“A tournament series that has a NASCAR-like feel to it,” was how Joe Mercurio described it. The series would be very visually orientated, allowing TV cameras to film on individual boats as fish are hooked, played and brought in to the weigh boat while Joe, himself, provided a play-by-play running commentary on the air. Spectators on the beach would be able to view the action from relative close range. The boats, themselves, would be festooned with vinyl wrapped graphics adding to the rich visual flavor of the series.

Gary and Joe worked relentlessly to make it happen the following spring. They sought corporate sponsors, negotiated with the Sunshine Network and tirelessly promoted the series to attract quality fishing teams from around the country. And, happen it did in a very exciting format. Although the series started off coping with late arriving tarpon, it ended as a huge success that did generate the excitement and enthusiasm they hope would come back to tarpon fishing the world famous Boca Grande Pass.

The series is professional in every sense of the word – from the superb television coverage and ensuing programming to the skills of the angling teams and the sportsmanship of the captains. The Television show became one of the highest rated shows in 2004 during the GMC Outdoor block on the Sunshine Network

Joe and Gary announced that the “Professional Tarpon Tournament Series presented by Cobia and Century boats” will return in 2005 and they have plans to make it even more exciting. One new twist is the addition of “lipstick” cameras installed in selected boats and individual captains will be wired for sound (rigged with microphones) during the TV coverage of each event. This will provide an in-depth, up close and personal coverage of the fishing as it actually happens.

Last year the “Team of the Year” was Team Century, led by Captain Jeff Hagaman, with 2 individual wins and a 2nd and 3rd place finish in the individual events of the series. Their total winnings had a cash value over $50,000 that included two boats: a Cobia and a Century, each with a 115 Yamaha 4-stroke engine and a Loadmaster trailer. Not bad for a few hours of fishing.

The 2005 prizes will be even better because Yamaha Motor Corporation has teamed up with the series to start the Yamaha Team of the Year Race. Part of the race is a Yamaha incentive program that will award an extra $1,000 each week to the first place team, if the vessel used during the tournament is outfitted with a Yamaha engine. In the event the first place winners are not using a vessel powered by a Yamaha, the highest finishing vessel with a Yamaha engine will receive $500 cash.

Other upgrades in prizes are a 192 Cobia and a 1902 Century boat, each with a 115 Yamaha 4-stroke engine and an aluminum trailer – one of which will be given to the winning team in each week’s competition. This prize package is valued at $25,000. The championship or “Tarpon Cup” winner will receive a 2005 222 Cobia Bay Boat with a Yamaha VZ200 engine and an aluminum trailer, a $40,000 package. The “Team of the Year” prize package includes a trip for four to Crocodile Bay Lodge in Costa Rica. This 5 day and 4 night trip is valued at over $10,000. Joe Mercurio says that there are more prizes to come as the series nears.

The format for the 2005 series remains basically the same as last year as do the entry fees. They remain $600 per event, but if a deposit is received before March 1, 2005 the cost will drop to $500 per event. With only 50 entries allowed in each tournament it breaks down to a 1 in 50 chance to win big prizes. There will again be 6 weekly tournaments – 5 qualifying series events and a championship event in which only the top 25 teams in points will qualify for.

A 7th, non-series, event that will become an exhibition event and part of “Championship Week” is the Ladies Day Tournament. It is an opportunity for ladies to showcase their talents as world class anglers on TV as well as win prize monies. The prizes are: $5,000 for 1st, $3,000 for 2nd, $1,000 for 3rd, a Johnson Jewelry tarpon bracelet valued at $500 for 4th, and a Johnson Jewelry tarpon pendant valued at $300 for 5th place. Each entry will be comprised of a team of 3 lady anglers and a captain and mate – the captain and mate can be either female or male, but they will not be allowed to fish. This event is meant to be locally sponsored with an emphasis on fun.

As of this writing over half the entries for the PTTS are already filled (34 registered teams) of the 50 team limit. Anyone with interest in participating in this series or the Ladies Day Tournament can contact Joe Mercurio @ (941) 255-1581 for information and registration forms.