Winners of the 2025 Spanish Mackerel Tournament

The Mathews Rotary Club’s inaugural Spanish Mackerel Mayhem Fishing Tournament was held on Saturday, August 16th, 2025, and brought anglers together for a day of fun, competition, and fishing on the Chesapeake Bay. With beautiful late-summer 80 degree weather, boats cast off at sunrise, all competing to land the heaviest catches of the day.

By noon, participants gathered at Morningstar Marina for the official weigh-in, where the five heaviest fish per boat determined the winners. The afternoon wrapped up with awards at 2:15 pm, plenty of camaraderie, and a dockside cookout featuring brats and hotdogs served fresh off the grill.

The event not only delivered friendly competition and big catches but also raised support for the Rotary’s ongoing community projects in Mathews County. A strong first showing sets the stage for this new Rotary tradition to grow in the years ahead.

Congratulations to all the anglers!

1st place:
Johnathan Dehoux $2,000,
2nd place : Fernando Melendez $1,000
3rd place: Allen Palmer $700.

Junior winner: Logan Marsiglio $100
Female winner: Emily Bell: $100
Senior winner: Allen Palmer: $100

Thanks to our sponsors: Chesapeake bank, Morningstar Marina, Atlantic Coast Fishing Charters & Premier Realty of Virginia .'