Record size Tarpon caught

[Sam]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., June 22 Construction business owner and fisherman Al Willis landed a record winning 233-pound tarpon during a Tampa, Fla., fishing competition.

"I really never had much luck up here," the 43-year-old St. Petersburg, Fla., resident told the St. Petersburg Times. "That was, until this year." Willis hired charter boat captain Ernie Rubio to guide him through his first time in the Suncoast Tarpon Roundup, a 10-week fishing tournament celebrating its 73rd anniversary.

The tournament newcomer's big catch -- described by one official as "quite a fish" -- was entered into the record books Thursday. The Tarpon Roundup has been criticized for years for its kill format, the Times said.

"I wouldn't kill a fish just for the sake of killing a fish," Willis said. "But I had a hunch that it was going to be some kind of a record. That is why I kept it." Florida state law requires a $50 tag before a fisherman can catch and kill a tarpon.

Source