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The 2009 Fifth Annual Boca Grande Fishing Guides Association (BGFGA)
Invitational Tarpon Tournament is over and the event was again
fantastic, to say the least! With 61 tarpon caught and released
by 22 boats…53 of them released at the boat with swivel in
hand and 8 weighed and then released to swim away, this year's
event produced the second largest catch since its beginning in
2005.
First and second places were secured by fish weighing 157.4
pounds caught by angler Brett Hendricks aboard Capt. Steve
Futch's "Savannah" and 136.8 pounds caught by Roger
Otto aboard Capt. Waylon Mills' "Blaze", respectively.
Third place, representing the most releases, was taken by the
Capt. Sandy Melvin's "Boca Blue" with angler Kevin
Potter landing the most releases. The coveted Jay Joiner
Memorial Award for the most releases captain was won by Melvin.
All tarpon were caught in accordance with the traditional
Boca Grande Pass fishing technique using live bait that has been
the standard for many decades. 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: Steve Futch
Boat: "Savannah"
Team Leader: Brett Hendricks
Angler: Brett Hendricks
Tarpon Weight: 157.4 pounds
First Place Winnings: $35,000
Second Place:
Captain: Waylon Mills
Boat: "Blaze"
Team Leader: David LeFever
Angler: Roger Otto
Tarpon Weight: 136.8 pounds
Second Place Winnings: $21,000
Third Place:
Captain: Sandy Melvin
Boat: "Boca Blue"
Team Leader: Bobby Melvin
Angler with Most Releases: Kevin Potter
Most Releases for Team: 8
Third Place Winnings: $14,000
The sponsors, supporters and volunteers that deserve much
appreciation are:
Major Sponsors -
Boca Bay Powerhouse
Caddy Carts, Richard Cucchi
Hal Coleman
Marine Max
Whidden's Marina
Associate Sponsors -
Boca Beacon
Bryan Cochran Realty
Gulf to Bay Properties
Hudson's Grocery
Support Sponsors -
Gasparilla Properties, Bobby Melvin
Grande Air Services
Tournament Supporters -
In addition to the sponsors, there were a large number of local
businesses that supplied merchandise for give-away prizes and
raffle items…all greatly appreciated! They are as follows:
Barbara Ann's
Barnacle Hardware
B-n-T Liquors
Boca Grande Home Watch
Boca Grande Marina
Boca Grande Outfitters
Boca Grill & Tiki Bar
Coco Hibbitts, BGFGA Webmaster
Compass Interiors
Courtyard Hair
Culligan Water Southwest Florida, Dale Mast
Dave McHugh
Debbie Sweikert - Gasparilla Gazette
Dolphin Cove
Eagle Grill
Englewood Bank
Eva Johnson
Fishing Unlimited, Gasparilla Outfitters
Fresh Produce
Gasparilla Plumbing
Grapevine
Island Bike and Beach
Italiano Insurance
Kelly Reark
Kevin Hyde
Lighthouse Museum
Native Gardens
Newlin's Gourmet
P.J.'s Seagrille
Palmetto Grill
Richie Edwards, Key Agency
Ruhamas Book Store
Seale Family Realtors
Serendipity
Shaffer Building
Sisters Restaurant
Statewide Pest Control
Temptation Restaurant
Special Art -
Michael Lewis - original cutting board creation, including Patti
Middleton art
Patti Middleton - original creation, island art
Stuart Hoeckel - original creation, marine life in bronze
Volunteers -
BGFGA Membership
Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce
Isabelle Joiner, Whidden's Marina
Head Judge - Sandy Bylaska & Stuart Hoeckel (Spotter)
Judge Boat - Chad Lach & Jason + Bobby (Spotters)
Judge Boat - Chris Hoeckel & Shannon Hoeckel (Spotter)
Judge Boat - Dennis Oller & Michael Lewis (Spotter)
Judge Boat - Randy Clay
Judge Boat - Sam Steyer & Slim Oris (Spotter)
Leslie Coleman
Melissa Joiner Steyer
Monica Clay
Kathy Futch
Pirate Coast Magazine, Dave Arner
Sally Joiner
Tracey Mills
Weigh Master - Eddie Barnhill, Sr.
Weigh Master - Eddie Barnhill, Jr.
Weigh Barge - Dave Carson
Weigh Barge - Billy Kaminsky
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 2010 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 2010 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 next May.
Thank you again to everyone who helped make this tournament
another great BGFGA success! |
