couple of beers.

Mike McDonald

Grand Champion - Sarasota Sportfishing Anglers Club Tarpon Tournament

Mike was raised in Florida spending time in Miami and now Sarasota where he has lived for the past 30 years. He is the Sales Manager for Charlotte Honda/Volkswagon in Port Charlotte. Mike and his wife, Kathleen have three children, his sons; Jeffrey, 21 and Dylan, 2½; and Kathleen’s daughter, Amanda, 18.

He began fishing when very young and learning from both of his grandfathers who were both avid fisherman. He also jokingly remembers sneaking away from his house to fish the canal one street away and getting in trouble for being missing. Even at a very young age, he found fishing very challenging, but fun at the same time and continues to fish today for these same reasons.

While his favorite species is snook most of his experience is offshore. Mike says “I am looking forward to the challenge of this multi-species tournament. It has been awhile, but I used to charter Rick Ruoff and Mike Collins many years ago to fish for bonefish, so, hopefully I will remember everything I have learned from them.�

He was featured in a Florida Sportsman article in, May, 2001, about fishing for tarpon out of kayaks and has won or placed highly many tournaments throughout the years from Dolphin Tournaments in the Keys to Snook Tournaments on the West Coast of Florida.

Most recently he won the 2008 Sarasota Tarpon Tournament, placed fourth in the 2008 Professional Tarpon Tournament at Boca Grande and was a finalist in the 2008 Jim Beam Tarpon Cup Championship. His list of tournament high finishes and wins is most impressive and we look for him to be a top competitor for the championship.

Besides fishing Mike also enjoys big game hunting and wing shooting.

Joe "Pepe" Lopez

Grand Champion - IGFA Inshore World Champion 2006

Pepe Lopez grew up in Miami where he attended and graduated The U of M with a BS in Electrical Engineering. He currently lives in Coral Gables and has a teenage daughter and a son in college. Pepe has spent 30 years in the Electrical Field and owns a successful business in Miami.

His passion for fishing commenced at a very early age, initially fishing both inshore and offshore then later gravitating towards the flats. Pepe says "I have been lucky to fish with some of the best guides in the Florida Keys; guides like the late Captain Harry Snow Jr. in the lower Keys, Captain Billy Knowles in the middle Keys and the late Herman Lucerne in the Flamingo area. Fishing is my favorite pastime and I have made life long friends throughout my fishing journey."

He has earned the reputation as one of the finest bonefish anglers to ever stand on a bow with Grand Champion titles for The Islamorada All Tackle Bonefish Tournament in 1993, 1996, 1998, 2001 and 2005. He also has the record largest fish of 14 pounds 10 ounces and the record high points for the tournament. He was First Runner Up in 1992, 1995 and 2003. On top of that he was Grand Champion of The Islamorada All Tackle Spring Bonefish Tournament in 1996 and 1997 and holds the record for largest fish at 15 pounds 4 ounces as well as the record high point score for the tournament.

Joe also excels with other species having been on the First Place Team in the 1994 Yamaha Miami Billfish Tournament, Redbone Series Grand Champion in 1996, Redbone Slam Grand Champion in 1996 and Runner Up to grand Champion in 1996. He was Grand Champion of the IGFA Inshore World Championship in 2006 and Runner-up to Grand Champion in 2002 and 2008.

In addition of all of his fishing Pepe also enjoys golf, basketball, running and daily workouts.

Bonnie Christ

1st Runner Up Mercury Baybone Celebrity Tournament

Bonnie Christ, grew up in Virginia and currently lives in Alexandria outside of our Nation's Capital. She is Vice President of Business Operations for an IT Services firm providing technical contracting services to the government many branches of our government including Customs, The Department of State, Department of Defense, as well as Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Bonnie's significant other and fishing partner of many years is Joe Viar, with whom she fishes whenever possible.

Bonnie has always loved to fish...but really started a young woman in the mountain streams and rivers of Montana. She did some Chesapeake Bay fishing later and since she met her partner, Joe they have enjoyed fishing around the world in places like Slovenia, the Seychelles, Patagonia, Canada, New Zealand. They still often fish the American West especially Montana and close by in Virginia and Maryland. Bonnie says "Our favorite place is the Keys where we started inshore fishing together around 15 years ago. I feel it's totally because of Joe's introduction to the Keys that I have the privilege of fishing in the Florida Keys Outfitters/IGFA Inshore World Championship."

Bonnie further expresses that she loves the complicated water of a freshwater stream, "where ARE they? In that seam? Behind that rock? In that pool?" I am totally mesmerized by that sort of trout fishing; it's hard to get me to stop. So I guess my favorite fish are rainbows, browns or cutthroats depending on where we are.

She is a talented angler having remarkably shared the Redbone Series Team Championship with Joe Viar on seven occaisions. She has also been Redbone series, Champion Lady Angler several times, Runner Up Grand Champion in the Baybone for 2008 and 2006 and Redbone Grand Champion in 2003.

Bonnie has also played singles and doubles tennis, to quote her "for close to my god 50 years now!" She also enjoys knitting, reading, bird watching and loves all things on the water. Due to the nature of her job she confesses being a bit of a workaholic.

Troy Pruitt

Gene Doyle Backcountry Release Fishing Tournament - Grand Champion

Troy Pruitt was born and raised in Naples, Fl where he currently lives with his wife of 9 years, Kristin, and two daughters, Karlie (6) and Kendra (3). Troy has been in the pool service and repair business since 1991 owning and operating Anglers Pool Service, Inc. Troy's business name remarkably reflects his true, deep passion for fishing which he has had since he was able to hold a fishing rod and reel. In fact, his parents said, "they knew Troy was obsessed when, at the age of 2, he was walking down the Naples beach with a rotten, stinky ladyfish which he had found attached to a piece of mono!"

Troy doesn't have a favorite species to catch and is very content as long as he is fishing, whether it is inshore or offshore. He especially loves tournament fishing when everything he has learned on the water must be compiled into performance for 1-2 days when it really counts.

Troy's list of tournament accomplishments is not only long, but very impressive as well. He was Grand Champion of both the Gene Doyle Backcountry Release Fishing Tournament and the Mercury S.L.A.M. Tournament for the past three consecutive years. Troy was Grand Champion of the Redbone Series in 2006, Redbone in 2005 and the Baybone in 2006. He was Collier County Redsnook Grand Champion in 1998 and IFR Redfish Tour Open Division winner in Goodland 2003. Troy has placed high and won countless more division awards and titles in tournemants over the past decade. He will be an angler to contend with this July

When he is not fishing, Troy enjoys spending time with his family and attends First Baptist Church of Naples regularly.

Jim Bokor

IGFA Inshore Champion 2002

Jim Bokor was born and raised in New Jersey. As a boy he spent summers on Long Beach Island where he mated on a charter boat, clamed and caught bait for the local marina. He spent the rest of his time fishing.

Jim now lives on Plantation Key in the Florida Keys.

Jim said,"As far back as I can remember I have fished. I would go surf fishing with my father for blue fish, fluke and striped bass on Long Beach Island. My father in law would tell me about his trips to the keys and how they fished for the fish called a bonefish. In those days (mid 1950's to mid 1960's) they hired guides out of Bud 'n Mary's Marina and he stayed at the Devane's house on the ocean side in Islamorada." His father told tale's of this powerful fish taking these long runs and never quitting until they were worn out. Then in the mid 1960's Jim joined his dad during a week at Ocean Reef attempting doggedly to catch a bonefish until he finally succeeded. The fish was a 12 pounder and his guide was Buddy Grace. Jim says "I still have a picture of that fish and I have been hooked on bonefishing to this very day."

Jim has a remarkable competition record having been Grand Champion of the Redbone Series 5 times, the S.L.A.M. 6 times, the Baybone 4 times, the Redbone 3 times the Little Palm Island 4 times and he won the Redbone Superfly once. Jim has also won the Islamorada All Tackle Spring Bonefish Tournament twice. He was also IGFA Inshore World Champion in 2002.

When not fishing or working you may find Jim on the golf course.

Bill Hurst

Mercury S.L.A.M. Celebrity Tournament

Bill Hurst was born and raised in Miami. There he owns and operates an insurance firm, Hurst Financial, which specializes in estate and business planning, group and individual insurance both domestic and internationally.

His began fishing with his father on the patch reefs of the Keys for snapper and grouper. They also spent lots of time in the Flamingo area where he caught his first tarpon and snook. Those early days on the water hooked him on fishing! Once hooked, Bill spent several years casting Miami's canals for largemouth and peacock bass but was always drawn back to the salt. He became obsessed with the power and speed of bonefish, tarpon, snook and permit. Bill also loved to fish offshore for sailfish, mahi, tuna and dolphin. When it comes to fishing, Bill says, "He loves it all!"

Bill has been an avid Redbone series angler having won celebrity divisions six times in the past few years. He has also competed with high finishes in three IGFA Inshore World Championships.

Bill played seven years of professional baseball including 2006 in the Major Leagues with the Florida Marlins. His pitches have been clocked as high as 101 mph and averages of 94 - 97. Several injuries, operations and rehabs later we have him retired to spend his competitive time fishing tournaments and for just plain fun!

Ron Silverman

Grand Champion Redbone @ Large Lowcountry Red-Trout Celebrity Classic

Ronald "Ron" Silverman lives on Daniel Island in Charleston, SC where he is a retired corporate executive and entrepreneur. His wife, Paula, will be joining us at the tournament.

He has been fishing for 67 years, since his dad first took him fishing at the age of three. Ron grew up fishing in NY and Canada which eventually led him to fish many places throughout the world, fresh and saltwater, inshore and offshore. His favorite species are the large jack crevalle which visit Charleston's waters during the summertime. Ron holds the IGFA Fly Rod World Record for jack crevalle on 10 kg tippet with a jumbo 39 lbs, 5 oz fish caught near Charleston in 1999.

Ron is a dominant force in the Redbone @ Large Lowcountry Red-Trout Celebrity Classic having been Grand Champion Angler, Team Grand Champions and Fly Division Champion in 2008. Since 2002 he has won grand champion or fly division grand champion honors almost every year and shared team championship several times as well.

Ron also writes for fishing newsletters and other publications and is author of "Not a Great Fisherman, Just a Lucky One" from which all proceeds went to "Canine Companions for Independence." He has been Board Chair and Volunteer Leadership Chair for the South Carolina Chapter of Cystic Fibrosis Foundation 2005 to 2007 and continues his service as a Board Member. Ron has also chaired or been a committee member of the Lowcountry Red-Trout Celebrity Classic fishing tournament for benefit of Cystic Fibrosis from 2002 through today.



Coming Soon:
Nick Cardella