| The fourth annual Boca Grande Fishing Guides
Association (BGFGA) Invitational Tarpon Tournament is over and
the event was, to say the least, as if the script had been
written ahead of time. How about 96 tarpon caught and released
by 22 boats…88 released at the boat with swivel in hand and 8
weighed and then released to swim away!
This tarpon tournament has gone from great during the first
year steadily upward to "WOW" for 2008. There were
almost four times the tarpon caught and released this year
compared to 2007. And, adding to the exceptional results of the
event, the first and second places were secured by fish weighing
180 pounds and 160 pounds, respectively, caught from boats
captained by Lamar Joiner (first) aboard the "Miss
Sarah" and Matthew Coleman (second) aboard the "Momma
Leslie". Third place, representing the most releases, was
taken by the "Anejo" captained by Tater Spinks, who
received the coveted Jay Joiner Memorial Award.
All tarpon were hooked in accordance with traditional Boca
Grande Pass fishing technique and live bait. No tarpon were
killed.
Our unanimous message from the membership of the BGFGA is
"thank you" to the team entrants, captains, generous
sponsors, hard working volunteers, the community of Boca Grande
and the news media. A team effort coupled with productive
fishing dates selected by the association ensured another very
successful tournament!
The results of the event are as follows:
First Place:
" Captain: Lamar Joiner, Sr.
" Boat: "Miss Sarah"
" Team Leader: Linda Foster
" Angler: Linda Foster
" Tarpon Weight: 180 pounds
" First Place Winnings: $35,000
Second Place:
" Captain: Matthew Coleman
" Boat: "Momma Leslie"
" Team Leader: Jeff Pflugner
" Angler: Jeff Pflugner
" Tarpon Weight: 160 pounds
" Second Place Winnings: $21,000
Third Place:
" Captain: Tater Spinks
" Boat: "Anejo"
" Team Leader: Mark Rando
" Most Releases: 9
" Third Place Winnings: $14,000
Sponsors, supporters and volunteers that deserve much
appreciation are:
Major Sponsors -
Boca Bay Powerhouse
Caddy Carts, Richard Cucchi
Hal Coleman
Whidden's Marina
Associate Sponsors -
Boca Beacon
Boca Grande Real Estate
Gulf to Bay Properties
Hudson's Grocery
Marine Max
Support Sponsors -
Boca Grande Marina
Gasparilla Marina
Gasparilla Properties, Bobby Melvin
Grande Air Services
Parsley Baldwin Real Estate, Tony Mauceri
Seale Family Realty, Becky Paterson
Tournament Supporters -
In addition to the above sponsors, there were a large number
of local businesses that supplied merchandise for give-away
prizes and raffle items…all greatly appreciated!
Ace Hardware of Cape Haze
Barbara Ann's
Barnacle Hardware
B-n-T Liquors
Boca Grande Outfitters
Boca Grill & Tiki Bar
Bowen Construction
Compass Interiors
Courtyard Hair
Culligan Water Southwest Florida, Dale Mast
Dave McHugh
David Plumbing
Dolphin Cove
Eagle Grill
Englewood Bank
Fishing Unlimited, Gasparilla Outfitters
Fugate's
Grapevine
Holly's
House and the Hound
Island Bike and Beach
Italiano Insurance
Jams Off Island
Kelly Reark
Loose Caboose
Newlin's Gourmet
P.J.'s Seagrille
Palmetto Grill
Richie Edwards, Key Agency
Ruhamas Book Store
Serendipity
Smart Studio
Southwest Plumbing
Statewide Pest Control
Temptation Restaurant
Special Art -
Patti Middleton - original creation, island art
Stuart Hoeckel - original creation, marine life in bronze
Volunteers -
Barbara Jaeggi
BGFGA Membership
Boca Beacon, Daniel Godwin
Boca Beacon, Dusty Hopkins
Boca Beacon, Gary Dutery
Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce, Craig Lutz
Coco Hibbitts - Guides Association Webmaster
Gasparilla Gazette - Tammy Patzer
Head Judge - Sandy Bylaska
Isabelle Joiner
Judge Boat - Angie Mills
Judge Boat - Bryan Jaeggi
Judge Boat - Chris Morgan
Judge Boat - Johnny Bylaska
Judge Boat - Monica Clay
Judge Boat - Randy Clay
Judge Boat - Robbie Downing
Judge Boat - Sally Joiner
Judge Boat - Sam Steyer
Kathy Futch
Leslie Coleman
Melissa Joiner Steyer
Pirate Coast Magazine, Dave Arner
Weigh Barge - Mike Ehle
Weigh Barge - Rip Ponder
Weigh Barge - Steve Pierson
Weigh Master - Capt. Ned Van Deree
What a list! Thanks to all…it took a team to make it
happen. Very importantly, we hope our efforts to format the
schedule of events in the right way helped provide local
businesses with the opportunity for patronage from tournament
participants and their families.
Regarding the results, this tournament will stand in time as
one of the "best of the best".
Watch for information regarding the 2009 event that will
appear in this paper very soon. Everyone is still tired from
working on this year's tournament! However, the BGFGA is
planning on having the same event in 2009 on similar dates and
times, with final information to be released within the next
month. We have received overwhelming confirmation from those who
participated this year regarding their entry for 2009.
Thank you again to everyone who helped make this tournament
another great BGFGA success!
See
Tournament Photos Here |
