May 19, Tampa, Florida
The University of Tampa reintroduced the old Tampa Tarpon Tournament, an annual event for many years on the Tampa Bay waterfront until the late 1980s. The one-day tournament featured a strict catch-and-release format with all proceeds going to the University of Tampa’s Marine Science program. In its first year back, over 50 anglers signed up to compete.
Anglers were encouraged to use a guide, but had to compete in the expert/guide division if they did. Other divisions included amateur, fly, women and juniors. Categories included most fish and hard-luck divisions. Most fish caught and released in each division determined the winners.
In the end, a total of six tarpon were released, although many more were hooked. Angler Bob Kalafell took the guide/expert division with two releases, and Marilyn Healy placed second with one release, beating Jack Amor on time. Healy also took the women’s division.
