Howl at the Moon, Billy Bo tourneys slated

For those who love fishing in the dark, the next Howl at the Moon Invitational Tarpon Tournament is edging closer, and there is still room for anglers who haven’t signed up yet for the May 31 date.

The previous three years that the tournament has been held have been very successful. So far, out of four tournaments (two were held last year), 180 tarpon have been released.

This year things will be a bit different than in former years, as the captain’s party has been opened up to the public.

“We really want to let everybody know,” said Melina Chapman, one of the coordinators of the tournaments. “The party is open for everyone to come, it’s a celebration of traditional fishing for the whole community and it’s for a great cause.”

Proceeds from the entry fees will benefit the Lighthouse Museum, and all fishing action will be monitored from that location the night of the tournament.

“When the tournament starts everyone can go down there,” Chapman said. “Reggie (Norman, the official judge) will be setting up down there, talking to all the boats from the beach instead of out on the water like usual. Anyone can go down there to  hear what’s going on, and we will have the leader board up there.”

It’s also a good spot to watch some of the tarpon being released.

After sunset, the action will be monitored by radio from the lighthouse.

Three places will be awarded, with 90 percent payback. The cost is $2,500 per team. Each team will consist of a captain, an observer and four anglers.

The captain’s party will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Eagle Grille, located at the Boca Grande Marina the day of the tournament. There will be entertainment, prizes and games.

Fishing will take place in Boca Grande Pass from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Chapman explained how the name “Howl at the Moon” came to be.

“My brother was standing here at the store (Melvin’s store, Gasparilla Outfitters and Special Effects), and he had a hat on,” she said. “We were just talking about the tournament, and I looked at his hat. It had a wolf on the front, and on the side it said ‘Howl at the Moon.’ I told Sandy that has to be the name of the tournament … it’s so cool.”

Last year, a Howl at the Moon “Lite” tournament was also held, due to great response from those who had already fished the big 2007 “Howl” tournament, and from some who didn’t get a chance to enter the first time. This year, two “Lite” tournaments are scheduled, one on June 14 and one on June 28. The fishing hours will be from 8 p.m. to midnight, and the entry fee will be $500.

“We had a lot of interest and so much fun,” said the tournament’s founder, Capt. Sandy Melvin.

“We’re trying to bring back some of the fun of the old Millers Marina tarpon tournaments by having the cocktail/captain’s meeting at the old marina. We wanted to keep alive the traditional methods of tarpon fishing, and especially the night fishing which is very popular and never got the credit it deserved.

Night fishing often goes in under the radar, and some people are intimidated by going out at night. But we have shown we can catch a lot of fish. We wanted to showcase the great night fishing we have here.”

Melvin said that previous years’ records will tell the tale of how many fish are caught during these tournaments, and how every second counts when recording the time each tarpon is released. During last year’s main tournament, the longest time anyone went without catching a tarpon was at the very end, when there was a 33-minute lag time between the 57th and 58th fish caught.

To date, Melvin has won every tournament with the exception of the “Lite” tournament. While some captain’s have needled him about winning his own tournaments, Melvin said it’s just a fluke.

“Every captain out there has the capability of winning the tournaments,” Melvin explained. “At least that’s the story I’m sticking to. Really, I’ve just been very fortunate. There’s no secrets … at least none that I’m going to tell.”

Melvin said next year there will be two main tournaments – The Howl at the Moon Open and a “Howl” ladies-only tournament, dates to be announced.

“It’s going to be a good next year,” said Melvin. “We’ve had great support from the Chamber of Commerce and local businesses and all the fishing guides.”

Another tournament, the Billy-Bo Memorial Tarpon Tournament, is slated to be held on Father’s Day, June 15. This tournament has become a favorite with many island fishermen with its tradition of no jigging allowed and all-release fishing with live bait.

The tournament will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. in Boca Grande Pass, with a post-fishing award party to be held at 8 p.m. at Miller’s Dockside.

The first place angler will receive 60 percent of the total net registration fees, and will be the team with the most tarpon released. Second place will take home 40 percent of the total net registration fees.

The registration fee for the tournament is $700. Of that amount for each entry, $600 will go toward prize money and $100 will go toward expenses.

Entry forms can be picked up at the Boca Beacon office, upstairs at 431 Park Avenue, or at Whidden’s Marina. All entry fees must accompany the entry forms. Checks can be made payable to the tournament’s founder and coordinator, Peggy Denby. Final registration will be held at Whidden’s Marina from noon to 2 p.m. on the day of the tournament. Tournament bags can be picked up there as well.

Denby and Smith created the tournament in memory of Capt. Billy Wheeler and Capt. Bo Smith, two of the foremost fishing captains in Boca Grande’s history.

For more information contact Peggy Denby at 964-1393 or Capt. Timmy Smith at 697-5544.