A Legacy of Love and Giving Lives On

The loss of a life due to a senseless tragedy is found all too often around our nation. It leaves families and friends grieving for those that were lost, as well as the many possibilities which now will never materialize.

Family and friends of Trevor Smith understood Trevor’s passion for life, his love of family and his dreams of having a family of his own one day. They were determined to see Trevor’s life, his passion for it and for doing for others not lost due because of the tragedy which stripped the community of what made him such a special individual in the lives of so many.

On Sunday, October 16 approximately 174 fishing enthusiasts and 64 boats pushed off from the Collier County Boat Launch area in Goodland for the seventh annual T-Rex One Last Cast Fishing Tournament. The tournament benefits the Trevor Smith’s Memorial Foundation.

The event began the evening before, as supporters and participants met at Kretch’s Restaurant on Bald Eagle Drive for a dinner and a captains meeting. In addition to great food and refreshments the participants were able to bid on auction items and participate in a $10,000 raffle prize.

Ellen and Bruce Kretschmer, the owners of Kretch’ have been longtime proud supporters of the event. “It is wonderful to see so many come out for such a great cause and to remember a wonderful young man,” said Ellen Kretschmer.

It was still dark when the first participants started pulling into the boat launch area to load their teams and receive final instructions for the event itself.  Participants would then patiently await the playing of the National Anthem and a loud blast which signified the beginning of the event. 

The sounds of the high horsepower motors accelerating down the waterways as boats and crews headed to their special fishing spots could be heard throughout the Goodland Boat Basin, as the fun and the competition began for the day. 

They would pull out in search of trout, redfish and snook. The combined length of one of each species would eventually determine the winner of the event. There would also be a separate competition for those that preferred flyrods.   

Boat captains and crews would return by mid-afternoon to stand in line at Stan’s to enter their results and monitor the official board which would determine the winner and have prizes awarded. In the meantime, tournament participants and supporters would be entertained by the Ben Allen Band as the crowd’s favorite entertainer would blast out their favorite songs while enjoying themselves under the warm Florida sun and appreciating the fact that Stan’s was now open for the season. 

Those that have benefited in the past have been Youth Haven, Captains for Clean Water, residents from Goodland and Everglades City which were hard hit after Hurricane Irma, along with many other charities which would have been close to Trevor Smith’s heart.

Winners of the 2021 event

1st Place Winner $5000 

Love N It  86”

Captain Jarred Love and Ewing family

2nd Place Winner $3000

 Blackjack  85”

Captain Stacy Mullendore, Todd Godwin, Jacob Godwin 

3rd Place Winner $1500 

Clean Sweep 79.75”

Captain Chris Broome and Dan Bartlett

4th Place Winner $500 

Left Hooks 78.75”

Capt Stephen Cooper, Nick Yacono and Christian Yacono 

Fly Rod Division

1st Place Winner $1050

Team Flyasalt 58.5

Ej and Sharon Sigety

2nd Place Winner Gift Bag 

 Reel Tails 46.75

Lance Stehman and Cade Larson

The largest snook caught was by Love N It at 41.75 inches. The largest redfish landed was by Team Spiggy at 30 inches. The Largest trout landed was 19.75 inches by Team BlackJack and Team Hincks.