Combat fishing

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Christopher Gross
  • JBER Public Affairs
SEWARD, Alaska --  Embracing and appreciating what our U.S. troops do and the sacrifices they make, the Seward fishing community took approximately 275 service members out May 26 for a day on the seas fishing for halibut and anything else in season.

Twenty-four charter companies from Seward Charter Association offered up a total of 29 boats to make the 5th Annual Combat Fishing Tournament, the largest military appreciation fishing outing in the U.S., possible.

"This is something we do every day, and day in and day out (we) take things for granted. So this is kind of a time to realize why we do it and why we're able to do it," said boat captain Kevin Knight, who has more than 12 years of combined experience as a fishing guide and deck hand.

Troops boarded buses at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson shortly after midnight and were given a police escort the 130 miles to Seward.

The Anchorage Police Department started the escort handing the buses off to the Alaska State Troopers. Another exchange was made between the AST and the Seward Police Department.

Once they arrived, participants found their way to the boats they were matched with. Most boats traveled more than two hours from the dock in hopes of landing plenty of fish.
Once the captains felt they reached a successful spot, it was fishing from there on out.
Knight, who's been a part of this tournament for four out of the five years, said his favorite part of the day is watching service members enjoy a day on the water, helping them, and being able to talk with them.

"When I'm out here, nothing else matters," he said. "I hope that some of the guys that have never done this before did something that was new and enjoyable for them."
While the troops were out at sea, numerous volunteers from around the area and members from the Armed Services YMCA were busy preparing a banquet for their return.
Diana Frayne, ASYMCA deputy director, was one of the behind the scene volunteers, and said there's a lot of work that goes on throughout the year to make this day happen, but it's all worth it.

"Our whole mission is to serve those who serve America. We provide programs and services for military members to show appreciation for their service to our country and it's just another way to give our service members a taste of Alaska," she said.

According to Mari Jo Imig, ASYMCA executive director, as long as they continue to get the great feedback like they've gotten in the past, and the participation from the SCA, they'll keep putting forth efforts to make sure this runs again next year.

"(We do this) for the cause, we do what we can for our troops and this is a fun event. It gets Seward and the community involved with our military and it lets them give back to our service men and women," Imig said.

Imig also added that the tournament wouldn't be possible without the efforts of Bob Candopoulis and Keith Manternach, who started the event more than five years ago.
The idea started after Candopoulis and Manternach attended a convention in Reno, Nev., in 2006.

While they were there an organized anti-war protest was taking place. Candopulis said he never saw freedom of speech used to such extent.

After returning to Alaska, the two knew they wanted to do something to give back to the military community, and that's how the annual Combat Fishing Tournament came to be.
Not only has the tournament grown from 66 to nearly 300 veterans, but $50,000 in cash prizes are given away, and almost $60,000 in door prizes were donated from about 200 companies and individuals.

This kind of generosity doesn't go unnoticed either.

"I totally appreciate it, these guys taking us out means a lot," said Aaron Zibbel, an Air Force staff sergeant with the 611th Civil Engineer Squadron. "It's real nice that they recognize the military members, and we appreciate everything they do."

Zibbel said he thinks this is a great tournament and hopes it continues so that other service men and women have the opportunity as he did.

At the banquet, a $10,000 grand prize was awarded to Sgt. Jason Turner for catching his 98.4 pound halibut.

Honors for the second largest fish, at 85.6 pounds and a $6,000 prize, went to Air Force Master Sgt. Brent Batten.

A $7,500 award was given away for a "mystery" fish - a number is drawn from a bag and the fish weighing nearest that amount wins that money.

This year the mystery weight was nine pounds, and three participants had fish that weighed exactly nine pounds.

So Army Staff Sgt. Michael Pershell, Air Force Staff Sgt. Bryan Lance and Pfc. James Crider split the money - $2,500 each.

Knight said he hopes that this tournament continues so the Seward community can continue to vocalize their appreciation to the men and women who defend this country.