“This was a story-book ending to an extremely productive and competitive tournament series,” says Joe Mercurio, VP of Operations for Florida’s largest live-release tarpon tournament.

While the tournament series has concluded, Mercurio and crew are in production of a 13-week television series for Florida’s SunSports Network. The program, featuring high-octane footage from the series will begin airing on July 1.

During Saturday’s qualifying event, Team Hooters battled some extraordinary circumstances to pull out a victory with a 174-pound tarpon. “We were one man short due to illness, so we began the tournament at a disadvantage, trying desperately to drive a boat and keep the maximum of three lines in the water,” said a tired Capt. Jim Huddleston beachside.

With the victory, Team Hooters won a Century 1902 Bay Boat powered by a F115 4-Stroke engine and Continental aluminum trailer.

Capt. Artie Price and Team Castrol GTX racked up more than 400 points during Saturday’s tournament, including five leader touches and a 153-pound catch, securing a victory as the Yamaha “Team of the Year” Race and winning a Yamaha F225 4-Stroke engine.

Spectators lined the beaches of Gasparilla State Park, many staying around to watch more than 100 female anglers participate in Saturday’s Ladies Day Tournament. Team Miller High Life, with Capt. Bobby Goodwin won the event, as his team of lady anglers successfully caught a 147-pound tarpon winning a $5,000 cash prize.

“Tarpon fishing far exceeded my expectations, and I have gained much respect for the folks who fish competitively on a regular basis,” said Ann Runyon, a first-time tarpon angler from Team NEXTEL. Runyon, who caught a 100-pound tarpon, added that she is already planning to participate in next year’s event.

In the series finale on Sunday, Capt. Jeff Weeks and Team McKee won the Jim Beam Tarpon Cup Championship with two fish that weighed a total of 317 pounds. “We are honored to have won the Championship, especially competing against some of the best salt water anglers around,” said Weeks.

With their victory, Team McKee won a Century 2202 Bay Boat powered by a Yamaha VZ200 engine and a Continental aluminum trailer, a package totaling more than $40,000.

The Professional Tarpon Tournament Series is the largest live-release tarpon tournament held in the state of Florida. The NPTTS is a made for television tournament that will air as a 13 week series on Sun Sports Network starting July 1.For more information, visit www.tarponanglersclub.com.