Event at Whidden’s launches the 2026 official Tarpon Season

The Boca Grande Fishing Guides Association held a kickoff party for the tarpon season in Boca Grande at Whidden’s Marina. The Saturday, April 18, party included locals and visitors, about 200 in total; not only old Boca Grande friends and family, but even a few visitors, including a visitor who heard about the first launch party, and came over from Jug Creek.

The Guides served mullet and hush puppies. There was a challenge in actually getting enough mullet to serve; Capt. Matt Coleman, Capt. Willie Mills and Capt. Dusty Mcgonigal brought them in.

“We used up all the mullet we had,” Capt. Van Hubbard said.

The mullet was a challenge as it has to be fresh.

“It comes down to getting all the mullet at the last minute,” said Capt. Chris Taylor, president of the association, which raised around $3,000.

During the event, several visitors toured The Boca Grande Maritime Museum. The event was planned not only to promote the tournaments of the upcoming season, but to meet the captains, many of whom were present. They also had a table out to recruit new supporters.

“We got a ton of associate members,” said Taylor, who worked closely with Mcgonigal to organize it, with an active board and volunteers. “We’ve been able to get a lot done.”

Upcoming tournaments were promoted including the following:

The season will begin on May 9 with the Ladies Day Tarpon Tournament, hosted by the Boca Grande Chamber. Just a few days later, the Chamber will also host the World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament on May 13 and 14.

The Howl at the Moon Tournament, organized by the Maritime Museum, will follow on May 30. All proceeds benefit the museum.

The Chamber will host the Gasparilla Island Kids Classic on June 6, giving younger anglers their chance to join in the tradition. 

The season continues with the Red Gill Invitational, sponsored by William Woodroffe, on June 13.

Closing out the lineup is the Howl at the Moon “Ladies Night Out” Tournament, hosted by the Maritime Museum on June 20, along with a cocktail party the night before.

More photos here.

 Find out more, including schedules, at bocagrandeguidesassociation.org