The Dennis Dryer Municipal Harbor was filled with boats during the Texas Women Angler’s Tournament held last weekend. This year’s tournament registered 57 boats, up from the 43 registered in 2010. In its 14th year, the tournament allows only women to compete, although men may serve as guides, deckhands, captains, cheerleaders or provide other support. More than a dozen boats added to the number registered in last year’s Texas Women Angler’s Tournament brought the 2011 tournament registration to a total of 57 boats.

The tournament, held in Port Aransas, Aug. 26-28, is an International Game Fish Association qualifying tournament for women anglers only. Tournament directors recorded 56 billfish releases, consisting of four blue marlin, 18 white marlin and 34 sailfi sh. Billfish releases recorded in 2010 were 29.

The tournament benefits the Women’s Shelter of South Texas and this year’s event raised $4,000, to be donated to the shelter.

Chris Fox, on left, of Fox Yacht Sales, sponsor of the tournament, reviews a submitted video with the crew of Pipe Dream. Pipe Dream took first place sailfish, with five releases. The following awards were presented at the awards ceremony on Sunday:

Overall winner and recipient of the M.L. Walker Perpetual Trophy went to the team aboard the Paradox, which also received an invitation to the IGFA World Championship Tournament to be held in Cabo San Lucas in May, 2012.

Wahoo

First place, Susie Awalt, Override

Second place, Joan Brock, Marlin Majic

Tuna

First place, Beth Gale, Havin’ Fun

Second place, Mandy (last name not available), Fandango

Dorado

The team of the Paradox were the overall winners and recipients of the M.L. Walker Perpetual Trophy, as well as placing first for blue marlin with two releases. As the winners, they also received an invitation to the IGFA World Championship Tournament to be held in Cabo San Lucas in May, 2012. First place, Tracy Jones, Bottom Dollar

Second place, Lauren Attaway, Scandalous

Sailfish

First place, Pipe Dream with five releases

Second place, Mojo with three releases

White marlin

First place, Game On with two releases

Second place, Door Prize with two releases

White marlin ties were broken by earliest release time.

Blue marlin

First place, Paradox with two releases

Second place, Let it Ride with one release

The Best Decorated Boat was awarded to the Riptide, owned by Carl and Mary Jane Shanklin of Port Aransas. The Outlaw, out of Port Aransas, took second place and third went to the Scandalous, out of Rockport. Kevin Deerman, aboard the Legacy, received Best Dressed Captain award.

The crew aboard the Riptide make ready to embark under the direction of the captain. The Riptide received the award for Best Decorated Boat. Additional t- shirts may be ordered by e- mailing twattournament@gmail.com by tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 2.