For the second consecutive year, Charles Duncan III of Houston, Texas, was named overall champion at the annual Don Hawley Invitational Tarpon Tournament. Duncan released 26 tarpon fishing with Captain Rob Fordyce of Homestead, Fla., during the five-day test of will and muscle.
Along with grand champion honors, Duncan received an invitation to compete in the prestigious 2011 International Game Fish Association Inshore Championship to be held in Islamorada.
Baker Bishop of Charleston, S.C., won the 12-pound tippet division, releasing 23 fish. Bishop was guided by Captain Kris Suplee of Marathon, Fla.
The 16-pound division winner was Vern Olson of Camano Island, Wash., guided by Key West’s Captain Bryan Holeman to score seven releases.
The tournament is a major fundraiser for the Don Hawley Foundation, which helps backcountry guides in times of need, and for Florida Keys youth scholarships.
Twenty-five anglers fished the tournament, releasing a tournament record of 187 tarpon in the 12-pound division and 31 in the 16-pound division.
The 2011 tournament is scheduled for June 6-10.By: Andy Newman/Carol Shaughnessy
