The sixth annual Tampa Tarpon Tournament has been expanded to two days and
will serve as a qualifying event for the world-class Rolex/IGFA Inshore
Championship Tournament co-sponsored by the IGFA (International Game Fish
Association).
The tournament, hosted by The University of Tampa and Tampa Bayside Marina,
is a 100 percent catch-and-release format, and will be held on May 20-21.
“We anticipate the expansion of the tournament to a two-day event, as well as
the addition of the IGFA, will draw even more anglers, not only from Tampa Bay,
but from across the state,” said Tournament Director Mike Emmanuel.
The extended fishing hours also will enable anglers to fish several major
tides, as well as night fishing. Fishing can begin as early as midnight on May
19 and continue until 3 p.m. on May 21. Previously, the tournament was limited
to nine hours, from 6 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday.
Other changes include the reduction of the fly-fishing division to a
category, but fly fishermen will still be able to compete for the overall prize
as well as the fly category.
Cash prizes of $1,000 will be awarded to the top anglers in the Guided and
Amateur divisions, and the grand champion will be invited to participate in the
Rolex/IGFA Inshore Championship Tournament to be held in the summer of 2007. The
Inshore Championship Tournament invites the winners of more than 55 qualifying
events held on four continents and sanctioned by the IGFA. Second-and
third-place finishers in the two Divisions will receive awards of $250 and $100,
respectively. Winners of the Women's, Fly and Children's categories will receive
trophies.
In addition to the extended fishing hours, the popular dinner and Captain's
Meeting has been moved to Thursday, May 18, 5:30 p.m., at the Tampa Bayside
Marina (Captain's Meeting at 7 p.m.).
All of the proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Marine Science
Center at the University, which serves both students and faculty in marine
science, environmental science and biology programs.
A major research field station is housed at the marina that provides an
on-water research facility for the University's many marine science
majors.
The registration fee for the tournament is $200 per angler or $500 for a team
of four and includes admission to all festivities. For more information, contact
Grant Donaldson, UT public relations director, at (813)
253-6232.