2021 DRP INTERNATIONAL TAG AND RELEASE AWARD WINNERS
We would like to thank Star Rods, Costa Del Mar, AFTCO, and the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation for providing strong incentives for fishermen to tag and release small, healthy, dolphinfish for the Dolphinfish Research Program (DRP) in 2021. These premier fishing tackle companies and sponsors of the DRP have shown their commitment to the conservation of this important fishery by donating top quality equipment and art for incentive awards to encourage fishermen to assist the DRP. This year, we are distributing $2,900 worth of gear and art to 32 captains and their crews who collectively tagged and released 1563 dolphin! When you combine the value of our year-end awards with additional tagging and recapture awards distributed in 2021, our program, through the support of our sponsors, distributed $5,450 worth of fishing gear and products. View the images to the left to see what each top tagger won for their 2021 tagging effort. A complete list of all 2021 award winners is listed below. Congratulations to our 2021 top taggers!
To qualify for the DRP year-end awards, a vessel needs to tag and release and submit at least 20 dolphinfish tag deployment reports to the DRP by 12.31.2022. This year, we are also offering monthly tagging awards, recapture awards, and free tee shirts for any angler or captain that tags at least 10 dolphin. We are also continuing our regional MAB tagging awards program. Tag some dolphin this year to increase data collection on this species and we will reward you for your effort!
Top Private Boat Tagging: Don GatesKillin’ Time II – 428 Tagged
2nd Private Boat Tagging: Tim HeiserIrish Wake – 72 Tagged
Top Charter Boat Tagging: Jimbo and Rick Thomas Thomas Flyer – 167 Tagged
2nd Charter Boat Tagging: No Qualifier
Top Captain with the Scouts at Florida Sea Base – Chase BenedictExplorer Scoutand Dorado – 101 Tagged
2nd Top Captain with the Scouts at Florida Sea Base – Bryan GilmoreWahoo – 82 Tagged
Top Boat Tagging in the SAB: David WamerWamJam -146 Tagged
2nd Boat Tagging in the SAB: Dane DellenbachKnotty Seacrets– 46 Tagged
Top Boat Tagging in the Tropics: Gary Marshall Wine Down – 90 Tagged
2nd Boat Tagging in the Tropics: Jeffrey LiedermanSandman – 82 Tagged
Top Boat Tagging in the MAB: No Qualifier
2nd Boat Tagging in the MAB: No Qualifier
Top Boat Tagging in the GOM: No Qualifier
2nd Boat Tagging in the MAB: No Qualifier
Notable Mentions for Tagging More Than 10 Dolphin:
Jay Blakeley and Jay ThompsonMargaritaville (45); Jim IveyDrs Orders (40); David NeblettHit That and T2 (32); Mike PrendergastReel Therapy (23);
Matt JoyceOsprey (15); Mario EmilioCatch and Release (14); Robi BirrielNuri (14); Robert MalloyReel Thunder (14); Jon ReynoldsDropback Fishing Charters (14); Don WilliamsKnot Covered (13); Miss Darien (13); Willie HowardCaptain Willies Charters (12); Eric MarestFlorever (12); Charles Brooks Perfect Circle (12); Julien BrosselMadatet (12); Miss Tropic Star (12); Phillippe LouchezSailfish (12); Ed KattelCoolcat (11); Steve KarwattWatt Fun (11); Frank BetzLeviathan (10); Rick PerssonSwamphopper (10); Jimmy CrochetRising Sons (10)
Tag and Release Awards
Tag Small Dolphin and Win!
If you are interested in participating in the Dolphinfish Research Program and qualify to win tagging awards click here to request a kit. For more information about how you can qualify for 2022 DRP tag and release awards click the icons below.