Boca Grande resident Dabo Swinney and his family love Independence Day. So much so, in fact, they turn one day of celebrating into several. It isn’t a stretch to conclude that a guy who can lead his team to win a few football games like Clemson Coach Dabo has, can probably handle coordinating activities for the friends and family he brings together here at his island home during the first week of July.

It was more than a few years ago that we began to see the love the Swinneys have for spending time outdoors and with each other on the Fourth of July. There have been, of course, more than a couple of casual football games. They haven’t failed to make an appearance at the parade for several years. They also hold a run through town that this year included almost 20 people. The group is also known to put on a rousing game of wiffle ball, which is not uncommon either (check out some YouTube videos on this – wiffle ball is kind of a thing for Clemson players).

As they headed home on the waters of Boca Grande Pass last Saturday night, Hugh Potter and his friends Braden Dolphin, Grady Abbott and Brandt Cataldo were pretty sure they had won the Gasparilla Island Kids Classic with their five releases. There’s always that bit of trepidation that stops one from completely believing it’s true until you’re standing on stage receiving the awards. Not to mention, Grady caught that fifth fish just minutes before the tournament ended, when radio traffic in the Pass was pretty crazy. 
Eventually, of course, they were on that stage. Out of 21 boats and 78 anglers, they were the four who made it to the big time … maybe with a little help from Capt. Travis Joiner on their boat, “Family Tradition.”

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 World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament of 2023 is fast approaching, with 25 boats expected to have signed up by early next week. Fishing will take place on Wednesday and Thursday, May 17 and 18, in Boca Grande Pass.

Last year’s winners were Capt. Wayne Joiner and his team aboard Hey, Moma! They took home $37,500. Anglers were Alex Shouppe, Chris Sanders, Michael Moorfield and Trey Starling, with First Mate Brecken Stinnett aboard as well.