The 2002 Grove Dolphin SLAM!
Saturday May 4th, 2002, Coconut Grove

The first annual Grove Dolphin SLAM! was a resounding success! With 84 boats registered, it is the largest tournament in South Florida this year. You could feel the excitement in the air. This tournament gave many people the opportunity to experience a "big tournament feel" with a "small tournament price." The SLAM! had all of the "big tournament" components such as great sponsors, open bar and food, helicopter pictures, and a Bimini start. In addition, the SLAM! had some events that have never been done at any fishing tournament. The Miss Hotfish Bikini Contest was a crowd favorite. Guest judges narrowed down the field to three finalists and then the crowd got involved! Audience applause chose the winner, Claudia Mediso. After the Bikini Contest, it was award time and there were plenty to hand out. The SLAM! had winners in all categories. Lynn Mitchell and her crew weighed in almost 120 pounds of dolphin! That's an average of 24 pounds per fish, an impressive number. The next closest team was Nate Latour's "Last Chance," and they were still 36 pounds from the leader. The "Down South" team normally fishes tournaments in the Keys, but they showed that they could hang with the "Northerners" by placing third. There was only a 10 pound difference between 4th place and 14th place. The fishing was great at the SLAM! Here is a breakdown of the winners:

Category	Weight	Boat/Team Name	Captain/Angler	Prize
1st Overall	119.75 lbs	"Good to Go" Contender/Yamaha	Lynn Mitchell	$ 2000 Cash Crystal Trophy
2nd Overall	84.00 lbs	"Last Chance" Contender/Mercury	Nate Latour	$ 750 Cash Crystal Trophy
3rd Overall	71.25 lbs	"Down South" Sea Vee/Yamaha	Donovan Garrison	$ 250 Cash Crystal Trophy
Largest Dolphin	36.50 lbs	"Relentless" Contender/Yamaha	Rick Miguez	$1000 Original Painting Glass Plaque
Largest Kingfish	17.75 lbs	"Sailsman" Buddy Davis	Jesse Brayshaw	$ 250 Gift Certificate Glass Plaque
Largest Wahoo	17.25 lbs	"Follow the Leader" Wellcraft/Johnson	Mike Yanes	$ 250 Gift Certificate Glass Plaque
Largest Pilchard	62 gms	"Blue Runner" Contender/Yamaha	Joe Whitte	Sabiki Rod Glass Plaque
Top Lady Angler	29.50 lbs	"Good to Go" Contender/Yamaha	Lynn Mitchell	$ 200 Spa Day at Doral Brass Trophy Glass Plaque
Top Junior Angler	13.00 lbs	"No Regulation" Regulator/Yamaha	Chris Tenbery	Glass Plaque