Marathon International Tarpon Tournament Sparks Global Interest

MARATHON, Florida Keys — Contestants from around the globe are to confront the mighty silver king during the annual Marathon International Tarpon Tournament, set for Thursday through Saturday, May 5-7.

Historically, participants get the best bites during the three evenings of fishing either at or near the Middle Keys’ landmark Seven Mile Bridge.

The long-running tournament is to begin at noon Thursday with a late sign-up followed by a captains meeting and luncheon at Lazy Days South, located at 725 11th St. oceanside at mile marker 47.3.

Thursday and Friday, fishing is scheduled from lines-in at 5 p.m. to lines-out at 9 p.m. Lines-in is scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday with lines-out at 8 p.m.

The awards ceremony and dinner are planned for 9 p.m. Saturday at Lazy Days South.

Trophies are awarded to first- through third-place for individual anglers. Additional awards are to be presented to the first- and second-place two-angler teams and first- and second-place captain, as well as for the most fish other than tarpon released, most total fish released including tarpon and a traveler’s trophy for the angler who traveled the farthest distance.

All tarpon must exceed 36 inches in length from tip of mouth to fork of tail to qualify for points. Anglers can use 30-pound line on conventional or spinning tackle. Live and dead bait, lures and fly are permitted, but chumming is not allowed. Each tarpon caught is valued at 100 points.

Entry fee is $175 per angler. An additional $40 registration fee is required for two anglers to fish as a team. Social tickets are $50 per person.

Event information: 305-289-2248 or marathonbait@gmail.com
Marathon visitor information: 1-800-262-7284 or www.fla-keys.com/marathon
Florida Keys fishing information: www.fla-keys.com/fishing
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