After a slower than usual start to the 2017 trophy rockfish season, the bite turned on just in time for the 8th annual Rock on Warriors, presented by the Annapolis Chapter of Maryland Saltwater Sportfishing Association. The focus of the event, which was founded in 2010, is to take out veterans from Walter Reed and Fort Belvoir for a day of spring trophy striper trolling. This year 56 participants, including former and active duty military personnel and their family members, arrived early Sunday morning at the Annapolis Yacht Basin and were greeted with calm winds and favorable tides. The warrior anglers boarded 23 boats captained by members of MSSA and headed out on the Bay to troll for trophy rockfish. For Teena Carter of Delaware, this was her second time out on a fishing boat guided by an experienced captain. Teena and Charles Carter reeled in a pair of rockfish measuring 38-inches and 40.5-inches aboard Kulprit, with John Kulp and Jim Moran. Captain Smitty, who caught a nice trophy sized rock fishing with Dale Dirks aboard Heatwave said the best thing about Rock on Warriors was "getting out on the water and making new friends." Throughout the day, 22 fish over 36 inches were caught. The largest rockfish of the day measured 43.25 inches, caught by Dominic Jones fishing with Ricky Oakland and Jimmy Dooley aboard Ty Won On. Pasha Palanker is a returning warrior angler and said he loves to get out on the water “every chance he can get." Many thanks go out to all of the sponsors, captains, organizers, and volunteers for coming together to make such a great event for such an honorable cause. For information on how to support next year’s event, please contact [email protected] [gallery link="file" ids="19456,19457,19458,19459,19460,19461,19462,19463,19464" orderby="rand"] Rock on Warriors 2017 Awards Biggest Fish: Boat: Ty Won On Capt. Jim Dooley/Ricky Oakland Angler: Dominic Jones 43.25 inches 2nd Place & Lady Angler: Boat: Tail Chaser Capt. Time McClenahan/Mike holden Angler: Michelle Triplett 42 inches 3rd Place: Boat: Leeway Capt. Lee Slagle Angler: Austin Sanchez 41.5 inches Most Fish: Boat: Brown Eye Girl Capt. James Sloat Anglers: David and John 25 inches, 28 inches, 33 inches Coast Guard: Boat: Monster Fish Capt. Rick Nadolny Angler: Brian Higgs 40.75 inches Smallest Legal Fish: Boat: Perfect Catch Capt. Chris Rosenthal Angler: Arturo Robinson 37 inches