Sarasota reels in its 84th annual Tarpon Tournament

The 84th annual Sarasota Tarpon Tournament, the world’s oldest tarpon tournament, returns to Sarasota May 10. The tournament is open to fishermen of all ages and will run through June 15.

The five-week tournament will include overall, fly, junior, ladies, a his-and-her division and a most-releases category.

The weekly overall winners, the winner of the most-releases division and the winner of the fly-fishing division will compete in a fish-off June 21 to determine the overall winner, whose name will be inscribed in the tournament’s history trophy that dates back to 1930.

The tournament kicks off with a banquet May 7, at the Hyatt Regency, Sarasota and closes with an awards banquet July 19.

Entry fee is $125 for adults and $50 for junior anglers 15 and under.

Proceeds from this year’s tournament benefit the Suncoast Charities for Children. For information, visit sarasotatarpontournament.com.

IF YOU GO
84th annual Sarasota
Tarpon Tournament
When: Kickoff event is May 7; fishing weeks take place from May 10 through June 15; fish-off (primary) is June 21 and fish-off (alternative) is June 29; awards banquet is July 19.

Where: Fishing Boundaries are the northern tip of Anna Maria Island and southern side of Stump Pass (coordinates available online).

Cost: $125 for adults; $50 for junior anglers (15 and under)

Info: sarasotatarpontournament.net

WORDS TO KNOW
Angling: Fishing with a hook
Fly fishing: Fishing with an artificial fly

Contact Harriet Sokmensuer at [email protected]