JD Nobles Presents Bob Morris as 2004-2005 Angler of the Year After a successful first year, the Forida Lure Anglers started the 2004-2005 season with increased membership, enthusiasm, and a little controversy.
Club founder Carl Hardy declined a 2nd term as president and Herb Payne volunteered to take charge with Jeff Berry as his vice president. Other officers were JD Nobles - tournament director, Bryan Dreisbach - treasurer, Angel Isbell - secretary, and Terry Sturgeon as membership director. The board of directors were Bob Morris, Charlie Newton, Suzette Miscally, Ken Weinstein, Ken Hicks, Heather Isbell, Wendell Nolan, Frank Gregg, and Chuck Dehlinger.
The season found the club fishing a rotating schedule with venues that included Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Palm Coast, and Fernandina and there were a mixed bag of formats where anglers targeted redfish, trout, and flounder using artificial lures only. As in our first season, the Angler of the Year would be determined by the top placing fisherman after their two worst results from the year were dropped.
One of the unique twists to the 2004-2005 season was the inclusion of a "team draw" format where anglers were paired at the monthly meeting prior to the tournament as an attempt to promote fellowship among the membership. JD Nobles pulled Steve Laveck's name out of the hat and they went on to win this unique tournament that almost never happened....
After the season opener, newly elected president Herb Payne promoted the idea that the club switch to a team format from the individual format we had adopted the prior year. His logic was that most club members tournament fished outside the club with a normal partner and that should translate over to club tournaments as well. Although it was an excellent idea that became a reality the following season, the board of directors blocked his attempt citing that the season had already begun and it would be unfair, if not impossible, to implement the changes in the points structure after one event was in the books. Feeling that he had lost the ability to lead the club, Herb resigned the presidency and the club's leadership was in limbo for several weeks until Ken Hicks stepped up to the plate and took charge as interim president.
Despite this bump in the road, the FLA continued to build momentum thanks to groundwork being laid by Carl Hardy, JD Nobles, and John Cascone who were forming a partnership with ESPN's Redfish Cup. By the season's end, the Florida Lure Anglers became recognized as the first official Redfish Nation/Redfish Cup club which led to exposure on a national level. The club also became a player in hurricane Katrina relief thanks to Herb Payne's initiative to make a generous donation to the American Red Cross. The club's charitable foundation was established at this time and has been continued each season.
At year's end, the FLA again had its banquet at the Florida Times Union center on the banks of the St. John's River and redfish pros Bryan and Greg Watts hosted the event. I was thrilled to be named Angler of the Year after a hard fought season and consider this title to be the highlight of my fishing career. Although I have done well on the pro redfish tours, the challenge of fishing against North Florida's best anglers in the variety of formats the club offers is a better test of angling skill than anything else out there in my opinion.
The "top 10" for the year were: 1st Bob Morris, 2nd Jeremy Isbell, 3rd JD Nobles, 4th Randy Hartley, 5th Clinton Batten, 6th Heather Isbell, 7th Carl Hardy, 8th Dave Mizelle, 9th Al Wyss, and Charlie Newton finished 10th. The club's Lady Angler of the Year was Heather Isbell and Tiffany Hicks claimed the Junior Angler title. For complete tournament results click this link: http://www.flafishingclub.com/archives/04-05%20Full%20Results.htm
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