By Cpl. Jack Nash
PIO OCSO
OKEECHOBEE -- The first of what will be our annual "First Responder Hookin' Speck's" tournament, which was held on Lake Okeechobee on Feb. 12, was a huge success.
Okeechobee County Sheriff Noel E. Stephen and Glades County Sheriff David Hardin teamed up for this fundraiser. All proceeds will support the Florida Sheriff's Youth Ranch and will be officially presented in a future ceremony.
Entry into the event was simple; a first responder (active or retired) or military retiree had to be half of the two-person team, along with a small entry fee.
The top five finishers all took home cash prizes starting at $2,000.00 for our First Place Finishers. Additional winnings for first and second-largest fish were given, and our 10th Place Finishers took home their entry fee.
This event would not have been possible if it were not for the community, staff, and families that helped set up during the event.
Of course, our sponsors deserve a tremendous "THANKS!" without them, none of this would be possible. They are in no particular order:
Fast Break Bait &Tackle, NAPA, Victory Supply, Dermatic Direct, AG 98 Trailer Sales, Taylor Electric & Air Conditioning, Lakeport Hunting & Fishing Lodge, Glades Electric Co-Op, Ahern's, AAA – Full-Service Auto, Lakeport Quick-Stop, BPG – Banana Point Jigs, The Duck Pub, Gator-Glades at
HuntErverglades.com, Everglades Harvesting, L-Cross Ranch HQ & Livestock Auction, Alan Jay – Fleet Sales, Lehman Auto Body, First 1 Bank, Oasis Commissary Sales, Everglades Equipment Group, Legend Moto, and Perry Farms.
