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1.
The Tarpon Hunters Club of Fort Myers Beach season is
from January 1st. through the last scheduled hunt
(normally in October.) Dues are to be paid by January
1st. for fish to count. A member is considered
delinquent after March 15th and any members failing to
submit dues by that date will automatically forfeit
their active membership... Fish only count for awards
from January 1st. to 12 midnight of the last scheduled
hunt date. 2.
All members of the Tarpon Club are expected to conduct
themselves in a sportsman or sportswoman like manner.
Any member considered by the Club Board not doing so,
may have their membership revoked.
* Membership applications
are subject to approval by the club officers/board.
3.
To
qualify for a club family membership, all members must
live at the same postal address
4.
Fishing boundaries for the club are as follows:-
Southern boundary is
Wiggins Pass. East, on the Caloosahatchee River to the
Franklin Locks.
North, to the Lee
County line. Offshore lines are 240 degrees from
Wiggins Pass and 270 degrees from the north Lee County
line as far out as you care to fish.
The
fishing areas include all of Cayo Costa, Johnson Shoals,
Boca Grande Pass and approx. two thirds of Gasparilla
Island. There is a water tower on Gasparilla Island that
is inside the boundary by about one mile, but will serve
as a good visual aid as to our northern boundary.
5.
The
Tarpon Hunters Club will use the International Game Fish
Association (lGFA) rules as a general guideline for
official catches and releases.
6. For
conventional tackle (above 20lb line class) a Tarpon
must weigh 50lb minimum and to be eligible, must be
hooked and fought by one person. No other person may
touch the rod, reel or line after the fish is hooked or
during the battle. Boat rod holders may be used.
Stainless steel hooks must not be used. Our club
recommends the use of “circle” hooks.
7. A
“released” Tarpon is one that the leader had been
touched by the angler or another person, not necessarily
a club member. Alternatively, the leader knot or
swivel, may be wound up to touch the
tip of the rod. After either of these
actions, the Tarpon is considered “released” Upon a
“release” the rod may be passed to other anglers to
fight the Tarpon until the fish is detached.
The time of “release” should be noted for our clubs
records.
8.
Leader length may be no longer that 8 ft for line class
above 20 lbs.
9.
Hunts: - Tarpon caught must be reported by the hunt
deadline to be eligible for hunt prizes.
1 Day Hunt,
5am to 5pm. 2 or 3 Day Hunt, 5am first day through to
3pm last day (weigh-in at dock). Hook-ups and “releases”
must be reported as they occur on VHF radio - channel
6
Note: - Anglers with a “released” Tarpon during a 2 or 3
day hunt must be present at the weigh-in, on the
dock by 3pm latest - for the fish to count for that
hunt.10.
Tarpon “released” at anytime during the season count
towards your total for the year. Tarpon hooked prior to
the starting time of a hunt are not eligible for the
hunt, but qualify for a “release” for the year.
Tarpon are not eligible for your yearly total, if
“released” during an official club function, for example
a club meeting, club picnic etc, or between 3 & 5pm
during a weigh-in at the dock, after a two or three day
hunt.
11.
There are two divisions per hunt, unlimited and light
tackle. There will be awards for 1st and 2nd
Tarpon “released”. No ties in regards to hunt
winners, time of “release” always takes precedence.
12.
All
“releases”: - The weigh-master must be notified
within 3 days of a “release” to count for that year.
13.
A
“junior member” is a member who is 16 yrs. old or
younger on or before the 1st. of January and is then
considered a junior for the rest of that season.
14.
A
“Rookie member” is a member who has never caught a legal
Tarpon with the club.
15.
During a couples hunt, the lady must catch the 1st.
fish.
16.
Any
fish caught with a paid Charter Captain will
not count as a club release.
17.
A
club member may belong to more than one Tarpon club, but
“releases” will qualify for one organization only. That
club must be specified on our membership application
each year.
Note: -
Tarpon weight may be estimated by using the MirrOlure
Tarpon weight computer. A
copy of this table can be supplied by the club.
Light Tackle Division Regulations (20Ib. Line class &
under)
L/1 Club will recognize 4
lb.(2kg.), 8 lb.(4kg.), 12 lb.(6kg.), 16 lb.(8kg.), and
20lb.(l0kg.) line classes.
An information sheet is available from the
club detailing leader lengths and specifications.
L/2
Any world record fish caught by a club member will get a special trophy at
the Awards Banquet at the end of that season.
L/3 4lb.
Line class: - Tarpon have to be 36 inches long to be
legal. (To the "V' of the tail)
Not 50 lbs. as for conventional line
classes.
L/4
A
Sportsman trophy will be presented to a member with the
most “releases” on 12 lb. line or less.
L/5
A
trophy will be given to any club member who catches 3 or
more Tarpon on 3 different line classes in one season.
(This includes unlimited and fly rod classes). Called
the “Tarpon Grand Slam Award”
L/6
Awards will be given for first and second place to club
members with the most releases on fly rod (any leader
length allowed) and each line class, at the annual
Awards Banquet. |
