Things have finally settled down (for the moment) on Boca Grande. With three days of festivities and two days of action packed tarpon fishing, we all needed some time to rest and relax!
The World's Richest Tarpon Tournament, hosted by the Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce was a huge success, this second year of its revival! Executive Director, Lew Hastings, and his incredible group of Chamber members, volunteers, and sponsors did a knock out job of putting this tournament together. This tournament is once again the crown jewel of Boca Grande! Bringing traditional and responsible tarpon fishing back in focus to the island water, the WRTT is an exercise in conservation, education, cultural heritage, and community pride! We at Gulf Coast Charter Brokers would like to time to thank all of those who have made this tournament possible from the anglers and captains to organizers! YOU have made this event what it is, and we are proud of the steps you have taken in preserving our area's history as well as its future!
Now… on to the fishing! Over 60 tarpon were caught and successfully released over May 22 & 23. The action was intense with tarpon rolling all around the Pass. The Captains stayed neck and neck in the competition for the majority of the tournament; with the exception of Captain Steve Ahlers aboard Spooked Again! There was a pack of Captains (Willie Mills, Lamar Joiner, Sr., Babe Darna, Matthew Coleman, Charlie Coleman, and Mark Futch) who kept adding to their releases as a group, Steve Ahlers pulled away from them with a total of 8 releases by the end of the tournament! Waylon Mills came in second place with 5 releases, and Third Place (last fish caught) went to Capt. Mark Futch! Up until the very last minute, and then into overtime, the third place winner was not known as three Captains had fish on when the final bell was sounded.
All Captains in the WRTT utilized the LIVE BAIT method of fishing using Pass Crabs and Squirrel Fish these two days. Additionally, the Captains all fished using "Boca Grande Pass Etiquette" in which the boats travel to the top of the Pass to drift through the pods of tarpon, then when they reach the end of the Pass, they travel out of the center, and up the side of the Pass to start the drift again. This way, all anglers and Captains can fish and operate in a safe and organized fashion. The WRTT works closely with the Boca Grande Fishing Guides Association to determine the times and dates of the tournament, as well as the boundaries and rules.
Congratulations to our winning Captains and Anglers! Great job! And thank you again to the Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce for your valiant efforts at promoting while preserving this bountiful and treasured fishery!
Gulf Coast Charter Broker Captains Participating in the World's Richest Tarpon Tournament:
- Capt. Lamar Joiner Sr.
- Capt. Willie Mills
- Capt. Matthew Coleman
- Capt. Babe Darna
Learn more about the World's Richest Tarpon Tournament.
See GCCB's photos of the event:
