On April 21 & 22, we held the 11th Annual Mana-Sota Mako Family Funament at the Sarasota Outboard Club, in Sarasota, FL.  Twenty-one boats and 81 people fished that weekend.  I estimate we caught and landed 95 fish during the weekend.  A few “Big Ones” did get away but there is always a good fish story to be told. We ate very well on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon at our Awards Dinner.   We had “Trash Can Turkeys” on Saturday and Pork loin on Sunday as our main course.  On Saturday night, the children made a 3” long ice cream sundae.  We also signed on seven new member families.  If you have not sent us your membership this year, go to our website and click on the button that says “Membership App”. 
 
Autoway Ford In Bradenton, Mako Marine, L&S Bait (MirrOlure), West Marine, Boat US along with many of our members help support our costs to run this Funament.  We really appreciate their help.  The results for the Funament are below.  Every boat is a winner and every child under 18 years, receives a fishing rod or fishing tackle.  Please check out the pictures of the Funament on our web site at www.manasotamako.com.
 
Walburn Fishing Team
24’ Grady White Cuddy
Woody & Julie Walburn
Dylan, Tyler, Patrick & Daniel
1 Spanish Mackerel & 1 Bonito
 
Tyson Fishing Team
17’ Key West CC
Bob & Susan Tyson
Jacob & Grace (2 yrs old)
Joined us for their first Funament
 
“Crack of Noon”
22’ Mako CC
Kirk Langenbach, Ingrid Massey,
Ron Thomas, Cody Thomas &
Morgan Langenbach
2 Spanish Mackerel
 
“Northbound”
28’ Aquasport Cuddy
Bill & Deb North
Kyle & Kevin
Kevin caught the only fish, a Spanish Mackerel on his birthday fishing rod.
 
“Ms G”
30’ Mako Cuddy
Bill & Gail Rivenbark
Brian Rivenbark & Yvette Sizemore
Colton & Tatum (1 yr old)
1 Kingfish & 1 baitfish
 
“Xtreme Dream”
27’ Sport Craft Cuddy
Paula & Chris McGrath
Dave Kanwisher & Stacy Gounars
3 Kingfish, 1 Grouper & 1 shark
Paula & Chris won an arsenal of water guns at the raffle.  At the Crystal River Family Funament, we are targeting the Xtreme Dream with our squirt guns. You’re going down!  YEA!!!
 
“ Patti Mar”
23’ Mako CC
Jim & Patti Krick
Jeff & John
1 Spanish Mackerel, 1 Bonito & the big one got away L
Jim led the “Cooking Team” for this years Funament. We all appreciate the effort Jim does every year to feed all of us.
 
Britt Fishing Team
17’ Mako CC
Martin & Tammy Britt
Tatum & Ryan
The children landed 1 Redfish and 2 trout
 
“SI-FI”
22” Grady White Cuddy
Donny & Cindy Siford
Mitch Siford & Chris Myers
No fish, just a buzz. L But they helped cook the food for the Funament.  Also, Mitch won about half the raffle prizes.
 
‘Michelle Kyle”
17” Mako CC
Seth & Michelle Nussbaum
Jamie Nussbaum
1 very large Gafftopsail Catfish (ouch) & 3 Ladyfish
 
“Daddy’s Medicine” or “Autoway Ford Fishing Team”
17’ Sailfish CC
Mike Ianero, Joe Valari & Steve Pardue
7 Kingfish, 1 Spanish Mackerel & 2 Snook
 
“Ann  Marie III”
28” Mako CC
Jim & Martha Costa
1 Spanish Mackerel & 1 Blue Runner
 Most of us at the Funament were shocked that Jim allowed a fish and of course fish blood on his REALLY CLEAN AND SPOTLESS BOAT!
 
“No Shorts”
23 Mako Cuddy
Jim & Cheryl Stephens
Tom & Lisa Chase
2 Kingfish, 8 Blue Fish & 30 Spanish Mackerel (yes 30) J
You can see pictures on our website
Tom Chase suffered numerous injuries, cuts and bruises to land these fish for this Funament.
 
“Reel Lucky”
25” Grady White Cuddy
Don & Kim McGuire
Donny Paul
This was our Conservation Family of the Funament. No Fish Caught!  But, the McGuire family did donate the fishing rods for the Children’s Awards.
 
“Blue Water Viking”
23’ Mako Cuddy
Scott Dahlberg
Wayne & Barb Dahlberg
1 Blue Runner and another “The Big One Got Away”
 
“Mako Me Crazy”
22” Mako Cuddy
Mike McKinnie & Cathy O’Brien
1 Gafftopsail Catfish
They also hold the title of “Tangled Fishing Line Expert Aficionado Award”  for the Funament.
 
“Jammin”
23’ Mako CC
Jim & Helga Walter
Tanya Walter
Tanya caught a Gafftopsail Catfish, on her birthday, Saturday.
 
“Gone Bullistic”
28’ Mako CC
Craig Brunstein
He forgot his fishing rods but brought women with him.
Thank you for the great work you did on the Mana-Sota Funament Banner and our t-shirts!
 
“Island Road”
24” Sea Hunt CC
Joe & Kathy Snow
Mark Myers
The Snows owns Trailer Depot in Sarasota.  Joe was our speaking captain for the Funament. Thank you for your maintenance suggestions and advice to our members.
 
“Reel-Ality Check”
25” Proline CC
Paul & Katie Smith
Emily & Wayne
7 Jack Crevalle, 5 Grouper and 8 Spanish Mackerel
 
“Boat Fun”
23” Mako CC
Bryan & Lori Smith
Charles & Jennifer
Tiffany Lucas
Wesley Gritt
4 Spanish Mackerel
 
We are making memories with our children and friends!
 
Bryan Smith
president@manasotamako.com
(941) 704-4588 Office / Cell
(941) 755-5488 Office Fax