As most know, the 2007 tournament was a great success, with a lot of tarpon caught, and now plans are being made for the fourth annual tournament that takes place this coming May.  The statistics for last year’s tarpon tournament include 45 tarpon hooked, in the air and visibly identified, of which 25 were caught and either released (21) at the back of the boat or released after being weighed (4) in a life support wet sling.  No tarpon were killed in our event. 

Adding to the excitement in the 2007 event was the one, two, three finish by the Joiner family of charter captains.  Capt. Cappy Joiner, aboard the “Sally J”, with longtime customer and team leader John Haviland, took first place with the largest tarpon at 139.2 pounds.  Cappy’s brother, Capt. Lamar Joiner, Sr. took second place at 132.2 pounds with his longtime friends and customers Buddy and Linda Foster aboard Lamar’s “Miss Sarah”.  And, ironically, Lamar’s son, Capt. Lamar Joiner, Jr. fishing the Richie Edwards’ team for numerous years, came in third place with the most releases of the event at five tarpon. 

For this year, actual tournament fishing will be on Wednesday and Thursday, May 21^st and 22^nd, between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on both days.    The final registration will take place on Tuesday, May 20th at Whidden’s Marina and the captain’s party will be that evening at 6:00 p.m. (location be announced).  The rules for 2008 have been relaxed and expanded regarding fishing line and leaders (see rules).    All tarpon caught will be released either at the boat or after being weighed in a specially designed wet sling. 

The awards party will take place on Thursday evening at the conclusion of fishing (location to be announced).  There will be no planned evening event on Wednesday after the first day of fishing, which will allow participants and families to patronize local restaurants and island shops. 

Award payouts based on a 30 boat entry field are $47,250 for first place, $28,350 for second place and $18,900 for third place.  The BGFGA pays back 88% of the entry fee in winnings allowing a low 12% that is set aside for tournament costs.  The maximum field allowed for the tournament is 40 boats which would incur a first place payout of $63,000 and so on.  Big money for the taking! 

In addition to the money and prizes awarded for the first three places, the Jay Joiner Memorial Award for most releases (third place) is a coveted achievement for the captain and includes a specially designed gold and silver belt buckle by Montana Silversmiths, plus the captain’s name is placed on the Jay Joiner Memorial Trophy, which is on display in the Gasparilla Maritime Museum at Whidden’s Marina. 

Enthusiasm for the 2008 tournament is even greater now than prior to the third event last year.  Many clients of BGFGA members have already committed.  The deposit fee is $250 and should be made payable to the Boca Grande Fishing Guides Association, plus mailed to P.O. Box 676, Boca Grande, Florida 33921 along with the official tournament registration form. 

Regarding the new 2008 edition of “Tarpon Fishing and Boat Operation at Boca Grande Pass”, in 1989 the association decided to print and distribute a pamphlet to make visitors aware of proper boat operation at the pass, along with info concerning the long time traditional method of tarpon fishing, which has worked so smoothly for decades.  Although there have been thousands of the pamphlets distributed worldwide, over 100,000 to date, boat traffic at Boca Grande Pass has increased so fast that stress to the tarpon caused by erratic boat operation has been overwhelming. 

The entry form for the tournament and the new 2008 pamphlet are available on the official BGFGA web site, www.bocagrandefishing.com, and can be downloaded for printing.  In addition, Whidden’s Marina and the Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce has the registration forms and guides’ pamphlets on hand. For further detailed information regarding the tournament including rules and regulations, please visit the Boca Grande Fishing Guides Association web site and click on “Tarpon Tournament”.