Elusive Tiger Shad, Let's Go Fishin' take top spots at Ladies Day 2013 Friday, 17 May 2013 10:31 BY MARCY SHORTUSE - The bite may have been slow, but Capt. Chris Frohlich’s team got the first qualified release in the 2013 Ladies Day Tarpon Tournament at 5:40 p.m. on Saturday. Anglers included Alysha Aratari, Olivia Britto, Joellen Morris and Mia Benton. Read the Full Story

FWC break-away jig study refuted by originating scientist Friday, 17 May 2013 10:06 BY MARCY SHORTUSE - In the summer of 2004 Dr. Justin Grubich picked up the phone to take a call from a woman who said she was with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The woman, Kathy Guindon, talked with Justin for about 30 minutes foul-hooking tarpon, and he was asked to provide expert witness testimony on how tarpon feed. He didn’t give the conversation much thought. Read the Full Story

World’s Richest, tarpon festival, Kids Classic coming up this week Friday, 17 May 2013 10:00 This week will bring one of the most action-packed and entertaining times that Boca Grande has seen in quite awhile. It is the World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament on May 23 and 24, the Gasparilla Island Kids Classic on May 25, and Tarpon Festival Weekend downtown. Read the Full Story

GIBA signs $30 million loan agreement, no new toll increases coming in the near future Friday, 17 May 2013 09:57 BY LIZA STROUT - With a unanimous vote, the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority board of directors approved the terms of a long-sought State Infrastructure Bank loan. The loan, to fund the construction of the new swing bridge, will keep tolls at their current levels for the foreseeable future. Read the Full Story

A lighthouse legend passes Friday, 17 May 2013 09:53 BY LIZA STROUT - Dian McKeithan Miller, youngest daughter of the last keeper of the Port Boca Grande Light, passed away Wednesday morning, May 15. Read the Full Story

Look for changes within the Community Center this summer Friday, 17 May 2013 09:52 BY MARCY SHORTUSE - The summer has come, the snowbirds are leaving and it’s time for the Boca Grande Community Center to start making some changes. They have tented for termites (and found a few bodies after the fact, so it was a worthy cause). Now they’re going to be tearing down some walls and moving things around. Read the Full Story

Letter to the Editor: World-renowned scientist makes changes to his conclusions about break-away jigs Friday, 17 May 2013 09:37 The following letter was sent to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Chairman Ken Wright on May 8, 2013. This letter is reprinted here with Mr. Grubich’s consent. Read the Full Story

Profile: Capt. Chris Frohlich Friday, 17 May 2013 09:31 BY JACK SHORT - Tarpon fishing seems to fascinate some folks in a way no other subject can. Capt. Chris Frohlich is one of those people, and his connection to the sport is as strong as his opinions about it. Read the Full Story

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Elusive Tiger Shad, Let's Go Fishin' take top spots at Ladies Day 2013
BY MARCY SHORTUSE - The bite may have been slow, but Capt. Chris Frohlich’s team...
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Looking for pics? We got 'em!

22 June 2012 Marcy Shortuse

We will now be posting photos of island events on our web site for sale or simple perusal. Please visit the "media" option at the top of the page where it says "photos and video." If you're looking for pictures of a particular event that you don't see listed, please contact our office via email ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or phone us at 964-2995.

Photo by Marcy

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Letter to the Editor: Angler knows both sides of jig controversy

22 June 2012 Marcy Shortuse

To the Editor:

I have guided in tarpon tournaments ever since I started taking clients for tarpon in Boca Grande more than two decades ago. We have participated in World’s Richest, Miller’s Tarpon Tide, World Tarpon and PTTS.

My family has roots in Boca Grande that cover a hundred years and date back to the earliest of 1900’s. The Markett’s were a pioneer Arcadia family and my grand and great-grandfathers were with the railroad. I have guided clients for tarpon in Boca Grande Pass and the surrounding sounds, beaches and Charlotte Harbor for a long time. My son and his family live on the island and it is my grandson Dalton’s only home. Capt. Lou Baggett and I started the Boca Grande Pass Cleanup during a Miller’s Tarpon Tide Tournament years ago and I was actively involved in that effort as long as it existed.

( 6 Votes )

Letter to the Editor: Islander wonders about a bridge lottery

22 June 2012 Marcy Shortuse

To the Editor:
Has the GIBA considered a lottery to finance the new Bridges? Is the GIBA authorized to run a lottery? Could the GIBA seek State approval to run a lottery?

( 1 Vote )

Letter to the Editor: Angler mom replies to PTTS protest

22 June 2012 Marcy Shortuse

To the Editor:
As the mother of a veterinarian, the mother-in-law of a veterinarian, and the mother of a PTTS captain and angler, and the mother-in-law of a WPTTS angler, I realize the necessity of taking measures that will cause the least harm to all of nature's creatures.

The attack on the PTTS is uncalled for. Local residents should not only be grateful for the hundreds of thousands of revenue dollars the PTTS and WPTTS bring in to Boca Grande, but also the extreme measures the PTTS takes in the handling of the Tarpon during tournament venues.

( 8 Votes )

Protest in the Pass ...

22 June 2012 Last Updated on 22 June 2012 Marcy Shortuse

BY MARCY SHORTUSE - The Port Boca Grande Beach was covered with people on Sunday, June 17. They carried signs that said, “No weigh, no kill” and “Save the tarpon.”

They were there to demonstrate their strong belief that the Pass should become a “catch-and-release” fishery, and that certain fishing practices used by some anglers are detrimental to the fish.