Spring is the time for permit fishing. That also means that spring is the time for permit fishing tournaments. Earlier this year, Bonefish and Tarpon Trust was the grateful recipient of donations from two of those fantastic tournaments. Proceeds from the 2015 March Merkin Permit Tournament, as well as the 3rd Annual Palometa Club Permit Tournament, were donated to BTT and will go directly towards critical permit research.
The 2015 March Merkin Permit Tournament was held in mid March and saw 25 teams of permit enthusiasts battle it out for the chance to be crowned Grand Champion. After 3 tough days of fishing, Nathaniel Linville of Key West caught and released four permit to win the tournament. Linville, who released one permit on the tournament’s first fishing day and three on the second, scored 332 points to become the tournament’s Grand Champion angler along with his guide John O’Hearn of Big Pine Key, Fla.
Click here to view photos from the tournament on the March Merkin Facebook page.
On April 10-17, Mexico’s Palometa Club hosted their 3rd Annual Permit Tournament. The Palometa Club once again teamed up with Patagonia Clothing Company and Hatch Reels as the lead sponsors for the annual event to benefit BTT’s Jon Ain Fund, as well as the schoolchildren of Punta Allen, Mexico. The event raised over $6000 in charitable proceeds from the entry fees, calcutta, and individual donations!
The tournament crew enjoyed a week of stunning conditions with lots of sun, a few days of scattered clouds, and a normal dosage of manageable wind. There were not a ton of fish around be Ascension Bay standards, however numerous permit were brought to hand. In the end, the angling team of Mike Gifford & David Leake ended up with the most points thanks to the guide team of Big Julio & Sammy.
Click here for more info and photos from the 3rd Annual Palometa Club Permit Tournament.
