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By LARRY BLUE
© St. Petersburg Times, published August 13, 2001
There were 21 boats with 126 anglers entered in the 30th annual Old Salt Loop All Release Billfish Tournament over the weekend in Longboat Key. It was a catch, photo and release tournament for blue marlin, white marlin and sailfish. Tuna, wahoo and dolphin were the only fish that could be weighed.
Capt. John Skinner aboard the HooWaa was 100 miles offshore when a blue marlin hit on an artificial lure. Skinner's teammate, Paul Cornell, fought the fish for one hour and 25 minutes before its release. Skinner estimated the marlin at 450 pounds. Later they caught a second blue that came into their spread of lures. They won the first-place billfish trophy for the two released marlin and the tournament's Master Angler. They caught a total of 24 dolphins and one tuna.
Tommy Johns on the Absolute was 160 miles offshore when a 150.4-pound yellowfin tuna struck. It took one hour and 15 minutes on 50-pound tackle to boat the fish. It was big enough for first-place tuna.
First-place wahoo (53.92) went to Billy Currie on the On Course. Capt. Tim Cahle said they fought one blue marlin for about 30 minutes but it came unbuttoned during its last run. The Curries boated four other wahoo and some dolphins, including a 16.74-pounder.
The biggest dolphin (27.30) was caught on Reel Screamer II by Capt. Scott Rickert. Rickert also released one blue marlin.
Most of the anglers and some well-seasoned veterans said there were more yellowfin tuna in the Gulf of Mexico than in recent memory. "The yellowfin were schooling like bonita, it was awesome. They were everywhere," Skinner said.
A total of seven billfish were released. Six yellowfin tuna, eight wahoo and 10 dolphin were weighed in during the tournament.
- To report tournament information, contact Capt. Larry Blue (727) 397-3773 or e-mail CaptLBlue@aol.com. To find out how to get your tournament results in the paper, call (727) 893-8123.