Mike Ryan (not pictured) bought Grandma’s cookies for an impressive $36,000 at auction.
Texas Swordfish Seminar Raises a Staggering $400,000 in Support of United States Veterans
By Brandon Rowan
Sword seekers and sponsors came together Saturday, April 26 at Surfside Marina and did something incredible for our United States veterans. The 4th annual “Get Tight Sucka” Texas Swordfish Seminar by the Booby Trap Fishing team raised close to $400,000 for Everyday Heroes, an organization that helps veterans get wheelchairs, scooters and whatever else they may need without any of the red tape.
Over 200 sponsors offered up a huge array of items for both live auction and raffle, including dream sportfishing and hunting vacation packages, first-class offshore fishing gear and lures, coastal artwork, firearms, furniture and even baked goods. The proceeds from these items, and entry ticket sales, boosted the funds raised well above $350,000.
Capt. Jeff Wilson with some of the lovely raffle sales staff.
Capt. Matt Reed instructs attendees on proper bait rigging.
Some of the top sponsors for the seminar included Brett Holden with Holden Roofing, Mike Ryan of Ryan Services, Surfside Marina, Michael Pappas with Pappa’s Bar-B-Q, Jeremy Turner with Texas Blue Water Mafia, Chris Hoover of Ron Hoover Marine and RV, Tim Pickett with Lindgren Pitman, Scott Broussard of Diamondback Firearms, Barry Shaneyfelt of Suncoast Marine, Mike Parsons with Coca-Cola, Michael Christiansen with Moody National Bank, Brian Barclay with Performance Contractors Inc., Rocky at Roy’s Tackle and RSG Roofing Supply Company.
Capt. Brett ‘Ahab’ Holden and Capt. Travis Joyce explain how to rig a proper leader for swordfishing.
A huge number of people came together to make this event possible. Some of the volunteers we spoke with were Brett and Monica Holden, Josh Graves, Rory Starling, Travis Joyce, Mike Parsons, Jason Gale, Joey Lenderman, Andrew West, Clay Schoolfield, Danny Lenderman, Neely Johnson, Matt Reed, Jeffery Wilson, Vance Smith and family, Ryan Services and associates, Terry Sibbet, Dan Mathews, Chelsey Holden and friends, Colton Pratka, the off-duty Brookshire Police Department and over 20 Holden Roofing employees.
Attendees were treated to catering by Pappa’s Bar-B-Q, hundreds of pounds of crawfish and shrimp, water, drinks and inside know-how on catching swordfish from the crew of the Booby Trap themselves.
Heaps of world-class fishing gear, like this Shimano Talica 20II were up for auction and raffle.
Captains Brett Holden, Jeff Wilson, Travis Joyce, Matt Reed, Rory Starling, guest speaker Nick Stanczyk of B n’M, Tim Pickett with LP Reels and “Disco” Luis Herrera discussed rigging, tackle, fishing locations, finding swordfish, and everything else you need to know about daytime and nighttime swordfishing techniques. After the seminar portion, the captains brought out the tables and personally instructed attendees on all techniques presented.
The live auction that night was amazing to watch. Bidders went back and forth on some incredible items and packages. The top of item of the night, the “Make You Famous Swordfishing Trip” aboard the Booby Trap, was bought by Ron Bartee of Renovations Unlimited for a cool $37,000.
Capt. Brett Holden, the crew of the Booby Trap Fishing Team and everyone involved, from attendees to sponsors to live auction bidders, should be massively proud of what was accomplished. We urge our readers to attend and support this event in any way possible next year and every year it is put on for the sake of our veterans.
More information on the this seminar, please visit www.boobytrapfishingteam.com
Saltwater taxidermy by Barry Shaneyfelt Sr. of Suncoast Marine Works.
A 20 pound black drum won the age six-to-ten division of the kid’s fishing tournament. A mount was generously donated by Barry Shaneyfelt Sr. of Suncoast Marine Works.
Beautiful swordfish bill art by Dan Matthews.
Thanks Brandon and everyone at Gulf Coast Mariner for all the support helping build this great event! We are proud to have y’all as a sponsor and looking forward to next years Swordfish Seminar already! Your promotions helped raise a ton of money for the US Veterans of Everyday Heroes Inc. Thanks again Brett Holden and the Booby Trap Fishing Team