Redfish Cup and Festivities in Punta Gorda – Cardboard Boats, Splash Dogs Weigh-Ins and More

A full day of Redfish Festivities drew large crowds to Laishley Marina in Punta Gorda Saturday.

In the morning, a sea of onlookers swarmed around Laishley Marina’s basin to catch glimpses of  cardboard boaters pattling about, many in lavish costume befitting their boat’s themes.  Mermaids and Pirates and more.  

The Punta Gorda Boat Club, with Ron Norvelle and Dennis Kuzara at the helm took the day though coming in first to win  the Cardboard Boat Races, with the Windmill Village crew coming in second.

 

Punk Byte Graphic Design boat, with  Jeff and Jen Garczewski, Shannon Doolity and Hugh Esterle, won first place for “Most Creative” cardboard boat.  

While the “Most Dramatic Sinking” award, went to Animal Welfare League’s Mark Toolan and Adam Rogers.

 

Meanwhile, as cardboard boats sank or swam, splash dogs took splashed practicing for afternoon heats.

Some more reluctant pups performed comically while the audience encouraged them on with their cheers.

 

 

Then, later in the day, Redfish Cup weigh-in festivities with ESPN filming for a July 4th airing drew a large crowd cheering on their favorites.  While extolling Punta Gorda as a great venue and noting Charlotte Harbor was full of fish, many of the fishermen also attributed the difficulty of bringing in catch to the number of boats out fishing and spooking the fish. 

 

But Local Anglers Jeff Totten and Ozzie Lesinger managed to bring in two qualifying  reds weighing a total of 11.91 lbs. to hold onto their lead with a total two-day catch weight of  25.11 lbs, qualifying them for the top 5 and today’s final in which all teams will start afresh at zero.   

 

Other teams in the top five who will go on to fish in the final are: Richard Freund and Ralph Frazier, Ron and Chris Hueston, Kevin and Cajun Phil Broussard, and Joe Crosby and Rick Steckelberg. 

 

Today’s activities in addition to the Red Cup finale include the Kid’s Cup finish, more splashing dogs, art show, auction, as well as food and fun for kids. 

 

Complete schedule.