‘Hey, Moma!’ wins Howl, 59 tarpon released

The Pass was rocking on Sunday night, May 28 as the boats that fished the Howl at the Moon Tarpon Tournament had hook-up after hook-up after hook-up. In all, 59 tarpon were released. Capt. Wayne Joiner on “Hey, Moma!” and his team – including anglers Dixie Hollins, Alex Shouppe, Mike Moorefield and Trey Starling –caught seven of those 59. Capt. Charlie Coleman’s team on “Had ‘em” took second place with six tarpon released.

The Pass was rocking on Sunday night, May 28 as the boats that fished the Howl at the Moon Tarpon Tournament had hook-up after hook-up after hook-up. In all, 59 tarpon were released.
Capt. Wayne Joiner on “Hey, Moma!” and his team – including anglers Dixie Hollins, Alex Shouppe, Mike Moorefield and Trey Starling –caught seven of those 59. Capt. Charlie Coleman’s team on “Had ‘em” took second place with six tarpon released.
The teams aboard “Last Call” and “Jill Marie” also had six releases, but the “Hey, Moma!” team got theirs first.
“What a night!” said Tournament Representative Betsy Joiner. “The fishing action started right away, and the radio was buzzing the whole three hours! A few times three and four fish hooked up in seconds of each other! Our judge team was on alert all evening, ears tuned to the radio calls, pen in hand and time clocks on all sides. Thanks, also, for each team’s observers on board.”
Joiner said there were many more hook-ups than those recorded, but they hopped the line.
The Gasparilla Island Maritime Museum hosted the tournament. The Museum suffered extensive damage in Hurricane Ian, and they are still working to repair the damage and rehabilitate the artifacts that were in the Museum during the storm.
“We are a work in progress at the Museum still,” Joiner said. “We hope to reopen in the fall.”
Joiner thanked all the captains and teams for participating. Of each boat entry, $100 went to the Museum, for a total of $1,300.
“It was a nailbiter to the end!” Joiner said. “Another exciting evening in the Pass, enjoyed by all. The bite is on, so call and book a trip soon. Remember, the best place to enjoy Boca Grande is on the water.
Thanks to all of you who support our fishing heritage and community!”