Kids Classic tarpon June 8, focus on conservation
The Gasparilla Island Kids Classic tarpon tournament is this Saturday, June 8, organized by the Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce.
Registration is from noon to 2 p.m. at the Boca Grande Community Center, with fishing from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. There will be games and fun activities at registration, including laser tag.
Awards will be held at 8 p.m. at the Community Center for first, second and third most releases and the first girl and first boy to hook a tarpon.
The event is advised by Boca Grande Charities, which originally founded and ran the tournament since 2011. This is the second year that the Chamber has taken over the tournament and the theme is “Kids Helping Kids,” with an emphasis on education and conservation, said Capt. Sandy Melvin, who helped found the tournament.
Teams consist of one captain and a maximum of four anglers. Observers will be on competing boats to monitor and verify releases.
Captain and angler registration can be found at bocagrandechamber.com/kids-classic or call the Chamber at (941) 964-0568.
