Breaking news! World’s Richest anglers bring 82 releases to the boat: Capt. Wayne Joiner and the Hey, Moma! team in first; Spooked Again team in second
The bite was strong and many anglers bowed to the silver king in the last two days, with 82 releases documented in the 2022 World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament. Capt. Wayne Joiner and the team aboard Hey, Moma! took first place with 13 releases. They had eight releases on the first day and five on the […]
Casuarina dominates #17 Classic
The bite was brisk and the fish were smallish, making it easier to catch-and-release quickly. William Woodroffe, the tournament’s founder and coordinator, said they shaved $200 off each entry fee to donate to the Gasparilla Island Maritime Museum. With 16 boats in the tournament, that made for a nice donation of $3,200 to the GIMM, topped off with a pledge from angler Howard Wise of $5,000 from his team’s prize money. That made a total of $8,200 donation for the museum, as well as a $500 donation to the Boca Grande Fishing Guides’ Association.
World’s Richest 2022 honors Capts. Tater Spinks, Cappy Joiner
The Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament honored two more iconic figures in Boca Grande’s fishing history during the Grande Tradition ceremony at the Captain’s Party on Tuesday May 17. Many captains, anglers, community members and tournament officials got up to share their fond memories, retell jokes and recall treasured stories of Capt. John “Tater” Spinks and Capt. Cappy Joiner.
2022 World’s Richest action, Day One
There was no shortage of excitement on day one of the 2022 World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament, with 38 tarpon released during the four-hour fishing time. By the end of the first day, Capt. Wayne Joiner and his anglers on Hey, Moma! was in the lead with eight tarpon released. Spooked Again with Capt. Steve Ahlers, […]
Scenes from the Captain’s Party (May 17, 2022)
Photos by Theresa O’Connor
Kids’ fishing tournament
The weather was beautiful but the bite was not prolific at the May 14, 2022 Youth Fishing Tournament. In all, three young anglers proved to have hot hands in the tournament, bringing in all the fish that were caught. Finn DeVault and his brother Jude took some of the top honors on Saturday morning. Finn […]
Weather cancels Ladies Day; first time in 31 years
The Manasota Mermaids didn’t even get their fins wet in the 2022 Ladies Day Tarpon Tournament, as the Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce had to make a tough call and cancel the event on account of bad weather. The call was made just before the tournament began, and 70 percent refunds were given. The captain’s […]
Accidents happen: One experienced boater explains why diligence is necessary at all times when out on the water
By Tim Spain Having spent years on the water, local chef Tim Spain has a tale that bears telling, to let our readers know that even with years of experience, one bad move on the water can end badly. On April 4, 2022, I was on a boat that had just been renovated, and we […]
Ladies and kids fishing details
Lee County Parks & Recreation and the Boca Beacon will sponsor another youth fishing tournament on Saturday, May 14 at the Boca Grande Fishing Pier, located on the north end of the island behind Kappy’s Island Shoppe, from 9 to 11 a.m.
