South Padre was once again host to the 83rd annual TIFT (Texas International Fishing Tournament) Championships, where over 1000 Anglers competed in the Bay and Off-Shore division to catch some of the biggest fish in the Gulf of Mexico.
Since 1934, fishermen from all over Texas, young or old, have competed with their friends and family over the two-day tournament.
SFC, or the Sport Fishing Championship, is in its second year of partnership with TIFT, where the more competitive teams and individuals compete over a series of tournaments throughout the country. TIFT was the third-to-last stop on the SFC tour.
TIFT partnered with Driscoll Children's Hospital for the second year in a row, where they paid for every child who was seven and under who wanted to participate in the tournament. Free fishing for the kiddos!
Every year TIFT has a host, and for 2023 it was Mae Kennedy, a senior at Texas State. Kennedy, who has participated with TIFT since she was 2(!), was a part of all the action all weekend long!
TIFT started with a play day on Thursday, where all the kids could participate in bounce houses, arts and crafts activities, and anything related to fun.
Later, the captains held a meeting to go over the rules and regulations for the TIFT competition. Once Friday rolled around, it was go time.
The results reflect the total number of pounds caught from both days from the Bay and Off-shore Divisions.
JUNIOR DIVISION
Seven and Under (Bay)
Korie L Lively, 35.05 lbs
8-12 Years Old (Bay)
Jaxon Wernecke, 53.85 lbs
13-16 Years Old (Bay)
Kannon Fultz, 19.60 lbs.
Off-Shore
(No Billfish)
Athina Guerrero. 67.7 lbs.
(With Billfish)
William Leszinki, 252 Points
HEAVIEST FISH
Flounder
Maritza Venecia, 5.5 lbs.
Trout
Mike Crane, 4.3 lbs.
Redfish
Kino Flores Jr, 9 lbs.
Snook
Thomas P Kilgore Jr, 5.65 lbs.
Drum
Julianne Lawrence, 13.9 lbs.
Yellowfin Tuna
Sean Cook, 40.75 lbs.
Wahoo
Keith Gerlach, 73.5 lbs.
Ling
Angel Soto, 19.85 lbs.
King Mackeral
Jacob L Weisfeld, 38.45 lbs.
Jack Crevalle
Wyatt Walker, 3 lbs.
Dolphin
Tommy Ramzinski, 33.9 lbs.
Bonito
William Leszinski, 4.6 lbs.
Blackfin Tuna
Matthew R Johnson, 18.75 lbs.
Barracuda
Joe De Leon, 22.25 lbs.
Sailfish
Walker Rhodes, 50.5 lbs.
White Marlin
Kolby Scott, 76.5 lbs.
Blue Marlin
None officially listed
OVERALL TROPHY POINTS (Off-shore)
Sailfish
Corey R Mock, 800 points, Team: Reelity Check
White Marlin (250 Points for each caught)
Van Morton Wichers, 750 Points, Team: Quantified
Blue Marlin (1,000 Points for each caught)
Jaselyn Berthelot, 2,000 Points, Team: Rising Sons
Overall Off-shore Leader
Justin Drummond, 4,150 Points, Team: Quantified
Congratulations to Quantified, who not only won TIFT Off-shore with 10,500 total points (one blue marlin, three white marlins, and twelve sailfish). They also clinched to win the SFC, winning a grand prize of one million dollars! It is back-to-back wins in both tournaments for Quantified, and we look forward to seeing if they can three-peat in 2024.