The Battle is On!

One of the things we are extremely proud of regarding this event is the commitment by the anglers and captains to catch and release our tarpon as healthy as possible. Just like a human’s body recovers faster after running a mile race than after running a marathon, a tarpon recovers from a battle quicker the faster it is fought and released.

Tournament competition rules are set up to reward the teams that can catch and release their tarpon the fastest, thus insuring healthy survival of the kids’ adversary.

# of Children

We have reached
Well Over 1000
Young Children!

charity icon

# of Charities

We have benefited
Multiple Charity Organizations!

Total Money Raised

We have raised over
$ 282,000!

2019 RESULTS

First Place

Team Taz Tile with 6 Releases

Captain Willie Mills on the boat Tracy Lynn

Anglers

  • Braylon McGuinness, 7 yr old
  • Jacob Newcomb, 15 yr old
  • Lucas Newcomb, 13 yr old
  • Clayton Weman, 13 yr old

Second Place

Team Blaze with
5 Releases

Captain Waylon Mills on the boat Blaze

Anglers

  • Cody Dawson, 12 yr old
  • Own Mills, 10 yr old
  • Jack Mosher, 11 yr old
  • Zoey Mills, 13 yr old

Last Fish Released

Team US Health Advisors

Captain Lamar Joiner Jr. on the boat Searene

Anglers

  • Chase Tudor, 15 yr old
  • Harlee Tudor, 12 yr old
  • Danny Wear, 15 yr old
  • Savannah Pope, 10 yr old

Average angler age: 10

Average fight-to-release time: 9 minutes

Total Releases in 9 years: 283

We place observers on every boat to document the time of each hook-up and the time of each release. We don’t remove the tarpon from the water, or fight them any longer than necessary.

Congratulations kids and captains on an outstanding job taking care of our tarpon to fight another day!

MONEY RAISED 2012-2019

2020
$20,000
2019
$42,000
2018
$37,000
2017
$37,000
2016
$34,000
2015
$28,000
2014
$26,000

Over

$

Donated To Charity Since 2012 From This Event!

Our Past
 Winners!

2012 - Capt. Sandy Melvin "Boca Blue"

  • Jack Waterhouse (13)
  • William Waterhouse (12)
  • Matthew Waterhouse (8)
  • Welyn Waterhouse (7)
Releases: 15. Average release time: 7 min. 26 teams. 98 participants. Average age: 12.

2013 - Capt. Waylon Mills "Blaze"

  • Marshal Locke (11)
  • Madison McCorckle (12)
  • Gauge McCorkle (9)
Releases: 15. Average release time: 10 min. 25 teams. 98 participants. Average age: 11.

2015 - Capt. Matt Haag

  • Sean Hyer (10)
  • Megan Hyer (9)
  • Jack Allgeier (13)
Releases: 9. Average release time: 9 min. 29 teams. 108 participants. Average age: 11.

2016 - Capt. Blake Cheske "Outta Line"

  • Kara Blosser (8)
  • Evan Blosser (10)
  • Rock Esposito (8)
  • Sage Esposito (6)
Releases: 31. Average release time: 7.5 min. 32 teams. 124 participants. Average age: 12.

2017 - Capt. Willie Mills "Tracy Lynn"

  • Clayton Werman (11)
  • Jacob Newcomb (13)
  • Lucas Newcomb (11)
  • Keegan Black (13)
Releases: 28. Average release time: 9 min. 35 teams. 125 participants. Average age: 10.

Our Past
 Winners!

2012 - Capt. Sandy Melvin "Boca Blue"

  • Jack Waterhouse (13)
  • William Waterhouse (12)
  • Matthew Waterhouse (8)
  • Welyn Waterhouse (7)
Releases: 15. Average release time: 7 min. 26 teams. 98 participants. Average age: 12.

2013 - Capt. Waylon Mills "Blaze"

  • Marshal Locke (11)
  • Madison McCorckle (12)
  • Gauge McCorkle (9)
Releases: 15. Average release time: 10 min. 25 teams. 98 participants. Average age: 11.

2015 - Capt. Matt Haag

  • Sean Hyer (10)
  • Megan Hyer (9)
  • Jack Allgeier (13)
Releases: 9. Average release time: 9 min. 29 teams. 108 participants. Average age: 11.

2016 - Capt. Blake Cheske "Outta Line"

  • Kara Blosser (8)
  • Evan Blosser (10)
  • Rock Esposito (8)
  • Sage Esposito (6)
Releases: 31. Average release time: 7.5 min. 32 teams. 124 participants. Average age: 12.

2017 - Capt. Willie Mills "Tracy Lynn"

  • Clayton Werman (11)
  • Jacob Newcomb (13)
  • Lucas Newcomb (11)
  • Keegan Black (13)
Releases: 28. Average release time: 9 min. 35 teams. 125 participants. Average age: 10.