According to numerous reports, a large school of Tarpon entered Boca Grande Pass this week and the hookups were plentiful.  With the large school of Tarpon came a massive amount of adult bull and hammerhead sharks.  Captains reported schools of sharks in excess of 30 fish cruising the pass looking for an easy meal. 

Schools of Tarpon are being reported from as far South as Fort Myers Beach, through Pine Island Sound, and in to Charlotte Harbor.  “This is normal for this time of year”, says veteran captain Jeff Weeks of Team Gulfview & Whitney.  Weeks led his teammates to victory in the 2005 Jim Beam Tarpon Cup Championship.  “The schools of fish start to make their way to the pass through Pine Island and on the beach.  The water temperature in the pass is still a little cool, and the quarter moon phase should hold the migration of big schools in to the pass for another week.” Weeks said.

The buzz is in the air and teams are gearing up for this years PTTS events.  2005 Yamaha Team of the Year winner Artie Price can’t wait.  “I’m excited.  I’ve been busy on the redfish trails and I’m ready to Tarpon fish.”  Price captaining Team Castrol GTX in 2005 made an unbelievable comeback during the last regular series event to knock Capt. Jeff Totten’s Team Century from atop the Yamaha Team of the Year standings, winning by less than 100 points.  “This years Race is going to be tougher.  There’s a better, tougher field this year.”, says Price.  “We’re going to fish hard and stay focused and hopefully be at the top again this year.”

Capt. Jeff Totten leading Team Century/Poon Crazy is anxious as well, “We want to be as consistent as last year.”, remarked Totten.  “We had a first and second place finish and fell just short of the Team of the Year last year.  We’re ready for another great season fishing the PTTS”    

Big fish were the theme in 2005.  It took at least a 160 lb Tarpon to win an event in 2005.  The epitome was a 216 lb record setting fish caught by Terry Sopher, aboard Capt. Kenny Hyatt’s Team Century Fish Hawg, in Week 2.  According to Hyatt this year will be similar to last.  “Each year the fish get bigger and bigger.  I saw fish last year that were bigger than our 216.” “I wouldn’t be surprised if someone breaks our record this year.”, says Hyatt.

There are a number of new teams competing each week in the sold out field.  Nine year Major League Baseball veteran Doug Creek hung up his cleats, picked up a fishing rod and will be captaining Team Red Baron Pizza in 2006.  “I’m very excited to fish the PTTS.  I’ve never been able to do it before.”, remarked Creek.  “I would come and fish Boca during the All Start break each year.  I love Tarpon fishing.”  Creek is now guiding anglers full time but is looking forward to the competition in the PTTS.  “Competition is competition.  Whether you’re on the ball field or on the water, anyone can be a hero.”

The first event of the 2006 PTTS is on May 21st from 9:00 am until Noon.  A sold out field of fifty boats will compete for a new 1902 Century boat powered by a Yamaha four stroke F115 motor and a Continental aluminum trailer and over $6,000 in cash.