Capt. Sandy Melvin of Special Effects/Gasparilla Outfitters has announced the date for the traditional sixth annual “Howl at the Moon” Invitational Tarpon Tournament on Saturday, June 5th, 2009 from 8 p.m. – 1 a.m. The entry fee will be $2,500 per team with a 90 percent payback.
Monica Clay, owner of Boca Grande Home Watch, will be the head judge for the event. Winners will be determined by the most releases, and an observer will be placed on every boat.
Other prizes will be awarded as well.
Melvin said that the rules for the tournaments have been designed to showcase the traditional methods that local fishing guides use in Boca Grande Pass, and to let people know that tarpon are being caught late into the season.
“Tarpon season has been so good the past few years, espcially at night, we want to let people know that,” Melvin said. “We may even add one or two tournaments later in the season. This is our sixth year and the tarpon we have caught number in the hundreds. Fishing has been great, with lots of fun and excitement.”
Captain’s party will be hosted by the Boca Grande Marina Eagle Grille (formerly Millers Marina) from 5 to 7 p.m. on the day of the tournaments.
The party for the tournament will be sponsored by The Useppa Island Club. Additional sponsors include: Gasparilla Properties, Italiano Insurance, Grande Aire Services, The Boca Beacon, The Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce, Boca Grande Marina, Courtyard Hair, Barnicol Hardware, Aqua Boutique, The Temptation, PJ’S SeaGrille, Island Craftsman.
Special Effects/Gasparilla Outfitters will also help to sponsor all events, and the parties will be coordinated by Monica Clay of Boca Grande Homewatch.
“There will be raffles, prizes, games and food,” Melvin said. “We want everyone to come on down and celebrate the season with us. We’re trying to bring back the fun, and we want people to get their teams together, to enjoy the parties with food and entertainment, and even if people don’t feel like fishing they can come down and support the local fishing guides.”
All money raised through the tournaments will benefit the Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum and Gift Shop.
In return, the lighthouse will be open during the hours of the May 30th tournament as a “viewing post” for spectators.
“We’re really excited to be named beneficiary of the money raised by the tournament,” said Sharon McKenzie, director of the lighthouse. “We have never really been recognized like this before, and we appreciate it very much.”
McKenzie said that the plan right now is to have refreshments during the tournament, to have the public restrooms open, and to provide a beautiful view of Boca Grande Pass for spectators while they listen for the action over the marine radio.
“We want to make this a community-involved tradition,” Melvin said. “We want as much support and involvement that we can get, and for everyone to have a great time.”
*Update! For more information call Special Effects/Gasparilla Outfitters at 964-0907.
