Tournament
Professional and amateur anglers compete side by side for as much as $500,000 in cash and prizes, depending upon the total number of entries. The rules permit the registration of up to 1,000 boats, each with as many as four anglers, for an entry fee that was $400 in 2010. There are prizes for the heaviest single kingfish, pair of kingfish, and the largest cobia. Five kingfish caught in the week precedeing the tournament are tagged, and there is a prize for catching them. Sponsors often offer prizes for the largest fish caught using their products. The tournament attracts approximately 20,000 spectators who watch the weigh-in and enjoy the festivities. The tournament is traditionally capped off with a substantial fireworks display sponsored by the City of Jacksonville.
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Tournament winners Single Fish Fish Group Year Winner Weight Winner Weight 1981 Paul Hanson 50.2 Gerald Beasly 135.4 (5) 1982 Jack Proctor 41.2 Walter Bates 78.1 (5) 1983 Ross Vilardo 48.5 Clayton Kirby 100.3 (5) 1984 Benny Hendrix 47.2 Brad Reed 118.2 (5) 1985 Jerry Byers 42.2 Roy Hawkins 114.6 (5) 1986 Michael Youngblood 50.7 Mark Williams 116.1 (5) 1987 Dennis Young 49.0 George Register 94.3 (5) 1988 Robert Bell 41.4 Daniel Parker 75.5 (3) 1989 Todd Crawford 47.9 John Jones 96.8 (3) 1990 Randy Smith 49.35 Clayton Kirby 88.35 (3) 1991 Clifton Lewis 49.4 Stephen Proctor 94.5 (3) 1992 Charles Newton 47.7 Dan Upton 108.05 (3) 1993 Douglas Sturm 48.75 Rick Smith 83.7 (3) 1994 Ron Gunter 42.7 Earl Clewis 77.6 (3) 1995 Fred Morrow 44.65 Robbie Sabiston 64.0 (2) 1996 Rick Raleigh 33.05 No qualifiers 1997 Jack Conard 49.1 David Hamilton 72.3 (2) 1998 Bian Bushloper 48.25 David Ward 70.85 (2) 1999 Sandy Smith 52.55 Matt Pittman 68.6 (2) 2000 Ross Vilardo 53.3 Frank Strickland 62.5 (2) 2001 Mike Burch 42.65 David Murphy 68.4 (2) 2002 Tom Rady 55.2 ? 2003 Scott Routh 45.5 Clyde Keen 65.8 (2) 2004 Paul Dozier 46.0 Trip Fletcher 75.9 (2) 2005 Bill Rew 48.95 Richard Geiger 69.85 (2) 2006 2007 James Croft 48.6 Don Combs 63.95 2008 Michael Crabtree 51.35 Ryan Rodeffer 73.80 2009 Benjamin Hinson 42.85 Greg Simmons 66.55 2010 Russell Stuart 45.75 Jerry Carter 68.15
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