Fishing

Tournament insider

As the 2004 tournament season winds down, so does my complete first year of covering the tournament scene. Hopefully more friends than enemies were made and if it wasn't for the help of some really nice people and organizations, my job would have been a lot tougher. Thanks to all of you!

The 70th Annual Suncoast Tarpon Round-up came to a close with 210 anglers releasing a remarkable 990 tarpon and weighing only 47 tarpon during the 10-week tournament.

Junior Finale Day winner was 12-year old Tim Deacon with a 122-pound tarpon. Regular Finale Day winner was John Reynolds' 130-pounder. Regular Division winner went to Mark Bradow with a 181-pound tarpon. Rhett Dixson released 62 tarpon during the tournament and was this year's release leader. In the Junior Division, Michael Riccardi won his division with a 157-pound tarpon. Junior Division Release leader was 11 year-old Taylor Wray with 50 released tarpon. The young Wray also competed with her father Mark Wray in the parent/child division and the pair took that division with a combined total weight of 269-pounds for their 2 tarpon. James Roehm who caught a 178-pounder from the Redington Long pier was this years Landlubber Division winner as well as the First Half Jackpot winner. Second Half Jackpot winner was Harry Lee Jr. with 161-pound tarpon. Ladies Overall winner was Ginger Campbell with a 163-pounder. The Ladies Overall release leader was Robin Murphy with a total of 26 releases. Senior Division went to long time tarpon guide Joe Dvorzeck with a 163-pounder.

Round-up organizer, Karen Nash, is proud to report a 28% decline in weighed tarpon compared to last year's tournament results. Larry Mastry, the 2002 tournament winner, credits the decline in weighed fish to angler awareness. Mastry is quick to point out that many of the anglers who participate in the Round-up are comprised of savvy veteran men and women who can tell just by sight alone if a fish is scale worthy.

"People don't want to waste time fighting a fish when they know it's not heavy enough," said Mastry. "And, as far as that goes, each angler can only weigh two tarpon anyway throughout the tournament, so you really have to be selective."

Tentative dates for the 2005 Round-up begin with the Kick-Off May 14th. The ten-week tournament will start a week later on May 21st and end July 30th. Junior Finale day will follow a day later on July31st and Regular Finale Day takes place on August 6th.

Switching to the kingfish circuit, Division 6 of the Southern Kingfish Association (SKA) overall winner went to team Fish Attack with Kevin Schmidt having 107.28 total points. Schmidt's team was able to put three fish on the leader board out of the five qualifying tournaments to win the title. In the Class of 23 of Division 6, Ron Heideman's Fair Warning team also put three fish on the board with 78.28 points to take home first place. Becky Smith and team Comfortably Numb won the Ladies class with 63.44 points and the Junior class winner was David Mistretta on Jaws Too with 87.5 points.

The SKA National Championship Tournament in Biloxi, Mississippi climaxed November 20th with David Van Lent and team In the Rough taking 8th place overall to have the best showing from Division 6. Team Rusty Hook with Geoffery Gibson of Dothan, Ala., took top honors in the regular class at the nationals with 84.21 total pounds. Team Snafu with Stephen Barfoot of Satsuma, Ala., won the Class of 23 with 108.80-pounds.

New for the Tournament Insider in 2005 will be the addition of spear-fishing tournaments. The St. Pete Open Spear-fishing Tournament will be one on the books. This tourney has a rich history and is an exciting event. Look for dates to follow.

Don't forget about the Billy's Stonecrab Big Mack Attack this Saturday, December 4th. Organizer Billy Moore is putting up an additional $1000 for the heaviest Spanish mackerel weighed. Captains meeting is tonight from 6-8p.m. at Billy's Stonecrab Restaurant 1120 Pinellas Bayway-Tierra Verde. Entry fee is $100 per boat and expect 100% pay back. For more information call Billy Moore at (727) 542-3900.

Send tournament information to Rick Frazier at captainrick@luckydawg.com

See you at the weigh-in.