April 7th 2026
Paradise Bay - Sarasota Bay Boating & Fishing Club Meeting Minutes
President: Ron Prieskorn
Vice President: John Hopkins
Treasurer: Jim Bowling
Secretary: George Mullen
The meeting was called to order at 9:05am by President, Ron Prieskorn. We had 58 members present. Ron led the club in the Pledge of Allegiance and then recited the Fisherman's Prayer
Ron asked for the March minutes to be approved, Cathy Mullen made the motion and was seconded by Chris Matteson. Membership approved.
Jane Von Hahmann from the Cortez fishing village gave a nice history about the Cortez village and the preserve. Jane spoke about the details of this area being one of the last natural water fonts on Sarasota bay. There is a nice walking trail inside the preserve to check out also. For more details about the village and preserve check out their web site at fishcortez.org
Ron asked for a motion to donate $250.00 to the Cortez village, Chris Matteson made the motion and was seconded by Stan Heldebrand. The vote by the club membership was unanimous.
Tim Sease thanked all the volunteers that helped build the Bayfest float. The club got third place this year, Next year first place Tim?
Ron thanked all our volunteers for their help with the fish fry and Easter Dinner. Ron said we served 200 at the fish fry and thanked Peggy Baer and Kim Hopkins for their help preparing the food. Chris Mattesin also thanked all the volunteers for their help with the Easter Dinner. Both meals were well attended.
Ron talked about the Next boat trip Monday the 13th at 10:30am to Gilligans Island. He passed around a sign up sheet and asked boat captains to arrange rides for others needing a ride. If you can go but did not sign up, text Ron at 270-535-64 to get added to the list.
Joyce Stepansky asked the club to consider having everyone bring their own lunch on the Gilligan's island trip to lighten the load on the people always preparing food. After a few comments the club voted in agreement with Joyce for all to bring their own lunch.
Stan Hellenbrand read the results of the fishing contests sporadically throughout the meeting, all results will be posted at the bottom of these minutes.
George Mullen reported the new ice maker was installed in the laundry mat between 3rd and 4th st. The ice maker still needs to have an inline water filter installed that has been ordered and should be operational very soon.
Jim Bowling gave the financial report, the ending balance for the season at the bank is $6177.06
Dave Wally told a fishing story about fly fishing in sarabay recently. After one of his casts while reeling in he had three nibbles and on the forth bite he hooked a 5 foot Tarpon that jumped out of the water, hit him on the leg, and almost knocked him out of the boat, flopped on the gunwale and fell back into the water.
Ron then asked when cleaning your fish to throw the carcass out of the pelican's reach, we have had a few reports of them choking on fish caught in their throats.
Chuck Maidama reported that the new dock and ramp on 106th St is our property and can be used by our park boat owners. With a court agreement between our park and the residents of 106th St both groups are allowed to use that ramp.
The largest non category fish contest Trophy went to Mike Perry, he caught a 32” Red Grouper. So Mike will have the Trophy on display till next season. Congratulations Mike
Our 50/50 Winner was Rick Helps ticket # 642553 for a nice cash prize of $65 dollars
Respectfully Submitted by George Mullen
2025/26 BIGGEST FISH OF EACH CATEGORY CONTEST
Black Drum Flounder
Terry Buse 22 ¾” Dave Whalley 15”
Florida Pompano Rick Ayres 15”
Doug Jones 16 ¾” Kelly Esquimaux 15”
Sheepshead Dee Billings 15”
Dave Walley 19 ¾” Mangrove Snapper
Spanish Mackerel Brian Bourgeios 22 ¼”
Norm Kitchen 21 ¼”
Spotted Seatrout
Doug Jones 24 1/2”
Redfish
John Halteman 27”
Bill Booher 27”
MARCH 2026 MONTHLY FISHING CONTEST
Sheepshead
1st Mike Shone 17 ¼” Biggest Non Contest Fish
2nd Norm Kitchen 14 ¼” No Monetary Prize
Spanish Mackerel Traveling Trophy
1st Norm Kitchen 21 ¼” Mike Perry
2nd Pete Pelligrino 18” Red Grouper 32”
2nd Kim Hopkins 18”
Spotted Seatrout Mangrove Snapper
1st Bill Booher 24” 1st Brian Bourgieos 22 ¼”
2nd Ron Prieskorn 22 ¼” 2nd Dave Whalley 13 ½”
3rd Stan Hellenbrand 22”
Redfish
1st Bill Booher 26”
2nd Stan Hellenbrand 19”
0NE DAY KAYAK FISHING CONTEST
MARCH 26 2026
Spotted seatrout
1st Doug Jones 24 ¼”
2nd Patti Gillardo 19 ½”
3rd Ron Prieskorn 19 ¼”
Sheepshead
1st James Drudge 16 ¼”
2nd Todd Thomas 13”
Redfish
1st Doug Jones 20 ½”
Flounder
1st Rick Helps 14 1/8”
MENS ONE DAY MAKE UP FOR FEBRUARY BAD WEATHER FISHING CONTEST
MARCH 19 2026
Spotted Seatrout
1st Greg Crist 23 ½”
2nd Martin Esquimaux 18”
3rd Ge Stepansky 16 ½”
Sheepshead
1st Martin Esquimaux 16 ¼”
2nd Brian Bourgeios 16 1/8”
3rd Dave Whalley 15”
Flounder
1st Pete Pelegrino 18 1/8”
2nd Aaron Euton 16”
LADIES ONE DAY MAKE UP FOR FERBRUARY BAD WEATHER FISHING CONTEST
MARCH 19 2026
Spotted Seatrout
1st Patti Gallardo 17 ¼”
2nd Joyce Stepansky 17”
Spanish Mackerel
1st Penny Maxwell 14 ¼”
Sheepshead
1st Kelly Esquimaux 15 ¼”
2nd Penny Maxwell 14 ½”
ONE DAY NO WINNERS FISHING CONTEST
MARCH 13 2026
Spotted Seatrout
1st Greg Crist 18 ½”
2nd Mike Schone 15 ½”
Spanish Mackerel
1st Tim Sease 19 ¾”
ONE DAY FISHING CONTEST MARCH 5 2026
Spotted Seatrout
1st John Mattei 22 ¾”
2nd Jack Whitaker 19 ½”
3rd Joyce Stepansky 19”
Spanish Mackeral
1st Pete Pellegrino 20”
2nd Norm Kitchen 19”
3rd Sue Prieskorn 14 ¾”
Sheepshead
1st Martin Esquimaux 16”
2nd James Drudge 15 ¾”
3rd Jean Drudge 15 ½”
Redfish
1st Ron Prieskorn 26”
2nd John Mattei 19 ½”