The IFA Pro/Am Redfish Challenge presented by Cabela’s made a stop in Jacksonville, July 25th-27th. 22 pros and 22 co-anglers launched from Clapboard Creek Fish Camp Marina, in search of east coast bronze backs.
In this event, pros and co-anglers fish as a team for the day. Fish weighed by that team count for both anglers towards their overall weights. Pairings change on day 2, and co-anglers fish with a different pro based on random draw. On day 3, pairings are based on where an angler places on the leaderboard after day 2. The Top 10 pros and co-anglers fish together, to compete for their respective titles.
Photo: IFA
John Oliverio and Dewey Holloway hold up their winning fish
John Oliverio, owner of Power-Pole, and co-angler Rusty Jewett found themselves atop the leaderboard on day 1. Their fish, weighing 7.42 pounds and 7.92 pounds, respectively, gave them a total of 15.34 pounds. Jewett won the IFA Redfish team event last month in Jacksonville with teammate Timothy Jacobson.
Greg DeVault and co-angler Dewey Holloway sat in 2nd place, with fish that weighed 6.10 pounds, and a 6.96 pounds, giving them a 13.06-pound total.
Clark Jordan and co-angler Jim Devine rounded out the Top 3 for day 1. Their 4.95-pound and 6.65-pound fish gave them an 11.60-pound total.
On Day 2, John Oliverio, fishing with co-angler Dewey Holloway, maintained his lead, and helped Holloway take over the top spot in the co-angler division. Their 2 fish weighing 6.34 pounds and 6.64 pounds, respectively, gave Oliverio a 28.32-pound, 2-day total, and Holloway a 26.04-pound, 2-day total.
John Henninger moved into 2nd place on the pro side with a 19.11-pound, 2-day total.
Eddie Adams rounded out the Top 3 pro’s with a 17.32-pound, 2-day total.
Rennie Clark took over 2nd place on the co-angler side with a 22.26-pound, 2-day total.
Kelly Causey rounded out the Top 3 co-anglers with an 18.38-pound, 2-day total.
With Oliverio and Holloway leading their respective divisions, the pair fished together again on day 3. Their fish weighing 6.08 pounds and 4.12 pounds gave Oliverio a 38.52-pound, 3 day total. That weight was more than enough to secure the victory in the pro division by more than 10 pounds.
Eddie Adams finished in 2nd place, weighing 27.42 pounds of redfish over 3 days.
John Ochs rounded out the Top 3 pro’s, with a 25.49-pound, 3-day total.
The 2 fish Oliverio and Holloway weighed, also gave Holloway a 36.24-pound, 3-day total, and secured the win for the co-angler division.
Kelly Causey finished in 2nd place, with a 28.48-pound 3-day total.
Rusty Jewett rounded out the Top 3 co-anglers, with a 25.12-pound 3-day total.
The next IFA Pro/Am Redfish Challenge presented by Cabela’s is scheduled to take place in Slidell, LA September 12th-14th.
