During the past few years, reports have surfaced regarding a renewed population of spring and summer tarpon that have not been seen for some time. In fact, it appears due to the intense boat pressure here at Boca Grande, many of our tarpon are leaving earlier than normal only to end up in the Tampa Bay fishery.
Bill Miller of Tampa and Boca Grande, a longtime member of the Boca Grande Fishing Guides Association and a co-owner of the new Tampa Bayside Marina, is proudly helping support a new tournament, which actually is an old tournament that has been inactive for 16 years.
The Tampa Tarpon Tournament will renew its existence on June 8th in Tampa. The tournament is a benefit fundraiser for the University Tampa’s Marine Science Department and the continuing effort to bring Tampa Bay back even closer to its previous healthy condition.
The event will be held between the hours of 7:00 am and 3:00 pm on that day, with the winner being declared by most releases. The allowable fishing area is the entire Tampa Bay and it’s tributaries, plus a limited area offshore of the Skyway Bridge.
Each team of anglers will have a "certified observer" aboard to attest to legal releases and tournament format compliance. The maximum fishing line rating is 80-pound test and the maximum length of leader is 15 feet. Once a fish is hooked, no one but the angler himself can fight the fish or even touch the rod. A legal release is the standard hand on swivel method.
Teams of anglers can enter with or without a professional guide. There will be a category for each, plus a category for fly-fishing, female anglers and juniors. Entry costs are $50 each for youngsters and $200 each for all other entrants.
Major and associate sponsors for the tournament include Colonial Bank, Tampa Electric, Cherry and Company, Tampa Bayside Marina, The University of Tampa, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Boat and Motor Superstores, Cayman Airways, Hall Print Works, CIA Apparel, Rodbenders Bayside, The Flyer, Johnny Leverock’s Seafood Restaurants, Ferman Automotive Group, Southern Cross Club Resort and John Baldwin & Company.
In addition, there are numerous other sponsors that are contributing to the event in some way. In all, the support is heavy and impressive. The excitement in Tampa and the area is high for the renewal of this long missed competition.
For more information, contact the Tampa Bayside Marina at 813-831-5757 and ask for Mike Emmanuel, Tournament Director. The Captain’s Meeting will be held on Friday evening at 6:00 p.m. on June 7th at the Marina.
Note: Capt. Mel Berman will broadcast his 970-WFLA radio show on June 8th from the site of the Tampa Tarpon Tournament at Tampa Bayside Marina.
