Boca Grande, Fla., May 24, 2009- The Miller High Life Professional Tarpon Tournament Series presented by Century Boats held Week #3 of its five week regular series events this past weekend in Boca Grande Pass, FL.  A sold out field of fifty, four person teams competed in the three hour event.

During the past six years, Week #3 of the Miller High Life PTTS presented by Century Boats, has seen a fish over two hundred pounds reach the Tires Plus scale at the Miller’s Ale House weighboat.  Last year it was Team Fast Lane weighing a 210 lb fish.  The tradition continued in to 2009 when Capt. Artie Price, and Team Miller’s Ale House weighed in a record breaking 217 lb Tarpon, the largest fish weighed in a live release Tarpon fishing tournament, and took first place during Week #3.

“We knew it was going to take 200 lbs to win.” Said Price.  “We let a 140 lb fish go early, and that decision paid off.”

The decision paid off in more ways than one for Team Ale House consisting of Price, Capt. Greg Devault, Capt. Jon Turner, and Frank Massaro, all from New Port Richey, FL.  With the victory the team won a new Century 2102 Inshore powered by a Yamaha F150 four stroke motor and Continental aluminum trailer.  In addition, Price and crew extended their lead in the Yamaha Team of the Year Race by securing a single day points total of 617, shattering the previous record of 555 points set by Capt. Doug Creek last week.  Heading in to Week #4, Team Ale House has 1,397 points, 427 points ahead of the second place team, Culo Majado.

In total, ten fish were weighed during Week #3, for a total of 1647 lbs, with the average being 165 lbs, an unheard of number.  Team Reel Time Productions, led by Capt. Eric Mannino, attempted to surpass the 217 lb monster when they weighed in a fish with only a half hour to go.  Overcoming pernicious bull sharks, and a fight that saw the fish nearly break their line as it traveled in and around rocks, docks, and the anchored weighboat, Team Reel Time landed their fish which weighed 198 lbs and took second place.

“We’re thrilled.” Remarked Mannino.  “We’ve struggled the past two years, but we’ve been pre fishing hard and put our time in, and it finally paid off.”

Rounding out the Top 5 were Team Sun Toyota/Tundra, Capt. Steve Bowler, 178 lbs, in third , Famous Craft Boats, Derrick Jacobson, 175 lbs, in fourth, and Gaff Magazine/Explorer, Capt. Ron Gauthier, 172 lbs, in fifth place.

In total 75 Tarpon were leader released by the 50 boat field during the three hour event, which meant a fish came boatside every two minutes, yet another PTTS and Tarpon Tournament record.  Capt. TJ Stewart and his team MyELS.com/Castaway Charters took the Most Releases honors successfully leadering five fish, along with Yamaha F350, the most in a single day during the 2009 season. 

To date the PTTS has weighed and released 38 Tarpon for a combined weight of 5,554 lbs, or an average of 146 lbs.  In addition, 158 fish have been leader released, or a fish being caught once per every minute of fishing during PTTS events.

“Boca Grande is living up to it’s name as the World’s Greatest Tarpon fishery.” Remarked PTTS TV host Joe Mercurio  “Boca Grande is the best place in the world to catch Tarpon and the fishing this year in the PTTS has accentuated that point, week in, and week out.” 

The exciting action from the Miller High Life PTTS 2009 season continues next Sunday, June 7th, for a double header event, Week #4 and #5.  The action begins at 6:30 AM.

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. 

For more information and pictures please visit, www.TarponAnglersClub.com

NOTE:  Fans are encouraged to watch the PTTS Tarpon fishing action and weigh in live.  The weigh in is held on the beach at Gasparilla Island State Park, Boca Grande, FL.  In addition downtown Boca Grande offers numerous family friendly restaurants and shops, as well as other historical sites.

Top Five Week #3

1ST PLACE: Miller’s Ale House, Capt. Artie Price, New Port Richey, FL: 217 LB
2ND PLACE: Reel Time Productions, Capt. Eric Mannino, Mims, FL: 198 LB
3RD PLACE Sun Toyota/Tundra, Capt. Steve Bowler, Hudson, FL; 178 LB
4TH PLACE: Famous Craft Boats, Capt. Derrick Jacobson, Port Charlotte, FL 175 LB
5TH PLACE: GAFF Magazine/Explorer, Capt. Ron Gauthier, Sarasota, FL: 172 LB