Boca Grande, Fla., May 31, 2009 - The Miller High Life Professional Tarpon Tournament Series presented by Century Boats held the final event of its’ five week regular series this past weekend in Boca Grande Pass, FL.  A sold out field of fifty, four person teams competed in the three hour event.

Captain Ozzie Fischer, Team Yamaha F350/Century, Fort Myers, FL, weighed in a large female Tarpon that tipped the Tires Plus scale at 180 LBS, securing them victory in Week #5 and also securing them 2nd Place in the Yamaha Team of the Year Race. 

At the start of the event many of the teams were concerned that there would be very few fish remaining in the pass to be caught, with some upset the event was even going to take place.  At the end of the three hour event twenty-six fish in total were landed, with eight being brought to the Miller’s Ale House Weighboat.  A slow day in PTTS fishing terms, but action was constant, despite, fewer fish than normal being present.  A strong outgoing tide, West winds in excess of 20 MPH, and rough seas contributed to the lack of fish and slow action.

“We knew it was going to be tough fishing.” remarked Fischer.  “We made a game plan after the Week #4 event, that we had to release as many fish as possible and weigh in a 150 lb fish or better if we wanted to try and take 2nd in the Team of the Year Race.”

Fischer is not accustomed to fishing for second place.  An accomplished tournament angler who has won nearly every inshore fishing event in Southwest Florida, and the former FLW Kingfish Team of the Year, knew that 1st place in the Yamaha Team of the Year Race was all but impossible.  Going in to Week #5, Capt. Artie Price, Team Miller’s Ale House, had a commanding 654 point lead over the second place team.  Fischer and Yamaha F350/Century were sitting in 15th, only 150 points out of 2nd Place, and ultimately closed the gap to edge out Capt. Doug Creek, Team Century/Miller Chill.

The drama continued during the event with less than one hour in regulation time Capt. Steve Dupper’s, Team Lake N Bay Boats, Sebring, FL, hooked a fish as a squall was moving through Boca Grande.

“We got bit just as it started getting rough, and it was all we could do to land her.” said Dupper.

Team Lake N Bay landed the fish twenty minutes into overtime, a 140 LB Tarpon, that was enough to take 2nd Place and propel them in to the Tarpon Cup Championship.

For the fourth time in seven years Captain Artie Price and Team Miller’s Ale House were crowned the PTTS Yamaha Team of the Year.  With the victory Team Miller’s Ale House received a Yamaha Four Stroke V6 F250 outboard motor along with four limited edition diamond encrusted Reactor Watches, a prize package valued at $45,000.  For their second place effort, Team Yamaha F350/Century, for the second time will be headed to the exclusive Crocodile Bay Lodge in Costa Rica, a trip valued at $12,000. 

The top 25 teams based on points earned through the season will compete in the Tarpon Cup Championship this Sunday, June 14th from 0700-1200.  The teams are allowed to weigh in two Tarpon with the aggregate weight determining the winner and the 2009 Tarpon Cup Champion.


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 #5

1ST PLACE: Yamaha F350/Century, Capt. Ozzie Fischer, Tarpon Springs, FL: 180 LB
2ND PLACE: Lake N Bay Boats, Steve Dupper, Sebring, FL: 140 LB
3RD PLACE: Century/Miller Chill, Capt. Doug Creek, Punta Gorda, FL; 125 LB
4TH PLACE: Captiva Rod & Gun Club, Capt. Jimmy Burnsed, Captiva Island, FL 116 LB
5TH PLACE: Hendrick Roofing, Capt.Jim Huddleston, Tarpon Springs, FL: 115 LB