BY LIZA STROUT - John Donoghue, better known as JP, is a busy man. As project manager in charge of replacing the fixed bridges on the Boca Grande Causeway, he has a lot on his plate.

“I’m in charge of scheduling, cost control, logistics and personnel,” said JP. “Basically, day-to-day operations for the demolition of the old bridges and the construction of the new ones.”

The son of a healthcare administrator and a CAT scan technician, JP’s career in construction might seem unusual, until you hear about his grandfather.

“He was a homebuilder in Venice in the 1950s and 60s,” explained JP. “I took to marine construction. You have the water, the tides, so many variables that you don’t have to deal with on land.”

BY LIZA STROUT -  Capt. Willie Mills knew what he had to do to remain sane when his team was in first place on the second day of the World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament.

He turned the radio off. With fierce competitor Capt. Wayne Joiner and the Hey, Moma! team breathing down their necks, it was all they could do to sit in slience and hope for the best.

BY LIZA STROUT - Four children sat at the stern of the Boca Blue last Saturday afternoon, holding their breath with every radio transmission. Known as Team Gasparilla Outfitters, they were in the lead in the Gasparilla Island Kids Classic, and the excitement on the boat was palpable.

BY LIZA STROUT - The women of Hudson’s have been declared the champions of the 2012 Ladies Day Tarpon Tournament.

There was a symmetry to their day: the first call of “Fish On!” went up from their boat, Casuarina, two minutes into competition. Their last fish bit with only two minutes left in competition.

The team of Theresa Lasher, Emily Wise, Judy Kesterson and Barbara Jaeggi had already won the day with three tarpon released when a last minute tug at the line sent them back into battle. Capt. Charlie Coleman was at the helm to see them through one last fight.