If there was anything that would propel Rene to gain shark fishing recognition Rene would get involved.The Met Tournament was the longest continouis running fishing tournament in the world when it was in existence for over 70 years the Miami Herald held it from Dec-May of each year and one of the categories was for sharks .Rene fought hard to win the biggest shark award award or the Afoot Award given to the angler catching the largest fish from shore every year.No small feat many years Rene would place in the top 5 for biggest sharks but it was tough to compete against the professional guides fishing out of Key West ,,,,guides like Ralph Delph and Ken Harris(world record holders) fishing with monied customers like Mark Sosin,Pete Pate and other world class fisherman all vying to win the Master Angler award by seeking out the largest of sharks on the flats using plug casting,spinning and even fly fishing gear to gain points.Rene became famous because he knew how to excite the media (he was a showman)and because of his shear determination to become one of the best all time shark hunters.He was extremely focused, dedicated even obsessed was a word that could be used to describe his push to win at all cost and often in the face of adversity.
Rene accepts another shark fishing prize
Rene in second place to famous captains like Capt Ron Schatman a legendary Bahamas fishing wiz
RENE'S WORLD RECORD CATCHES
Common Name ,Scientific Name, Line Class, Weight, Catch Place, Catch Date Status
World Records
Angelfish, grey Pomacanthus arcuatus All-Tackle 1.83 kg (4 lb 0 oz) South Beach Jetty, Miami, Florida , USA 7/12/1999 Approved
Moray, green Gymnothorax funebris All-Tackle 15.19 kg (33 lb 8 oz) Marathon Key, Florida , USA 3/15/1997 Approved
Moray, purplemouth Gymnothorax vicinus All-Tackle 0.75 kg (1 lb 10 oz) Port Everglades Reef, Florida , USA 6/19/1998 Approved
Moray, spotted Gymnothorax moringa All-Tackle 2.51 kg (5 lb 8 oz) Marathon Key, Florida , USA 4/1/2000 Approved
Moray, viper Enchelycore nigricans All-Tackle 1.32 kg (2 lb 14 oz) Fowey Light, Florida , USA 5/25/1998 Approved
Shark, Caribbean reef Carcharhinus perezi All-Tackle 69.85 kg (154 lb 0 oz) Molasses Reef, Florida , USA 12/9/1996 Approved-caught with Will Fundora on the "shark fever"
Shark, nurse Ginglymostoma cirratum All-Tackle 95.25 kg (210 lb 0 oz) Bahia Honda Channel Bridge, lorida Keys, Florida , USA 4/6/1997 Retired/Beaten
SOUTH FLORIDA SHARK CLUB -President SFSC-Founding Member est 1983 SFSC-Website Administrator BIG HAMMER SHARK TOURNAMENT -Founder Rene Memorial Sharkathon -Founder NMFS Shark Tagger
Wow that looks like a really awesome tournament to have around... talk about bringing the cities fishing community together. I would have loved to have taken a part in that.
Colby Uva : Bullbuster Team Captain
https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/107013063084498996341/
SFSC-Tagging/Fishing Science Coordinator
God that man left the bar so high.......RIP
FIRST OF ALL.....'RIP' from deep down from my shark blood..ALL THE SHIAT THAT HE PUT HIMSELF THROUGH PROVES THAT THERE IS NO LIMIT TO WHAT WE DO TO REACH THE HIGH FOR SUCCESS AN TO ACHIEVE WHAT WE WANT TO DO TO REACH THAT GOAL PLUS ENJOYING THE BEATINGS WE TAKE WHILE WORKING HARD TO GET TO OUR LIMITS....ALL THIS IS PLEASURE TO A SHARKMANS EYES!!!!'MUCH LOVE FOR THE SHARK SLAYER AND WHAT HE HAS DONE IN HIS TIME' ''would have loved to meet him but only will in every sharks that I catches eyes.........THE MEN THAT KNOW HIM THEN ARE VERY LUCKY FOR THE MEMORIES THEY HAVE FROM HIS PAST..I will be thinking while fishing that men are kings alive but are 'GODS' after we come and gone.....''FOR SHARKFISHERMAN BY SHARKFISHERMAN''