Backe fishing tourney a success By Richard Kotrla Correspondent Published November 12, 2006 GALVESTON — Big fish were caught and big bucks were raised for charity during the second annual Brandon Backe Grand Slam Fishing Tournament Saturday at the Galveston Yacht Basin. Backe, a Galveston native and a starting pitcher for the Houston Astros, sponsors the tournament to raise funds for the Shriners Burn Hospital in Galveston. When it comes to the fish caught Saturday, Ben Peteric was the big winner. He had the second- and third-place trout, 4.23 and 3.71 pounds, respectively; and the third-best stringer of fish, weighing 11.56 pounds. Another fisherman having good luck despite the cool temperatures and strong winds was Vincent Rinando, who had heaviest stringer of fish at 12.55 pounds and the second biggest redfish, which weighed 5.96 pounds. Aaron Jolly had the biggest flounder at 4.38 pounds. Johnny Gresseff came in the second with a flounder weighing 4.05 pounds, and Kevin Pete was third, with his flounder weighing 3.48 pounds. Mike Douglas had the biggest redfish, which weighed 6.36 pounds, and the second-largest stringer, weighing 12.31 pounds. Gabe Peteric had the third-place red at 5.81 pounds. Sammy Flores caught the biggest trout, which weighed in at 4.86 pounds. First-place finishers in each category won $500 cash, while second place took home $250 and third place, $150. Backe’s father, Harold Backe, was pleased with the day’s fishing, saying: “We saw pretty big fish despite the less than perfect weather.” “Over 50 fishermen came out and had a good time and raised money for a good cause,” he said. The pitching ace also got out on the water and tried his hand at fishing for a few hours, and said he “caught one fish that was nothing to brag about, and not big enough to make the leader board.” Following the weigh-in, an auction featuring both baseball memorabilia and fishing tackle was held to raise more money for the local hospital. “My goal is for this tournament to continue to grow,” said the younger Backe. “My goal is to raise a million dollars.”