The Conservancy of Southwest Florida hosted the 2024 RedSnook Catch and Release Charity Tournament on Oct. 25-27, launching from locations in Naples, Goodland and Chokoloskee over the course of the two-day event. The tournament netted almost $210,000 through sponsorship, registration, donations and an online auction. Funds are used by the Conservancy in its work to protect the waters in Southwest Florida. 

“Water is our most precious resource,” said Rob Moher, Conservancy president and CEO. “Clean water supports the wonderful lifestyle in Southwest Florida that we call home. It supports our wildlife, our economy and our health.”  

The annual event started Oct. 25 with a Kick-off Celebration at the Conservancy with 55 teams and 140 total anglers. Fishing was on Saturday and Sunday of that weekend, followed by The Chris Campbell Awards Reception, hosted at Northern Trust. 

Thirty-nine companies or individuals sponsored the tournament with the family of Chris Campbell, Paula and Sheila Demkovich and the Tompkins as Redfish Sponsor, and Kukk Architecture & Design as Snook Sponsor.

Winners included:

• Guided Bait Division -- John Johnson, Chase Stokes, Mike Merritt
• Unguided Bait Division -- Troy Pruitt, Brian Carlos
• Guided Artificial Division -- Kevin Johnson, Matt Johnson, Kevin Mihaloff
• Unguided Artificial Division -- Marcus Williamson, Pat Butler
• Fly Division -- Chris Ivey, Jim Clappin, Bill Faulkner
• Largest Snook -- Jon Kukk
• Largest Red -- Isak Poirier
• Trash Can Slam -- Rick Hatch
• Grand Slam -- Mike Myatt, Audrey Koocher, Robert Collins
• The Chris Campbell Champion Angler -- Chase Stokes

Funds to support Conservancy programs are needed all year. For information or to donate, visit Conservancy.org/Donate.

About the Conservancy of Southwest Florida:
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is a not-for-profit environmental protection organization with a 60-year history focused on the issues impacting the water, land, wildlife and future of Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties. The Conservancy accomplishes this mission through the combined efforts of its experts in environmental science, policy, education and wildlife rehabilitation. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida, world-class Nature Center and von Arx Wildlife Hospital are headquartered in Naples, Florida at 1495 Smith Preserve Way, south of the Naples Zoo off Goodlette-Frank Road. Learn more about the Conservancy’s work and how to support the quality of life in Southwest Florida at Conservancy.org.