Weather Channel's "Reel Rivals" Focuses on Keys Sportfishing Captains

ISLAMORADA, Florida Keys -- Florida Keys sportfishing is receiving primetime broadcast attention since a new television reality series debuted on The Weather Channel.

The first episode of "Reel Rivals" aired Tuesday, May 7, at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The series features the daily competiveness of Keys sportfishing captains George McElveen, Nick Stanczyk, his uncle Scott Stanczyk and Augie Wampler.

The four skippers base their boats at Bud N' Mary's Fishing Marina, an almost 70-year-old Islamorada marina steeped in Keys sportfishing history.

"'Reel Rivals' is about the competition between four sportfishing captains in the sportfishing capital of the world," said Brad Hebert, the co-executive producer for Optomen Productions that created the show for The Weather Channel. "It centers on relationships, on and off their boats.

"They're entertaining, comical and (episodes are) full of twists and turns," he said about the 30-minute shows.

Hebert and his video production crew focused a slew of cameras on the four skippers for almost a month. They subsequently spent four months in post-production to create six shows for airing, with the anticipation the series will be extended on an annual basis.

Hebert says viewers should be forewarned that "Reel Rivals" is not a typical nuts-and-bolts fishing show, although plenty of sportfishing action is included. He added that the natural attractions and climate of the Keys add to the show's appeal.

"The location (Florida Keys) is beyond what is advertised in terms of beauty as well as the diversity of species," Hebert said.

Episodes are slated to air Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT through the end of June, according to a Weather Channel spokesperson. Programming dates and times are subject to change.

On the Web: Reel Rivals

From left, Scott Stanczyk, captain of the Catch 22; George McElveen, skipper of the Reel McCoy; Augie Wampler, captain of Predator and Nick Stanczyk, skipper of the Bn'M. Photos: Andy Newman

From left, Scott Stanczyk, captain of the Catch 22; George McElveen, skipper of the Reel McCoy; Augie Wampler, captain of Predator and Nick Stanczyk, skipper of the Bn'M. Photos: Andy Newman

The diversity of species, including sailfish, is what attracts anglers from around the world to the Florida Keys.

The diversity of species, including sailfish, is what attracts anglers from around the world to the Florida Keys.

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