WRTT entries looking good just two weeks before tournament

2012 Richest Tarpon Tournament12 copy

There are 28 boats currently signed up for the Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce’s “World’s Richest” Tarpon Tournament, with a total of 140 competitors, including captains and anglers.

What some have said would be a slow restart to a long-standing tradition is turning out to be quite something else.

The island’s Chamber of Commerce is ready to host some traditional tarpon fishing on the 30-year anniversary of the event.

“The urgency towards conservation has become increasingly apparent over the last few years, and the Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce are committed to taking the lead in creating opportunities to help rehabilitate a habitat that has flourished in Southwest Florida for thousands of years,” said Lew Hastings, executive director of the Chamber. “We are proud to have the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, Peace River Distributing and Budweiser as premier sponsors and are excited to reveal Guy Harvey’s specially-designed art for our event. We have the support of Project Tarpon and FlardaFish whose primary mission is conservation. The Tampa Bay Rays, Florida Sport Fishing Magazine, Harbor Style Magazine, Clear Channel Media and Entertainment and their stations Kix Country 92.9, Cat Country 107.1, CTQ 106.5, Gulf Coast Panama Jack, Lee and Charlotte County Visitor and Convention Bureaus are major supporters. More national sponsors have shown interest and we are currently working out details on how they can become involved.”

Spots are still available for entries into the tournament, which will be held May 17 and 18.  

Team registration and check-in will be Wednesday, May 16 at the Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce office between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. A captain or team leader may send a representative in their place to register and pick up the team bag.

At the time of registration, the name and contact information of the official observer assigned each vessel for the competition will also be given. No team will be allowed to compete without their assigned observer on board.

The captain and team leader reception will be held Wednesday, May 16 at the Boca Bay Pass Club from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. There will be a cash bar, raffles and an opportunity to buy additional WRTT gear.

More information is available at worldsrichesttarpon.com.