Category: Uncategorized

By Jody Steele

Holiday Fishing Tournament Results

The Rod & Gun Holiday Fishing Tournament on December 29th was a terrific success with 14 boats entered in the event. The weather was perfect and the seas were calm. Nine boats earned scores and all had a wonderful day on the water. Congratulations to the winners!

1^st Place Overall: Sandrita with Barrett Ersek, Kristina Ersek, Sandra Fish and Jodi Zifferer
2^nd Place Overall: Moreland with Eric Stallmer and Jeff Moreland
3^rd Place Overall: La Porta with Jim Bonner and John Furneaux
Junior Angler Awards: Timothy Asman and Wyatt Verillo from Days Like This

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Card Sound Shooting Sports Range

The Range is open now for the Season on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Family Day at The Range was another great success, held in December by the Rod & Gun Club, with more than 40 in attendance. More events to come for the Season.

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See more information and a beautiful flyover of The Range on the website – rodandgun.org on the Range tab. 

Fish of the Month

Catch your Kingfish and Wahoo in January and take it to the MarineMax Tackle Shop for it to be weighed. You might win recognition and a $100 gift certificate at the Ship Store!

Share Your Sporting Pictures

Take out that phone to catch an award-winning picture. Send to jodylsteele@gmail.com along with all of the information including names, location, date, and any other important details.

It was a great day of fishing. 14 boats entered.  Nine (9) of the 14 scoring points.  Great weather and calm seas for a welcome change this year.

• 1^st Place Overall Score…   1109 points.  “Sandrita”….  1 Sailfish, 2 Snapper, 3 Tuna, 3 Dolphin.

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• 2^nd Place Overall Score….  617 points.  “Moreland / 270 Whaler”…  2 Sailfish, 2 Snapper, 2 Tuna.

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• 3^rd Place Overall Score, and Top Boat – Non Billfish…   469 points.  “La Porta”…  3 Dolphin.

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• Junior Angler Award(s) – On  “Days Like This” …  Kingfish & Snapper.

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Congratulations to all that participated !

By Jody Steele

Reminder: Holiday Fishing Tournament on December 29^th

Registration can be found on the Rod & Gun Club website: rodandgun.org.  Go to the Events Calendar tab and click on the Holiday Fishing Tournament where entry forms are available. If you have further questions, please contact Ken Reda at ken.reda@marinemax.com or call 305-342-0658.

Rod & Gun Club History

Beginning in February of 1997, four original members Tom Davidson Sr., Bill Wilson, Jack Curlett and Rick Howard, formed and incorporated the Rod & Gun Club. Amazingly, now it has over 500 members and is the largest Club Within the Club at Ocean Reef Club.

Benefits include discounts at MarineMax and Orvis, invitations to fishing, shooting, and “how to” seminars, guest lectures, fishing and shooting trips, access to Card Sound Range, special discounts for family activities, and an array of great events throughout the Ocean Reef season.

Since it began, the Rod & Gun Club has been committed to conservation programs to protect our fishery and habitat. Through its sister organization the Ocean Reef Conservation Association, projects such as the “flats” markers in front of Ocean Reef, as well as on numerous other flats in the area were installed by the Rod & Gun Club and are maintained on a yearly basis. The Rod & Gun Club is also proud to support offshore mooring balls along with the Conservation Association. Donations to other worthy organizations are ongoing and have included, but are not limited to The Bonefish and Tarpon Trust, Mote Marine Laboratory, The Everglades Foundation, and The Florida Keys History and Discovery Center.

The Rod & Gun Club also maintains a clay target facility on Card Sound Road about 11 miles from the Ocean Reef Club entrance gate called The Range.

Application for membership in the Rod & Gun Club can be found on rodandgun.org. Just click on the Membership tab and fill out the online form at the bottom of the page and hit submit. It is easy to do and fun to be part of the Rod & Gun Club.

Fish of the Month

Catch your Mutton Snapper and take it to the MarineMax Tackle Shop for it to be weighed. You might win recognition and a $100 gift certificate at the Ship Store!

Share Your Sporting Pictures

Take out that phone to catch an award-winning picture. Send to jodylsteele@gmail.com along with all of the information including names, location, date, and any other important details.

Your support of the All Charities Weekend strengthens entities, like the Ocean Reef Conservation Association, that enhance Ocean Reef Club’s Unique Way of Life and enables the Ocean Reef Community Foundation to provide for thousands in Key Largo, Homestead and Florida City. Call 305-367- 5996 to learn more.

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By Jody Steele

Holiday Fishing Tournament-December 29^th

This is a great tournament for all and it is scheduled for the end of December when Members have families and friends at The Reef. It is a ONE DAY tournament that includes common edible reef dwellers, along with blue water species. It is open to all Rod & Gun Members and sponsored guests. Boat team competition is allowed with a maximum of four anglers per boat. All boats must depart from and return to Ocean Reef Club waters. Winning teams will be determined by all point’s total with first, second, and third place being awarded.

Some important information for interested anglers:
Captain’s Meeting-Tuesday, December 28 5pm
Lines in the water-Wednesday, December 29 9am
Lines out of the water-3pm
Weigh-in: 3-4pm in the Fishing Village
Winners announced at 4:30pm

Registration and all information can be found on the Rod & Gun Club website: rodandgun.org. Go to the Events Calendar tab and click on the Holiday Fishing Tournament where entry forms are available. If you have further questions please contact Ken Reda at ken.reda@marinemax.com or call 305-342-0658.

The Card Sound Range

Now the Range is open! The schedule is Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10am-3pm.

Fish of the Month

The competition has begun with the first “Fish of the Month” being the Mutton Snapper. All fish must be of legal size and need to be weighed at MarineMax Tackle Shop. Monthly winners receive a $100 gift certificate for MarineMax at the Ocean Reef Ship Store along with recognition posted and bragging rights.

Share Your Sporting Pictures

Email your sporting pictures to jodylsteele@gmail.com along with an identification to include names of participants, location, date and any other pertinent information to share. Check out the great pictures of our famous anglers in today’s Press!

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By Jody Steele

Looking ahead to a great Season with Rod & Gun Club activities on the water and at The Range.

Fish of the Month

Active Rod & Gun Club members and their guests can now participate in this contest that began on December 1^st with the first “Fish of the Month” being the Mutton Snapper.  All fish must be of legal size and need to be weighed at MarineMax Tackle Shop. Monthly winners receive a $100 gift certificate for MarineMax at the Ocean Reef Ship Store. Winners also earn bragging rights and recognition posted at MarineMax. 

Fishing Tournaments to Note:

Grand Masters Tournament-December 7^th and 8^th
Contact memberevents@oceanreef.com or 305 367 5874

Holiday Tournament-December 29^th
Contact ken.reda@marinemax.com or 305 342 0658

Sailfish Classic-January 20-22
Contact memberevents@oceanreef.com or 305 367 5874

Reef Cup Invitational Sailfish Tournament-March 9-12
Contact memberevents@oceanreef.com or 305 367 5874

The Range

The Range is opening on Tuesday, December 7^th. At this time, The Range schedule is Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10:00 AM-3:00 PM. Additional hours to accommodate more shooters during the holiday is being considered and will be announced soon. The Club is pleased to announce that a major improvement has been completed at The Range with the addition of a new restroom facility for men and women.  Check out this brand new amenity that includes bathrooms and sink areas and is conveniently located for all ages.

Film Festival

SAVE the DATE: March 31, 2022 at the Cultural Center. This event will include a reception, dinner, and the announcement of the “Sportsman of the Year Award” along with the presentation of a number of sporting film “shorts”.

Share your sporting pictures
Email your sporting pictures to jodylsteele@gmail.com

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And see the pictures of the new Range bathroom facilities:

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By Jody Steele

Welcome Back to All Rod and Gun Club Members!

If you are interested in joining the very popular Rod and Gun Club at Ocean Reef, check out the website at rodandgun.org and scroll down to the “membership” section at the bottom. Fill out the form online and submit. In no time at all, you will be eligible to use the Card Sound Shooting Sports Range along with invitations to special events, fishing, and shooting trips. All Rod and Gun Club Members also receive discounts at MarineMax and Orvis.

For Your Fishing Calendar

Grand Masters Tournament-December 7^th and 8^th
Contact memberevents@oceanreef.com or 305 367 5874

Holiday Tournament-December 29^th
Contact ked.reda@marinemax.com or 305 342 0658

Sailfish Classic-January 20-22
Contact memberevents@oceanreef.com or 305 367 5874

Reef Cup Invitational Sailfish Tournament-March 9-12
Contact memberevents@oceanreef.com or 305 367 5874

Update from the Range

The Range will be opening on Tuesday, December 7^th for the Season. The schedule is set for Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from10:00 AM-3:00 PM. Some great upgrades at the Range include three new trap machines, additional “swag” for purchase with the logo, new youth target firearms that are age appropriate, and mulch to replace foliage lost in the burned areas.

Share your sporting pictures Email your sporting pictures to jodylsteele@gmail.com.

Check out Wendy Brainard fighting and landing her first Bluefin Tuna off Nantucket Sound!

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By Jody Steele

The Card Sound Shooting Range was just too close to the fires that closed Card Sound Road these past few weeks. Thanks to the Miami Dade Fire Department, the Forestry Fire Service, and the quick thinking of Cordell Carr (Corey), Assistant Rangemaster a disaster was avoided.

On the morning of Wednesday, May 5^th, we were all glad to know that Card Sound Road had opened. Concerned about the Range, Carmen Sferrazza, Rod and Gun Club Board Member and Corey entered the Range property. They saw that the fire crew had cut the lock to the main gate and had set up a Command Center nearby.  There was evidence of burnouts along the road and active fires were close by near the storage buildings and Skeet areas. Trees and brush had burned around the Five Stand Area and the Archery Range. However, mulch continued to burn and it was apparent that the fire could spread further. Corey “saved the day” and jumped in to the Gator (utility vehicle) and guided the fire crew with trucks and a water pumper in to the Range through the brush.  The smoldering areas were extinguished and doused with water. It was a successful fight to the end. The Range was saved!

All were amazed that the Tiki Hut and Shooting Stands were intact. The able fire crews shared that they had surveyed the property throughout the fire and had designated it an area to watch carefully. They did about 300 specific water drops over the Range and other areas close by which prevented enormous damage to the environment.

Minor repairs will be done over the summer and the Card Sound Shooting Range will be back next Season thanks to all that bravely helped save it and were on the spot when needed. See the pictures below.

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Share Your Sporting Pictures
Email your sporting pictures to jodylsteele@gmail.com to be featured in the Ocean Reef Press and on the Rod & Gun Club website. Visit rodandgun.org and click on “Photo Gallery” to view. Check out the Brainard’s great Tarpon trip below.

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By Jody Steele

Rod & Gun Club All Craft Fishing Tournament Results

Rod & Gun Club’s inaugural All Craft Fishing Tournament was a success, with 10 teams competing in the tournament that spanned two weeks – March 31^st to April 14^th. Congratulations to our winners.

First Place Overall
Team “Tar Baby” – 614 points scored
Second Place Overall
Fishing partners Jack Salisbury & Jim Brewer – 82 points
Swordfish Winner
64 lbs. – Jim Brewer & Jack Salisbury

And here are the SEAL Team Ocean Reef Fishing Tournament
Overall Results
First Place: “Seraphim” 543 points
Second Place: “El Jefe” 450 points
Third Place: “Hope” 430 points
Honorable Mention: “Lightin Up” 428 points

14 boats entered.  30 sailfish releases scored in total.

Weight Division
* Snapper 8.2 lbs. “El Hefe”
* Dolphin 21.3 lbs. “Seraphim”
* Tuna 30.2 lbs. “Hope”

Fish of the Month
Tuna and swordfish are the Fish of the Month for April. Weigh in must be at the MarineMax tackle shop from 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. to be eligible for a $50 gift certificate and notoriety. Both of these fish are treated separately, so there are really two opportunities to win in April. Not much time left!

Card Sound Shooting Sports Range
Just a reminder that the Range is now closed for the Season.

Share Your Sporting Pictures
Email your sporting pictures to jodylsteele@gmail.com to be featured in the Ocean Reef Press and on the Rod & Gun Club website. Visit rodandgun.org and click on “Photo Gallery” to view.

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By Jody Steele

April Fish of the Month

Tuna and swordfish are the Fish of the Month for April. Weigh in must be at the MarineMax tackle shop from 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. to be eligible for a $50 gift certificate and notoriety. Both of these fish are treated separately, so there are really two opportunities to win in April. Not much time left!

Card Sound Shooting Sports Range Closing Soon

As our most unusual Season winds down, do not miss the opportunity to go to the Range once more as the Card Sound Shooting Sports Range will be closing for the Season following this Saturday, April 17^th.

A reminder to Rod & Gun Club members that reservations to use the Range MUST be made ahead of time online at rodandgun.org. Please go to the website at rodandgun.org and then the Range section. Hit the “Book Now” button to fill out the form.

The Range will be back next season with its usual clay target ranges for Trap, Skeet, and Five Stand Sporting Clays, as well as an Air Rifle target range and an Archery range with 3D animal targets. In season, the Range is usually open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

ALL Craft Fishing Tournament

Look for the results of this new tournament in next week’s Ocean Reef Press!

Share Your Sporting Pictures

Email your sporting pictures to jodylsteele@gmail.com to be featured in the Ocean Reef Press and on the Rod & Gun Club website. Visit rodandgun.org and click on “Photo Gallery” to view.

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By Jody Steele

All Craft Fishing Tournament (NEW)

The first annual All-Craft Tournament has now started, being held March 31^st-April 14^th. This is a two angler/team fishing competition that is a new event sponsored by the Rod & Gun Club. Participants are required to pick two fishing days within the two-week window. Points will be scored for each of the two days. Winners will be determined by OVERALL points scored. All fish in the weight scoring categories are to be weighed at the MarineMax tackle shop on the fishing day in which they were caught between 3:00-4:00 pm. Each team is responsible for turning in their fully completed score sheets no later than 4:30 pm. In the event of a scoring tie, the tie breaker will be the team who scored the amount first.  A bi-weekly update of team scoring will be sent by group email during the tournament period, along with a scoring board in the MarineMax tackle shop.

Registration for this tournament has been extended. All information can be accessed on rodandgun.org. There is plenty of time left for teams to choose their two days. Winning teams of first, second, and third place will be notified on April 15th. Prizes will be awarded along with trophies to winners.

Save the Date

SEAL Team Ocean Reef Fishing Tournament
Monday, April 19

Fish of the Month

Tuna and swordfish are the Fish of the Month for April. Weigh in must be at the MarineMax tackle shop from 7:00 am-5:00 pm to be eligible for a $50 gift certificate and notoriety. Both of these fish are treated separately, so there are really two opportunities to win in April.

New Club Record

Bragging rights definitely earned!  Fishing for sailfish off of Ocean Reef on March 30^th  on Bar South, Rob Gothier and Ignacio Borbolla hooked up a yellowfin tuna on a 20-pound test and then brought it in after two hours. The fish weighed in at MarineMax at 165.5 lbs.; now currently the Club record. Bonny Gothier shared that she sent a text to friends on The Reef to share the tuna, and their driveway had a line of happy customers ready to pick up their share for dinner. Please note accompanying picture of anglers, crew, and the catch of a lifetime.

Card Sound Shooting Sports Range

A reminder to Rod & Gun Club members that reservations to use the Range MUST be made ahead of time online at rodandgun.org. Please go to the website at rodandgun.org and then the Range section. Hit the “Book Now” button to fill out the form. The Range is usually open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Share Your Sporting Pictures

Email your sporting pictures to jodylsteele@gmail.com to be featured in the Ocean Reef Press and on the Rod & Gun Club website. Visit rodandgun.org and click on “Photo Gallery” to view.

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