Strong East winds, and dirty water usually means less than ideal Tarpon fishing conditions in Boca Grande Pass, but conventional thinking was proven wrong.  Twenty-one fished were leader released, with thirteen fish making it Miller’s Ale House weighboat.

Team Salt Rock Grille/Salt Life, led by Cody Chivas, weighed in the first fish of the year at 128 lbs.  The 2008 Yamaha Team of the Year and winners of Week 1 during 2008, were hopeful the fish would hold up. 

“I thought he was 135 lbs, and with the conditions, and the fish we had been seeing, I thought it may hold up.”, said Chivas.

Chivas’ hopes were shattered when Team MGD 64, led by Captain George Greene hooked a fish just after the halfway point.

“When he jumped, I knew it was a big one.” Said Greene.

He was proven right.  When MGD 64’s fish hit the Tires Plus scale, it weighed in at 155 lbs.  Taking the lead.  Shortly after Artie Price’s Team Miller’s Ale House showed up to the scale with a big fish. 

“I thought we had it.” Said Price, who’s fish weighed in at 155 lbs as well.  By rule, MGD 64’s fish held the lead based on the time that the fish was leadered.  Adding more drama was Nick Winger’s, Team Angler Boats Corporation coming to the weighboat with a 154 lb fish.

MGD 64’s hope for victory were shattered near the end of the tournament when Team Culo Majado, led by Steve Kocsis, came to the Miller’s Ale House Weighboat with a fish that tipped the Tires Plus scale at 170 lbs. caught using a live crab.

“The fish fought hard.”said Kocisis.  “It took us in, around, and under the phosphate docks.  It was crazy!  No one in the tournament thought that big of fish would be caught because of the conditions.”

The favor was almost returned to Team Culo Mojado, as Team Yamaha, led by Capt. Troy Sapp hooked a fish just before the end of the tournament that took them in to overtime.  The Yamaha team was able to land the fish before the sudden death overtime ended, and it registered 167 lbs. 

Team Culo Majado has been fishing the Miller High Life PTTS since its’ inception seven years ago, and has had 4 Top 5 finishes, but this is their first victory.  With the win Team Culo Majada took the lead in the Yamaha Team of the Year Race with 570 points.

Rounding out the rest of the Top Five was Team Yamaha, 167 lbs.; Team MGD 64, 155 lbs.; Team Miller’s Ale House, 155 lbs; and Team Angler Boat Corporation.

The Miller High Life PTTS presented by Century Boats is the largest and richest live-release tarpon tournament in the world, featuring five regular season events and one championship event all held in Boca Grande Pass, Fla.   Teams may weigh one fish daily and obtain points towards the Yamaha Team of the Year Race by releasing placing, weighing and releasing fish.  Camera crews are on hand during the PTTS to capture the action for a 13-week television series that airs on Sun Sports Network and World Fishing Network. This year the show will be available in over 37 million households nationwide and in Canada.