I was invited by a local angler and Suncoast Tarpon Roundup (STR) member to help him fish the Finale Day Tournament. I agreed and we met at Demon's Landing at 5 a.m. to launch his 24' Sea Cat. Well, thank goodness it was dark as we ran all the way to little spot of mine in an area near the south end of the Skyway, otherwise we may have been able to see the sea state and turned around.
 

We set up around 6:15 and put baits (fresh dead shad) out and waited. We didn't wait long before the first bite came. Pulled drag on the locked down 4/0. We thought we had our first tarpon but, no. It was a 4 foot black tip. So we reset all the baits and began waiting again. Again, not a long wait and at around 6:30 the starboard aft line starts singing, the rod bends and a nice little 60 pound tarpon goes airborne. After a quick 10 minute fight, we have the fish boat side, call in our fish to the tx committee and get our DNA scrub. Our first fish boated. And first of the tx. The later would prove to be key. 

We fished the rest of the tide through many squalls and thunderstorms with high seas and brilliant lightning. During a few short breaks in the weather we would move around the bay. All we managed to catch were sharks up 'til around 1, when we decided we had had enough of the weather and headed in to the weigh-in sight. Weigh-in was at 3:30, so we sat in the restaurant, had lunch and just waited until all the results were in. At 3 (lines out) we got the news that only 4 fish were caught all day. Not one of those boats caught more than one fish and our fish was first. That means......we took first place!

I want to thank Jay Masters for inviting me along! Also, congrats to Capt.Bill Miller, Jr. on his 2nd place finish and a special congrats to Capt. Bill Miller for his third place finish. Bill senior caught his standing on Redington Pier!
All in all a tough day on Tampa Bay. But, in the end...worth it!