Sabalo takes Ladies Nite Out
The anglers were screamin’, the reels were smokin’ and the pass crabs were thick on the water during the 2022 Ladies Night Out Howl at the Moon Tarpon Tournament, held on Saturday, May 28 from 8 to 11 p.m. in Boca Grande Pass.
Even though most captains and anglers admitted they lost as many tarpon (or more) as they released, there were still 78 tarpon released during the three-hour night tournament.
First place winners were “The Watkins Ladies” and Capt. Chad Bombenger aboard the Sabalo. Anglers were Sue, Debbie, Abby and Ashley Watkins and they had eight releases. Second place went to Wendy Herda’s team and Capt. Wayne Joiner aboard Hey, Moma! They had six releases.
The Hey, Moma! team released first fish and the Family Tradition team with team leader Sally Joiner and Capt. Travis Joiner released the last fish.
Out of the entries from the 25 boats entered in the tournament, $2,500 was raised for the Gasparilla Island Maritime Museum.
“The executive tournament team of Kacy Cheske, Ashley Scarpa and Robin Hollins could hardly catch a breath on land, keeping the releases and times recorded and announced on the radio,” said Tournament Director Betsy Joiner. “Thank you, ladies, for making it all happen on paper as the rest of us reeled and screamed! Kacy was the most professional sportscaster and tournament director, losing her voice at the end, but never missing a beat!”
The next Howl at the Moon is the open, and it will be held on Saturday, June 4. Call Whidden’s Marina at 964-2878 if you have questions.
Go to bocabeacon.smugmug.com for photos of the tournament and of the party.
Top photo: Capt. Chad Bombenger and his team aboard the Sabalo chased down and beat out Capt. Wayne Joiner’s team for first place in last Saturday night’s Ladies Nite Out tournament. Pictured above are Capt. Chad Bombenger, Sue, Debbie, Abby and Ashley Watkins, mate Carson Bombenger and tournament director Betsy Joiner.
